I'm curious about a scripture

[Branch]

I have had a lot of discussions on this subject , how did u guess ? I was not brought up with any religion at all , so when I started to read the Bible I only had a couple of minor preconceptions and they were soon dispelled once I read things for myself . I started reading from Genesis through to Revelation and did it that way for maybe the first 20 times I read it . Now I have my own reading plan , I read the entire Bible once a year , except for each the four gospels which I read twice a year . Coming at the Bible pretty much cold and without much baggage , I never got the impression of the trinity and I still don't . To me , Jesus is the Son of God , created in Mary's womb by the power of God's Holy Spirit , he was a human being who received the Spirit of God without measure but still retained his human nature . After his death God resurrected him because Jesus did not earn the wages of sin , he did not sin and so the grave couldn't hold him . He is now immortal and sits at the right hand of God , interceding on our behalf as our Sinless High Priest in Heaven . One day , soon I hope , God will send him back to earth to rule over it in righteousness from Jerusalem . We, as Christians , can b with him , we will b changed and b as the angels , never dying and always obedient to our God , ruling the earth as kings and priests , just like the Levites and King David did . We will serve God forever in Truth . These r my beliefs in a nut shell . I'm not at all offended by the idea of the trinity but I just can't c it for myself , I'm sorry to say and I hope I don't offend with this but , I don't believe that any human could convince me of it , God could through His Word but , He has not yet done so . I don't feel the need to try to convert anyone else to my belief , God teaches us all everything we need to know in His good time . I didn't enjoy keeping my belief to myself to b honest , it felt decietfull , so I'm glad that Madman brought it up and I was able to let u all know . If it becomes obvious to me that I'm no longer welcome on here then I shall withdraw . I've very much enjoyed my time here and getting to know u all is a pleasure that I'm glad I've had . Off to bed now , it's almost 1am , good night to u all .

According to the Bible, the essential requirement for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, rather than explicit intellectual acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity.

Key points from Scripture include:

Romans 10:9 (KJV): "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

John 3:16 emphasizes belief in the Son for everlasting life.

The Bible does not explicitly say that one must understand or believe the Trinity doctrine to be saved. The doctrine of the Trinity is a theological explanation developed to describe God’s nature.

That said, orthodox Christian teaching holds that a correct understanding of God includes the truth about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the Trinity. But many argue that a person can be saved by trusting Jesus without fully grasping all theological complexities.

In summary:

Believing in Jesus Christ and His resurrection is the core biblical requirement for salvation.

Understanding or formally accepting the Trinity doctrine is not explicitly mandated for salvation in Scripture.

A person’s salvation depends on God’s grace and faith in Christ, not on their theological knowledge level.

This view is supported by many Christian theologians and pastors, emphasizing grace, faith, and relationship with Jesus above theological precision. This means you don't have to grasp what the concept of the Trinity is to be saved.

 

[Branch]

It does seem to b quite common that people who believe in the trinity only spend time with others who believe in it .

The fact that about 24% of American born-again Christians believe in the Trinity, reflecting how core this doctrine is to mainstream Christian belief globally. Thus, the population following the Trinity teaching globally is likely in the range of 2 billion to 2.3 billion or more

 

[Branch]

We have to respect each other regardless , God is extremely merciful and we r not to ever despise our fellow Christians ever .

As of 2025, the world's population is approximately 8.2 billion people. Christianity is the largest religion globally, with about 2.6 billion followers. This means roughly 32% of the world's population identify as Christians today.

 

[shittim]

Dear Suze,
I am reaching out because I feel deeply troubled by something I’ve seen. Your current profile picture appears to be of a young girl wearing what looks like undergarments. Even if this photo is from your own childhood, it creates a strong impression of a child in a vulnerable state. When that image is combined with open discussions about sexual topics, particularly masturbation, it gives the appearance of connecting childhood imagery with adult sexual content.
I want to be very direct: this kind of presentation is harmful and disturbing. Any situation that even suggests child exploitation or child abuse is not acceptable, and I cannot remain silent. It deeply offends me, and I firmly reject any normalization of such imagery.
If your goal is to talk about sexual matters as an adult, then please use an appropriate adult representation of yourself. But presenting a young child’s photo alongside those conversations sends the wrong message and causes real harm.
I care about protecting children from abuse in all forms. I urge you to change your picture and to consider how your words and images can impact others, especially in mixed groups of men and women.
Respectfully,
Branch

Love your picture Sue, please do not change it, there was a time we could take a normal picture of a normal and loved child and it would not be misconstrued, I apologize for my brother in Christ.

