Is it necessary to be a Christian to be saved?
score:3
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Likewise: John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Biblically speaking there is no other way for salvation to occur. Even Jesus asked the Father in Mark 14:36 , if there was any way that he would not have to suffer, to please take that path. There was no other way, and so "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not parish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world. But that the World may be saved through Him."
Upvote:2
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Yes to go to heaven people must be saved. Jesus is very clear the new birth and believing the Gospel isn't optional. Those who reject the Gospel from any group are damned. It is possible for any person from any group to convert and accept Christ but apart from Christ there is no salvation.
Upvote:2
There is much debate on this topic. The following questions are hard to answer:
- What about those who never heard the Gospel?
- What about a good man who refused to believe in Christ?
- What about a pious man from other religion who refuse to accept Christ?
If we hold on to the Biblical truth that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, then there is no other choice but to say "Anyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ whether they heard it or not will go to Hell!"
Now how can we reconcile with the fact that God is just?
Romans 3:23 (NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
We are born with sins. We are all sinners. No one is exempted from sinning.
Judgement on those who rely on the Law of Moses
Those who put their faith on the Law of Moses will be judged by the same Law. It's impossible for man to follow all the commandments.
John 5:45 (NIV) “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set.
Judgement on those who heard the gospel
Those who heard the gospel but refused to believe have no excuse but to stay in remorse forever. But who ever believed the Gospel will rejoice in the presence of Jesus because their sins are washed clean by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Not because of their good deeds or piety but because of their faith in His Death and Resurrection.
Judgement on those who do not have the Law of Moses nor ever heard the Gospel
On the Day of Judgement someone may ask "God, I was never told about Jesus but I was a good person. I helped many people, I never steal or murder!" But God will point out all their secret sins and that no one meets the standard of God.
Romans 2:14-15 (NIV) Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
For this reason Christians are commanded to preach the Gospel to the whole world.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
More post
- 📝 Bland white rice and tea in Chinese-American Christian Churches
- 📝 Why doesn't the Catholic Church support female priests?
- 📝 What is the significance of "Zealot" in Acts 1:13?
- 📝 How do Christians who believe in a witness of the Holy Spirit via thoughts & feelings respond to the claim that thoughts & feelings are unreliable?
- 📝 How do proponents of Original Sin support a strictly literal interpretation of Genesis
- 📝 According to open theism, did God know that the crucifixion of Jesus would benefit anyone after him?
- 📝 How did the Gift of the Holy Ghost operate before Christ came?
- 📝 How were Bishops Appointed in England Prior to the Anglican Schism
- 📝 In the bible, who saw the light and was blinded?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the belief that Paul was the last to be called to be an apostle?
- 📝 What is the evidence that someone is filled with the Holy Spirit?
- 📝 3 Nep 20:24 - Why does Jesus Christ mention Samuel specifically?
- 📝 A woman's testimony was considered inadmissible in a court of law. Whose law?
- 📝 To which prophets does Peter refer in 1 Peter 1:10-11?
- 📝 In Matthew chapter 26 verse 64 was Jesus saying that He would one day be their judge?
- 📝 According to Baptist teachings, what are the actual precepts God requires of us who are his?
- 📝 When was the acronym ACTS first used to refer to components of prayer?
- 📝 What help exists to help a LCMS Lutheran deal with h*m*sexuality?
- 📝 What do we mean by person?
- 📝 What is the significance of Eve being created as a "helper fit for [Adam]?"
- 📝 Significance of Virgins in the Catholic Church
- 📝 If God is omniscient how can he regret?
- 📝 Did Judas Iscariot participate in the First Holy Eucharist?
- 📝 What is the greatest sin?
- 📝 Was Jesus good at singing?
- 📝 How do the early church fathers expound upon the "exaltation of Christ" (Philippians 2:9-11) in light of the immutability of Jesus Christ?
- 📝 Can a non-baptized Jehovah's Witness publisher date a non-believer?
- 📝 Which prophets died outside Jerusalem?
- 📝 What does Jehovah's Witnesses canon say about the United States, if anything?
- 📝 What are the least controversial doctrines in Christianity?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Is it necessary to be a Christian to be saved?
- 📝 What do Christian Pacifists believe is necessary for a killing to be justified?
- 📝 How were people saved prior to 33 AD?
- 📝 Atheism is the default position. Isn't the burden of proof on the Christian to assert that God exists?
- 📝 How is the Christian Jesus different from the Muslim Jesus?
- 📝 If the Ten Commandments say “thou shalt not kill” how can a Christian fight in a war?
- 📝 Can a Christian choose to walk away from his or her salvation?
- 📝 Does being a Christian mean being a Bible literalist?
- 📝 Who is a Christian according to the Russian Orthodox Church
- 📝 Is there evidence that Isaiah 53 was viewed as a Messianic prophecy within Judaism, or is it an exclusively Christian interpretation?
- 📝 According to the Catholic Church, are Jews saved without faith in Jesus?
- 📝 What is the meaning and origin of bridal veils in Christian weddings?
- 📝 Do the Catholic Church ex cathedra pronouncements about necessity of Catholicism to be saved still apply?
- 📝 Does "Mere Christianity" represent the core of Christian belief?
- 📝 What is the purpose and meaning of the Christian Flag?
- 📝 Is Christian mysticism an oxymoron or is it a legitimate path for a Christian?
- 📝 Source of Christian attitudes towards fantasy and role playing games
- 📝 Which Christian denominations believe Jesus is buried in Japan?
- 📝 A Christian view of Mohammad
- 📝 Have any major Christian intellectuals responded to Stephen Hawking's "The Grand Design"?
- 📝 What is the origin of the Christmas tree and is it accepted in all Christian traditions?
- 📝 Is it possible to be a Christian by birth?
- 📝 Is it hypocritical to be a Christian and also be against welfare?
- 📝 If we are saved by grace, then why does Jesus say we must be baptized in both spirit and water?
- 📝 Which Christian groups prohibit playing cards, and what is their basis for doing so?
- 📝 Seeking a graphic or flowchart of the history of the formation of Christian denominations
- 📝 Why was it not necessary to break Jesus' legs during crucifixion?
- 📝 What are the main arguments used by Christian pro-lifers to justify their stance against abortion?
- 📝 When did knowledge of Christ's sacrifice become necessary for salvation?
- 📝 Is there a basis for Christian holidays in the Bible?