What must I do to be saved?

[Philthy]

1 Peter 1
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope

You should reflect on why we are described as having a living hope rather than an absolute assurance of our own inheritance in Heaven

…who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Unfortunately you have assumed that since the place in Heaven reserved for us is imperishable and undefiled that we must, therefore actually inherit it. You are mistaken. Like all gifts, this gift can be and is rejected. Everyone who is in Hell had a place in Heaven created for them but they squandered and ultimately rejected that inheritance for the lures of the world. Wise up…

6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Notice that the author chooses to say, “…so that…your faith,…may be found to result in praise and glory and honor” What do you suppose happens if it is NOT found to result in praise and glory and honor? Something or nothing?
We should view our lives and our moral choices as a both a trial to prove - and an opportunity to perfect by grace - how genuine our faith is so that at the completion of our lives we are judged worthy of our inheritance.

 

[David_Castlen]

Repent, believe and be baptized

and after that, if you commit mortal sin,

Repent, believe and confess.

That, in essence, is the Catholic message of salvation.

Well Wesley, don’t we have to do some good works along the way? What about those goats and sheep and when the young rich man asked Jesus what must I do to be saved didn’t Jesus say to keep the commandments and the second chp of James says that we are not saved by faith alone but by faith and works.

 

[David_Castlen]

Ah its easier just to become a protestant - Lol - but I’m Catholic.

What you just wrote is more profound than you may think. I remember when I came back to the church a lady from my old protestant church said she was a Baptist because it was a lot simpler. I wish I would have said, “… that because a car is complicated it is not real and because the theory of relativity is complicated it holds little weight…”

It is easy to sell simple things - the sophist win with simplicity: KISS.

Thanks for your insight.

 

[ewootenjr]

Well, there is not much to the ritual of asking Jesus into your heart. As a Protestant, that is what you do to “know you’re saved,” Catholics we don’t have assurance of salvation.

We have to run the race, pick up our cross daily, follow the commands of God, be the perfect us we can be, &c.

There is no simple ritual which we can just do and have assurance of salvation.

Actually if you have saving faith (trust & commitment & love/fear for God then that’s where your assurance comes from. All you have to do for assurance is keep trusting in Him-trust means being faithful to whatever He calls you to do in your life and in accordance to His Word. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the only sin that leads you to hell. In 1 John5 it’s called the sin that leads to death. That’s renouncing your faith in God (Jesus). If you truly have the changed heart that’s mentioned in Ezekiel then it’s hard to renounce your faith. I’ve tried. The OSAS doctrine of the Protestants is false doctrine indeed but the early church fathers preached perseverance of the Saints. Meaning if you had the Holy Spirit by grace through faith in the Lord (trusting in Him with your life), then you would persevere by surrendering to Him andletting Him live through you.
Hope this helps,
Erwin
P.S.; Denominationalism is a sin because it divides. Why be catholic, baptist, pentecostal, lutheran, presbyterian? Why can’t we just call ourselves Christians?

 

[fpesce]

1 John 2
Christ Is Our Advocate

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. **
3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now**.
10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
The Promise Is Eternal Life
25 This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.
26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. 27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.

Matthew 22:37

**And He said to him, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND”.
38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” **

John 13

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

[CompSciGuy]

Repent, believe and be baptized

and after that, if you commit mortal sin,

Repent, believe and confess.

That, in essence, is the Catholic message of salvation.

Wesley, every time I read your posts, I think, man, there is just no better way that could have been said.

 

[CompSciGuy]

I add scripture…
1 Timothy 2:15
But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Is anyone here a woman!? Note the…* if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.*
The FAITH the woman needs to be saved is NOT ALONE!!
She NEEDS faith, love and holiness!!!
Childbearing PLUS… faith, love and holiness… NOT Faith ALONE!!

Dogknox

… what does this mean for our nuns???

