Salvation - do you have to call or just believe?

Chet, I have a great deal of respect for you, but I have to disagree with you on something you said:

"One last thought, salvation comes instantaneous. Once a person trust in Christ, they are saved that second"

I believe that salvation is a gift from God and the moment we recieve that gift of faith, we are saved. Our trust, our belief, our works...none of it possible without faith in God.

You know, the Lutherans and Catholics will sit down a few forums below and tell you that because the Bible says you are saved by baptism, in so many words, that you must be baptized to be saved. Of course we know that isn't true, and we know the true message of the Bible. We know it is by grace, through faith, and that faith is given to us by God that we may trust, believe, and call upon our Lord.

God Bless!

UNP,
Adam

Ephes. 2:8 - KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

 

I think the above discussions, once again, really show the need for the church-going Christian to understand some of the basic doctrines of the Church. All these DOCTRINES were known by EVERY SINGLE person sitting in the pew in the 1700 and 1800 hundreds, but have been lost by the average person today. It is so sad to see the modern day church teaching "feelings" or putting more effort into entertainment so they can attract members than they do in good only preaching like in times past.

May I suggest a couple of books that everyone, I think, should read, study and totally understand. I think they would answer all the questions about this subject.

My list would include:

1. SINNERS IN THE HAND OF AN ANGRY GOD, by Jonathan Edwards

2. THE GOD WHO JUSTIFIES, by James R. White

3. THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION, by James Buchanan

In my humble opinion, these three books, and what they teach, should be studied, absored, and understood by every single Christian without exception. The earlier the better. Instead of teaching high school kids in Sunday School how to grow in pride and "self-esteem" they need to be taught the basics of the Christian faith. If it were up to me those books above would be the basis of my Sunday School teaching.

God Bless
James2

[ February 01, 2002: Message edited by: JAMES2 ]

 

I would also like to add the book Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll.

Daniel

 

Truth seeker:
To answer your question, yes, there is a special ingredient in "getting saved." First of all, understand that it is not something you do on your own, without the work of the Holy Spirit. I'm reminded of the bumper sticker popular a few years ago that said "I Found it." I always wondered what on earth that message was trying to convey. Since God isn't lost and before one can even want to "come to Jesus" one has to be drawn by the Father, I thought it was nonsensical. Actually, I still do.

Once again, Truthseeker, I'm taking you at your word and believe you to really be seeking the truth, so my suggestion would be to buy those three books and study them. They answer all the questions.

The way I look at it, and the way I've seen it work in people is that "being saved" is a sovereign act of God, not of the sinner. People often ask me if God does miracles anymore. While I don't believe in the so-called healing by people like Benny Hinn or Dollar, or Popoff or whatever that heritics name is, God does in fact perform miracles today. Even more than raising someone from the dead. And what is that you ask? Why everytime God "saves" someone, every time God, by His Sovereign act of grace, regenerates a fallen, depraved, totally helpless sinner, gives him the ability to believe, justifies him by faith (the doctrine of Justification) and makes the former God-hating, depraved individual, a Born Again, child of God a truly earth-shaking event has taken place. Just think about it. A person totally dead in sin, has by the power of God, been transformed, renewed and brought from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. And all this by a FREE GIFT of God. You didn't have to do a thing.(What you do, is that after God has Regenerated you, your part is to believe, which you WILL DO if you have been truly regenerated. You won't, so to speak, beable to help yourself. It's so wonderful) Of course, once God has regenerated you, you WILL WANT TO DO NOTHING by praise God. Now things you used to love to do -- you know, all the bondages people think are so wonderful, but in fact are really deadly -- have no appeal for you anymore. Now when you read the scriptures you don't read them with silly, nonsensical questions like "alright man, where did Cain's wife come from"? or such idiotic things like "biblical criticism" etc. You now understand the things of God (1cor. 2:14). Now what was bitter is sweet. It is like night and day, and all a free gift. Then, my friend, hold on to your hat because the Christian life becomes a thrill a minute. I mean you will not beable to get enough of the WRITTEN WORD OF GOD. You'll get your fill of people jumping around, being emotional, and saying how they don't need the Word of God, just their "feelings."I am not saying being a Christian somehow brings you prosperity, success, a wonderful pain free, healthy life. No sir, I don't say that because that is false. We live in a fallen, God-hating, depraved, sinful world and Christians have to deal with that in their lives as well.

I hope this helps you some, but please, if you are serious, get that reading material. I think it will answer ALL your questions. Remember, since it is hard to find any type of teaching of substance in the modern day church look at some of the great creeds, or confessions that great men of God have put on paper to help the new Christian. No sense in reinventing the wheel. Check out the 1689 Baptist Confession, or the Westminister Confession, or the Southern Baptist Faith and Message confession, etc. But be careful, because there is alot of silly teaching out there passing as christianity.

