All One Has To Do Is Believe, Alone?

[preacher4truth]

They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:31

Some preachers use "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved" as an invitation into God's family, and to experience the salvation Christ offers by His Grace. I understand where one is coming from in this, this is what we do, we preach the Gospel, and some believe.

Is belief the end-all? Is that it? Simply believe, and it's done, finished?

Are there any "defects" that come along in ones;

1) Spiritual life.

2) Theological expressions.

3) Actions.

4) Other areas?

...that may well prove that they are not saved, although they say they've believed in Christ?

Where do you draw the distinction between easy-believism, and true belief?

What if one believes that Jesus rose from the dead with all ones heart, and confesses Him as Lord, does that prove they are saved, and we can proof-text it with Romans 10:9?

Is simple belief enough, or is there way more to the story?

Spiritual life: What if there is no spiritual life, prayer, love of God, other expressions of spiritual life?

Actions: I know persons that say they've believed, prayed the prayer, believe all that Jesus has done for them, that are; on drugs, never changed (seemingly), in many other sins, live it as a lifestyle, most of their actions towards the brethren and others are ingracious and filled with works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19,) yet they vehemenently defend that they've believed and that is all they "had to do" to get to heaven, like the Bible says.

Theological expressions: Can what a person says they believe later raise red flags?

Other areas? Are there other things out there that are not here?

Or do we simply assure them "OK, you've believed, so you're on your way to heaven, because the Bible says so?"

What do you all say? What do you tell persons that say they've believed, when they live this way? Do you tell them they need to "believe again?"

What's the missing element? Afterall, they say they believe with all their heart, and have received Christ as their Savior, and are convinced by this that they are on their way to heaven.

Say on as I have some family members that this is the case for them, and I pray for them, but they are convinced they've believed and that is enough for them.

Thanks.

- Peace

 

[Cypress]

"Where do you draw the distinction between easy-believism, and true belief?"

That is best left to God in my opinion......The thief on the cross comes to mind.

 

[quantumfaith]

"Where do you draw the distinction between easy-believism, and true belief?"

That is best left to God in my opinion......The thief on the cross comes to mind.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

In many instances "this" is an unaswerable question for us mere mortals, for only God is able to look upon the heart.

 

[preacher4truth]

"Where do you draw the distinction between easy-believism, and true belief?"

That is best left to God in my opinion......The thief on the cross comes to mind.

I see. Do you then leave those alone that produce fruits that are telltale that they are not "regenerate?"

Does God want us to reach out to them and help them?

Why did Christ spend time on judging by fruits?

Would you preach or affirm that there must be evidence that overrides simple belief as being the end-all? Also, Paul would tend to teach that we need to exzamine ourselves, look at our fruit, judge if we are true, which discounts "easy-believism." He didn't just "leave it up to God" as he gave us instructions concerning this, via Holy Spirit inspiration, of course. He would be frowned upon for doing so?

I believe there is somewhat of a Biblical mandate here to preach against mere belief alone. James book for example, and Pauls writings.

 

[JesusFan]

I see. Do you then leave those alone that produce fruits that are telltale that they are not "regenerate?"

Does God want us to reach out to them and help them?

Why did Christ spend time on judging by fruits?

Would you preach or affirm that there must be evidence that overrides simple belief as being the end-all? Also, Paul would tend to teach that we need to exzamine ourselves, look at our fruit, judge if we are true, which discounts "easy-believism." He didn't just "leave it up to God" as he gave us instructions concerning this, via Holy Spirit inspiration, of course. He would be frowned upon for doing so?

I believe there is somewhat of a Biblical mandate here to preach against mere belief alone. James book for example, and Pauls writings.

Think that modern Church is good for allowing God to use us to get people saved, its just that we can do a MUCH better job in discliping them to grow up and mature in Christ!

 

[TCGreek]

I want to recommend David Platt's "Radical" here.

 

[Iconoclast]

There is a believing that results in salvation.

There is a believing in vain.

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain

We are to care for one another...but keep in mind ,that we are not the Holy Spirit.

1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5For every man shall bear his own burden.

This is another massive topic. True holiness is on the inside[the heart]
But true holiness will work its way out into the daily walk of a believer.

Those who believe in vain, make an outward show in the flesh...but the flesh wears out after awhile and many times it becomes manifest in this life;

24Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

 

[quantumfaith]

There is a believing that results in salvation.

There is a believing in vain.

[/B]

We are to care for one another...but keep in mind ,that we are not the Holy Spirit.



This is another massive topic. True holiness is on the inside[the heart]
But true holiness will work its way out into the daily walk of a believer.

Those who believe in vain, make an outward show in the flesh...but the flesh wears out after awhile and many times it becomes manifest in this life;

[/B]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Bob Alkire]

"Where do you draw the distinction between easy-believism, and true belief?"

That is best left to God in my opinion......The thief on the cross comes to mind.

I guess we are thinking along the same line.

 

[JesusFan]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

think problem is that we have many new believers who either are not taught basics of living i Christ by person of the HS, have to be enabled to live for Jesus...


So struggle agains tsinning by their own flesh and will, and many time show little change from before, as they don't know ONLY way is by HS!

 

[Don]

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

There are those that believe; and there are those that believe to the saving of the soul.

 

[preacher4truth]

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

There are those that believe; and there are those that believe to the saving of the soul.

