All Discussion PAGE 2644

I use to believe the Roman Catholic teaching of consciousness after death. Like you are not really dead, but go to Heaven, Hell or Purgatory. (And there if in Hell, burn eternally, with no hope of an end).

However, since then I have read in God's Word that this is not so. In John 11:11-14, Jesus tell His apostles that Lazarus is sleeping, but Jesus goes to wake him up. Finally, Jesus tells His apostles that Lazarus is dead. Also, see 1

Thessalonians 4:15-17. And, John 5:28-29. See, Genus 2:7. Ecclesiastes 12:7. Importantly, Psalms 146:3-4. Again, "Who Only Has Immortality? See, 1 Timothy 6:16. And those who SEEK, Romans 2:7. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 we learn.... Knowing what God's Word really says is priceless, see, Psalms 115:17, "The dead praise NOT the LORD, neither any that go down into silence." Must read, Ecclesiae's 9:5,6, 10. 5."For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of then is forgotten. 6. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findet to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goes." NOTE: 2 Timothy 3:16, "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" There is more, but I think by now you get the idea.... God bless you as you prayerfully Study the above....

Thank you.

Amen Jesse.

Great declaration of clear truth.

To go along with the truth you presented brings us back to Genesis to the "UNCONDITIONAL" promise God performed "ALONE" to Abraham 430 years before the law given.

Hebrews 6:13-19. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of PROMISE. Galatians 4:28.

I came to Christ through fear. I grew up in the church but never knew Jesus. I always believed in God, but was never saved. When I was around 35, I was working in construction and traveled for work. Hard 10 hour days of labor, and relaxing evenings in a hotel room was my life. Since there was rarely anything on tv worth watching I FINALLY decided to get a laptop. At least then I could youtube it up. Being curious and interested in the paranormal, I'd watch a lot of videos on ghosts, demons and angels caught on tape. Then I came across vids of people claiming they died went to hell and came back. And it got me thinking...am I SURE I'm going to heaven? Those descriptions of hell, combined with my very vivid imagination began to worry me...then terrify me. Then one evening in my hotel room it finally got the better of me and I called my mom and stepdad who are very spiritual. We talked for 20 minutes about Jesus, or the bible...or something along those lines because I cant remember a single thing from that conversation. But whatever they said...it worked. I was in tears when I got off the phone. Then I stood up from the bed, hit my knees and started bawling my eyes out and kept repeating over and over the words "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry". For about half an hour this is all i could do. And I felt this weight on me, as if I couldn't get low enough to the floor even though I tried. When it was over, I felt like I was 50 lbs lighter. I washed my face, went to bed, and continued to live my life. I didn't know I was saved. Over the next few days I began to notice the changes. When I would curse, it felt horrible like nails on a chalkboard in my soul. Food tasted different as if it were just for sustenance and not something I could enjoy. Which oddly enough was kind of a relief. I called my parents and explained what was happening and my mom said with great excitement "OH OH I think you've been saved! To whomever reads this, I hope you get something out of it. God bless.

Greetings to all,

My feelings of believers, in Christ, being divided by all types of "doctrine and beliefs" is very saddening. I come as a peacemaker. As I have seen and been involved with debates about many things such as(needing to speak in tongues to know you have the Holy Spirit, keeping the 7th day Sabbath, you only have to believe to be saved, etc).

I so understand that no one is exactly the same and we may have different perspectives on things. Us being able to have peaceful conversations with one another is a Blessing. Even though we all being different, with different gifts and abilities, Christ is the same.

I just want to focus now on what I feel is most important. Love. If we truly live our lives with a pure heart founding ourselves on loving one another. We are fulfilling the law and God's Will. There is nothing greater than love. As Jesus Christ stated there is no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. We should lay down our lives for Jesus Christ and let Him be the author of our lives. Him showing His love for us as He gave His life, as a perfect sacrifice, to save us from our sins. Also how much our Father loves us by sending His own Son to be a free gift of Salvation. That we may all be one in Him. He is the only way to the Father. The Lord searches hearts and knows all who are His. Let the Holy Ghost lead you to follow after Christ in His ways. To do what pleases Him.

In truth I say that I love you all and all of you are in my prayers every day. I could go on and on though I want to just read the Holy Bible. I shall leave a just a couple Scriptures for you all that the Lord brought me to that fit this post.

Romans 13:8-10, 1 John 4:7-19.

In humbleness, God Bless you all!