 

[fpesce]

The first phrase that we need to look at in this verse is “she shall be saved.” This is not referring to the woman being saved from sin, as in the born again experience . Therefore, the women being saved in childbearing refers to physical and emotional well being through the act of child bearing, not the forgiveness of sins. This scripture promises safe delivery of their child! Not that you must bear children to be saved!

 

[Philthy]

Well Wesley, don’t we have to do some good works along the way? What about those goats and sheep and when the young rich man asked Jesus what must I do to be saved didn’t Jesus say to keep the commandments and the second chp of James says that we are not saved by faith alone but by faith and works.

To get “saved”? No works involved.
To go to heaven? Different discussion…

 

[fpesce]

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40** For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” **

 

[David_Castlen]

I was asking for someone to explain the verses…

So I went and read John Capter 6. to see what he meant. I believe Jesus was comparing Himself to the manna God sent down from Heaven.

John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

John6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 6:48 I am that bread of life.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

From what I’m reading that God (Jesus) will supply all our needs when we come to Him and believe in Him. What I’m seeing is that belief is most important. I pulled out these verses, you could call it cherry picking. It explains TO ME what that one verse was saying. Didn’t Jesus give his flesh when he died on the cross?

What about the other verses? Can you explain those to me?

May I suggest “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharits” Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Suppoer, by Brant Pitre. This has been for me the most enligting piece of history I have read in a long long time. As you know, when reading scripture not only reading it in context but understanding it as one would have understood the words of that time are very important. This (dear Lord don’t let me sell it short) book will put you in the mind of a 1st century Jew; a 1st century rabbi. You will know what he thought when he heard words like manna, bread, sacrifice. You will better understand what a sacrifice is. You will find the answer to why drinking the blood of animals is a sin but not of God. You will understand that there was and is to be a sacrifice (offering may be a better word) forever. The most important facit of this book is its extensive proofs not only a plethera of scripture but jewish supporting writings of the ancient and 1st century.

Please get this book

 

[QuickCat]

The apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, writes in 1 Cor. 15:1-4
1Co 15:1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
Notice he says it is the gospel which he preached. His hearers received it, and believed it. Therefore, they were saved. Paul calls it the gospel “by which you are S-A-V-E-D.” What happened when we hear and believed the gospel which Paul preached? He tells us in Eph. 1:13:
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, The LORD Jesus Christ had you and me and everyone in mind when He went to the cross. He paid the FULL penalty for our sins. Paul writes: Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: This completeness can’t be added to by anything we can do. It is DONE!

 

[David_Castlen]

The first phrase that we need to look at in this verse is “she shall be saved.” This is not referring to the woman being saved from sin, as in the born again experience . Therefore, the women being saved in childbearing refers to physical and emotional well being through the act of child bearing, not the forgiveness of sins. This scripture promises safe delivery of their child! Not that you must bear children to be saved!

I am not saying you are wrong or right. I am asking how you determine what each of these terms mean? How is it that in one place saved means one thing and another it means another. In what context, language interpretation to you come to these conclusions or rather trhis conclusion?

 

[David_Castlen]

To get “saved”? No works involved.
To go to heaven? Different discussion…

I have always inferred that that last part of getting “saved” was going to heaven? Straighten me out.

 

[fpesce]

Romans 10

The Word of Faith Brings Salvation

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 **For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. **

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;

13 for “**WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” ** 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent?

Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

 

[Jim_Dandy]

Actually if you have saving faith (trust & commitment & love/fear for God then that’s where your assurance comes from. All you have to do for assurance is keep trusting in Him-trust means being faithful to whatever He calls you to do in your life and in accordance to His Word. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the only sin that leads you to hell. In 1 John5 it’s called the sin that leads to death. That’s renouncing your faith in God (Jesus). If you truly have the changed heart that’s mentioned in Ezekiel then it’s hard to renounce your faith. I’ve tried. The OSAS doctrine of the Protestants is false doctrine indeed but the early church fathers preached perseverance of the Saints. Meaning if you had the Holy Spirit by grace through faith in the Lord (trusting in Him with your life), then you would persevere by surrendering to Him andletting Him live through you.
Hope this helps,
Erwin
P.S.; Denominationalism is a sin because it divides. Why be catholic, baptist, pentecostal, lutheran, presbyterian? Why can’t we just call ourselves Christians?