 

[Eli1]

Love your picture Sue, please do not change it, there was a time we could take a normal picture of a normal and loved child and it would not be misconstrued, I apologize for my brother in Christ.

It's a 'sister in Christ' and she is fighting her own demons too ... hopefully.

 

[TruthDefender]

This verse is not meant for the believer in Christ it is meant for the unbeliever.
When you get to the gates of heaven there will be two people there threee actually God the father Jesus and the devil.

Absolutely false! OSAS is heresy; the Bible teaches us that you can lose your soul if you continue in sin (Believer or not). There are many verses warning believers. If we can’t lose our soul then why all the warnings??

 

[Blain]

Absolutely false! OSAS is heresy; the Bible teaches us that you can lose your soul if you continue in sin (Believer or not). There are many verses warning believers. If we can’t lose our soul then why all the warnings??

The bible warns us about continuing in sin yes but where does it say we will lose our souls? We are warned against sin because it defiles us and corrupts us but where does it say that we will lose our salvation?

 

[Deuteronomy]

Absolutely false! OSAS is heresy; the Bible teaches us that you can lose your soul if you continue in sin (Believer or not). There are many verses warning believers. If we can’t lose our soul then why all the warnings??

Hello TruthDefender, likewise, if we can lose our salvation, then why did the Lord make so many promises to us (to those of us who are and who will be truly His) that we never will

Thanks

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy (David)
p.s. - @Blain asked you to point out a few verses/passages to us that you believe best make your point (so that we can discuss them). I think that's a great idea, and here are just a few from the other side.

John 3​

16 God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.​

​

John 5​

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. ​

​

John 6​

37 ~All~ that the Father gives Me ~will~ come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. ​

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ​

39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that ~of all~ that He has given Me ~I LOSE NOTHING~, but raise it up on the last day. ​

40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”​

​

44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. ​

​

John 10​

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; ​

28 and I give ~eternal~ life to them, and they will ~never~ perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. ​

​

1 John 5​

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may ~know~ that you have eternal life.​

​

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

Hello TruthDefender, likewise, if we can lose our salvation, then why did the Lord make so many promises to us (to those of us who are and who will be truly His) that we never will

Thanks

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy (David)
p.s. - @Blain asked you to point out a few verses/passages to us that you believe best make your point (so that we can discuss them). I think that's a great idea, and here are just a few from the other side.

John 3​

16 God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.​

​

John 5​

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. ​

​

John 6​

37 ~All~ that the Father gives Me ~will~ come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. ​

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ​

39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that ~of all~ that He has given Me ~I LOSE NOTHING~, but raise it up on the last day. ​

40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”​

​

44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. ​

​

John 10​

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; ​

28 and I give ~eternal~ life to them, and they will ~never~ perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. ​

​

1 John 5​

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may ~know~ that you have eternal life.​

​

There are verses that warn too. So the key thing is to accept them both even they seem to contradict each other such that in Christ they harmonize. We have to ask Him to teach us how to live for Him in light of all these seemingly contradicting verses. And He will!

 

[TMS]

What does my Bible mean when it says for the wages of sin is death and when sin is full grown we die? Does this mean if we continue without the atonement of Christ or for all of us. For example a Christian gets murdered. Was it sin of this cause or dying for are faith as a mortar? Can't wrap my head around it and I'm confused.

The outcome of sin is death. The result of sin is death, the payment of sin is death.

Sin = death.

In a perfect world without sin God would give us life continually. Access to the tree of life. But because of sin which is like a deadly decease, we can not have life and spread it. God needed to stop the problem by allowing sin to die.
Look at the world today. Sin causes so much pain and suffering. I'll be glad when it is no more.

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

[Deuteronomy]

There are verses that warn too. So the key thing is to accept them both even they seem to contradict each other such that in Christ they harmonize. We have to ask Him to teach us how to live for Him in light of all these seemingly contradicting verses. And He will!

Hello 2ndTimeisTheCharm, I agree, there are indeed verses that the Lord uses to warn rather than assure, but I believe that's all the more reason to post a few of the "warning" verses in this thread so that we can see them and talk through them (hopefully, @TruthDefender will post some of them for us shortly ).