Please pray for my friend Gary to get the job for which he interviewed last week. He has been at risk of homelessness for years due to a history of substance abuse. I believe he is free of his addiction due to so many years without money and prayers to be freed from the bondage. This would be a life changer for him as he has no assets, no car, no money at all. Pray he will be a good team member and that his mother can finally see him stand on his own two feet! That she would see the change by the power of the holy spirit and be won for Christ!

In Psalms 1-1 what does it mean not to stand in the way of sinners.

This is where we present the Lord to them.

Ara,

Can you please provide a specific location in Luke where it says the disciples were drunk? Thank you!

god is with us

Hi Chacha,

I'm sorry if I took your comments wrong. You made this post that started this whole thread: "REPENTANCE NOT NEEDED FOR SALVATION - ONLY BELIEVING

Dear readers, I have heard lots of sermons that teach that one must repent to be saved. I believe this is a false doctrine because NOWHERE in the whole Bible does anyone teach it. All the Scriptures teach is just believing:-".

I'm sure most of us here know what "repent" means. Also we receive the Holy Ghost before we "repent" or "change ways" because it is Christ in us guiding us down the straight and narrow path. We change because if Him. Away from the sins of the world we have all been indoctrinated into in our lives before coming to Christ. If any one "turns back" to the world it is said it shall not be good for that person. Hebrews 10:26-31, 2 Peter 20-22.

I'm sorry but I don't want to debate with you about this as I am confused about what you are stating. I think you are making it a bit confusing as I really don't know why you made the first post. It should be known that "mostly" when we state of "repenting" it is of sins. I guess you could just start using that word in everything "turn from or change" is used if you want.

A couple things I don't understand you using. Why would you even say or ask one of us if God could sin? That seems a bit harsh and uncalled for. Also how you stated that the book of John "It's the ONLY book that brings people to salvation". Which to me is false and not true. Though it does not have the word "repent" in it it has much of those being in darkness, evil deeds, and sin.

I'm going to stop here. As I'm going to make another post today about how saddened I am seeing of the division of Christ. Petty things that split believers when the main focus should be on Jesus Christ and His Word. Let the Holy Ghost be our teacher instead of another person though we should all help one another if able.

1 Corinthians 9:14.

God Bless you and have a wonderful day!

(Part 3)

Temeko,

The most powerful Scriptures of God's keeping power are found in Romans 8:38-39. It says, "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor any thing which has come, nor things coming, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The only way a person can be saved is by a spiritual birth from God, and the only way a person can keep his salvation is through the keeping power of God.

This is what the Bible teaches about salvation. Salvation is permanent. It is man who has changed the emphasis from salvation by God to salvation by man, and it is part of the apostasy of the last days. People today are being told that they are saved because of some followed formula, but Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that believers would be known by their fruits, not by their human works.

If a person believes they can lose their salvation based on something they do, then it is a works-based salvation and has nothing to do with the Spirit of God and God's power to keep us saved.

I place my trust in God and His power to keep me saved until the day he comes to redeem me. He says He is the one who is Keeping me and I believe and trust in His promise. It is Christ who lives in me. He has promised to NEVER leave me nor forsake me. And as long as He lives in me (Which He says He will never leave), I will be saved. And that is why I believe in the permanency of salvation.

My salvation is not based on what I do or don't do. It is strictly based on what God has done for me. God called me, and I responded to the call and received Christ. He saved me, and it is through His power alone that I remain saved. I cannot trust in my flesh to remain saved because my flesh will never submit to the things of the Lord. I have to trust in the one who saved me, the one who has given me His Spirit, and the one who is keeping me saved!

If salvation is permanent (not lost) why is it that people (Christians) find themselves in hell.

(Part 2)

Jesus Himself said in John 6:37, "All that the Father gives to me will come to me; and the one coming to me I will NEVER CAST OUT." Jesus goes on to say in John 6:39, "And this is the will of the Father who has sent me, in order that of all which he has given to me I SHOULD LOSE NOTHING, but should raise it up in the last day." If you read John 17:11-12, you see that we are kept by God's power.

I firmly believe in the permanency of salvation because the Bible teaches that God is the One who saves and He does so from out of His mercy. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8 that grace, faith, and salvation are gifted from God.

In 1 John Chapter 5 Verse 18, John says "We know that everyone who has been born from God does not practice sin; but the one who has been born from God, God IS KEEPING him, and the evil one does not touch him." John also says in John 10:27-29, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them; and they follow me. And I give to them eternal life; and they will NEVER PERISH FOREVER and not anyone will seize them from out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one is able to seize them from out of the hand of my Father."

