Do Christians believe that by virtue of their Christianity they will be granted access to the kingdom of heaven? (sin, Jesus Christ)
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Does this mean that the multitudes of people who never heard of Jesus as Lord until the Europeans came and conquered their land in the 1400s and beyond didn't get their salvation because they didn't know of Jesus as Lord? Are they workers of sin too, despite not having known of Christ? I guess what I am getting at is, as an example, the Incas, who would be described as pagan and new nothing of Jesus yet lived a very repectable and advanced way of life and worshipped their sun god Inti - are their souls roasting over some fire pit in hell because they didn't know any better?
I liked WCrob's answer that he doesn't know. I think that is very profound. Jesus said that "no man comes to the Father except through Him." The bible is very plain about that....if you believe Jesus and I do. Salvation is in His name and in no other. Yet Christ died for all. What happens to those who never heard? That' s a question asked down through the ages. I think most Christians believe, whether they've thought about it or not that Christ's death
encompasses more than those who actually embrace it. By that I mean, for example, old testament believers, children under the "age of accountability" etc. So how far might God extend His mercy? I don't know. We are told to preach the gospel. So I don't think we should presume on God's mercy. I think, therefore, we can only say with confidence that those who consciously choose to come to Christ are saved. Beyond that, I really prefer to leave such questions in the hands of God whose understanding is infinitely greater than ours.
I liked WCrob's answer that he doesn't know. I think that is very profound. Jesus said that "no man comes to the Father except through Him." The bible is very plain about that....if you believe Jesus and I do. Salvation is in His name and in no other. Yet Christ died for all. What happens to those who never heard? That' s a question asked down through the ages. I think most Christians believe, whether they've thought about it or not that Christ's death
encompasses more than those who actually embrace it. By that I mean, for example, old testament believers, children under the "age of accountability" etc. So how far might God extend His mercy? I don't know. We are told to preach the gospel. So I don't think we should presume on God's mercy. I think, therefore, we can only say with confidence that those who consciously choose to come to Christ are saved. Beyond that, I really prefer to leave such questions in the hands of God whose understanding is infinitely greater than ours.
I have to ask this from those who post on this forum. I will preface this to say that my parents didn't take us to church because they were each raised in a different faith (both based in Christianity) and neither one practiced their faith formally, but they did speak to us regularly about God, Jesus, heaven, etc. Briefly, while living on the east coast as a child, my parents allowed our uncle to take us to an Apostolic Christian church regularly for about a year. The hypocracy of the followers I observed even as a mere 10 year old was astounding. I will not get into the details but would never accept the tenets of that faith. So basically, that is my religious groundwork.
My parents each told me things as a child that still stick with me today - my dad told me that God is good and that if I need something I should pray for it and it would be granted. So far in my life, I believe this has worked. (He's also very big on that camel and eye of the needle thing, as well as other notable bible stories.) My mother, who was raised Catholic and whose own mother (my grandmother) condemned all to h-e-double-hockey-sticks that didn't see things exactly as she did, told me that those who who did not love every single thing and person God created, that there was no room for them in heaven, because it is a place of love and that all who are there have pure hearts. Basically, that ruled out my over-the-top pious grandmother and any other Christians that judge or condemn others.
Lately I have observed that there are people who call themselves Christians but they are so obviously harboring resentment and hatred of others that I wonder if what my mom told me is true? Can someone still get automatic access to the pearly gates if they accept Christ as their savior, but still have contempt and hate in their hearts for any other?
Thanks in advance to all who can give me some insight on this. And please don't just tell me to "read the bible and figure it out for yourself" - I have tried several times to do just that, but I always got stuck at the part where they describe what color cloths have to be used for which side of the temple, etc. My favorite book is Matthew because it has the pearls to swine reference, and the part about proselytizing (which is why I don't get Jehovah's Witnesses, or do they use a different bible?).
