Do All Religions Lead To God?
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Do you know Jesus then?
Recognizing circular logic has nothing to do with knowing Jesus. Any well-educated human can recognize circular logic it is merely recognizing that "A is true because B says so and B is true because C says so and C is true because A says so". There are at least 4 different collections of works that are called by different Christian groups "the Bible". The Protestant Bible is the smallest of these collections, and also one of the three that is not officially proclaimed to be complete. Note, citing the end of Revelation to defend the Bible as complete makes no sense as Revelation was added to many other works to become the New Testament, which was added to the Old Testament, so that is a lot of adding, unless the verse applies only to Revelation. But we are actually still left with the question of, is the Bible true, and which Bible are we talking about? Some I would say definitely get into highly questionable statements, but if you are unaware of all the Bibles and what they all contain, you may not realize that.
So that means "no."
You could have just said that. I'm not interested in a long drawn out explanation.
Well, since you did not give any valid reason for inquiring about my relationship with God, I saw no reason to respond to your curiosity, and I will take a similar attitude to any other similar questions. If there is no valid reason for answering, I will not and leave you to your baseless speculations. Nonbelievers are good at such.
You are good at trolling:
"That would raise the question of, how do we know the Bible is true? And that question becomes a problem as one cannot point to the Bible for the answer because if the Bible is not true, it will not admit that but rather at least appear to claim to be true. And 2 Timothy 3:16 is not exactly clear in what Paul meant as he uses one word that he invented and another word that included more than just what Protestants refer to as the Bible, so how can we be certain what he meant?"
2Cor. 5:7
"Quoting the Bible to prove the Bible is true? So, something is true if it claims to be true? Sorry, that is circular logic. As I recall, the Bible claims that God's word is a person, not a book."
Not reading, understanding and learning what was quoted is ignorance (the state of ignoring).
And a sign of trolling.
Hasta la vista!
So that means "no."
You could have just said that. I'm not interested in a long drawn out explanation.
I noticed that you cite a verse that I doubt you fully understand, but that is a minor point, few do because it implies something Christian tradition does not want to admit.
However, I would offer a challenge to you. Can you either add the next portion of the following biblical passage, or at least identify it?
"With a loud voice glorify God;
In the assembly of many proclaim His Glory.
Amid the multitude of the upright glorify His praise;
And speak of His glory with the righteous.
Join your soul to the good and perfect, to glorify the Most High.
Gather yourselves together to make known His strength;
And do not be slow in showing forth His deliverance,
His strength and his glory all youth"
I cited no verses to you. I was just asking if you knew Jesus. This does not have to get into a verbal fight. You're not that interesting.
God accepts those who are born again. If they believe different doctrines, it's no big deal. Obviously there are some doctrines that are fundamental. But there is much more that unites us than divides us.
Jesus is the Head of His church. The real church is His body. Jesus knows those who are His. We are all at different stages in our growth. I was adamant about some of my beliefs as a young Christian. I learned a lot, including that my understanding of God's Word can be wrong.
All that is not of Christ will be consumed some day. All that is of Christ will endure for eternity. May I suggest that before you get too deeply into judging others, you make sure that you are qualified to discern what is of Christ and what is not.
For example, once a month, I attend an Anglican church. I get on well with the pastor. I don't agree with all his doctrines. He does not agree with everything I say either. But he is alive in Christ. I used to go to a Baptist church. It's a lot bigger, but not very friendly. I've been to others where I live. I agree with their doctrines to a greater extent, but they are cold and unwelcoming. "The greatest of these is love". How we know that we have passed from death to life? When we love the brethren. God does not have a theological entrance exam to the kingdom of God. He has a spiritual heart monitor. Is your spiritual heart beating? You are accepted. If not, you need a new heart - no matter how accurate your doctrines.
Mag doesn't like my criticism of hyper-Calvinism aka tulipism.
The website mention is permitted because I offer it to all CC folks to use as a resource,
and I have invited Mag specifically to submit an item.
I created it because I could not remember everything I believe.
It is the fuller version of the threads I have started on CC.
Years ago Christian Chat began to prohibit using our platform to advertise or promote ANY product, website, YouTube channel, etc because it seems that everyone and his brother has figured out that if you want to increase traffic at your site (which directly affects your Google ranking) you do so by posting the link all over another highly trafficked site.
Yes, we allow people to randomly share YouTube videos or link to a website that they found helpful, but posting about your site over 200 times (yes, I looked it up) is clearly using this site to promote yours.
The only reason you've gotten away with it is because it had never come to my attention until now. Consider yourself warned.
I cited no verses to you. I was just asking if you knew Jesus. This does not have to get into a verbal fight. You're not that interesting.
You cite Ephesians 6:13, likely with every post. I would suspect that you follow traditional attitudes towards it which misses what it implies, which is something tradition does not want to admit.
