Are protestants able to go to Heaven?

[itsjustdave1988]

…i just want to make sure…the catholic church DOES teach that Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation, right?

Yes, that’s in our Bible. The Church therefore affirms…

…Peter, in order to justify the healing of a man who was crippled from birth, which was done in the name of Jesus (cf. Acts 3:1-8), proclaims: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). St. Paul adds, moreover, that Jesus Christ “is Lord of all”, “judge of the living and the dead”, and thus “whoever believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10: 36,42,43)…

It must therefore be firmly believed as a truth of Catholic faith that the universal salvific will of the One and Triune God is offered and accomplished once for all in the mystery of the incarnation, death, and resurrection of the Son of God. Dominus Iesus, no. 13-14]

The Church views all non-Catholic religions (including Protestantism) as…

1. Being contrary to the truth
2. May, by the grace of God, lead to the truth

This belief, in fact, is exemplified in Sacred Scripture where the magi (Greek “sorcerers”) where practicing what amounts to a “false religion”, yet despite their error, they were given a “ray of truth,” in this case in the form of a star, which led them to bow down before the true King of kings. Consequently, we would not say that it was the practice of “sorcery” per se that led them to the truth, but was instead the “ray of truth” given by God, who is the source of all truth, which led them to the Truth, Jesus Christ, despite the admixture of error in their false religion.

Despite the admixture of error in non-Catholic religions, we admit the possibility in of a “ray of truth”–which can only come from God–within Protestantism, within Judaism, within Islam, etc., which despite an admixture of error may lead to discovery the fullness of Truth and the worship of the King of kings, Christ Jesus, the source and summit of every man.

 

[mpjwit]

God does not punish us for our sins. Did someone tell you this?
.

The bible did…
“The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”
Ezra 8:22

I called wrath punishment…
the end result is the same
.

When we sin, we punish ourselves by alienating ourselves from God.

We cut ourselves off from His love.

But because God still loves us sinful people, he gives us a chance to reconcile ourselves with Him over and over again

that is until we take our last breath.

If we die in unforgiven sin… "His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”

and that person will not make it to heaven

peace and God bless

 

[Ben_F]

When people come to know Christ as their Savior, they are brought into a relationship with God that guarantees their salvation as eternally secure. Numerous passages of Scripture declare this fact. (a) Romans 8:30 declares, “And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” This verse tells us that from the moment God chooses us, it is as if we are glorified in His presence in heaven. There is nothing that can prevent a believer from one day being glorified because God has already purposed it in heaven. Once a person is justified, his salvation is guaranteed - he is as secure as if he is already glorified in heaven.

(b) Paul asks two crucial questions in Romans 8:33-34 “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? No one will, because Christ is our advocate. Who will condemn us? No one will, because Christ, the One who died for us, is the one who condemns. We have both the advocate and judge as our Savior.

(c) Believers are born again (regenerated) when they believe (John 3:3; Titus 3:5). For a Christian to lose his salvation, he would have to be un-regenerated. The Bible gives no evidence that the new birth can be taken away. (d) The Holy Spirit indwells all believers (John 14:17; Romans 8:9) and baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). For a believer to become unsaved, he would have to be “un-indwelt” and detached from the Body of Christ.

(e) John 3:15 states that whoever believes in Jesus Christ will “have eternal life.” If you believe in Christ today and have eternal life, but lose it tomorrow, then it was never “eternal” at all. Hence if you lose your salvation, the promises of eternal life in the Bible would be in error. (f) For the most conclusive argument, I think Scripture says it best itself, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Remember the same God who saved you is the same God who will keep you. Once we are saved we are always saved. Our salvation is most definitely eternally secure!

I was born again when I was about 12 or 13. It was in a Southern Baptist Church. I fell from grace, because I sinned. Rededication is not in the Bible. Confessing your sins is. How do you do it? Thank God, that He called me to his supper. It was this recurrence of sin, that led me to His One and Holy and Apostolic Church. There is no other. This problem of sin is only solved in His Church. To me, if someone sins, he has fallen from grace. Know a tree by it´s fruits. Now that I know the truth, I could never disbelieve it. Tempted? Yes. As for my Southern Baptist brothers, keep searching. In short. When I was born again at 12. I really was not. I didn´t know the true Christ or his Church. I do now.God bless:thumbsup:

 

[FlowerOfLife]

Biblically speaking, you can know how to go to heaven…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

God bless…

So everyone who don’t believe in Jesus as a God go to hell?

