Eternal Life

[Joshua Rhodes]

Eternal life is plainly eternal life. I've never understood why some feel they must make more out of these things than is needed. Does anyone wonder why we must come with faith as a child?

 

[Craigbythesea]

Originally posted by Joshua Rhodes:
Eternal life is plainly eternal life. I've never understood why some feel they must make more out of these things than is needed. Does anyone wonder why we must come with faith as a child?

It’s plain to you and many other Baptists but it is not at all plain to our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Lutheran Churches, the Methodist Churches, the Assemblies of God Churches, the Church of the Nazarene, and many other denominations. And, of course, the doctrine of conditional security has been widely taught throughout the entire history of the church, but no one, as hard as many have looked, has yet found any evidence that the doctrine of eternal security was even conceived prior to the 16th century, and there is substantial evidence that the doctrine of eternal security is a bi-product of a concept of the sovereignty of God that originated in the 16th century.

Therefore, my question is, why is the link between “eternal life” and the doctrine of eternal security so clear and obvious to many Baptist but so very illusive to most other Christians?

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Because the other so-called christians do not believe the Words of Jesus Christ.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Some people want to get to heaven by works. Some people want a congregation through preaching fear. There could be countless reasons they believe one can lose his salvation.

I think the biggest reason is that they believe the serpent who beguiled Eve when he said, 'Yea, and hath God said..."

'Yea, and hath Jesus said that whosoever believeth in Him hath everlasting life?' 'Jesus doth surely know that He is too weak to keep that promise but hopes you will believe it anyway.' 'You were not sealed with the Holy Spirit, else you would not still have the propensity to sin.'

The devil will lie to you over and over again to make you doubt God's promises. If he can make you doubt, he thinks he elevates himself that much closer to God's throne.

The devil is a liar and the father of them.

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

Quote by CBTS:
my question is, why is the link between “eternal life” and the doctrine of eternal security so clear and obvious to many Baptist but so very illusive to most other Christians?

I have no idea, Craig. I can't speak to why others don't believe as I do. When I read the Scripture, that's what I get. Sorry I can't be more help.

 

[Craigbythesea]

Originally posted by Joshua Rhodes:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> Quote by CBTS:
my question is, why is the link between “eternal life” and the doctrine of eternal security so clear and obvious to many Baptist but so very illusive to most other Christians?

I have no idea, Craig. I can't speak to why others don't believe as I do. When I read the Scripture, that's what I get. Sorry I can't be more help. </font>[/QUOTE]Thank you for your polite reply.

 

[Joshua Rhodes]

You're welcome, Craig. I'll keep watching and respond if I can. I'm a firm believer in the KISS method... (keep it simple, stupid) and often think sometimes we bog ourselves down in an effort to get deeper.

 

[Dustin]

Here's my take on eternal life: We all have eternal life, as God breathed spirit into us, it cannot cease to exist, since it's from God and He is eternal. That's not debatable the way I see it. In temporal life, good things happen to bad people and bad things to the righteous, but we are ALL in the presence of God. But when we pass on to the after life, righteous actually ENJOY eternal life in heaven, and the wicked are tormented, forever in hell. Spiritual life is eternal, God could make a soul cease to exist if He wanted to, but then what would the purpose of punishment then, besides punishing Satan and the rebel angels? I hope I made some sense, just my take.

Dustin

 

[Dustin]

Spiritual death is seperation from God, no light, just burning darkness. Not that the spirit dies, but that being out of the presence of God is equated with death. What a horrible, sobering thought.

 

[Craigbythesea]

Dustin,

Thank you for sharing yours thought with us. Welcome to the Baptist Board!

 

[Dustin]

No prob, Thanks.

Dustin

 

[StraightAndNarrow]

Originally posted by Martin:
What is "eternal life"?

People define eternal life in different ways. Sadly most people think of "forever life" when they think of "eternal life". While it is true that "eternal life" is a form of "forever life" the two are not the same thing. Those who are cast into the lake of fire will live forever in punishment (Matt 25:46). So they do have "forever life".

So what is eternal life? Certainly eternal life is life that lasts forever, but it is much more than that. Eternal life, simply put, is having a relationship with God. This is how the Lord Jesus Himself defined "eternal life".

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" -Jn 17:3

This life is given by God to those who come to Christ in faith (Jn 3:16). It cannot be earned (Rom 4:4-5) because it is a free gift (Eph 2:8-9).

So, do you have eternal life? Or better yet let's put it this way...do you have a relationship with God?

In Christ,
Martin.

This is how I define salvation, an abiding relationship with the Lord.