Where in the Bible does it say that receiving Christ/getting saved once is not enough to make it into Heaven?

Question

I have a friend who believes that just because he prayed the prayer of Salvation once he is set for eternity and even turned to witchcraft with the deception that nothing can rob his salvation. He says that the Bible says to only do it once and that's it. What are some Bible verses that contradict that and say that you must live the right way for Christ in order to make it into Heaven?
Thanks in advance, God Bless!

I understand how this can be misinterpreted, ofcourse you're only saved once by the blood of Jesus and you stay saved, but it is still your responsibility to constantly repent of any sins you do to be washed over by His blood. And as the Bible says, we must be a daily living sacrifice for Him, we must now "Carry our cross" not just say "well i prayed the prayer, now i get to slack off and do nothing but what i feel like and expect to get into heaven.."

Answer 1

Hi There,

There are many verses in the Bible that show us that it takes more than simply saying "I believe in Christ" to be saved. Many have been giving some great verses. I think the best one is from Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 31-46.

Here Our Lord, the great story teller, is telling his disciples a parable. He says that when He comes in glory He will separate the sheeps from the goats. He describes the sheep as those that give of themselves and do the right things. They are able to enter the Kingdom. Then he describes the goats. They, unlike the sheep, do not perform acts of mercy and righteousness. The goats ask Our Lord, when did they see Him in need and not serve Him.

The goats did know Jesus, but they didn't serve Him. They didn't give their whole lives to Him. The apostle John quotes Christ in Revelation, chapter 3, verse 16: "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." We have to be on fire for Christ to accept us, for Christ to recongnize us. In Matthew, chapter 7, verses 21-23, Christ tells us: "'Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" I think Our Lord makes it very clear that he wants more than just a profession of faith. He wants lives and hearts ready to do His will and give His Love.

eibmusic

Answer 2

Your friend does not get his information from the Bible. There are many people that believe they can once "call on the name of the Lord and accept Him into their life" they are set for life. The Bible teaches the opposite. The Bible says we must be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the word of the Lord. Your friend was never saved or would not now say those things. The Bible is true and every man a liar that contradicts it.

Go ahead and give me an x but that is what the Bible clearly says.

If you are really interested, e-mail me and I will discuss it with you based on what the Bible says.

Answer 3

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

An individual must truly repent (as in Salvation experience) and in so doing have a definite indwelling of the Holy Spirit which would then guide them into all truth. I would say, unless their salvation experience was very sincere they were never truly saved in the first place. Their character is flighty at best because it's so easy for them to drift away and not revere the miracle of salvation, that changed heart.

Answer 4

Good scriptures to read are I John 2, Revelations 3 and 21.

I John 2 shows that you have to live your life like Christ to know you are saved.

Revelations 3 shows that people's names can be stricken from the Lamb's book of life, and I think it's either chapter or 21 of Revelations that states what practitioners of evil will not enter into heaven. I would recommend showing that passage in particular to your friend as it makes no bones about what God thinks about practicing witchcraft.

Answer 5

James 2:24

Answer 6

It doesn't. What it says in St. John 3;5 that we must be born again of the water and of the spirit. In Acts 2:38, St. peter tells us how to do this. We repent, be baptized in Jesus name by immersion, to get rid of our sin, then we will be a new creature in Christ. Clean from the inside out. Then He will give us the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. This is to overcome any temptations that come along. In revelations it says that only the overcomers will be alowed to enter in to heaven. If you will notice, in the New Testament, it never tells us how to enter into heaven, but it does say this about the Kingdom of Heaven. This once saved always saved is a misconception from the pits of hell. Don't believe it for a second.

Answer 7

Greetings Brother In Christ,
Jesus himself told, it is as hard to enter the Kingdom of Heaven,as for a Camel to go through the eye of the needle. It is not possible for men, but it will only happen if you surrender yourself to God.
God Bless.

Answer 8

The word believe in or on in Bible means a way of life, a life style not just a mere thought. The Bible says it clearly all thru the New Testament, " for those who endure, they shall receive"....

Answer 9

It doesn't say that and if your friend doesn't repent and truly become a Christian then he will not get into Heaven. He's using excuses for his desire to sin...

Answer 10

You can never lose your salvation once you have accepted Jesus as savior.