Instant Conversion

[Iryssa]

The "we're not like you!" guy needs a reality check, I think. Jesus doesn't expect us to have this impressive, studied knowledge (by human standards) of Him before we come to Him for grace! He draws people no matter what their circumstances!

I believe that God brings people to Himself at the exact right time. If this means someone's just heard a ten-minute sermon that outlines salvation and they feel the Holy Spirit telling them they need to accept Christ (even if they don't know that it's the Holy Spirit drawing them like this), then there's no reason why they can't just ask Jesus into their hearts right then and there! Exact same thing goes for the person who has heard about Jesus all their lives, knows every Sunday-school response, and yet does not have a relationship with Christ. God doesn't refuse someone salvation because they haven't scored 100% on a "test your Bible Knowledge" quiz, or any such thing.

[yomotalking]

They believe they have to pray and "seek" God before they can become a Christian.

This "seeking" could go on for the rest of their lives.

His brother, (of the guy who said "We're not like you") has wanted to become a Christian, for as long as I've know him, almost.

I think that is 10 years.

We've know each other since real small kids.

But according to him, and his family, he can't until he "seeks," and finds God.

And if he doesn't? then he can't.

It's very strange indeed.

He believes in God, loves Jesus, but this "seeking" is holding him back......

They believe, that you have to find God,before you can recieve His Son, even though you may love God.

When I say find, I mean have an experience so reat that they think it is God.

But what if they never have a enormous experience? you ask.

Then in their eyes, they arer not saved.

I don't know, but I think they are Christians already, for they love Jesus, but they haven't said "The Actual Prayer".

[Iryssa]

They believe they have to pray and "seek" God before they can become a Christian.

This "seeking"  could go on for the rest of their lives.

His brother, (of the guy who said "We're not like you")  has wanted to become a Christian, for as long as I've know him, almost.

I think that is 10 years.

We've know each other since real small kids.

But according to him, and his family, he can't until he "seeks," and finds God.

And if he doesn't? then he can't.

It's very strange indeed.

He believes in God, loves Jesus, but this "seeking" is holding him back......

They believe, that you have to find God,before you can recieve His Son, even though you may love God.

When I say find, I mean have an experience so reat that they think it is God.

But what if they never have a enormous experience? you ask.

Then in their eyes, they arer not saved.

I don't know, but I think they are Christians already, for they love Jesus, but they haven't said "The Actual Prayer".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Their doctrine sounds like it's got something of a New Age/Eastern flavour to it. There is no evidence in the Bible that says you have to have some enormous experience to get saved. Roman's 10:9 does not have a footnote saying "but you're only really saved if you have some mind-boggling experience."

[Mikeyjay]

Hey Yomo,

just look at Acts 2...after the Apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit...they then preached to everyone outside and multitudes were "saved" they did not suffer and "big thing" they did not seek Jesus for years...they just believed in their hearts the Jesus was the Son of God and that He died for their sins and that He then rose from the dead...and they were saved...Praise God it is just that simple...as someone said above...it is the growth that takes time !!!

[Fiosh]

They believe they have to pray and "seek" God before they can become a Christian.

This "seeking"  could go on for the rest of their lives.

His brother, (of the guy who said "We're not like you")  has wanted to become a Christian, for as long as I've know him, almost.

I think that is 10 years.

We've know each other since real small kids.

But according to him, and his family, he can't until he "seeks," and finds God.

And if he doesn't? then he can't.

It's very strange indeed.

He believes in God, loves Jesus, but this "seeking" is holding him back......

They believe, that you have to find God,before you can recieve His Son, even though you may love God.

When I say find, I mean have an experience so reat that they think it is God.

But what if they never have a enormous experience? you ask.

Then in their eyes, they arer not saved.

I don't know, but I think they are Christians already, for they love Jesus, but they haven't said "The Actual Prayer".

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hey Yomo,

sounds like maybe they are confusing "accepting Christ" with "deepening your relationship" with Christ.

We are all "seeking" to know Him better; that goes on (hopefully) until you meet Him face to face.

If we wait till we know Him fully before accepting Jesus as our Saviour...........well, we've got a long wait.

Maybe you could approach them in love, and explain that they may be closer to Jesus than they realize.

I personally believe that some people have that "instant conversion" experience and some don't.

But all must continually seek Him........every moment.

God bless you Yomo. I love your posts. You are so sincere and innocent.

Peace,

Fiosh

[RustyAngeL]

I believe "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Rom. 10:9)

I see no scriptural evidence to suggest that you have to someow work your way to a point where you can be saved. God has a plan, and the Holy Spirit is going to draw people to Himself at the right moment, whatever that may be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree, It's by faith your saved not of works, lest any man should boast. If it was works that saved us, what the the death of Jesus on the cross all about? It's the finished work of the cross that saves, period.

[Guest shiloh357]

........To be honest, I'm not sure.

I suppose that the instant you accept Jesus into your heart, He comes, and you are saved.

But some people disagree.

They say you have to "seek" God until you find him, (that could be years, or the rest of your life)

.......and then, once you've done that, you can ask Jesus in........

I disagree.

I know their Childern want to become Christians, but they suppose they have to havea big "thing" happen to them, before they can become Christians....

I'm not so sure.

Of course, I felt happy after, but there was no big "thing" that made me.

What are your views on the subject?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Bible teaches instant salvation. I don't like the word "conversion." You are not merely converted. You are saved, and salvation is today, not something you have to wait for. What we are waiting for is the final installment of it. The minute you recieve Christ as savior, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of your inheritance (eternal life) according to Ephesians.

We can know TODAY that we are saved.

"I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

(John 5:24)

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn't have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

(1 John 5:11-13)

These verses tell us that salvation is not something we have to wait for. These verses tell us that we HAVE eternal life right now.

[yomotalking]

Maybe you could approach them in love, and explain that they may be closer to Jesus than they realize.

They would get narky.

(their doctrine is Strict Baptist)

[Iryssa]

Weird...I've never before heard of a Baptist that believes that...

[Gerioke]

Weird...I've never before heard of a Baptist that believes that...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think denominations differ depending on what country you live in. I am an adherent at a baptist church and it is nothing like the way I've heard some of the American posters describe it. Pastor preaches love, congregation practices love and it's very diverse.