Lastly, though we cannot know with absolute certainty the meaning of everything in the Bible (cf Deuteronomy 29:29), I do believe that (with the Holy Spirit's help) taking a closer look at what is said in the Scriptures (in context) can usually help us unravel the Lord's true/intended meaning and what He wants and/or needs us to know, even when we have verses that appear to contradict one another.

For instance, what are we to conclude and then do with the following two verses (both teach VERY important truths that we need to know, understand and obey, even though, at least at first blush, they do seem to directly contradict each other).

Matthew 19​

19 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” ​

​

Luke 14​

26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. ​

Thanks

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy (David)

 

[shittim]

It's a 'sister in Christ' and she is fighting her own demons too ... hopefully.

"Branch" is a "she" ? "Branchette" might have been more descriptive?

 

[GWH]

Hmmm. I know Jesus was and is my only sacrifice for my sin. I was asking the question about sin and found my answer James 1:15. How sin leads us closer to death. That was my concern. I understand what hell is biblically. It has many names. The pit, eternal darkness,lake of fire. I do believe if we don't repent and we think grace will save us we are dead wrong. He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. No excuse at the judgement seat to continue. Faith formula. Admit, repent, receive, believe. Thanks for the advice though.

Here is my understanding of hell biblically:

A person—even a theist—might think that God would not permit evil, suffering and hell to exist. People who are mystified by evil and repulsed by its punishment do not realize that the essential aspect of being a human rather than a robot or subhuman creature is moral free will (MFW), which is what enables a person to experience love and meaning. This is what makes humans different from animals, whose behavior is governed mainly by instinct. This is what it means to be created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27; robot or responsible)?

God could not force people to return His love without abrogating their humanity. If God were to zap ungodly souls, it would be tantamount to forcing conversions at gunpoint, which would not be free and genuine. If God were to prevent people from behaving hatefully, then He would need to prevent them from thinking evilly, which would make human souls programmed automatons.

MFW only exists when there is the possibility of choosing between two qualitatively opposite moral options that we call good and evil. These options are opposites because of essentially different consequences for choosing them. Choosing good results in blessing, life and heaven; and choosing evil results in cursing, death and hell (DT 30:19). This is why hell as well as heaven exists. It is the just consequence for choosing evil rather than God.

The Spirit of God is good: love, peace and joy (GL 5:22-23). Therefore, whoever rejects the Lord is spiritually separated from Him (IS 59:2) and thereby chooses the evil or satanic spirit of hatred, strife and misery and reaps the just consequence called “hell” in the afterlife (GL 6:7-9, HB 9:27-28). These options were presented by Moses to the Israelites (DT 30:19), and Jesus referred to this fundamental choice in terms of a fish or egg versus a snake or scorpion (LK 11:11-13). Life… or Curse? (GN 3:24, RV 22:1-2)

God created theoretical evil or the possibility of rejecting Him as an option that actualizes MFW/free human personality. As such it is necessary and even good (GN 1:31). Of course, it was wrong for Satan (1JN 3:8) and humanity (RM 5:12) to make evil actual by choosing to Sin or reject Faith in God’s Lordship. Sin: ignoring God/God’s Word.

God loves a cheerful giver (2CR 9:7), which means He desires people to cooperate with Him happily because of love and gratitude for His grace rather than to cower before Him because of fear of hell. Love must be evoked; it cannot be coerced. And again, when souls sin or do NOT choose to love God freely, it is perfectly just (loving and logical) for them to reap the appropriate consequence (GL 6:7-9) or hell.

Such evil people punish/torture themselves by experiencing delayed karma, just as those who experience appropriate justice during this earthly existence also punish themselves or reap what they have sown and send themselves to jail. This view makes souls responsible for breaking the rules rather than blaming evil on the judges (or Judge) who enforce the rules.

The purpose of earthly punishment is to promote repentance, but the reason for retribution in hell is to attain justice. It is difficult to imagine, but somehow even someone as evil as Hitler will receive perfect justice, perhaps experiencing the agony of the millions of deaths he caused in accordance with the principal of “eye for eye” (MT 5:38), after which their souls are destroyed forever (per JN 17:12, RM 9:22, GL 6:8, PHP 3:19, 2THS 1:9, 2PT 3:7 & RV 20:13-14).