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?
Originally it was posted in news/activism. The moderator properly moved it to the religion forum.
I don’t need “schooling” on the various forums.
Just sayin’ — this is just a neutral observation, not a criticism looking for a fight.
Please see #81
I’m not.
Faith is indeed the key. However we know that Faith without works is dead faith. A lawless person is one who does not keep the law...Like the Joel Osteen example...homosexual Christians, fornication Christians, drunkard Christians, etc.
They did not keep the laws of God, which is why they were indicted for lawlessness. The did works, but not the law of God
Paul gives the example of running the race. If all you ever do is cross the start line (i.e accepting Jesus, baptism) and then never actually live out your faith, and bear good fruit, then you might just end up being like the fig tree that Jesus cursed. There are too many folks out there that are “believers” in name only who may talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.
You are right on one point, now. It was made not made clear early on that it hade been moved, and I read the whole thread to see if anybody had made a correction. That’s why I “corrected” you. But the moderator’s movement to “Religion” is not where the rules say it belongs as a vanity post. Maybe you would like to read the stipulations for posting once more. Again, just a suggestion.
And that key, faith, is missing from their plea.
Well, we will all find out one day.
But the moderator’s movement to “Religion” is not where the rules say it belongs as a vanity post. Maybe you would like to read the stipulations for posting once more. Again, just a suggestion.
********************************************************
Vanities are sometimes posted in the religion forum, if the theme is religious.
The moderator moved it, I didn’t and I agree with where he moved it. Take it up with the mod if you don’t agree with where he put it and again, I do not need “schooling” or lectures about the various forums.
And remember, you are the one who said:
“Just sayin’ — this is just a neutral observation, not a criticism looking for a fight”.
I don’t want to fight or argue either. So, go ahead, have the last word, as I’m pretty sure you are not capable of doing otherwise.
OR, you might be the person Paul refers to as having their wood, hay and stubble burned up by they themselves saved, as by fire. Jesus explained it as simply as possible in His lesson to Nicodemus regarding the brass snake. You are addressing rewards, not a means to salvation.
What does baptism have to do with being saved and going to heaven.?
Being a Southern Baptist I probable wouldn’t understand even if you could explain it to me tho.
The fig tree is a symbol, Judaism. The tree was really there and really not bearing any fruit. But it was full of showy limbs and leaves!
Is faith without works dead?
Well, as God says,
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2, 8-9)
James 2:14-26New King James Version (NKJV)
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[a] works, and I will show you my faith by my[b] works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?[c] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[d] And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
So which is more important, faith or works?
True. You can become saved and then just have no works to show for yourself like you mentioned. There are also some people who confess Jesus and then later turn from Him, either openly or by a slow falling away. Either way it isn’t good.
Ask Abraham and Paul about faith.
Must one be baptized as a Christian to get to heaven?
Just curious about your answer.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
And without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.