"What must I do to be saved?"

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Jan 27, 2023
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John said those born of God cant sin, whoever lives in sin has neither seen God or known God

so if your a christian, I have to wonder how you think you can turn back to sin.
Are you implying that you or anyone else can live out their days without ever sinning?
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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2 Peter 2:22
“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
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The scriptures of Ephesians 1:1-13, are addressed by Paul , to the faithful in Christ Jesus and not to the natural man who cannot discern the things of the Spirit.

Hearing and understanding the gospel is not something that the natural man can discern, and thinks it to be foolishness (1 Cor 2:14).

Only God's sheep hear the gospel (John 10:267-29). There is a deliverance (salvation), here in time, when a child of God comes unto a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4 - the all men are those that Timothy is instructing to teach no other doctrine in 1 Tim 1:3)

If you insist on applying all of the salvation scriptures to eternal salvation, they will tend to teach you that your eternal deliverance is accomplished by your good works.

There are many deliverances that the born again children receives by their good works, in following God's commandments, as they sojourn here in this world.

Salvation, according to Greek definition, means a deliverance.
Of course, we can apply the same with this kind of argument. The Corinthians were addressed by Paul as “sanctified”, or “saints” and this has nothing to do with the natural in mind. In Ephesians 1:1-13, you have to take note that it was only after they have trusted after they heard the gospel or after ye believed” so Paul is going back to their lost spiritual condition that at the moment of their belief in the gospel that they were saved.

True, hearing and understanding without repentance and faith in it would not bring salvation. But the sinner has the ability to hear and respond to the gospel call. The work of the Spirit and the word of God moves the sinners’ hearts to respond in faith to be saved. The Spirit and the word of God are the active agents so that man might respond to the gospel call. A lost sinner either believes or will not believe. This harmonizes the Bible for “whosoever”.

The context in John 10 is about the Jew who heard the truth but did not respond in faith. The Jews that were around not only cast doubt but do not believe in him even though Christ told them the truth. The lesson, hearing the truth without a change of mind and not believing has no bearing on possessing salvation. Of course, the Lord is pretty obvious to say to them they were not of his fold because they didn’t believe at all. Those who believe were counted as God’s sheep. Actually, John 10 is no representation of the gospel. The sheep follow his voice rather than believe as the verse proves, hence they were already saved. In essence, this does not support your stand for the “Only God's sheep hear the gospel..” thingy.

I believe in the scripture of truth rather than mere opinions of men but why try to change biblical words to fit your system. I used the word eternal salvation without complicating it. The word of God is clear, Jesus is clear, and the Apostles are clear, that “whosoever” believes on Christ will be saved. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be save” still works.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
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Apostacy happens. Sad but true. :(
John 6:66
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
They were never saved.

Jesus told them, they did not know because they did not believe.

We can’t walk away from God.. We can;t hide from God.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
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2 Peter 2:22
“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
A dog is a dog and will be a dog until he is made into a new creature

They returned to their vomit because instead of being born again, as a new creature they were still dogs..
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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Do you believe God changed you. or are you still a dog? Who can return to his vomit (sin)
Sinners do not partake of the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 6:4
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,”
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
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Falling back into one's pre repentant way of life will not provide one salvation in God's Kingdom.
If your a true Christian ---you will not want to fall back ----and then if one were to fall back there is no coming back ---your doomed as you cannot crucify Christ Twice ---there is no other salvation for you

Salvation is for the here and now and any True Christian will never want to fall away ------

Hebrews 6:4-6 New International Version (NIV)
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
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Hebrews 6:4-6 New International Version (NIV)
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
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If you fall away in my view you were never a true Christian ------as a true Christian Loves God and wants to obey God and mature in their walk with God ---and would do everything they could not to grieve the Holy Spirit ----falling away would not be in the mind of a True Christian

There are many who say they are a Christian but who are not True Christians -----
 
Feb 24, 2023
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Minnesota
John said those born of God cant sin, whoever lives in sin has neither seen God or known God

so if your a christian, I have to wonder how you think you can turn back to sin.
Saved and sealed Christians still sin. We will go to heaven but may be chastened by God as his children for the sins.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
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Sinners do not partake of the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 6:4
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,”
Sinners partake of the HS every time they are surrounded by Gods people. Sinners partake of the HS every time they walk into a church..

the passage you are trying to use is saying to a jew who thinks he should go back to the law. That if one can fall away (like the law says) they can not be renewed to repentance. For the crucify for themselves the son of God (God would have to come and redid again, for the sin he did not die for in the first place)
 

Everlasting-Grace

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Dec 18, 2021
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Saved and sealed Christians still sin. We will go to heaven but may be chastened by God as his children for the sins.
Yes,

A christian can not sin themselves out of salvation. And they can not live in sin.. that was their old self.. the old man, the “dog”.
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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Sinners partake of the HS every time they are surrounded by Gods people. Sinners partake of the HS every time they walk into a church..

the passage you are trying to use is saying to a jew who thinks he should go back to the law. That if one can fall away (like the law says) they can not be renewed to repentance. For the crucify for themselves the son of God (God would have to come and redid again, for the sin he did not die for in the first place)
I agree with the first part--that a person can experience the Holy Spirit without becoming a partaker of the divine nature.

Have you considered that the second part might mean that if they reject Christ and turn away and He alone is the way of salvation, there remains no salvation available to them because any other option they choose will fall short?
 
Dec 21, 2020
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If you fall away in my view you were never a true Christian ---
Was Demas a true Christian? Paul called him a fellow laborer.

Phlm 1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers

Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
 

Everlasting-Grace

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Dec 18, 2021
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I agree with the first part--that a person can experience the Holy Spirit without becoming a partaker of the divine nature.

Have you considered that the second part might mean that if they reject Christ and turn away and He alone is the way of salvation, there remains no salvation available to them because any other option they choose will fall short?
That could be it. It could also mean, if they go back to something. they would never come back, because if they harden their heart to the truth and go back. their heart would be to hard for them to repent again?
 

Everlasting-Grace

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Dec 18, 2021
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Was Demas a true Christian? Paul called him a fellow laborer.

Phlm 1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers

Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Paul said demus forsook him..

That's not grounds to lose your salvation.
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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That could be it. It could also mean, if they go back to something. they would never come back, because if they harden their heart to the truth and go back. their heart would be to hard for them to repent again?
Sure. But we still have a tendency to return to old ways. Jesus found the disciples fishing after his resurrection. I think it's more than just backsliding. I think they have turned away altogether.