How to Go to Heaven

CatholicAnswers ^ | May 12, 2015 | Jimmy Akin

[Salvation]

How to Go to Heaven

Jimmy Akin

May 12, 2015 |

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Sometimes people make it sound like the Catholic understanding of how to get to heaven is really complex.

It’s not.

While you can go into any of Christ’s 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.

That’s it. That’s 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 that’s 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, you’ll be in a state of grace, and as long as you remain in a state of grace, you’ll 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. Paul’s 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 God—to 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 that’s 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.

It’s all thoroughly biblical.

[Elsie]

Once you arrive 'by Christ' you are no longer under condemnation and have eternal life, and this prior to the Great White Throne.

Refer to my last question.

[Mom MD]

I can’t wait. What a celebration that will be. And the time is drawing near. Maranatha

[af_vet_1981]

Option 1 above is impossible, because it would set up a contradiction with many other passages,

Compare it with this. The Apostle to the Gentiles is giving the same message as the Messiah just gave in John.

For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
Romans, Catholic chapter eleven, Protestant verses thirteen to twenty four,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

Theology can be a trap, a false dilemma. We are not saved by believing we are saved, nor by believing in a tulip.

[MHGinTN]

John 14:

Young's Literal translation:

Jesus Comforts the Disciples
1‘Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, also in me believe; 2in the house of my Father are many mansions; and if not, I would have told you; I go on to prepare a place for you; 3and if I go on and prepare for you a place, again do I come, and will receive you unto myself, that where I am ye also may be; 4and whither I go away ye have known, and the way ye have known.’

The Way, the Truth, and the Life
5 Thomas saith to him, ‘Sir, we have not known whither thou goest away, and how are we able to know the way?’ 6Jesus saith to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one doth come unto the Father, if not through me;

7if ye had known me, my Father also ye would have known, and from this time ye have known Him, and have seen Him.’

8Philip saith to him, ‘Sir, shew to us the Father, and it is enough for us;’ 9Jesus saith to him, ‘So long time am I with you, and thou hast not known me, Philip? he who hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how dost thou say, Shew to us the Father? 10Believest thou not that I [am] in the Father, and the Father is in me? the sayings that I speak to you, from myself I speak not, and the Father who is abiding in me, Himself doth the works; 11believe me, that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me; and if not, because of the works themselves, believe me.

And the coming for His bride and bridesmaids:

The Return of the Lord 1Thess 4:13-18
13And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, that ye may not sorrow, as also the rest who have not hope, 14for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also God those asleep through Jesus he will bring with him, 15for this to you we say in the word of the Lord, that we who are living — who do remain over to the presence of the Lord — may not precede those asleep, 16because the Lord himself, in a shout, in the voice of a chief-messenger, and in the trump of God, shall come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, 17then we who are living, who are remaining over, together with them shall be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in air, and so always with the Lord we shall be; 18so, then, comfort ye one another in these words.

1 Cor 15:51-53 51Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

No appearance before the Great White Throne of JUDGMENT, Romans 8:

Life Through the Spirit
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

9You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

That should get you started, old cow. Remember, dispensational perspective is a tool, not the Gospel. The Gospel is God sent His Son into the World, not to judge the world but to save sinners; Jesus is The Son; He sacrificed Himself upon the cross for our salvation; He arose from the dead to show us He is The Way, and He puts His life in believers in Him when we are born from above, so that we may Live The Way members of His family should go.

[Iscool]

This poor, ol' dumb prot thinks that Hail JESUS' would be a LOT more effective.

Ha!!!

[Iscool]

Empty of WHAT?

soul and spirit

[MHGinTN]

'Use the tools, Luke, use the tools.' To whom is Jesus speaking in John (Israel); why (they had abandoned the calling God gave them to share their knowledge of God with the rest of the world), and for what dispensation (prior to the Church Age when there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile).

The vine is Christ for all ages, the branch cut off is Israel when the Messiah is cut off at crucifixion (see Daniel 9, Messiah is cut off with nothing). The Jesus speaking passage in John is not referring to The Church of Jesus Christ established with His birthing process from above. Later, Paul speaks of caution that believers not be cut loose from the vine which bears fruit by the life flowing through the vine to the branches.

[Mad Dawg]

Well, bearing in mind that “pray” is equivocal, yeah, sorta kinda. The actual text of the Ave concludes with, “Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.” So it certainly is literally a request for prayers.

I don't ask for particular stuff, or very rarely. It's more like I'm saying, “Holy Trinity, Mary: I'm spending this time meaning to be with you, purposefully and consciously, and so-and-so is on my mind, as I know you know.”

As for why not just an “Ave Iesu,” why do we not ask Jesus for directions to the nearest Piggly Wiggly? Why do we ask for one another’s prayers? Why do we want to spend time with wise and good people? To me, praying a Rosary is partially, in some respects, not only spending time with Mary but praying with her, being with God with her.

