Catholics and Salvation

[Aim_64bIT]

What if you can't remember a time when you didn't believe?

Then I guess you'd be a doubting Thomas.

John 20:25-29 KJV

(25) The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

(26) And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

(27) Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

(28) And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

(29) Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Backsliding does not make a person unsaved. It just makes them lose "the joy of their salvation", as David put it. But I'd say if you believe in anything other than Jesus Christ and him crucified for salvation, then you weren't saved in the first place. Born again people are kept by the power of God.

1 Peter 1:5 KJV

(5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Edited September 9, 2005 by Aim_64bIT

[Fiosh]

What if you can't remember a time when you didn't believe?

Then I guess you'd be a doubting Thomas.

John 20:25-29 KJV

(25) The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

(26) And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

(27) Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

(28) And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

(29) Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Backsliding does not make a person unsaved. It just makes them lose "the joy of their salvation", as David put it. But I'd say if you believe in anything other than Jesus Christ and him crucified for salvation, then you weren't saved in the first place.

1 Peter 1:5 KJV

(5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think you may be misunderstanding; perhaps the double negative was confusing.

Let me restate it.

I have always believed in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Ever since I can remember.

I'm trying to understand how you can tell for sure that you are "born again".

[Aim_64bIT]

I'm trying to understand how you can tell for sure that you are "born again".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just feel different. Its hard to describe. When I read the Bible I shiver at the truth and can feel the Spirit blanketing around me. But just setting here I can feel his presence. I feel kept by the power of God.

[Trust & Obey]

What if you can't remember a time when you didn't believe?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is common for those who are raised in the Church by believing parents.

What you have to ask yourself in that situation is "what am I trusting in?"

Either way, you still must be born-again. Being born-again is an absolute necessity, per Jesus.

Joh 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.

If you cannot say "I know that I've been born again" then you probably haven't been. That means that you are still under the curse of sin and your destiny is hell.

"Believing" isn't enough.

Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Your belief must translate into faith. Faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

You must open your heart and life to Christ and repent of all sin. Then you invite Him in to take control of your life.

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Each day is a day to live for the Lord that bought you. Cultivating the presence of God in your life is something that you have to take part in. As you listen to and heed the quiet voice of the Lord He will manifest Himself to you more and more.

Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Salvation isn't something "future tense." It is a very present reality for those who are His.

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath (present tense) everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

It is a "done deal." Those who hear His words and believe on God HAVE everlasting life. They have "passed from death unto life." That means it is FINISHED.

We don't work for heaven, we work from heaven.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Re: "You must open your heart and life to Christ and repent of all sin. Then you invite Him in to take control of your life."

What if I can't remember a time when He wasn't in my life. What if I can remember talking to Jesus and loving Him, when I was 7 years old?

What if I do have faith that I am redeemed by His Blood?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fiosh, I'm certainly not questioning your faith. God requires a simple childlike faith from us. I'm not trying to complicate something that is supposed to be simple.

One thing I would point out to you is... don't have faith that you are redeemed by His blood.

Rather, have faith in Him and His sacrifice for you on the cross. Then yield to Him daily.

Having faith that you are saved does not save you. Christ saves you as you put your faith in Him. He must be the object of your faith. The object of your faith shouldn't be your status.

Does that make sense?

To simplifiy... keep your focus on Him in all things. If you do that then you will certainly be doing well.

[Fiosh]

I'm trying to understand how you can tell for sure that you are "born again".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just feel different. Its hard to describe. When I read the Bible I shiver at the truth and can feel the Spirit blanketing around me. But just setting here I can feel his presence. I feel kept by the power of God.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let me explain why I'm asking these questions. But, first let me say that I have no doubt that I AM "born again".

It seems, depending on who you ask, you will get different interpretations of what it means to be "born again". Some will say if you say the "Sinner's Prayer", repenting your sins, and accept Jesus into your life, you are born again. Period.

If I understand you correctly, you say there must be a "feeling" accompanying that experience.

I'm not sure "you" (collectively) actually know what you mean when you say "you must be born again".

