Posts Tagged ‘salvation’
I have had sex without being married, and I’m scared that I will go to hell because of it. What can I do?
Question: I had sex with eight different girls at different times when I was between 15 and 17. I was blind to God. By that I mean I believed that He existed, but just recently I realized, “Wow, I’m doing bad.” I didn’t know what were sins. Then I had sex with a girl that…
Read MoreWhy do I feel like I don’t deserve to be cleansed?
Question: I was baptized as a baby in the church and have always been a Christian, but I have not been actively involved in fellowship as much as I’d like to be. My husband and I engaged in sexual acts (not intercourse) before marriage which I know are wrong. I have asked God for forgiveness…
Read MoreHow is it possible to fall from grace if you can’t lose your salvation?
Question: I have visited your web site and couldn’t find the answer I was looking for. There is one verse in particular which I have a hard time reconciling with the rest of Scripture. I know that you can’t lose your salvation (John 10:27-29), but how is it possible to “fall” from grace? There are…
Read MoreMust a woman bear children to be saved?
Question: Would someone give a clear answer as to the meaning of I Timothy 2:15 which agrees with other clear passages such as John 3:16-17; Hebrews 2:9; I Timothy 2:1-4; II Peter 3;9; Acts 17:30-31; Mark 16:15-16, etc., all of which indicate God’s desire for every soul to be saved. Some would make this passage…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be converted and become like children?
Question: Would you please elaborate on what it means to be “converted and become like children” as stated in Matthew 18:1-4? Answer: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,…
Read MoreThe Grace of God that Brings Salvation
by Irvin Himmel via Truth Magazine, December 1973 Nothing is more clearly revealed in the Scriptures than our dependence on God’s grace for redemption. Paul said to the saints in Ephesus, “by grace are ye saved” (Ephesians 2:5). Everyone who is permitted to enter heaven will be there by grace. Today there are teachers, even in…
Read MoreCould a murderer of innocent children go to heaven?
Question: Do you feel that the man who shot and killed those little girls the other day in Pennsylvania has any possibility of spending eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ? He did say that he wanted them to pray for Him at one point in his rampage. Please be specific here if you can? Answer:…
Read MoreIf I am not a follower of God, am I an enemy of God?
Question: If I am not a follower of God, am I an enemy of God? What constitutes an enemy of God? Answer: Jesus stated, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matthew 12:30). The stand of God is of such a nature that…
Read MoreCan anyone be forgiven?
Question: Tell me if this is correct: No matter what sin you commit, even if someone had sold their soul to the devil, they could be forgiven for this or any other act no matter what? On the terms that they repent and ask forgiveness, could they still go to heaven? Answer: The potential forgiveness…
Read MoreCan you be saved without confessing with your mouth?
Question: Can anyone be saved without speaking (confessing) with their mouth? Answer: “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God…
Read MoreIs a saved person still saved after stumbling?
Question: If a person is saved and then stumbles, are they considered a saved person? Answer: “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a…
Read MoreRedemption in Prophecy
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 24:44-48 I. The primary purpose of a prophet was to teach God’s word to people A. Without a revelation of God’s intention, mankind would be lost, for God doesn’t see the world the way man does – Isaiah 55:8-9 B. Thus, God explained His actions, His goals, and His requirements to…
Read MoreAs Long as I Love …
by Keven A. Sulc via The Berean, Vol. 5, No. 6, August 1996 There are many concepts and beliefs that are held regarding salvation. We must never just accept something because it is commonly accepted or taught by religious teachers but see what the Scriptures say lest we be deceived. Let us examine the concept of…
Read MoreWould an atheist be saved if he did good deeds during his life?
Question: If an atheist has always done good deeds during his life (abided by God´s rules preached by all religions), where would God (if there is any) allocate him after his death — heaven or hell? I personally believe that God, being so gracious as we have been told, will place him in heaven as…
Read MoreAre You a Born Again Christian?
by Steve Dewhirst What other kind of Christian is there? Jesus told the night-visitor Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When Nicodemus expressed his puzzlement, the Lord explained, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:3-5). This rebirth…
Read MoreMust a couple, previously married, separate after they are baptized?
Question: If a couple consists of two divorced individuals, and they are converted to Christ and are baptized, do they need to separate? Answer: This question leaves out too much to answer well. For example, you did not mention whether the individuals had a right to remarry. The Bible speaks of divorced people who have…
Read MoreThe Role of Obedience in Salvation
by Jack Holt Obedience is an obligation each human being sustains to God. This is so because God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, and we are his creatures. Beyond the fact that God is Creator and Ruler, love places us under a moral obligation to obey. As creatures with moral ability love…
Read MoreHow Salvation Comes to Man
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:1-6 I. Matthew 7:6 A. We don’t often think about whom we talk to about the gospel, but not everyone will be receptive to the message. B. Jesus is basically saying don’t waste your time. Not only will the message be rejected but the messenger will also be attacked. C. But consider…
Read MoreThe Mormon Plan of Salvation
by Dudley Ross Spears When Mormon authorities talk about salvation it is imperative that what they teach be understood in terms of Mormon Doctrine. It is quite easy to be misled by what they have to say about salvation due to a failure to understand what fundamental Mormon doctrine teaches. As you will see as…
Read MoreHow can I make sure I’m not doing anything wrong?