“Prayer” is, as I said, a word with more than one meaning. It's more than asking for stuff. But twice now, when I have conducted campaigns of prayer for them, two people who said, angrily, that they were atheists have contacted me and said they had come to believe and were praying. That got my attention.

I don't like to say, “Prayer works,” or “Prayer is powerful.” To me it's like a beggar saying, “Begging works,” when I think the more important thing is the generosity of his donors. But I still pray.

[Iscool]

Ecclesiastes 12:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it.

Maybe that sounds 'new age religion' to you, but it tells me that all return to the Maker that sent them.

In the parable of the rich man, he could see Abraham with Lazarus, but was separated from them.

1Th_5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the spirit that returns to heaven, not the soul...

[HarleyD]

I have said and hold that man can choose evil without Divine aid.

Man always chooses evil without divine aid. The problem is that most Christians believe WE can choose good without divine aid.

A subtle but very important distinction. This article highlights this Pelagius heresy.

[Mad Dawg]

I don't know what purpose snark serves here. The “mysteries” of the Rosary are

JOYFUL
Annunciation
Visitation
Nativity
Presentation
Finding Jesus in the Temple

LUMINOUS (added by JP2)
Baptism
Cana
Preaching and Teaching
Transfiguration
Last Supper

SORROWFUL
Agony in the garden
Scourging
Crowning with thorns
Carrying the Cross
Crucifixion and Death

GLORIOUS
Resurrection
Ascension
Pentecost
Assumption of B.V.M.
Coronation of B.V.M. I have found the luminous mysteries to be very rich.

[MHGinTN]

Isn’t it odd that this so important and vital aspect of life for Catholics, this interaction with an assumed Mary, is not found in the Scriptures, when even the assumption of Elijah and Enoch is found there?

[MHGinTN]

“The problem is that most Christians believe WE can choose good without divine aid.” Perhaps that’s why Paul is repeatedly telling his missionary converts that The Spirit of God indwells them, to raise them up in the Way that they should go? Paul says they have eternal life in them; use it to learn to choose the good.

[Mad Dawg]

It’s odd to Sola Scriptura people, I guess. I think Sola Scriptura is an untenable position in its strict construction, so it’s not odd to me.

[Iscool]

Show it to me in the Book; please.

This is a really quick summary:

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

This judgment has a combination of good guys and bad guys...The bad guys come up out of hell and are being judged...

Rev_20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

This Great White Throne Judgment clearly is at the end...The earth and heavens have fled away...AFTER the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on earth...At some point in time there is a first resurrection where Christians will reign with Jesus Christ for that thousand years...Christians are not going to be the priests of Jesus and then go in for a final judgment...

Romans 14:10-12 says, 'For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat...so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God'...Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us, 'For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad'...In the context, it is clear that both scriptures are referring to Christians, not unbelievers...There are no unbelievers there...

There is no mention of anyone burning up in hell or anywhere else...It is only 'bad' works that are burned...

Prior to the thousand year reign of Christ there will be the Great Tribulation...While this Tribulation is taking place, someone is in heaven getting married to Jesus...

Rev 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Someone is in heaven, getting married, to Jesus...This is during the Tribulation...Right before the thousand year reign of Jesus on the earth...This is the CHURCH, raptured before the Tribulation starts...

And right after the wedding:

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Rev 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Jesus returns to earth for the 2nd time...The Second Coming of Jesus Christ; WITH HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH...A full thousand years before the Great White Throne Judgment...

While Jesus wipes our slate clean when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we continue to sin after that...We can not stand in heaven before the face of God with that sin on our record...At the Judgment seat of Christ that sin record is burned up so we can stand before God, blameless...

1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

[MHGinTN]

SELAH!

[caww]

.... no one can lay ‘any’ foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. THE ROCK of our salvation!

He Only is MY ROCK and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.For from the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to THE ROCK that is Higher than I........... like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid The Foundation on A ROCK... and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it... for it was founded upon A ROCK....Jesus Christ the Almighty God!

I Cor. 3;11....Psalm 62:2...Psalm 61:2

[CommerceComet]

Well stated.

I have found it ironic that a group of vocal Catholics have failed to follow the command of the man they claim to be the first Pope: "But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you." Seems Peter was ready to engage in discussion.

[caww]

WoW! That was a very cool video...

“It was tried in the fiery furnace..it's good enough for me!

[editor-surveyor]

Nothing in Revelation 20 agrees with the statement that I questioned:

Rev.20

[1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
[6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
[7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
[8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
[9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
[10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
[11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
[13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
[15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

No indication that anyone not resurrected in the first resurrection, at the last trump finding his rest. Those resurrected 1000 years later are resurrected to the judgment, portal to the second death.