And, as a result, I am not clear on what "you" mean when you say "born again".

Here's what I've collected. Is this about right?:

When I read the Bible I shiver at the truth and can feel the Spirit blanketing around me.

I feel kept by the power of God.

You must open your heart and life to Christ and repent of all sin.

Then you invite Him in to take control of your life.

Cultivating the presence of God in your life is something that you have to take part in.

I felt like I was in a new body

Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

You would be regenerated instantaneously

[Trust & Obey]

Being born-again often times is accompanied by feelings... but, often times it is not.

We know we are saved because God tells us we are, not because we feel a certain way.

Your feelings will fluctuate all throughout your life and they cannot be trusted.

2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

But, having said that, there should be a change in the life of someone who is born-again. The Spirit of God does not indwell a person without it having a radical impact on their life.

[Fiosh]

Being born-again often times is accompanied by feelings... but, often times it is not.

We know we are saved because God tells us we are, not because we feel a certain way.

Your feelings will fluctuate all throughout your life and they cannot be trusted.

2Co 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

But, having said that, there should be a change in the life of someone who is born-again. The Spirit of God does not indwell a person without it having a radical impact on their life.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fair enough.

Other than the fact that I'm not OSAS, I agree with what you've said.

I've had times when I've felt as if I've almost touched the heart of God.

And I've had time that I've felt so desperate to know His Presence that I couldn't stand the emptiness.

Every night I repent my sins and ask His forgiveness. I ask to be washed in the Blood of Jesus so I might stand acceptable before God.

Each morning (except when I'm lazy) I give my life to Jesus. I offer Him my heart, my soul, my mind, my body, and my will. I ask for His perfect will.

I ask for the Holy Spirit to teach me thru His word and use me in His work.

I ask for Him to send someone into my path that needs to know His word and needs to feel His love, and use me to show them.

My life's goal is to do the will of God.

Am I "born again"?

[Aim_64bIT]

Being born-again often times is accompanied by feelings... but, often times it is not.

We know we are saved because God tells us we are, not because we feel a certain way.

I concur. I like the saying, Feeling is the fruit not the root of Salvation.

Fair enough.

Other than the fact that I'm not OSAS, I agree with what you've said.

I've had times when I've felt as if I've almost touched the heart of God.

And I've had time that I've felt so desperate to know His Presence that I couldn't stand the emptiness.

Every night I repent my sins and ask His forgiveness. I ask to be washed in the      of Jesus so I might stand acceptable before God.

Each morning (except when I'm lazy) I give my life to Jesus. I offer Him my heart, my soul, my mind, my body, and my will. I ask for His perfect will.

My life's goal is to do the will of God.

Am I "born again"?

I hope that you are not asking us to the betterment of your conscience. The word of God can show you salvation and instill confidence.

[Fiosh]

Being born-again often times is accompanied by feelings... but, often times it is not.

We know we are saved because God tells us we are, not because we feel a certain way.

I concur. I like the saying, Feeling is the fruit not the root of Salvation.

Fair enough.

Other than the fact that I'm not OSAS, I agree with what you've said.

I've had times when I've felt as if I've almost touched the heart of God.

And I've had time that I've felt so desperate to know His Presence that I couldn't stand the emptiness.

Every night I repent my sins and ask His forgiveness. I ask to be washed in the

[Aim_64bIT]

Being "born again" is really very simple. Just as soon as you believe that Jesus is the Lord, which comes from reading the word of God, you are "born again". For it is written, no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost. It is this new birth that saves you; not baptism. We have already quoted before numerous passages that state that one is born again through the word. Here is really good one. It shows clearly that baptism does not save, for it is as a corruptible thing.

1 Peter 1:18 KJV

(18) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1 Peter 1:23 KJV

(23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

If you have been begotten through the gospel and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are a son of God. God begets sons and daughters through his word. Remember how God spoke everthing into existance with his word?

Genesis 1:3 KJV And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Genesis 1:6 KJV And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Genesis 1:9 KJV And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

Genesis 1:11 KJV And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

This is where we get the word universe from. God literally created everything with a spoken sentance