"And you never answered MY inquiry..namely whether or not repentence was necessary."
Yes, I previously stated that it was necessary as follows.....Repentance is incorporated in the process of "Believing" in that one must "repent" (turns away from) of his sins (past, present and future) in order to accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the Cross for us. And that His atoning death on the cross and Resurrection is propitiation (payment) for our sins. Then one has Salvation without Baptism and without doing good works. It's called Grace --- God's saving Grace. After that point, if one sins, does one lose his Salvation? NO! But until one confesses that sin, one will lose Fellowship with God.
Windsong it sounds like you're hung up on losing our Salvation once we have it, i.e. the doctrine of Eternal Security. Right? If so that's a different issue. But I also believe that once Saved always Saved. Under Grace, we do nothing (in terms of works) to gain our Salvation; therefore, we can do nothing to lose it.
That's why I said I sleep like a baby at night knowing that I have Eternal Security.
You said: "So do Mormons and Jehovahs Witnesses!"
Not really, these cults work like a beaver every day trying to get to Heaven. They do not recognize Jesus Christ's Saving Grace. It's all good works for them and they never know where they stand!
You say: "Don't repent. Don't get baptized. Don't change. Keep sinning all you want. As long as you believe, you can get as drunk as you want...."
I know many Christians who have done that --- fallen off the Christian Wagon so to speak. I believe they are still Saved (if they were to begin with) but they are in serious trouble with God now and once they get to Heaven. They will not receive the Blessings/Rewards now or in eternity.
"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions" for those whose intentions were to Believe in Christ and accept His Atoning Death and Resurrection on the Cross....and they failed to do so!
Repentance is incorporated in the process of "Believing" in that one must "repent" (turns away from) of his sins (past, present and future) in order to accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the Cross for us.Says who? You? And what of those verses that seperate repenting from belief? Repenting is DOING something. As is being baptized, confessing that Jesus is Lord, and changing one's evil ways.
But I also believe that once Saved always Saved.
You are more lost than I originally thought. Don't tell me..lemme guess. You also "speak in tongues"?
Not really, these cults work like a beaver every day trying to get to Heaven. They do not recognize Jesus Christ's Saving Grace. It's all good works for them and they never know where they stand!
And you don't consider your own twisted logic to be slightly cult-oriented? Such as rolling on the floor uttering gibberish, snake handling, faith healings (i.e. Benny Hinn), etc? You are indistinguishable from these groups in that you do not DO what Christ wants.
I know many Christians who have done that --- fallen off the Christian Wagon so to speak. I believe they are still Saved (if they were to begin with) but they are in serious trouble with God now and once they get to Heaven. They will not receive the Blessings/Rewards now or in eternity.
Right. And pigs fly.
So what are these "Blessings/Rewards"? Once saved always saved is a corrupt doctrine..and not scripturally based. Saul, for example, wasn't saved by an experience or even a personal encounter with God Himself. Neither was he saved at the point of extreme repentance or sincere prayer. Here is a man who truly believed that Jesus was the Lord, he didn't know this by faith-he knew it by sight! And yet, his sins were not forgiven until he met all the conditions for salvation, including baptism. It does seem that you have been heavily bombarded with denominationalism, which is evident in your lack of scriptural knowledge (and applicability).