Paul emphasized the keeping power of God's Spirit. He says in Ephesians 1:13-14, "In whom also after having heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also, after having believed, you were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the GUARANTEE of our inheritance, for redemption of the possession, for the praise of His glory."

Paul says again in Ephesians 4:30, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God in whom you were SEALED FOR THE DAY OF REDEMPTION."

(One more post to come)

Temeko,

Salvation is the most important issue here and I need more than one post to give you an answer to your question, so please bear with me.

(Part 1)

There are those who believe that salvation can be lost and then there are others who believe in the permanency of salvation. I personally believe that salvation is permanent and here's why:

First of all, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is based solely on God's Spirit coming into the spirit of a human being; and in so doing, causing that person to become a new creation in Christ. A person's experience of regeneration by the Holy Spirit is an act of God, not of man.

According to the Bible, the salvation process begins with God the Father. Jesus said, in John 6:44, "No one is able to come to me unless the Father who has sent me should draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day."

In the early Church, the requirement for salvation was the presence of God's Spirit dwelling within a person. Paul said in Romans 8:9, "Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not of Him." Salvation happens only when God's Spirit enters and remains (Permanently) in a person's spirit, thereby causing spiritual birth.

God is the sole source of salvation. The Bible also teaches that every saved person is KEPT by the power of God. 1 Peter 1:5 says that believers are "The ones who are BEING KEPT in the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Paul says in Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are opposing to one another; in order that you should not do what you want."

These scriptures show that believers cannot be taken away from Christ by the flesh, because the Spirit of God is dwelling within to prevent that from happening.

More to follow:

in luke it says that the disciples were drunk is that really true?

We are given the choice because before the end it is necessary for a cleansing.For those who love God to separate from those who serve the dark and evil that is satan. God want's hos own to be with Him for eternity and those who stand against him to spend eternity with the God they choose. Like the word says you can not serve two masters for you will love the one and hate the other. Therefore we are given the choice of whom we will serve.

In the beginning, God created the earth.

A true prophet will not be denied. He cannot be, for he speaks the words of God! History is found even in the ground, and truly the stones do continue to make the sound! They are crying out ! Can you hear them, oh Jerusalem! Even as you deny His Son 2000, years later. The judgment for you has arrived, your time is complete! Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God!

Thank you kindly.

Joyce, If you believe....you have been chosen. John 3:16 will confirm that. It says "Whosoever"! Hallelujah!

This verse in Romans does give me a glimmer of hope regarding some of my family/friends whom I do not know if I will be reunited with them in Paradise. Only God knows....and He may do as He wishes.

please keep Kristie and myself in your prayers . pray the Lord gives her the strength and the courage to face all that is before her , pray she can say and do what is needed pray the walls that separate be removed once and for all

2 THINGS:-

1. Believing without repentance in the Gospel of John

2. Repentance can be a bad thing - Exodus

GOSPEL OF JOHN

The gospel of John, as it ends tells the reader that he is writing the book for people to get saved/ believe. He says in John 20:30-31 ---> And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But THESE ARE WRITTEN, THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, AND THAT BELIEVING YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME. It's the ONLY book that brings people to salvation, because most books in the NT are written to the church. MOST. But Gospel of John is written so that people might believe..

YET,

Nowhere in the whole gospel of John do you encounter the word "repent" . If its a book that claims to get people saved, you should at least get word repent even one time but its not there, but guess what! the word "believe" appears in the gospel of John 46 times(if my counting is correct). Look at some verses:-

John 1:7 - The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 6:69 - And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

John 11:27 - She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

REPENTANCE IN EXODUS

Exodus 13:17 - And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Here repentance is a bad thing because they would "turn" back to Egypt when they see war..

Hey Richard in Christ,

Thanks for your comment.

I did not say we should not repent our sins. Of course that's what we as Christians should do on a daily basis, because we see sin everyday and we try everyday not to live according to the works of the flesh by crucifying ourselves daily to the cross. Evidently, in Revelation 2 when Jesus is talking to church of Thyatira, He tells them He knows their works and their patience, charity etc and He tells them to repent OF THEIR DEEDS and those deeds happen to be sins.

So He tells them to turn from "teaching and seducing His servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." v.20 and Jesus gave them a chance to turn from fornication to not fornicating but they did not.

