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How to Go to Heaven
CatholicAnswers ^
| May 12, 2015
| Jimmy Akin
Posted on 07/21/2015 4:48:44 PM PDT by Salvation
How to Go to Heaven
![](http://www.catholic.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blog_landscape_portrait/images/blog/mainimages/clouds.jpg)
Sometimes people make it sound like the Catholic understanding of how to get to heaven is really complex.
Its not.
While you can go into any of Christs teachings in a lot of very rich detail, he made sure that this one can be understood even by a child.
I can summarize it in two sentences.
The two sentences are these: To come to God and be saved, you need to repent, have faith, and be baptized. If you commit mortal sin, you need to repent, have faith, and go to confession.
Thats it. Thats all there is to it. And we can show each of these things from the Bible.
The need to repent is shown by the fact that, right at the beginning of his ministry, Jesus began preaching the gospel, saying repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:14-15).
The need for faith is shown when the author of the letter to the Hebrews writes that Without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Heb. 11:6).
And the need for baptism is shown when St. Peter flatly tells us: Baptism now saves you (1 Peter 3:21).
So thats what you need to do if you want to come to God and be saved: Repent, have faith, and be baptized.
If you do these things, youll be in a state of grace, and as long as you remain in a state of grace, youll go to heaven.
But we still have free will, and we can still turn our backs on God and fall from grace, to use St. Pauls phrase (Galatians 5:4).
St. Paul is very clear about the possibility of us committing mortal sin. He tells us: Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
To turn away from God and commit mortal sin is the opposite of repenting. So when we fall into mortal sin, we need to turn back to Godto repent again.
We also need to have faith.
And then we need to go to confession. This is something Jesus indicated just after he rose from the dead. He came to his disciples, breathed on them, and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained (John 20:22-23)
So Jesus empowered his ministers to forgive or retain sins. In order for a priest to know whether he is to forgive or retain a sin, he needs to know about the sin and whether we have repented of it. That means we need to go and tell him these things, and so we have the sacrament of confession.
So thats what you need to do. To come to God and be saved, you need to repent, have faith, and be baptized. If you commit mortal sin, you need to repent, have faith, and go to confession.
Its all thoroughly biblical.
TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; heaven
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To: caww
...Jesus Christ is living His life through us....?... Yes....The Spirit of Christ is free to express the character of Christ in each Christian, and that unto the glory of God.... The Holy Spirit must not be imprisoned in church structures, encased in book-interpretations, .. The Spirit of the living Christ is present in the Christian, existing as the identity of the Christian, and functioning to express Himself through the Christian. Jesus Himself explained......On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.... that He would give another Helper, the Spirit of truth, and His disciples would KNOW that they were in Him, and He was in them...... The mystery of the gospel IS Christ in you, the hope of glory ... He asked the Corinthians,... Do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? unless you are not a Christian..... The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, dwells in the Christian and bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God .... The essential reality that constitutes being a Christian is the indwelling presence of the Spirit of Christ.... If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. As its written....I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me .... not merely as a deposit called eternal life, but Christ lives in us as the personified and living function of the dynamic of divine life..... If, according to Paul, I am no longer living, and Christ is living in me, then we begin to understand that Christ is living in us....we are different than we were previously. Thus, we are set apart to function as God intended, expressing His Holy character in spirit and soul and body expressed in Christian behavior by the fruit of the Spirit (John 14:20...Col. 1:27..II Cor. 13:5...Rom. 8:9...John 14:17; Rom. 8:9-11; I Cor. 6:19; II Tim. 1:14; James 4:5...I Thess. 5:23..Gal 5:22,23) The Holy Spirit is not going to enter those that have other gods. Thus, that first commandment is still in effect. No way around it. What is no longer the law is the requirement to sacrifice 'blood' for the remission of sin.
441
posted on
07/22/2015 11:42:14 AM PDT
by
Just mythoughts
(Jesus said Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.)
To: daniel1212
So thats what you need to do if you want to come to God and be saved: Repent, have faith, and be baptized. If you do these things, youll be in a state of grace, and as long as you remain in a state of grace, youll go to heaven. But we still have free will, and we can still turn our backs on God and fall from grace, ...Pelagianism is the belief that original sin did not taint human nature and that mortal will is still capable of choosing good or evil without special Divine aid. - Wikipedia
442
posted on
07/22/2015 11:53:17 AM PDT
by
HarleyD
("... letters are weighty, but his .. presence is weak, and his speech of no account.")