Question: I think I feel a lot better after our discussion and it’s appreciated. Any other advice you can give is appreciated. I just want to make sure I am not doing anything wrong. I try every day to live like Jesus, but like probably everyone else I find it extremely difficult. Answer: I’m going to ask…
Read MoreIsn’t justification by faith alone?
Question: Isn’t justification by faith alone? Answer: It is common for people to approach the Scriptures with blinders on, seeking to prove their point by selective use of passages from the Bible. I find it amazing that when I state that justification is not by faith alone that people turn this around and claim that I’m…
Read MoreDo members of the church of Christ believe they are the only ones going to heaven?
Question: Does the church of Christ believe they’re the only ones going to heaven? My brother married someone that goes to a church that’s a hard-core church of Christ. He’s going nuts. He will hardly look at my family and argues all the time about baptism before salvation. He has given up on the family…
Read MoreCan anyone be saved who wants to be saved?
Question: Would you say that anyone who wants to be saved, or chooses to repent, will be saved? Is there a Bible passage, or multiple passages you can point me to about that? Answer: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but…
Read MoreAre Christians predestined to go to heaven?
Question: I was looking at your website and it is very informative. Will you please answer the following question? Are Christians predestined to go to heaven? Answer: See: The articles “Can I Lose My Way to Heaven?” and “Predetermined Destiny.” And also the sermon “Being a Christian Will Not Save You.”
Read MoreHow were the Patriarchs saved?
Question: How are those in the patriarch times saved if there was no hope for them? Was it because of Jesus’ death that all (who tried to live good unto God) were saved before Moses and the Ten Commandments? Please explain. Answer: “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by…
Read MoreIs the Lord’s Supper useless if we are saved before partaking of it?
Question: If we are saved before partaking the Lord’s Supper then partaking of the Lord’s Supper is useless. Do you agree? a. If one has received the gift of the Holy Spirit, they have the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). b. Cornelius received the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 10:45 before he was…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between water and the blood of Jesus?
Question: What is the difference between water and the blood of Jesus? Answer: The shed blood of Jesus is the reason mankind has a hope of salvation. It paid the price necessary to purchase us back from the debt we incurred by our own sins. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness…
Read MoreIs it too simple to say we are to believe and we will be saved by God’s grace?
Question: I’m concerned that purgatory does not exist in the Bible. I believe that imaginary doctrine can be changed, as has the belief of Limbo, with innocent newborn babies, who have died prior to baptism, no longer going to Limbo. I always thought that God has told us to believe in Him and we will…
Read MoreIs a person condemned if others hate him?
Question: Is it really possible that a person is condemned to hell if people fight with him or still hate him after an incident that he is perhaps sorry about but has no courage to talk about it? He would think he has nothing against his past friends in his heart. I don’t think that…
Read MoreThey Gladly Received His Word
by Larry Ray Hafley Truth Magazine, Vol. 50, No. 2, Jan. 19, 2006. Larry Lester Roloff said that when they “gladly received the Word” (Acts 2) that meant they were saved because no sinner would do such! I am wondering why we did not think of that. Reply: If the fact that, before they were…
Read MoreRemember the Duck
Author Unknown There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting discouraged, he headed back inside for lunch. As he was walking back, he saw his grandmother’s pet…
Read MoreI believe that once we are saved, nothing can cause us to lose our salvation
Question: Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,…
Read MoreCan you repent from your sins right before you die and still go to heaven?
Question: Can you repent from your sins right before you die and still go to heaven? Answer: Perhaps in theory, but it would be difficult to accomplish since we generally do not know when we will die. “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend…
Read MoreWhat needs to happen if I want to be saved?
Question: I’m a person that’s interested in Christ. I walk into your church… I hear your message and decide I no longer want to live this life, nor risk not going to heaven. Assuming there’s an altar call or an invitation or whatever you call it; I walk up, then what? Please tell me what happens next,…
Read MoreThe Greatest Question
by Foy E. Wallace, Jr. The question of all questions is “What think ye of the Christ?” What one thinks of Christ determines his thoughts and actions on every question. The correctness of faith depends on the correct answer to the superlative question “What think ye of Christ?” The question of how and when one…
Read MoreWhy would those who never heard the gospel be lost?
Question: Isn’t it true that the Bible says the following: Go into all of the world and preach the gospel. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved and he that (after hearing the Gospel) does not believe will be damned. Now, what conclusions can we logically deduce from that? I studied logic in…
Read MoreThe Deadly Danger of Indecision
by Thomas Thornhill If someone were to ask me what is the most discouraging thing I have encountered as a preacher I would reply, “The deadly danger of indecision.” Not only preachers but any person who has spent time trying to teach the word of God to a lost soul knows just what I am…
Read MoreSaving Our Own
by Connie W. Adams Over the years brethren have asked me a question which has always amazed me. Upon returning from a gospel meeting and reporting that so many obeyed the gospel, someone has been sure to ask “Were they just all young people?” Or “Were they just children of Christians?” Just young people? Just…
Read MoreWhat is God’s plan of salvation and eternal life?
Question: What is God’s plan of salvation and eternal life? Answer: This is similar to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Clicking on that question will give you a good introduction to the subject. For further details, see the Notes on Salvation. This gives numerous verses dealing with God’s plan for saving…
Read MoreThe Living Redeemer (Hamilton)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton When we find ourselves in difficult situations, most of us turn to our families to help extract us out of our tight spot. Such aid between family members is expected by God. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied…
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