What it means to be saved - does it take 8 CDs to explain?

[Vine Abider]

14 minutes ago, com7fy8 said:

Well . . . "simple" . . . yeah, I guess you can say that. But developing to where someone trusts in Jesus is God's process including various things and people ministering and praying while God works in a person.

And it looks to me like some number of people can do some self-produced "simple" thing like saying a prayer or getting baptized, but they do not truly convert "from the power of Satan to God" > in Acts 26:18.

As mentioned earlier, there's two aspects to salvation:  Initial & ongoing.  With the initial we get His seed of life into us; With ongoing salvation, we continue to realize all the life and saving power that's contained in that seed as it grows.

Edited March 14, 2023 by Vine Abider
typo

[Neighbor]

2 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

In one sense I agree.  For instance, it is simple to put a seed in the soil, and telling how to do that is therefore simple.  But what happens when that seed germinates and grows into an awesome tree is too far beyond understanding and takes a lot of telling to try and explain it!

To be clearer, from my own vantage point: I suggest no one saves themself nor any other person. That is by God alone; however to say a magic prayer  and never have repentance of sin nor any outward manifestation of the Holy Spirit indwelling should give one serious doubt as to salvation having occurred in themself or any  person whatsoever.

Might one have a deathbed salvation experience and no time whatsoever to live a repentant attitude? Sure!

So it is not the works  even those works born of repentance that saves. Yet presuming time allotted to one, if there is no evidence forthcoming  there likely is no repentance and therefore no salvation having occurred.  

Without repentance as evidence of the act of God bringing salvation, I suggest there has been  no salvation occurrence from the Holy Spirit.

Much as the old 1980's Wendy's ad asked; "Where's the beef?" The beef, it is important, necessary even,- or it isn't a burger.

[Your closest friendnt]

50 minutes ago, com7fy8 said:

Well . . . "simple" . . . yeah, I guess you can say that. But developing to where someone trusts in Jesus is God's process including various things and people ministering and praying while God works in a person.

And it looks to me like some number of people can do some self-produced "simple" thing like saying a prayer or getting baptized, but they do not truly convert "from the power of Satan to God" > in Acts 26:18.

I am not sure what it says in Acts 26:18 and if it was said to believers who had been baptize and they were taking bible lessons....

But from your posting I I understand that converting from the things of the world is for believers in Jesus Christ who are baptized and learn about the faith...

That converting from the things of the world is an ongoing thing for all believers...

To distance our selves from the things of the world it is for everyone who believes and that takes place continuously...

[Neighbor]

Plus though saved, I still fail. I am repentant of my sins but I fail to live without sinning too, as the old man of the flesh does battle  against what has been granted me through the Holy Spirit. And so, I have learned that for myself it is wiser of me to have a little talk with Jesus as the song goes. I ask as Jim Coy taught me, LORD is it good, good between you and me? Sometimes i am enlightened  rather quickly to my own errant manner and failings.

The more I read the word of God the more I am aware of the armor I need put on in this spiritual battle. More than anything in these past couple of  years the Love God Love one another;  plus God can fix it, has hit me way more than in previous years of my life.

[TheBlade]

On 3/10/2023 at 6:36 PM, Vine Abider said:

Today I listened to a very well known and respected pastor on the radio (I often hear & usually enjoy his ministry).  He was talking about what it means to be saved and that we all should be theologically clear about such a basic and critical concept.  As he kept talking I was listening for him to tell us the answer, because I consider it to be a very simple answer indeed. Then it was stated that the answer to "what it means to be saved" is laid out in an eight CD set that can be acquired from him.  

While I'm sure the there are lots of great verses and observations in this rather large CD set, to me the simple answer is just this:

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Romans 10:13

"You must be born again." John 3:7

There it is! One calls on the name of the Lord Jesus; Jesus enters into their spirit (John 3:6 & 1 Cor 6:17) and they are born again with a new life of sonship.

So what am I missing . . . is this not as simple as can be?  

Sure why not. Some love to really break down each word, verse. What you said does remind me of a song by Chris Christian "Back to the bible "and part said

"We got to get back to the Bible
Biographies of preachers
How to be born, to live, to die
Seven steps to the Holy Spirit
It's easy if you try
Well, many books
Are seasoned with Scriptures
But one thing I've never heard
Is a pamphlet, a bio, or a paperback
Mentioned in the Word