I ask you in Christian love, how do you know your particular interpretation of the Scriptures is correct? You’re competing with other equally unsupported interpretations by other Christians. IOW, these are your opinions.

Please provide the evidence that the Early Church Fathers “preached perseverance of the Saints.” How is that different, in your opinion, from OSAS?

Denominationalism is a sin because Christ said we should be one. His prayer in John 17 has been ignored by Protestants, and now there are thousands of conflicting and competing denominations.

The Catholic Church is not a denomination. This Church was founded by Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world in A.D. 33 in Jerusalem. All other ecclesial communities (there is only one Ekklesia = Church) are man made. The Church is the nomination (the named entity) from which all other ecclesial communities have ultimately de-nominated (split and renamed themselves).

Catholics have assurance of salvation as long as they are in the state of grace. There is no lifetime “assurance of salvation” as (some) Protestants believe. Jesus says to be saved, we must keep the commandments (Mt 19:17 et al.) and persevere to the end (Mt 10:22, Mk 13:13). We can’t be absolutely certain we’ll always remain and die in the state of grace (free of mortal sin).

The sins against the Holy Spirit are (1) despair concerning the possibility of salvation; (2) presumption of God’s mercy and forgiveness. (3) denial of the truths of the faith; (4) final impenitence and refusal to turn to God.

My thanks to you and to all for posting on this thread.

Jim Dandy
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!

 

[David_Castlen]

I ask you in Christian love, how do you know your particular interpretation of the Scriptures is correct? You’re competing with other equally unsupported interpretations by other Christians. IOW, these are your opinions.

Please provide the evidence that the Early Church Fathers “preached perseverance of the Saints.” How is that different, in your opinion, from OSAS?

Denominationalism is a sin because Christ said we should be one. His prayer in John 17 has been ignored by Protestants, and now there are thousands of conflicting and competing denominations.

The Catholic Church is not a denomination. This Church was founded by Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world in A.D. 33 in Jerusalem. All other ecclesial communities (there is only one Ekklesia = Church) are man made. The Church is the nomination (the named entity) from which all other ecclesial communities have ultimately de-nominated (split and renamed themselves).

Catholics have assurance of salvation as long as they are in the state of grace. There is no lifetime “assurance of salvation” as (some) Protestants believe. Jesus says to be saved, we must keep the commandments (Mt 19:17 et al.) and persevere to the end (Mt 10:22, Mk 13:13). We can’t be absolutely certain we’ll always remain and die in the state of grace (free of mortal sin).

The sins against the Holy Spirit are (1) despair concerning the possibility of salvation; (2) presumption of God’s mercy and forgiveness. (3) denial of the truths of the faith; (4) final impenitence and refusal to turn to God.

My thanks to you and to all for posting on this thread.

Jim Dandy
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!

:thumbsup:You are so clear. Jim Dandy to the risque Jim Dany to the risque; go Jim Dandy to:thumbsup:

 

[01010101010101]

Luke 23:42

 

[blackswan41]

I must look in the mirror and realize that the answer is staring right back at me in the mirror.

I am the problem. I am the one keeping myself from the healing power of the Holy Spirit.
Debates such as this act as deterrents to such sanctity.

 

[pablope]

Romans 10

The Word of Faith Brings Salvation

13 for “**WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” ** 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent?

Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

V 13 says “will be saved”…denotes something in the future, isn’t i?

And why stop at Rom 10, continue on to Romans 11, which I cite excerpts:

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith.

** Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.**

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God:

**sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. **