=FabiusMaximus;10698906]In terms of the âtruth of Christianityâ to which I was referring, I meant that Jesus Christ is God who became flesh (the second person of the Holy Trinity), walked the Earth, died, and conquered death in his resurrection, bringing salvation from sin.
As for which expression of Christianity is the âtrue expression,â well, thatâs a discussion on a different thread.
No dear friend; that is an incorrect understanding.
By His Life, death and resurrection Cchrist âRedeemedâ the enitre world.
This means that one of the effects of Original sin was that access to heaven was blocked.
Christ in effect re-opened the gate making salvation a POSSIBILITY.
Those who died; worthy of the Beatific Vision were in the âLimbo of the Fathersâ [Including the âgood theifâ] until Christ Resurrection. This is a place of no suffering; but no Beatific Vision either. Also time does not exist for God and the deseased hamanity.
By His Incarnation; Passion; Death and Resurrection God MADE salvation Conditioanlly possible ON HIS TERMS [not those of man-made; man orginated faiths that actually comoete with Christ truth].
Sins are forgiven ONLY in tha manner Christ determined they would be. This was true also in the OT times; but now under Grace; and not only âthe lawâ; the Conditions have been changed.
1John.1 Verses 8 to 10 âIf we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.â
1John.5 Verses 16 to 17 "If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.
John.20 Verses 20 to 23" When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained"
Can God NOT do what He wants and AS He wants?
Mt. 10:1-8 â
And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. And the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely giveâ
Jesus founded only One Church; that has One set of Faith beliefs and holds ALL of the "keyâs to heaven access. Mt. 16:15-19
Acts.20: 28 âTake heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God [SINGULAR] which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.â
Eph. 4: 1-7 âI therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christâs gift.
John.10: 16 âAnd I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherdâ
Eph. 2:19-20 âSo then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.â
There is my friend, MUCH more evidence than this; but what I shared is the Singular truth:thumbsup:
God Bless you,
Pat /PJm
What to do we really have to do to get to heaven?
