Posted on 07/23/2016 8:18:41 AM PDT by pinochet
Calvinists teach that a tiny percentage of baptized Christians known as the "elect" will go to heaven. But most Christians are not Calvinists. If human meritocracy is not needed to get to heaven, shouldn't the majority of baptized Christians go to heaven?
24“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24 NASB
In Him 11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 NASB
I'm taking Him at His word on this.
John 3:16. And all that that verse implies.
There will be many on the Judgement Day who will have been baptised, or who proclaimed Christ in life, but who failed to learn His teachings in the Bible, and who did not live a life which reflected them.
If we do not know Christ here, he will not know us before The Father in Heaven. Baptism or not.
Reading the Bible, it says (paraphrasing ) believe on The Lord Jesus and you will be saved. It doesn’t say you have to be baptized on acceptance, baptized at birth, dance around an oak tree at midnight, or any other sacrament.
There is nothing that says only certain folk will go to heaven. those that wont are those who actively reject His love (Stalin I would use as an example based on his actions and statements).
A church or sect that makes all sorts of hoops to jump through is more interested in governing your life than salvation. JMO
All who believe are saved. Salvation comes through faith. Faith is evident by works. But works do not lead to salvation, only faith does.
The thief on the cross had faith in Christ, and he was saved. What did he do to be saved? Was he baptized? Did he finish a course on his faith? Did he tithe? Did he live a good life? Did he dedicate him time and effort to the church.
No, he simply had faith. He believed.
Any church that teaches that there is a formula for salvation, or any church that teaches that your salvation cannot be assured, is teaching a false gospel. For the gospel (the good news) is that Christ died for ALL men, and any who believes in him will not perish, but will have everlasting life.
Why not take this “war” to the religion forum, where it’s already been held dozens of times?
This is a poorly constructed straw man of Calvinism. No Calvinist believes you must be a Calvinist to be part of the elect of Christ. And not all who claim to be Christians are Christians.
This is a poorly constructed straw man of Calvinism. No Calvinist believes you must be a Calvinist to be part of the elect of Christ. And not all who claim to be Christians are Christians.
Water baptism is symbolic. Just because you have been accorded the sacrament of water baptism is NOT a guarantee of salvation. ALL who have received the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit will enter into heaven. Sometimes, it is hard for man to tell. God sorts them out.
It continues to John3:17 - it should be read as one verse.
We are the pure and chosen few
And all the rest are damned
There’s room enough in hell for you
We don’t want heaven crammed.
Sorry for the double post. My tablet is acting up.
Ping.
Exactly.
You not only flunk theology but you flunk logic as well. Calvinism is a theology. Believing in its tenants does not make you one of the “elect”. Therefore being a Calvanist no more assures you of heaven then being a Baptist. Being baptized does not keep you from being one of the elect.
Many Baptists are Calvanist many Calvanists are not Baptist. Election is independent of your theology or denominational preference.
+1
Every single person who has entrusted themselves to Christ alone to pay the penalty for their sin, will go to heaven. Not a single one will be lost.
Those who are merely church members or attenders or were baptized without entrusting themselves to Christ will not.
Prayer will not save you.
Mary will not save you.
Works will not give eternal life.
Rituals will not save you.
Sacraments will not save you.
Idols will not save you.
Christ alone can save.
Have you entrusted yourself to Him alone?
“Thanks be to God for His Indescribable gift!”
And I hasten to add, Election is independent on whether or not you believe in Election!
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