"What must I do to be saved?"

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
The thief died prior to the institution of the NT. The NT rebirth experience was made available on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit. Jesus prophesied that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in His name to all nations BEGINNING in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:38-39)

When God quickens a person to the new spiritual life, he exchanges their heart of stone to a heart of flesh, that can be pricked to feel spiritual guilt (Ezk 11:19).

These Jews in Acts 2:37, already had their heart exchanged, by evidence that they were "pricked" in their heart. In contrast of their response, those with the heart of stone, in Acts 7:54, had a much different response, of gnashing on him with their teeth, after hearing Stephen preach the same sermon as Peter preached in Acts 2.

The gift of the Holy Spirit are his fruits (Gal 5:22-23).
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
If you harden your heart and refuse to repent, that is exactly where you shall go. Salvation is not a ticket to do your own thing ever-after. We are called to walk in the light and in the Spirit of thankfulness and humility. That means we confess our sins with a penitent heart.

Revelation 2:
16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 3:
19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

When a born again child of God commits a sin, they separate themselves from God's fellowship, temporary until they repent, but not from their eternal inheritance, for God will not fellowship sin, even turning his back on his own Son during the three hours of darkness on the cross, as he bore the sins of those that God gave him. God did not disown his Son, neither does he disown his children.
 
Feb 24, 2023
32
25
18
Minnesota
When a born again child of God commits a sin, they separate themselves from God's fellowship, temporary until they repent, but not from their eternal inheritance, for God will not fellowship sin, even turning his back on his own Son during the three hours of darkness on the cross, as he bore the sins of those that God gave him. God did not disown his Son, neither does he disown his children.
What if someone commits some sins and before they have a chance to repent the next day or so they pass away?
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
6,066
1,948
113
I do not know what version of the bible you are studying from, but the KJV does not have the word "being" before the word sanctified.
Well since the kjv is not perfect. You should study

Again the Greek said one is completed the other is ongoing. It does not matter what a translation says that’s what the author wrote
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
6,066
1,948
113
I do not know what Greek concordance you are using, but Strong's concordance says: Hallow, be holy, sanctify.
Yes to sanctify. It’s how the word is written
again has perfected forever is perfect tense. Completed action. Sanctify is present tense. Ongoing.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,778
113
So I can walk away and only have to worry about losing a few rewards. Good to know.
No. If you are genuinely a child of God, you cannot simply "walk away". There are very serious consequences. So give it a try and see what happens.

Also, there are a couple of posters in this thread simply trying to muddy the waters. Everyone should "walk away" from such people. As Paul says "from such turn away".
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,114
965
113
No. Doesn't work that way. The Holy Spirit enters a man when He is born again, not when he "walks into a church."


The passage I am using is addressed to "those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers 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,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If 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.
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Here's my take here in the passage "those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost". is "impossible" of apostasy or "falling away". Btw, as I understand, "falling away" differs from "backslidden" Christians.
 

DJT_47

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2022
1,074
190
63
The scripture cited defines only one of the requirements of salvation, that of belief. When all pertinent scriptures are taken into consideration as they should be and not just cherrypicking only one, you end up with the following composite list of requirements for salvation.
1. Belief and faith
2. Confession of belief
3. Repentance
4. Water baptism

You must comply with all the requirements, not just one
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
6,066
1,948
113
The scripture cited defines only one of the requirements of salvation, that of belief. When all pertinent scriptures are taken into consideration as they should be and not just cherrypicking only one, you end up with the following composite list of requirements for salvation.
1. Belief and faith
2. Confession of belief
3. Repentance
4. Water baptism

You must comply with all the requirements, not just one
one will never come to true faith unless they repent

Once they come to true faith,. They will call out on the name of Jesus and be saved.

They are saved by the washing (baptism) and renewal ( new birth) of the Holy Spirit.

THEN they start to obey Commands of God. Like being baptised in water, Assembling together. Praying. Serving others etc etc.

