BOOKMARKED and BTTT for reading later.
Seems to me that Baptism (water) and Confirmation (Holy Spirit) would meet those criteria.
[..there is a conflict between the Bible and the Catholic Church over being “born again.”]
And there is indeed! The bible is clear about salvation being by grace through faith only and the baptism is not of water, but by the Holy Spirit, which is Christ in you.
When you add works to the faith, then faith is vain as it rests on works and not faith.
Would to God all Christians read the Word of God before believing traditons!
II Timothy 3; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Can you be sure? That is the most vital question. Many Protestants and Catholics alike when asked are you going to heaven say, "I hope so". Next, when asked how does one get there, they say by doing good, going to church, living right.
First of all, I want to know for sure I am going to heaven.
Second, if we trust in our good works, it will send us straight to Hell when we die. Why? because God does not have a scale. If you only sinned once, you are out of heaven if you are trusting in your good works. That's why Christ had to die. He paid the debt that I owed. It's only by accepting what He did on cross and that alone as a free gift gets one into Heaven. It is grace and not works so we cannot boast. We are indebted to God. He is not indebted to us.
Interesting post.
I don't think most Evangelicals understand the expression “born again.”
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