And what difference does my relationship with Jesus, or lack thereof (you did assume that in your post) have to do with anything. As I understand the commands of Jesus, you are to treat other followers of His teachings with love and respect. Those who are not followers of Jesus, you are to treat with love and respect. What difference does my relationship then make in how you have been commanded by Jesus, whom you claim to follow and obey, in how you react to me?
And for your enlightenment, I was quoting from the Book of Psalms, just not a psalm that the Protestant bible recognizes.
Someone no doubt already posted this, but here it is again bearing repeating.
Most religions lead to destruction according to Jesus .
Matthew 7:13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves
Most religions lead to destruction according to Jesus .
Matthew 7:13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves
All I asked is a yes or no question and you got defensive right away. Since you're being so touchy, I'm not curious about you anymore. Go bore somebody else.
Okay. Thanks for allowing me to continue sharing what I have learned from my studies of Scripture as long as I do not mention
that what I believe is available on a website and stop offering to also put what other CC folks believe on it as a convenient resource.
LIC, GWH
There is power in the name of Jesus:
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." John 14:13-14
The apostles, following Jesus' instruction, began water baptizing in the name of Jesus for the forgiven of sins:
"Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sin, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost....
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine..." Acts 2:38 , 41-42)
"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19 * Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, (a ref. to Peter's message given at Pentecost-Acts 2:38) when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:" Acts 3
Volume of content is meaningless to me. Jesus clearly gives the apostles the authority to forgive sins. He literally says whoever done you forgive they are forgiven. Now I have a choice to make, listen to you tell me that's not what Jesus meant or I can read what Jesus said and believe what he said. Do you have a course which one I might choose.
A superficial reading of the Scripture makes your statement seem accurate about the Apostles ability to forgive sin. However, if you read deeper and refer to the original Greek from which it is translated, you will see the real translation is somewhat different. Though I doubt this will change your view, I present it to you so that you may focus on how sins were actually accounted for:
(John 20:22–23
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them;
if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Greek (critical portion):
ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς·
ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται.
What the Greek Actually Says
Passive Voice Is Crucial
The verbs ἀφίενται (“are forgiven”) and κεκράτηνται (“are retained”) are perfect passive.
That means:
The apostles are not the ultimate actors
God is the one doing the forgiving or retaining
The apostles are the agents who announce or recognize what God has done
This is sometimes called a “divine passive” in Greek.
The text does not say “you forgive” in the sense of originating forgiveness.
Perfect Tense = Completed Action with Ongoing Effect
The perfect tense implies:
The forgiveness has already occurred
Its effect continues
A very literal sense is:
“If you forgive the sins of any, they have been forgiven;
if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”
This matters a lot.
The apostles are not causing forgiveness — they are recognizing and declaring God’s judgment based on the response to the gospel.
Connection to the Gospel Message
This passage is tightly linked to:
John 20:21 — “As the Father sent me, I send you”
Luke 24:47 — “repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed”
Matthew 16:19 & 18:18 — binding and loosing
Acts — forgiveness always tied to repentance and faith, not a ritual
In Acts, apostles never say:
“I absolve you.”
They say:
“Repent… and your sins will be forgiven.”
What Authority Was Given?
Authority to:
Proclaim forgiveness through Christ
Declare sins forgiven where repentance and faith are evident
Declare sins retained where repentance is absent
Guard the community from false assurance
This is judicial and declarative, not sacramental.
Think of a judge announcing a verdict already determined by law — not inventing it.
What the Greek Does Not Support
Apostles having intrinsic power to forgive sins independently
Forgiveness being dispensed mechanically
A priestly absolution model developing later in church history
That later interpretation depends more on ecclesiology developed centuries later, not the grammar of John 20.
Only God forgives sins:
Mark 2:7 — “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Isaiah 43:25 — “I, I am He who blots out your transgressions”
The apostles function as:
Authorized witnesses
Stewards of the message
Mouthpieces of God’s judgment
Not as alternate sources of forgiveness.
All I asked is a yes or no question and you got defensive right away. Since you're being so touchy, I'm not curious about you anymore. Go bore somebody else.
So sorry, would you have preferred that I answered quite honestly that I know several Hispanics named "Jesus"? Likely that would have likewise offended you, just as I have been offended many times by people asking me the question and then telling me just how I believed, unless I had lied in my answer. Thus, I have become offended by those who ask outside of a clear context of need, such as when I applied to be admitted to this site. But as we clearly seem to have very different understandings of the biblical injunctions as to how to relate to others, I see no loss to me in your choice.
You are making logical errors repeatedly.
Just because the Roman Catholics practice something now, and it was practiced in the early Church, does not mean that the practice originated with the Catholics. It means the Catholics use the same practice… that’s it, that’s all.
Lol the early church fathers were Catholic. They taught the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist which is decidedly Catholic just like Paul did. Your hatred for the Catholic Church isn't a logical argument which is ironic given you accuse me of logical errors.