When Jesus told some people, "...sin no more..", He basically is telling them to repent of their sins, because "sin no more" implies that they were "sinning" and so they are to turn from " sinning, to no more sinning"

The parallel verse to the verse you put - Matthew 4:17- is Mark 1:14-15 and it says, Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL

Hey Adam,

Repenting and confessing are two different things. Confession is admitting you are a sinner( 1 John 1:8-9) but repentance, as I have stated earlier, is "to turn from something...." You say, "It is an unusual position to claim that repenting doesn't mean repenting of sins. In this context what else would someone be repenting of?" But looking at the bilbe, God repented more than anyone else. So if you are asking "..what else would someone be repenting of, if not sins" then I would ask you, did God sin so that He can repent? The problem is we associate repentance with " repenting of sins" and that's not the case. Even Hebrews says this:

Hebrews 6:1-3

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit."

Did the author say Repentance from sins? No! He said "repentance from dead works"... We cannot just add "...of your sins" in front of every "repent" word...

The Bible does not say devils believe so they will go to heaven. Romans 10:9 says - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." I have never read anywhere where devils confessed with their mouths that God raised Christ from the dead, and even more so, devils cant get saved because it's to late for them - Jude 1:6 - Hitler, Stalin there is no evidence to suggest they got saved because of Matthew 7:14-20

Dear Ismael, after receiving the scripture that you sent, and while doing Bible Study this morning, The Lord led me to Isaiah 43: 1 and Listening in my Heart heard The Lord whispering "I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine." In humble silent gratitude, a gentle smile formed on my face as The Lord's touch in my Heart came so alive. The grace of His Love was so overflowing I wanted to share it with you as part of my thanks for your response. Helga

Dear Mishael, Many thanks for your generous response. I did find the specific verses that I was seeking: i.e. Psalm 139: 13, 14. I appreciate your response, and if I may express, your name has also touched my Heart with inspired thought. Also many thanks for your Blessings for a "good day". All blessings of Love and Life. Helga

Dear Friend in Christ, Thanks oodles for your response. There is much thought and inspiration in the scripture references you gave, and I will go through each one in prayerful listening to the Lord of my Heart. Thank you so much for caring enough to respond. To my way of thinking in our world so cyber dependent it is nice to have a human touch through cyber events. The Heart essence comes through sometimes. Thanks. Respectfully with a grateful heart, Helga.

Jeremiah 20:17

Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.

Job 31:15

Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?

Psalms 22:10

I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

Psalms 22:9

But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.

Psalms 127:3

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalms 58:3

The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Psalms 139:13

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

Luke 1:42

And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. (Speaking of Jesus)

Isaiah 49:1

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels (uterus) of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who makes all.

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Matthew 19:12

For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs by men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive.

Hope you find it in here. Mishael

Thank you again Glenn. I understand that you dislike pursuing this 'debate', so you can end it whenever you wish. On the contrary, I love such 'debates': I believe this type of exchange helps us to study the Scriptures more closely, to understand the others' points of view, & to re-check or revise one's own understanding, if required. And this Christian Site, amongst very few out there, gives us this opportunity to have such exchanges, if not only for our benefit, but for others wanting further light on the matter.

Briefly, to answer your last comment: the way the Bible speaks about creation & that God rested after He completed His Works, is simply just that: a special day different from His other six days of creating & so it was set apart (sanctified) as that special day. To this special day, God had, with His other commandments, prescribed to His special chosen people, Israel. Was it given to anyone else? No. And not only did the Gentiles not receive any commandment from God, neither was the Church under any compulsion to be brought under them (i.e. the Gentiles didn't have to become Jews first before receiving Christ's salvation).

As well, to note, I've never claimed Sunday to be the new Sabbath. Sunday was simply a day chosen by the NT Church to worship God through His Son & not connected to the Sabbath (rest day). If they chose any other day, I would easily comply, even if it was a Saturday. Or even if my Fellowship changed it to a Wednesday, that too would be fine. To me, Sunday is not Sabbath - just an ordinary day set aside to worship the Lord in fellowship with His children. And the coming Antichrist will demand worship of him, not necessarily on a Sunday as no Scripture indicates or supports that theory. Thank you for your time. God bless.

Get a sampler pack of Chick Tracts and give them to the kid & his folks. Almost Everybody loves those little comic book tracts.

You can ask someone from your Church to pray over them to escape the waste can.

Google: Chick Tracts

(You can read all of them online. They have large comic books too) they don't cost much at all