 

[Mickey]

If we die in unforgiven sin… "His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”and that person will not make it to heaven

I said nothing about forgiveness and repentance. All of us are called to Metanoia. Our God is not a punishing God. He is a God of love. Christ taught us this.

 

[amdannemiller]

First of all, Catholics believe in a thing called “Baptism of Desire”, which means that if a person does not know the truth and lives their life doing what their heart tells them is right, they will be baptized by their “desire” to do the right thing. (God has placed certain things in a person’s heart so that he/she knows certain things are wrong. A person is given a conscience to help distinguish right from wrong. For example, a person who was never taught about God should still know it is wrong to kill someone by what their heart tells them.) Baptism takes away all sin; so a person who was baptized by desire should go to heaven.

Do keep in mind that a person can only be baptized once. There are 3 types of baptism, one being of desire. I will not tell you the other two b/c I don’t think you want to know them, lol. But I just wanted to say, many Christians get baptized by water. If they get baptized this way then they cannot be baptized by desire too.

Secondly, we believe that a person must be in the state of Grace when they die to get to go to heaven. (Grace = God’s life in us) What does that mean? It means that a person must have no mortal sin in their soul b/c a mortal sin takes away Grace. I’m not sure if you know what mortal sin is, so I will just tell you. It takes 3 things for something to be a mortal sin.

1. It must be a grave/serious matter.
2. The person must know it is a serious/grave matter.
3. The person must willfully choose to do the sin regardless.

Examples of mortal sin; the 7 deadly sins: lust, greed, pride, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth.

So what happens if a person commits one of these sins?? How can they be forgiven of it so that their soul may once again be in the state of Grace?? That is where confession comes in handy. (I’m sure you know what that is!!) Well what about the people who don’t believe in the power of confession??? We believe in a thing known as “Perfect Contrition”, meaning that if a person is sorry for their sins b/c they offended/hurt God, NOT b/c of the fear of hell, they will be forgiven.

I hope this helped you. And I REALLY hope this did not confuse you!

 

[dje101]

Yes, that’s in our Bible. The Church therefore affirms…

The Church views all non-Catholic religions (including Protestantism) as…

1. Being contrary to the truth
2. May, by the grace of God, lead to the truth

This belief, in fact, is exemplified in Sacred Scripture where the magi (Greek “sorcerers”) where practicing what amounts to a “false religion”, yet despite their error, they were given a “ray of truth,” in this case in the form of a star, which led them to bow down before the true King of kings. Consequently, we would not say that it was the practice of “sorcery” per se that led them to the truth, but was instead the “ray of truth” given by God, who is the source of all truth, which led them to the Truth, Jesus Christ, despite the admixture of error in their false religion.

Despite the admixture of error in non-Catholic religions, we admit the possibility in of a “ray of truth”–which can only come from God–within Protestantism, within Judaism, within Islam, etc., which despite an admixture of error may lead to discovery the fullness of Truth and the worship of the King of kings, Christ Jesus, the source and summit of every man.

but if protestant churches teach that Christ is the only way to salvation, then why does the church teach that they are contrary to the truth. Mormonism, JW…they are contrary to the truth. But they aren’t really considered to be Christian Church’s. But if the only difference between a Catholic Church and a protestant church is that the protestant church believes that the CC is not the true church, that the Eucharist is just symbolic, and that we can’t pray to the saints but salvation is gifted to us only through Christ, how are they contrary to the truth about salvation?

 

[Mickey]

The bible did…
“The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”
Ezra 8:22

I called wrath punishment…
the end result is the same

The common witness within Orthodox Tradition is that the wrath of God is a theological term which describes not God Himself, but a state of being in which are opposed to God. Thus the work of Kalomiros, The River of Fire, makes ample citation of the fathers in this matter. We may place ourselves in such a position that even the love of God seems to us as fire or wrath.

But it is essential in our witness to the God Who Is, to always relate the fact that He is a loving God, not willing that any should perish. He is not against us but for us. This is utterly essential to the correct proclamation of the Gospel. Those who insist on exalting His wrath as a threat, inevitably misportray God and use anthropormorphism as a substitute for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
fatherstephen.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/gods-wrath/

 

[dje101]

First of all, Catholics believe in a thing called “Baptism of Desire”, which means that if a person does not know the truth and lives their life doing what their heart tells them is right, they will be baptized by their “desire” to do the right thing. (God has placed certain things in a person’s heart so that he/she knows certain things are wrong. A person is given a conscience to help distinguish right from wrong. For example, a person who was never taught about God should still know it is wrong to kill someone by what their heart tells them.) Baptism takes away all sin; so a person who was baptized by desire should go to heaven.

