Be like the Bereans. This is underscored by what John the Baptist said about Jesus in Mark 1:7-8: After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I still consider myself a Christian, because I believe in Jesus and what hes done for me and Im trying to follow what God wants for my life by following the 10 commandments and things like the Beattitudes, but I cant quite become baptized. If youd like to give, feel free to contact me. Im going to tell you something that may be hard to hear, Hannah. Also, if youre able, Id love to hear how the conversation goes! Its the only logical way to see it, from where I sit. This, of course, is a weird and shocking thing to say. Let me encourage you to go ahead and be baptized. Next, we should ask who decides who gets into Heaven?. For me, thats one of the best parts of following Jesus. Amen. What Ive read is pretty squishy. When you finish a Rob Bell book, do you feel more informed or more unsure? My grandparents are very religious and conservative. The Holy Spirit who is God Himself comes and lives in us. God the Father loved the world and gave His only Son to save us. Are you ready to hear something that may be difficult? In Revelation 22:12, Jesus said Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.. As I understand it, the according to part suggests that each persons reward is unique to themwhether good or bad. (1 John 1:5-9). I wouldnt expect non-Christians to be obedient to God, nor would I run around telling strangers how to live. If so, Im happy to call you my sister! There may be periods of restlessness or moments of confusion, or just gradually deepening unconsciousness. PLEASE Give me some reassuring answers. I will do anything I can to help you be less confusedall you have to do is ask. Again, is it too late for me to be saved? Jesus provides this baptism, and it is this baptism that makes one a Christian. Its not wrong to say Him, even though the one God is three distinct persons. Read the Bible. If we read John 3:3 in King James here you find your answer on Baptism. Let me ask you: are YOU reconciled to God? Reading the Bible will help you trust God better, since youll understand Him and His plan better. Every Christian should be baptized. Im here for you, Jen. At that point there is no reason to wait. It just wouldnt work for me. I prayed to God many times to heal me of this sin, but I lived with it for many years. 4) How will I be sure, I dont go to Hell. Christ's Blood Saves Babies. I hope to not sin again, and if I do. Meet with them regularly. It was used as a slur in the very beginning, and its often used as a slur today. I loved my Grandpas, and I hope theyre in Heaven when I get there. Ill try to simplify, if possible. I have a question for you, Jen. Thats entirely illogical. God has done His part, but we have to do ours. I dont find it good or useful most of the time, so I control myself and work to not give in to that desire. Rather than kind of floating around the edges of their churches, they decided to fully immerse themselves in their relationship with God. The most sacred heart of gods only son created before all time came to earth as man and we are told by the witnessed he endured the most brutal of atrocities ever been done to the son of man for all our sins and disobedience. Thats all. You may or may not be able to control what (or who) youre attracted to. You can do better! Im not saying, go to church. Im saying that when you decide to follow Jesus, you ARE the church you and me and everyone else who follows Jesus. It is, however, better than living our own way. I hope youll join me there. All true Christians believe that an unbaptized person who has grown up outside a Christian setting, without faith in Christ, must turn to Jesus in repentance and personal faith before being baptized. Keep in touch! I dont like to steal, I forbid myself of stealing. Do you not want to go to church because youd rather stay home and watch Netflix? Anyone can find salvation at any time before they die. I will accept Gods judgement on me. Limbo is a theory developed by Medieval theologians as the place where unbaptized persons go when they die. If theres any way I can be helpful to you, please dont hesitate to let me know. Will you be going to Heaven when you die? Thanks for writing. I would probably try to find out how to help God win the next battle. If you do, then you may need a saviour such as Mohamed or Jesus. Some are confused, not understanding that the Son is God, because well, Hes the Son. Second, judgment day. The New Testament explains that, at the end of time, everyone will be gathered together. God explained what happens when we die when he spoke to the first man, Adam. Back then, I had almost been hit by a vehicle. Heres how it works: God has made Himself evident to everyone, and He draws everyone to Himself. In that same passage, Jesus told Nicodemus that He would die for us, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. I could testify all day long of things that have happen to me. Thats knowledge, not trust. Thats Jesus who is God. The point is NOT to attend a church, but to BE the church. I live in the middle of dinosaur country (Colorado, USA) and have seen and touched many dinosaur bones and dinosaur eggs. Im happy to hear that youre my sister in Christ. If God wanted to only let into Heaven those people who sing 19 songs to Him every day, it would be up to Him. One example is Acts 10. Which is something I struggle with. The simple answer is that He does not. Its refusing to be reconciled to God. Just do what God wants you to do, and leave the details to Him. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. Please dont hesitate to write back, either here or in private. Sir Tony may the almighty God grant you more grace and the anointing to continue the good work. Faith. Have you been born again? They idolize material wealth, success, and abstinence from sin (regardless of whether or not it is actually sin). Let me share with you a passage from the Bible: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. Why? Verse 9: false teaching spreads throughout the church, changing the way believers see everything. Next, we should ask how good is good enough?. Im happy to hear you believe fully in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who surrender to God go to Heaven, warts and all. One cannot be found acceptable to God because they follow Catholic or Mormon doctrine. A lot of people are confused about religion. Its an important part of being in Gods family. They couldnt do it without His help, and they needed to do it to do what God wanted. I dont believe that you believe that. If you read more broadly, youll see that my responses are largely dependent on who Im responding to. You asked And does he accept Catholics & Mormons?. No, that would be demonic spirits masquerading as your loved ones. Which says to me dont get cremated.dont have your ashes spread out or dispersed to loved ones. Thats backwards! Like I said: I dont know you personally. I love Jesus with all my heart, cause I know how of the burden he took on for me and many other people. God brings us to Heaven because we want to be with Him. This hasnt happened yet, because were still here. The easiest way is to read the New Testament. You will be surprised at who is and isnt in Heaven when you get there. Id say hogwash but the hogs on the ark werent washed by the flood, and the hogs on the earth all died in it. Thanks. Second, there are unbaptized infants that are saved if they have been baptized by blood/implicit desire. Some traditions are based in fact, while others grow on their own. We have no record of believers being re-baptized when they moved to a new community. Almost every religion teaches how one should act to make the gods not smite you, or to reward you for your good works. Youre exactly the age God wants you to be. Ive felt the same way. I hear you. Catechumens dying unbaptized happened all the time during the Roman persecutions. You should now be baptized and take part in the community of faith. I dont like the idea, but its the truth. That will help a lot! Will that affect my relationship with god? The Bible teaches that we must worship God in spirit and in truth. Believers have always been saved in the same way: by believing. Why? Spread Jesus messagethe same message that He preached, that His disciples preached, and that believers have preached for many centuries. As you said in your response to Kal, So, the caring person who wants nothing to do with God gets their wish, what does that mean exactly? Did you read that book and then wonder whether theres a real Hell, and not just hell on earth? Christians arent to run around pointing out how other people are messing up were to run around and tell people that God has removed every obstacle that has kept them from Him. They dont. Guidance and regulation Ask any question about God, the Bible, or Christianity. Its a common complaint from a lot of people. Thats not a bad question. Jesus knew the Father, obeyed the Father, and died to show us how much God truly loves you and me. If what youve told me is the whole story, I disagree with them about your baptism but thats not meaningful at all. Again, Im afraid that someone (or many someones) has led you astray. He left out a crucial point, right? They should teach the Bible all the time, rather than other things. We dont need a holy book to tell you right from wrong. I grew up in a church that was Pentecostal, and have been a leader in different churches, and have seen that those in the Pentecostal movement are sometimes more concerned with feeling spiritual and with having spiritual experiences than they are with knowing and living the gospel. The main confusion that I see is that youre not convinced that the Father and Son and Spirit are all ONE GOD. It might seem a little intimidating at first, but sit down and read a little regularly. Thanks for writing. so God was aware of the part his son would play as God knows all and created all. You seem confident that you dont belong in Hell. Theyre both in the same verse over 50 times. Same-sex attraction isnt, by itself, sinful. If you are hearing from God, they are certainly spiritually significantbut be careful. If you feel that your relationship with your grandparents is strong enough for a bit of push-back, heres what I might do. Lets say theyre wrong, and theyre being hypocritical and silly. Hes an expert in looking at the evidence to find holes in peoples explanations. I agree