God Bless you
James2

[ February 01, 2002: Message edited by: JAMES2 ]

 

I think the greatest of books to actually just sit down and read is the book of John. Take notice of how many times Jesus calls you to simply believe.

And for other books that might give you a good grasp on how wonderful Grace really is, then the book called Grace by Lewis Sperry Chafer is probably one of the best books I have ever read. And second a book called So Great Salvation by Charles C. Ryrie will also help in understanding just what it is we are expected to believe when we get saved, as he refutes some misunderstood ideas.

God Bless!

 

Daniel and Chet:
Thanks for the recommendations. I LOVE a good book. And by the way, it goes without saying that one is to read the BIBLE as their main source. My recommendations are suggested only in addition to the study of God's word. And Chet, I love John, but I think it is a toss up between John and Romans. Don't you just love it!!! So much to learn and so little time.
James2

 

James2,

I agree with you brother!

I wish my brain was like a sponge to soak it all in. There is never and end to all the great books to read, or the studies. To me a paradox exist as the more I learn the more I realize just how much I don't know.

 

Chet:
Boy do you have that right!!! But that is one of the things that makes being a Christian so wonderful. Other than the several thousand other reasons, the continuing soaking up of the ABSOLUTE TRUTH is truly one of the many gifts of a LOVING GOD.Amen, and Praise God
James2

 

Excellent thread, and good thoughts by all. Let me summarize a bit:

The specific "ingredient" to "getting saved" is belief which is a free gift given by the grace of God.

The variety of comments centering on belief illustrates that belief is simple faith, yet it is also somewhat complex. Many churches across all denominations today teach an "easy believism" that misses the mark badly!

A saint's belief must be more than Satan and his demons' belief. Remember, they were once angels in heaven who "knew" Jesus personally. They know that Jesus is God!

Luke 8:27-28 (NIV)
27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”

Upon eye contact, this demon recognized Jesus as the Son of God!

"Easy believism" teaches that intellectual assent is enough. Get moved by a sermon or some catastrophic event in your life; have an emotional experience; say a prayer of salvation, and whalla, you are saved! It's OK if your life does not experience transformation. You said the prayer. You are saved.

"Real belief" causes transformation of the life of an individual. No transformation, no salvation! The thief on the cross, in the brief last moments of his life, demonstrated true transformation. One minute he was hurling blasphemies at Christ, and the next he is praising Him as the Son of God!

What constitutes transformation? One's life takes its focus off itself and focuses on Jesus Christ and others. One loves anything and everything to do with God. They love reading God's Word. They love going to church. They love to worship Him with songs of praise. They love talking to God in prayer. They love being around other believers. They love doing things for others with no reward in it for themselves.

That, my friends, is both the simplicity of belief, and the complexity!

[ February 02, 2002: Message edited by: John Wells ]

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Joshua2415:
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Very simple. If anyone can find one instance in the Bible of a person "asking Jesus into thier heart" or praying for salvation, please let me know.

[ January 31, 2002: Message edited by: Joshua2415 ]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If the thief on the cross was not asking Jesus to save him, what was he doing?

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gina:
Believe, believe, and believe. It is repeated and repeated throughout the Book, and nothing is added to it. True, that other things follow that prove that your belief is sincere, but the scriptures say Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe, believe on his name, the law of faith, he that believeth on the Son, he that believeth on the Son of God, etc..
I am of the personal opinion that ANYONE CAN FEEL SORRY FOR THEIR SINS WITHOUT BELIEVING IN JESUS CHRIST. Go ahead and repent and pray, but if you don't have a true belief in Jesus Christ YOU STILL ARE NOT SAVED and this a very major reason why we have DEAD churches today. Emotional pleas from pastors evoking confessions of guilt that lead people down to the altar to confess it all and seek to find peace, but it's false reassurance if it doesn't come from FAITH AND BELIEF on Jesus Christ.
da Gina-outta-breath<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JAMES2:
Daniel and Chet:
Thanks for the recommendations. I LOVE a good book. And by the way, it goes without saying that one is to read the BIBLE as their main source. My recommendations are suggested only in addition to the study of God's word. And Chet, I love John, but I think it is a toss up between John and Romans. Don't you just love it!!! So much to learn and so little time.
James2<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have always struggled with doubt about my salvation. But each time the doubt arises it takes me some time to work through what the scriptures say. After I do this I always come to the conclusion that I am saved by what Jesus accomplished plus nothing minus nothing. However, recently we had several days worth of revival mtgs. at our church. The evangalist said at one point that as a young christian he had some doubt problems. He then said that someone had given him a suggestion that helped him. That suggestion was to read the books of John, Romans & 1John five times each. I am about half way through John for the third time. What a blessing it has been. One thing that the Holy Spirit has shown me is that if I stay in God's Word I can't go wrong.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
&

 

Amen Teknon! Stay in God's Word and when you stray, you will not stray far. Same goes with a vibrant prayer life as well!