It is hard to say alot in a few sentences but I will try. First if we go back in history to find out how God has worked in getting His children to obey his
word. With Isreal it has always been, "if you do this, I will do this" and if the children obeyed God kept his promise to them. In our day Jesus gave the 2 comments, Love God with all your heart and all your soul, and with all you mind and Love thy neighbor as thyself. These two comments cover all the 10 comments of Moses. If you love God you will do his will, if you love your neighbor as you love yourself, you will never hurt, harm or cause pain to no one because that is what you want for yourself. So how do we get into that frame of mind? Well, while Jesus walked and talked to the 12 Apostals he
gave them instructions in parables and examples and told them that all authority was given unto him. (Matt 28:18-20) He instructed them to go teach the nations, baptising them in NAME of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commented you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Also Mark 16:15-18 but as Luke 24:44-53 wrote it, Christ told them
them that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached IN HIS NAME among all nations, beganning in Jerusalam. Luke 24:49 And behold I send the promise of my father upon you: (Holy Ghost) BUT TARRY YE IN THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH. The reason for that is that we are carnal people and until the Spirit of Christ is in you then you will understand the spiritual. That is why that after they came out of the Upper room in Acts 2 they were ready to go preach the Gospel of Christ. Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom and in Acts 2:36-38 he used them for the first time because he had the REVELATIONS of what Jesus meant in Matt 28:19. The book of Acts is called that because those are the ACTions the Apostals did after the Holy Ghost was guiding them.
Also know that serving the Lord is an individual thing. Read Matt. 16:13-19. Verse 15, Christ wanted to know what Peter thought of who he was,
God gave Peter the REVELATION (revealed) of who Christ was. And Christ told Peter, upon this rock (revelation) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
So the church of God is not build by belonging to a world system church, it is by knowing Christ and accepting him in Christian Baptisism in his name. Because by doing that God no longer sees your sins he only sees the righteousness of Christ. (God put his Name on Christ)
And as far as other people not doing right, just worry about yourself and don't judge them for their faults. Just pray for them, we all come from a sinful nature. Who knows they may be serving their Lord according to their measure. Some 30, some 60 and some 100.
Before any of us was born, God already knew if we would serve him or not. So let his Grace be sufficient.
Lately I have observed that there are people who call themselves Christians but they are so obviously harboring resentment and hatred of others that I wonder if what my mom told me is true? Can someone still get automatic access to the pearly gates if they accept Christ as their savior, but still have contempt and hate in their hearts for any other?.
There is an overhwelming group of vocal people to whom God's kingdom seems limited only to those who fight abortion rights and homosexuals and follows *some* of the laws in Exodus - how they pick and choose is a mystery to me. I do not understand how you can be a part of the kingdom of God if you hold contempt for your neighbor. Jesus was always ministering to and helping and caring for the lowest of the low and tells us in Matthew
The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving[d] that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?â€
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is:‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shalllove the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’[e] This is the first commandment.[f] 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[g] There is no other commandment greater than these
The vast majority of Christendom does not have this contempt and hate, and struggles with doing God's intent for our lives. Matthew 25: 31-46 is very significant to me but I am afraids those with hate must read it differently than do I..............................
To me faith means that if in my hearts I follow Jesus and believe that he is my saviour and died for my sins, I do not have to worry about my eternal salvation. Rather than putting my self to work making sure I cross every t and dot every i, I can enjoy and share the abundant love he wants ALL of us to have, not just a select few.
Does this mean that the multitudes of people who never heard of Jesus as Lord until the Europeans came and conquered their land in the 1400s and beyond didn't get their salvation because they didn't know of Jesus as Lord? Are they workers of sin too, despite not having known of Christ? I guess what I am getting at is, as an example, the Incas, who would be described as pagan and new nothing of Jesus yet lived a very repectable and advanced way of life and worshipped their sun god Inti - are their souls roasting over some fire pit in hell because they didn't know any better?
I cannot help you with that either. I believe our God is a loving God and wants all of his creation to be held to his heart. I trust the Holy Spirit is so much more powerful than we can even imagine - --
I have to ask this from those who post on this forum. I will preface this to say that my parents didn't take us to church because they were each raised in a different faith (both based in Christianity) and neither one practiced their faith formally, but they did speak to us regularly about God, Jesus, heaven, etc. Briefly, while living on the east coast as a child, my parents allowed our uncle to take us to an Apostolic Christian church regularly for about a year. The hypocracy of the followers I observed even as a mere 10 year old was astounding. I will not get into the details but would never accept the tenets of that faith. So basically, that is my religious groundwork.
My parents each told me things as a child that still stick with me today - my dad told me that God is good and that if I need something I should pray for it and it would be granted. So far in my life, I believe this has worked. (He's also very big on that camel and eye of the needle thing, as well as other notable bible stories.) My mother, who was raised Catholic and whose own mother (my grandmother) condemned all to h-e-double-hockey-sticks that didn't see things exactly as she did, told me that those who who did not love every single thing and person God created, that there was no room for them in heaven, because it is a place of love and that all who are there have pure hearts. Basically, that ruled out my over-the-top pious grandmother and any other Christians that judge or condemn others.