Water baptism will not save you.. Put your faiht in God. Not your works
 

fredoheaven

Senior Member
Nov 17, 2015
4,114
965
113
The scripture cited defines only one of the requirements of salvation, that of belief. When all pertinent scriptures are taken into consideration as they should be and not just cherrypicking only one, you end up with the following composite list of requirements for salvation.
1. Belief and faith
2. Confession of belief
3. Repentance
4. Water baptism

You must comply with all the requirements, not just one
Its not about what we do but what Christ did
 

Underwhosewings

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2023
1,318
670
113
Australia
The thief died prior to the institution of the NT. The NT rebirth experience was made available on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit. Jesus prophesied that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in His name to all nations BEGINNING in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:38-39)
The thief died prior to the institution of the NT. The NT rebirth experience was made available on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit. Jesus prophesied that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in His name to all nations BEGINNING in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:38-39)
Matthew 9:2 KJV
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
 

Underwhosewings

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2023
1,318
670
113
Australia
The thief died prior to the institution of the NT. The NT rebirth experience was made available on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit. Jesus prophesied that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in His name to all nations BEGINNING in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:38-39)
When you are baptised you are saying, symbolically, that you are united with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
It’s very clear in scripture that water cannot wash away sins.

As the Lord Jesus Christ said…
Matthew 26:28 KJV
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

And John the Baptist would not baptise those who had not yet repented. He said “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.”
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,265
1,110
113
When God quickens a person to the new spiritual life, he exchanges their heart of stone to a heart of flesh, that can be pricked to feel spiritual guilt (Ezk 11:19).

These Jews in Acts 2:37, already had their heart exchanged, by evidence that they were "pricked" in their heart. In contrast of their response, those with the heart of stone, in Acts 7:54, had a much different response, of gnashing on him with their teeth, after hearing Stephen preach the same sermon as Peter preached in Acts 2.

The gift of the Holy Spirit are his fruits (Gal 5:22-23).
According to Jesus the Holy Spirit is the gift given by God. (Luke 11:13) The manifestation of fruits of the Spirit is the result of the indwelling presence of God's Spirit in the individual.

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:13
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,265
1,110
113
Its not about what we do but what Christ did
Consider:

Obedient-Receive Holy Ghost
"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." Acts 5:32


Obedience-Eternal salvation
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Heb 5:9


Obedience-Sure foundation
"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
He is 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." Luke 6:46-48
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,265
1,110
113
Matthew 9:2 KJV
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Jesus performed many miracles and forgave sins at His discretion during His earthly ministry; thus proving Himself to be the Son of God. However, as mentioned, He stated that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in His name to all nations BEGINNING in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47) This occurred as Jesus said it would. Peter presented the gospel message that revealed the NT requirement to repent and be baptized (water) in the name of the Lord Jesus for remission of sin. (Acts 2) As promised the Holy Ghost would be received by those who believed Peter's message. Obedience to the gospel commands was proof positive that individuals did indeed believe the message.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,265
1,110
113
When you are baptised you are saying, symbolically, that you are united with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
It’s very clear in scripture that water cannot wash away sins.

As the Lord Jesus Christ said…
Matthew 26:28 KJV
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

And John the Baptist would not baptise those who had not yet repented. He said “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.”
Water baptism initially introduced by John the Baptist was later modified. Everyone in the NT is to repent AND submit to water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus for remission of sin. The shed blood of Jesus' sacrifice is what made remission of one's sin possible.

The Apostle Paul explained what occurs, in the spiritual realm, when a person is obedient to the command to be baptized, "...we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
FOR IF we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, " Rom 6:4-6


Again proof of this reality is seen in reference to Paul's obedience to the command given to him by Ananias:
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
What if someone commits some sins and before they have a chance to repent the next day or so they pass away?

Christ finished his work of redeeming, those that his Father gave him, from their sins on the cross. When they commit a sin, they separate themselves from their fellowship with God, temporary, until they repent, but they always retain their eternal inheritance, because their sins have been paid for in full.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
Well since the kjv is not perfect. You should study

Again the Greek said one is completed the other is ongoing. It does not matter what a translation says that’s what the author wrote

The added word "being" changes the meaning of sanctified to being a process, instead of perfected. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.
 

SilverFox7

Well-known member
Dec 24, 2022
702
447
63
Grand Rapids, Michigan
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
The answer is so simple yet so difficult for some to accept as well.

Jesus desires a relationship with us, and the hand is always extended.

But, we have to be willing to grab a hold of His hand. Eternal life is a free gift, yet we also have the option of not accepting that gift.