Good point. Contextually it looks like they shrink back from belief, into apostasy. Looks like they've never believed to me.

 

[Don]

Good point. Contextually it looks like they shrink back from belief, into apostasy. Looks like they've never believed to me.

Oh, I'd argue that one; James tells us that the devils believe, and tremble. I think it's perfectly plausible for someone to believe in God, but not to the saving of their soul.

 

[JesusFan]

Good point. Contextually it looks like they shrink back from belief, into apostasy. Looks like they've never believed to me.

Just a question!

Do you think this is "best" that ALL those who are not those whom God has elected out can do with Jesus?

They can mentally assent to jesus, but not have it in and of themselves to have a "saving faith?"

 

[Jon-Marc]

If believe alone makes one a Christian, then that means that Satan and all the fallen angels are saved. "Thou believest that there is one God, thou doest well. The devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19

 

[preacher4truth]

If believe alone makes one a Christian, then that means that Satan and all the fallen angels are saved. "Thou believest that there is one God, thou doest well. The devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19

But isn't their belief relegated to that He is God, and is not then belief in Him that He is their Savior? Isn't salvation then more than believing in God, or that He is God?

 

[JesusFan]

But isn't their belief relegated to that He is God, and is not then belief in Him that He is their Savior? Isn't salvation then more than believing in God, or that He is God?

best kind of faith unsaved can generate "by themselves" apart from the Grace of God

Shows us just why even faith of the "saving kind" is a gift from God!

 

[percho]

Mark 10:17 what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (My thought on that is) Rom. 13:9 Thou shalt not covet; Mark 10:26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Relative to the site above linked.

(Is God at the moment judging whether all men are either going to heaven or going to hell, or is he at this time doing this?) Acts 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. (Is this the same people?) Rom. 8:28 to them who are the called according to purpose. (Are these the same people?) Rom. 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body. (Does first preceding fruits here compared with verse 28 imply the called, during this spring harvest, are being given the Spirit now for a purpose of God that is hinted at in this verse?) Acts 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called.
Rev. 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Are these the same people? What do kings and priests do? Do they not rule and teach the ways of God and life? Do you thank this residue of men might be given the Spirit of God during the fall harvest?)

I did not vote for I do not know where this thought falls in the poll,

 

[percho]

Paul known as Saul going down the road to Damascus at about eleven our time in the morning knew that Jesus of Nazareth was a man that had been crucified and it was said that he had risen from the dead. This Paul did not believe even at that very moment in time. He was putting in prison people who said and believed this. And Saul was consenting unto the death of Stephen just a short time before this. At about noon Jesus called Saul and Saul was struck blind physically to go along with his having been blind to the things of God for until this point in time for the purpose of God he was to be blind. He did not know at the time but would find out later that from before he had been born God was going to call him for a purpose of God, not for him but for God. He believed when God removed all scales from him and allowed him to believe and made him one of the first fruits of the Spirit.

 

[freeatlast]

They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:31

Some preachers use "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved" as an invitation into God's family, and to experience the salvation Christ offers by His Grace. I understand where one is coming from in this, this is what we do, we preach the Gospel, and some believe.

Is belief the end-all? Is that it? Simply believe, and it's done, finished?

Are there any "defects" that come along in ones;

1) Spiritual life.

2) Theological expressions.

3) Actions.

4) Other areas?

...that may well prove that they are not saved, although they say they've believed in Christ?

Where do you draw the distinction between easy-believism, and true belief?

What if one believes that Jesus rose from the dead with all ones heart, and confesses Him as Lord, does that prove they are saved, and we can proof-text it with Romans 10:9?

Is simple belief enough, or is there way more to the story?

Spiritual life: What if there is no spiritual life, prayer, love of God, other expressions of spiritual life?

Actions: I know persons that say they've believed, prayed the prayer, believe all that Jesus has done for them, that are; on drugs, never changed (seemingly), in many other sins, live it as a lifestyle, most of their actions towards the brethren and others are ingracious and filled with works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19,) yet they vehemenently defend that they've believed and that is all they "had to do" to get to heaven, like the Bible says.

Theological expressions: Can what a person says they believe later raise red flags?

Other areas? Are there other things out there that are not here?

Or do we simply assure them "OK, you've believed, so you're on your way to heaven, because the Bible says so?"

What do you all say? What do you tell persons that say they've believed, when they live this way? Do you tell them they need to "believe again?"

What's the missing element? Afterall, they say they believe with all their heart, and have received Christ as their Savior, and are convinced by this that they are on their way to heaven.

Say on as I have some family members that this is the case for them, and I pray for them, but they are convinced they've believed and that is enough for them.

Thanks.

- Peace

The problem is that believing IS all one has to do to be saved but not all believing is equal. One believes in the facts and trusts that belief to save, but it will not. Another believes to facts and surrenders to the One who the facts are about and salvation is born. The first believes without repentance the the second repents unto belief (saving faith).
So any person who claims to believe and has no works their faith is dead and they are lost. True believers keep the commandments according to 1John and they never again practice sin. Anyone who claims to know God and keeps not His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him 1john 2:4.
Without repentance one is left with a belief of the facts, but they lack the faith that leads unto salvation. May I add this. Repentance is not 50%, 75% or 99%. Repentance is 100% or they remain lost.