Lately I have observed that there are people who call themselves Christians but they are so obviously harboring resentment and hatred of others that I wonder if what my mom told me is true? Can someone still get automatic access to the pearly gates if they accept Christ as their savior, but still have contempt and hate in their hearts for any other?
Thanks in advance to all who can give me some insight on this. And please don't just tell me to "read the bible and figure it out for yourself" - I have tried several times to do just that, but I always got stuck at the part where they describe what color cloths have to be used for which side of the temple, etc. My favorite book is Matthew because it has the pearls to swine reference, and the part about proselytizing (which is why I don't get Jehovah's Witnesses, or do they use a different bible?).
The only reason I could see someone referencing the scriptures for answers to some of your questions, would be that If someone were to explain to you their POV would you take their word for it;
I've carefully read what you seemed to describe as skepticism on the part of those who label themselves "Christians" from your past experiences as a child
in your home...
The Bereans were sort of like skeptics they read and studied the word of God for themselves, instead of just taking someone's word for it.
I have scripture references to offer if you will be willing to at least check them out and read them for yourself, with some awesome commentary, to explain what you don't understand;
How about it?
God Bless you
It is hard to say alot in a few sentences but I will try. First if we go back in history to find out how God has worked in getting His children to obey his
word. With Isreal it has always been, "if you do this, I will do this" and if the children obeyed God kept his promise to them. In our day Jesus gave the 2 comments, Love God with all your heart and all your soul, and with all you mind and Love thy neighbor as thyself. These two comments cover all the 10 comments of Moses. If you love God you will do his will, if you love your neighbor as you love yourself, you will never hurt, harm or cause pain to no one because that is what you want for yourself. So how do we get into that frame of mind? Well, while Jesus walked and talked to the 12 Apostals he
gave them instructions in parables and examples and told them that all authority was given unto him. (Matt 28:18-20) He instructed them to go teach the nations, baptising them in NAME of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commented you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Also Mark 16:15-18 but as Luke 24:44-53 wrote it, Christ told them
them that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached IN HIS NAME among all nations, beganning in Jerusalam. Luke 24:49 And behold I send the promise of my father upon you: (Holy Ghost) BUT TARRY YE IN THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH. The reason for that is that we are carnal people and until the Spirit of Christ is in you then you will understand the spiritual. That is why that after they came out of the Upper room in Acts 2 they were ready to go preach the Gospel of Christ. Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom and in Acts 2:36-38 he used them for the first time because he had the REVELATIONS of what Jesus meant in Matt 28:19. The book of Acts is called that because those are the ACTions the Apostals did after the Holy Ghost was guiding them.
Also know that serving the Lord is an individual thing. Read Matt. 16:13-19. Verse 15, Christ wanted to know what Peter thought of who he was,
God gave Peter the REVELATION (revealed) of who Christ was. And Christ told Peter, upon this rock (revelation) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
So the church of God is not build by belonging to a world system church, it is by knowing Christ and accepting him in Christian Baptisism in his name. Because by doing that God no longer sees your sins he only sees the righteousness of Christ. (God put his Name on Christ)
And as far as other people not doing right, just worry about yourself and don't judge them for their faults. Just pray for them, we all come from a sinful nature. Who knows they may be serving their Lord according to their measure. Some 30, some 60 and some 100.
Before any of us was born, God already knew if we would serve him or not. So let his Grace be sufficient.
Lately I have observed that there are people who call themselves Christians but they are so obviously harboring resentment and hatred of others that I wonder if what my mom told me is true? Can someone still get automatic access to the pearly gates if they accept Christ as their savior, but still have contempt and hate in their hearts for any other?
All who call on God are saved... It does not mean that they inherit any degree of glory, they are just not condemned to Satan's house.
If one dies the only difference is that they have lost the gift of their Soul (body and spirit together). Their Spirit continues on with the same strengths and weaknesses, and therefore must continue to grow more righteous or more wicked until the ressurection, some will be ressurected, some will be sent to outer darkness, some will be evaporated back in to the substance of creation.
Every man shall be rewarded based on their love and deeds. The more love one has, the better their deeds will be naturally...
And the contrary as well.
The bible says a lot of different things, and so do many Christians. You are free to believe what others tell you, but just be sure that it makes sense to you. There are so many variations of answers to your questions; you don't have to go with the first or last one you hear. Just think about it before choosing one answer over another. It is your life, after all.
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God's Requirements
