IS it this hard to gotto heaven???

Ben, please stop reading that page. Scripture does NOT say you have to be baptized to be saved. Only Jesus saves. Baptism is a sign to the world of a change in your heart. Jesus tells us to confess him before man and baptism is just one way we can do that.

 

IS it this hard to gotto heaven??? Depends on how well you can walk a straight and narrow path.

Is baptism necessary for salvation? Not according to the Bible I read. Take Diane's advice--stay away from those kind of places.

Some on those sites (even the atheist sites) can debate their positions just as well those that are wrong on this board can.

Of course, you gotta love those on this board.

 

Salvation is a free gift that isn't taken back, lest the cross be emptied of its power. Those whom Jesus is speaking of in this verse are those who 'play church' but don't surrender their heart and accept the free gift of salvation. A true Christian builds his house on Jesus and not the teachings of a religion or some television preacher.

Some believe, but mere belief isn't enough.

No one can live a sinless life. Only Jesus was perfect and sinless yet He paid for all your sins; past, present and future once, on Calvary.

 

Well stated dianetavegia!!

 

The grace of God is given freely but as Jesus said to Nicodemus:

Jhn 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. To be born again means to change your life. If someone radically changes their life it is obvious to those around them. Too many today teach and prech an easy Christian life. Nothing was further from the life of Christ and the desciples. The same is expected of us.

It is difficult to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Living a Christian life is far more difficult than walking down the aisle and shaking hands with the pastor:

Mat 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:
Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

A true Christian is a different person than someone who is not a Christian. The requirement for us to show our faith is given a few verses later in Mathew.

Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 

Hi Benz,

Luke 23:42-43 (NKJV)

Thief: "Lord remember me when You come into Your kingdom".

Jesus: "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise".

Question: What chance did that thief have to come down off the cross and be baptized with water?

I'll give you a hint: A nail in each hand, one in the foot.........