that we who are born again will be with Jesus after we die. The thief on the cross wasnt baptized. You can find TONS of information on the interwebs about Christian apologetics. I lived in another place where I was no where near god, I had forgotten about him. If you have a faith community that is, a group of Christians that you worship and learn with you should be baptized in their presence as a statement of faith. Verse 10: false teachers spread confusion. Please answer me im scared.. And tell me how to change myself to be a good chrstian.. And please tell me that youre not going to say that i cant idolized them cause theyre my inspiration? I appreciate you writing to ask for input. What happens to your physical body when you die? Its safe, and wise, and mature. Thats intended to be a permanent relationship, and not entered into lightly. I wouldnt rely on the UCG for any of my doctrine. Let me know if youd like to talk this over. Nobody goes to Heaven without being reconciled to God. Hi i was searching and came across your site, i feel guilty because i am not baptized, i believe in God but i dont feel i havent an honest relationship with him, i get told so many things like what religion to join and if i dont do things a certain way i wont be saved, it starts to get really confusing and im not sure where to go or where to start. Sorry if this is a bit all over the place, Im just confused and never really learned about religion that much and Im a teen. He said that we must be born again. In the minds of most in our culture, sex is virtually as important as having shared values. Again, Im not against Bell personally. If you have suffered more than the suffering you have caused and believe yourself to be a good person ( in this case; Righteousness doesnt equal good. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. The word is used (historically, not in the Bible) to describe the moon, the planet Venus, John the Baptist, and even Jesus. Dont let anyone pressure you into doing something you feel wrong about, Karolina. First, dont be afraid to ask them to see you get baptized. Thomas (the disciple) called Jesus My Lord and My God. >> The problem is new theology or beliefs that get away from the traditions taught. Thanks for writing! Tough question. So: Thats it. We eat, but we get hungry again. Ill give you my PayPal email. This is something that happens to people who are already saved. Just like the thief on the cross. News stories, speeches, letters and notices. But Im confused if I fully understood what that meant at the time. Well first we must distinguish between being gay and engaging in sinful behavior. His only requirement was their faith and acceptance. The Jews wanted to kill Jesus because He claimed to be God. What have I missed? I welcome it. Christianity is following a person. Second, their faith grew so they were better able to pray and trust God with the results. If so are you even aware that youre dead? It had nothing to do with the sons good deeds, or good intentionsit was only because the son came home to the father. I was actually Bi. I said is he lying about being a carpenter he said no, but its not his name. Jesus had to go away so that the Spirit could come. Life with God is good. Ask Him to help you, and He will. Youve probably heard John 3:16 before. I dont pray a lot but I do believe in him. Is it right?? I recently dreamed of it 2 nights ago and I went further then I usually do and I woke up fearless I actually cried . After the judgment, THEN people will receive their eternal reward. Clearly and obviously, at least part of Matthew 25 is still in the future. This is about one death every 11 minutes. Romans 10:9 says "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." That doesn't include baptism. For these reasons (and more) I dont use the name Lucifer to refer to the devil. Music can only be good or bad based on the message it sends. I hope that youve already trusted God with your life, and that we are already brother and sister in Christ. Think of it this way: God is a King, and He has a Kingdom. I see no contradiction between the existence of dinosaurs and Gods Word. This is still very much a work in progress for me and I take it day by day, but Im confident that God will help me overcome it, where once I was not confident at all. or have had an encounter with Him ? Have you trusted God with your life? While I usually recommend that Christians are baptized as soon as they know they want to join a community of believers, I dont recommend that children or young adults rush into it if their parents arent behind them. 21st-century therapeutic moral deists (like yourself, it must be presumed) borrow the idea of Heaven and judgment and sin and forgiveness, but reject the idea that their sin must be forgiven or they will be judged as undeserving of Heaven. Take the time to visit another church or two, to see how they feel to you. Being baptized only gets you wet. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. However: spend a little time in Revelation and see that Jesus is just as fearsome, for those who will be judged, as the Father ever was in the Old Testament. I would, of course, pray about the situation if you havent already. This is not a wise position to take. I teach things as I understand them, and I have no problem with people disagreeing. It is just so confusing because why would someone go to a place that they arent even sure exists and be punished so severely for their personal beliefs? If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Christian baptism isnt uniquely Christian. We can read about Gods love for us in the three parables in Luke 15 which, not surprisingly, express that we are valuable and cherished by God. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Posted on June 8, 2022 ; in pete davidson first snl episode; by 1 Timothy says it like this I Timothy 3:16 God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. Clearly, God decides. There are consequences, to be surebut I wouldnt suggest that God would punish financial excess by taking out a loan in someone elses name. She said: "Families can learn when to give medicines and when to introduce visitors. As we read in 2 Corinthians 5, God has reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus death. Christians ARE obedient not perfectly, but purposefully but its not obedience that MAKES us Christians. Its Gods job to transform you. But this is really bugging me now. Im curious: what happened to your sisters? The answer is that it depends. In 2 Samuel 12 we learn of David's affair with . Does that make sense? And yes, it did create some more questions. There are plenty of other good places to learn more about God and how He wants us to live, but those will give you a great head-start. You had some things wrong when you were young, and youve gained a greater understanding of God and how He works since then. Surround yourself with people who also follow Jesus, and learn from mature believers how to serve God where you are, in your situation. Sometimes, its not obvious. If you accept. If not, we dunk it again until the fabric identifies with the dye. Your job is to cooperate with Him, not to do the work yourself. Its on my list of just-dont-say-it phrases. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Baptism tells your community of faith that youve decided to dedicate your life to following Jesus. In fact, I would avoid even making the claim in public. What hes missed is that baptism isnt only for the one getting wetits for the community of faith as well. Some songs by BTS are really great. If you trust Jesus, you should also trust Him to be RIGHT about the Father. I have a lot of visions about people I care about. He wants to heal your broken heart, Hera. While the Bible teaches that homosexual activity is a sin, so are gluttony and pride and, as youve pointed out, fornication and a whole bunch of other things. I asked someone else, and they said they thought it wasnt necessary because baptism is an outward way to declare you are a Christian. Check it out: Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Let me know if theres anything more I can do for you. I didnt study the bible and I went to bible study once. You appear to base this confidence on the idea that youre a good person that the suffering youve endured is greater than the suffering youve caused. Salvation is both a here and now and a not yet kind of thing. A good answer must start with a definition of sin. False teachers throw almost everything into question when they deviate from the gospel. Now, thats a risky move. >> Is there any good way to explain it, or understand it better? Short answer: yes! Have a great day! My dilemma is, Im not sure if I was truly saved when I was young, and just backslid, or if my sin proved that I was lost and am only now truly receiving Christ now that I am dedicating more of my life to him and trusting him more. They think that God is no big deal, and that theyre as free to reject God as they are free to not eat salads, or bacon. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. He wouldnt, however, force someone to be with Him for eternity against their will. If being good is the ticket to Heaven, how good do we have to be? I have a tendency to mess things up, but He doesnt. If the thief was saved and Im pretty sure we agree that he was then it wasnt because he kept the law. Attractions are not sin, nor are they things we are forced to respond to. When I read that youve had a lot of troubles, do you know what comes to mind? Because this is true, it seems wise to not put it off. "And that is when we can discover that . She got the point. Your sins have already been forgiven. Does that make sense? I mean, do we really need them to go to heaven that badly? It is only your body that is in the ground not your spirit, Correct me if I am wrong please. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Ancient Jewish converts and early Christians were baptized for the same reason: to tell the faith community that they a) have come to share their faith, and b) wish to join their community and live out their faith together. I would definitely sing 19 songs, if thats what it took. Ive never seen this work out wellnot once. Yes, I do agree with you on certain aspects. >> I understand all children go straight into the Lords arms. The practice of infant baptism has some biblical support. How can I truly and get to know GOD genuinely without selfish motives? The notion of past lives is incompatible with the Bible. What we do know is that God will do what is right. The opposite. Dont believe everything you hear about who God is and how He works. What makes you think Jesus will save anyone? He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. I started praying to god shortly after the 10th, I am trying my best to not sin. But that is debatable as well, which many scholars does. God has already called all believers to be baptized, and theres nothing in the New Testament about Him calling individuals when the time is right. Take a look at Matthew 28:18-20 and see if you can put these pieces together: Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. You say youre Catholic, but thats often a simple statement about which church you attend. Do you write them off as unspiritual? How can we born again? I say once you spend time in prayer and have an encounter with Jesus you cant shut up about Him and what He is doing in your life. Im 16 and I havent been to clear on what I believe in. why are you not on fire for Him and living the Christian life and bringing people into the Kingdom of God by telling them about Him ? One of the foremost New Testament scholars in the world doesnt believe in the resurrection. Purgatory is where people atone for their own sinsthe ones they committed before dying, after their last confession (being a Roman Catholic rite). Why do you and I rebel against God? . Some were involved in churches that didnt teach them well, and they later understood that they were missing something. Then it looks like the sin of being Gay is for God to punish. While Adam and Eve sinned, Jesus did not. Let me know how it goes. This is important for our our purposes for two reasons. The church is all Christians, all over the world, throughout history. Salvation is not accomplished by getting wet. Christians use the verse in mark ( I forget which chapter) to defend their view. The most authoritatively the Church has spoken on this are the council of Carthage in 419 (accepted by Trullo in the East in 692) and in the Confession of Dositheus (accepted by the pan-Orthodox Council of Jerusalem in 1672). These are very personal decisions. Who would think that a just and reasonable God would keep out a person who spent their life caring for others and let in someone who made life miserable (or very short) for others? Tats why asked to clarify myself. See article for more on outpouring versus indwelling: http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/036-outpouring.html. If youd like, I can show you where to read that theyre incompatible. Was that a temporary thing, or a longer-term thing? Jehovahs Witnesses borrow the idea of Jesus, then claim that He isnt God but only the first person created by God. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. Acts 2:38 Repent (turn away from sin), 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. My friend, if he hadnt of looked to his side. Only those who submit to God will end up in Heaven. Do you think I should be listening to it?. Im very sorry to hear that, Therese. Before you came to GodWords, you had no relationship with me. Because I used to be on staff at a church that taught what you believe: that the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. Baptism is the response to repentance, not part of it. 51% good? Baptism is a public declaration of faith. Food for thought. You didnt have to. If i idolized those artists, does it means that im not reconciling to god.. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting peoples sins against them. If not, let me know. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is being born again. Hebrews 4:15 says For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. I feel like I am tricking people that church is for me when I go to church but really I dont feel like that. When you sin, talk to God about it. It could be today, it could be tomorrow, it could be 1000 years from now. John answered them all, I baptize you with water. Imagine dating someone and never asking them about their childhood, or learning about their family traditions, or about their favorite foodthat would be strange, wouldnt it? but later on, I hadnt attended church in a while. He said that nobody would see the kingdom of God unless theyre born again. If you do as youre instructed, and study the Scriptures, you will see that your understanding of Acts 2:38-39 cannot be complete. If it were important, it would be in there. Im thirteen and I will not be able to be baptized because my parents are not christian. They love you, or they wouldnt be concerned about the messages your music might be sending you. In John 3 Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be born again, and that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Christianity teaches that its the other way around: first God adopts us into His family because we accept His love, and, In a religion, people are on their own. Have you crossed over from death to life? One of my Grandpas died before I was born, so we never met. Myself and my father go into interpretations of Christianity and related religions, but I also note that I was born unbaptized and have yet to be.
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