Do keep in mind that a person can only be baptized once. There are 3 types of baptism, one being of desire.*** I will not tell you the other two b/c I don’t think you want to know them, lol.*** But I just wanted to say, many Christians get baptized by water. If they get baptized this way then they cannot be baptized by desire too.

Secondly, we believe that a person must be in the state of Grace when they die to get to go to heaven. (Grace = God’s life in us) What does that mean? It means that a person must have no mortal sin in their soul b/c a mortal sin takes away Grace. I’m not sure if you know what mortal sin is, so I will just tell you. It takes 3 things for something to be a mortal sin.

1. It must be a grave/serious matter.
2. The person must know it is a serious/grave matter.
3. The person must willfully choose to do the sin regardless.

Examples of mortal sin; the 7 deadly sins: lust, greed, pride, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth.

So what happens if a person commits one of these sins?? How can they be forgiven of it so that their soul may once again be in the state of Grace?? That is where confession comes in handy. (I’m sure you know what that is!!) Well what about the people who don’t believe in the power of confession??? We believe in a thing known as “Perfect Contrition”, meaning that if a person is sorry for their sins b/c they offended/hurt God, NOT b/c of the fear of hell, they will be forgiven.

I hope this helped you. And I REALLY hope this did not confuse you!

the only other baptisms i can think of are water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit. is that what you are talking about? I feel like i’m missing something now…

 

[amdannemiller]

the only other baptisms i can think of are water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit. is that what you are talking about? I feel like i’m missing something now…

Oh, I’m sorry. Now I feel bad.

The three types of baptism are: baptism of desire, baptism of water, and baptism of blood. Baptism of water is the way most people are baptized, and that’s where water is poured on the person’s head and someone, (usually the priest), says the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Baptism of blood is when a person dies for their faith, (like a martyr).

I hope that helps you.

 

[dje101]

Oh, I’m sorry. Now I feel bad.

The three types of baptism are: baptism of desire, baptism of water, and baptism of blood. Baptism of water is the way most people are baptized, and that’s where water is poured on the person’s head and someone, (usually the priest), says the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Baptism of blood is when a person dies for their faith, (like a martyr).

I hope that helps you.

so then does the CC not believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit? John the Baptist said that “one will come who is greater than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”???

also, if someone is martyred for their faith, wouldn’t they have already been baptized? so that would negate the idea for baptism in blood, right? confused…lol

 

[pablope]

so then does the CC not believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit? John the Baptist said that “one will come who is greater than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”???

The CC does, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the sacrament of Confirmation for the CC, also called Chrismation in the Eastern Churches.

 

[dje101]

The CC does, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the sacrament of Confirmation for the CC, also called Chrismation in the Eastern Churches.

oh, so really there are 4 baptisms. and i was thinking about my last post. that baptism of blood, would that apply to someone who, for instance, accepted Christ but was not able to be baptized, like the thief on the cross?

 

[dje101]

I understand, I was just saying that there are 4 difference types. So you can’t receive water baptism AND baptism of the Holy Spirit?

 

[mpjwit]

So everyone who don’t believe in Jesus as a God go to hell?

hi floweroflife

I pray the truth of God be revealed to you…

I realize you may not believe in the existance of God, but that does not change who God is.

You can be the best person on the face of this earth, but in God’s eyes, all your good works are meaningless if you do not believe in Jesus and be born again…

look at what the bible says…

John 3

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him***, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ***4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you,
***‘You must be born again.’ ***

peace and God bless

 

[Mickey]

John 3

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him***, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ***4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you,
***‘You must be born again.’ ***

Ah yes. A wonderful verse about the sacrament of baptism.

 

[mpjwit]

I said nothing about forgiveness and repentance. All of us are called to Metanoia. Our God is not a punishing God. He is a God of love. Christ taught us this.

Yes God is a God of love

But what happened in the days of Noah’s ark

And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold,* I will destroy them with the earth*.
Genesis 6:13

God for sire is a God of love, He also is capable of using His wrath against us and has done so

 

[dje101]

i made another thread about baptism because i didn’t want this one to go too far off reservation. here’s the link. since you know so much about baptism, i’d appreciate it you answer. thanks!!

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=542440

 

[mpjwit]

I agree. I would never threaten anyone with the wrath of God in my witness,

but as you mentioned we who do believe in Him are fully aware what will happen to us if we allow ourselves to live in sin and eventually die in that sin…

We are eternally separated from God

peace and God bless

 

[mpjwit]

absolutely

However, before Jesus man offered the sacrifice of a lamb for atonement of their sins

the new testament reveals God sacrificed the Lamb of God…Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sin