To: metmom
443
posted on
07/22/2015 11:57:13 AM PDT
by
ImaGraftedBranch
(If you haven't figured it out, there is a great falling away...happening before your eyes.)
To: caww
Your misunderstanding is a common one.
Only those that are outside the law are under the law.
Those upon whose hearts the law has been written are not under the law because we literally live the law.
Rather amusing that you believe John and Paul to be so wrong.
Who would you turn to?
444
posted on
07/22/2015 11:58:25 AM PDT
by
editor-surveyor
(Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
To: af_vet_1981
13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's growth.
If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, "Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch" (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. Col 2:13- WEB
445
posted on
07/22/2015 11:59:14 AM PDT
by
MHGinTN
(Is it really all relative, Mister Einstein?)
To: Mad Dawg; Elsie
Surely we can find a way to cooperate ....What ever did you have in mind?
446
posted on
07/22/2015 11:59:33 AM PDT
by
roamer_1
(Globalism is just socialism in a business suit.)
To: Just mythoughts
...”How does one demonstrate they ‘rely and are in Jesus Christ’? ...Not to all the people, but to the Heavenly Father?”....
Why would you see a need to “demonstrate” you are in Christ to the Heavenly Father when He IS God...when he clearly states...”I know the ones I have chosen”...and ...”My sheep hear My voice, and ‘I know them’, and they follow Me”... But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
John 13:18....John 10:27...John 10:4,8,16..ICor.8:3
447
posted on
07/22/2015 12:00:16 PM PDT
by
caww
To: roamer_1
448
posted on
07/22/2015 12:18:10 PM PDT
by
Mad Dawg
(Sta, si cum canibus magnis currere non potes, in portico.)
To: caww
In addition, here is an important part of the discourse found in Jn 10:
"...you do not believe because you are not my sheep."
The reason they do not believe is BECAUSE they are not His sheep.
449
posted on
07/22/2015 12:18:19 PM PDT
by
kinsman redeemer
(The real enemy seeks to devour what is good.)
To: caww
Why would you see a need to demonstrate you are in Christ to the Heavenly Father when He IS God...when he clearly states...I know the ones I have chosen...and ...My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me... But if any man love God, the same is known of him. John 13:18....John 10:27...John 10:4,8,16..ICor.8:3 Ah, the 'chosen'. (Eph. 1:4) Paul says the chosen (elect) were chosen 'before the foundation of the world'. (This is the Greek word katabole, which means casting down - overthrow) Genesis 1:2. Meaning, they are the ones, like Paul, justified... And yet Paul showed what his passion was before he took that trip to Damascus. Now, what was Saul's/Paul's problem. Well, one only need to read Stephen's sermon in the book of Acts, to see what those of the religious order were against.
Stephen did give a really decent sermon on Christianity and its early beginnings all the way back in the 'Old Testament'.
450
posted on
07/22/2015 12:25:14 PM PDT
by
Just mythoughts
(Jesus said Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.)
To: Just mythoughts
...”By this logic everybody is saved”...
Not at all....only those who come to Him for Salvation and accept the gift of life he offers.
.... When they do so there is no longer a “record against them” as is written...’having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness (the law), which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross....and further...having ‘disarmed’ the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Jesus’s last words on our behalf,... “It is finished.”
At that moment the veil of the temple, (of sacrifices and priesthood), which separated man from God was torn in two from top to bottom.
the way fully open for man to enter boldly into the presence of God, without further sacrifices or priesthood...and this by his blood which paid the price for our sins which had doomed us. He is now our Great High Priest, Savior and coming King.
(Noteworthy is this veil was gigantic and was torn “top to bottom”...no man could have ever done that.)
Colossians 2:14,15, John 19:30
451
posted on
07/22/2015 12:27:09 PM PDT
by
caww
To: Just mythoughts
You need to know it’s very difficult understanding where you’re coming from you seem to be responding with an opinion which isn’t addressing the flow of the conversation and instead moving it to some ‘other point’ you’re attempting to make.?????
Clearly no one could argue that God wouldn’t know those who are His...equally as much the ones who are not...and this throughout History past, present and future.
So again why would you see a need to “demonstrate” to God that you are in Christ?
452
posted on
07/22/2015 12:34:50 PM PDT
by
caww
To: caww
Not at all....only those who come to Him for Salvation and accept the gift of life he offers. .... When they do so there is no longer a record against them as is written...having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness (the law), which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross....and further...having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Jesuss last words on our behalf,... It is finished. At that moment the veil of the temple, (of sacrifices and priesthood), which separated man from God was torn in two from top to bottom.
the way fully open for man to enter boldly into the presence of God, without further sacrifices or priesthood...and this by his blood which paid the price for our sins which had doomed us. He is now our Great High Priest, Savior and coming King. (Noteworthy is this veil was gigantic and was torn top to bottom...no man could have ever done that.) Colossians 2:14,15, John 19:30 Generally, I do not disagree.... But anybody with another god(s) is not asking Him for squat. Thus, one would need to keep that first commandment to know enough to go to Him seeking Salvation.
453
posted on
07/22/2015 12:35:51 PM PDT
by
Just mythoughts
(Jesus said Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.)
To: kinsman redeemer
...”The reason they do not believe is BECAUSE they are not His sheep”....
That is true but does not mean they won’t be....we too were not His before we were.
454
posted on
07/22/2015 12:36:43 PM PDT
by
caww
To: HossB86
As a Catholic I never have to say a Rosary.
It’s not a condition for my salvation.
To: Not gonna take it anymore
Do you as a catholic believe saying the Rosary shortens your time in purgatory?
456
posted on
07/22/2015 12:51:40 PM PDT
by
MHGinTN
(Is it really all relative, Mister Einstein?)
To: Not gonna take it anymore
As a Catholic I never have to say a Rosary. Its not a condition for my salvation.
Very true; I was just asking about when one prays the Rosary, does not one invoke a prayer to Mary? That's all I was asking about....
Hoss
457
posted on
07/22/2015 12:53:06 PM PDT
by
HossB86
(Christ, and Him alone.)
To: MHGinTN
458
posted on
07/22/2015 12:55:58 PM PDT
by
PraiseTheLord
(have you seen the fema camps, shackle box cars, thousands of guillotines, stacks of coffins ~)
To: Just mythoughts
...”There is no ‘grace’ or Holy Spirit in those that have other gods. That law is still in effect.”....
True, but we are discussing those who are seeking Him and the way to salvation....or those who want to know the truth of how to be free from their sin....be it they worship another God or not....
It is after all the Holy Spirit’s work to move the individual’s heart and mind to want to know what God says regarding salvation....for we are saved ‘through’ the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth....For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
However we also know that because some do not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. ..and for this reason... God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe what is false...
2 Thess.2:13...I Thess: 5:9
459
posted on
07/22/2015 12:59:35 PM PDT
by
caww
To: caww
You need to know its very difficult understanding where youre coming from you seem to be responding with an opinion which isnt addressing the flow of the conversation and instead moving it to some other point youre attempting to make.????? I responded to your claim about the law no longer being applicable. The 'subject' is How to Go to Heaven. Well, do I need to quote all the places wherein the prophets and apostles penned that when the flesh dies the soul returns to the Maker that sent it? That means all souls return to the Maker that sent them. Then there is a time for unfettered teaching.... called the LORD's Day. After that there is to be a 'testing' to allow each soul to decide if they wish to live or they wish to die.
The parable of the rich man says there is a gulf separating the overcomers from those that did things their own way. When the last soul takes this flesh journey then this flesh age ends.
Clearly no one could argue that God wouldnt know those who are His...equally as much the ones who are not...and this throughout History past, present and future. So again why would you see a need to demonstrate to God that you are in Christ?
God does not like lazy people, He blesses those that 'work', baring a disability. Thus 'work' is a demonstration of belief. And God does not hand out welfare checks, or sets up soup kitchens for the lazy. Or send His Spirit to the children who worship other gods. They are on their own. Notice I did not say anything about 'working' for salvation.
460
posted on
07/22/2015 1:03:28 PM PDT
by
Just mythoughts
(Jesus said Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.)
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