Discuss Matthew 10 Page 9

Hello, if we have no free will, what is the purpose of evangelism? If we have no free will what is the purpose of the gospel? If we have no free will, what is the purpose of following Jesus? Did you have freewill to write your question or did something force you to? Did it force you onto this website and are you a prisoner? When you brush your teeth is a force making you do that?

That's an interesting concept that we have no freewill, but it just seems to fall apart quickly with pure logic. Adam and Eve were given an choice and disobeyed God and received a punishment. Today we are given choices of whether to do good or evil and then are judged after this life according to what we have done. Romans 2:6. If there was no free will, why would anyone be judged?

I believe a movement in our society is against Christianity and they like to claim that we're only clumps of cells and that morality is only relative and that we have no choice when we do wrong. It just seems like a lazy way to rationalize committing sin and defying God. The word says to fear God who can send you to hell. Matthew 10:28. Obviously, if there was zero free will or choice then we wouldn't be continually warned to obey, avoid sin, follow Jesus. No freewill would mean everything is a charade and is meaningless. Obviously that idea is a lie and we do have freewill. I choose to respond vs not respond to this question out of my own freewill and hope to help others and help spread truth to replace lies. God bless...

This page might have more related verses.

Link

Basic Distinctions between Prophecy and the Mystery (C.R. Stam) - continued:

8) Prophecy mainly concerns nations as such ( Isaiah 2:4; Ezekiel 37:21-22)

Rightly Divided ( 2 Timothy 2:15) From "Things That DIFFER!":

8) The Mystery Concerns individuals ( Romans 10:12-13; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17)

9) Prophecy concerns blessings, both material and spiritual, on earth ( Isaiah 2:3-4; Isaiah 11:1-9; etc.)

RDf

9) The Mystery Concerns "all spiritual blessings in The Heavenlies" ( Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 3:1-3)

10) Prophecy concerns Christ's Coming to the earth ( Isaiah 59:20; Zechariah 14:4)

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10) The Mystery Explains Christ's absence from the earth ( Ephesians 1:20-24; Colossians 3:1-3)

11) In prophecy, salvation by Grace through faith alone is not contemplated ( Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 23:1-3; Luke 7:29-30; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; James 2:17)

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11) Salvation "By GRACE Through faith" Alone lies at The Very Heart Of The Mystery! ( Romans 3:21-26; Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9)

12) The proclamation of the prophetic program committed particularly to the twelve ( Matthew 10:5-7; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 3:19-26)

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12) The proclamation of The Mystery program committed particularly to Paul ( Ephesians 3:1-3; Ephesians 3:8-9; Colossians 1:24-27)

13) The prophetic program revealed through many of God's servants Luke 1:70; 2 Peter 1:21)

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13) The Mystery revealed through one man: Paul! ( Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:11-12; Galatians 2:2; Galatians 2:7; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:2-3)

14) Old Testament writers frequently did not understand the prophecies made through them ( Daniel 12:8-10; 1 Peter 1:10-12)

RDf

14) Paul Both understood And longed that others might understand The Mystery revealed through him ( Ephesians 1:15-23; Ephesians 3:14-21; Colossians 1:9-10; Colossians 2:1-3)

{borrowed from "Things That Differ" by C.R. Stam}

Precious friend, Susan. Thanks for your response. You do realize this was for the Twelve 'apostles,' to 'the lost sheep of the house of Israel,' Correct?:

"These TWELVE Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to THE LOST SHEEP of the house of ISRAEL.And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." ( Matthew 10:5-8)

Please Be Richly Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, and Edified! ( 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:3-9; Ephesians 3:9 = Grace/Mystery fellowship, today?)

Brother Paul,

I'm sorry, and I understand how you feel, but - We don't get a choice to "sleep for eternity".

The choices are:

1. Go to heaven.

2. Suffer for eternity in hell.

We don't get to make the rules regarding this. God is the creator and makes the rules for His Kingdom. You better believe HE will control who gets to enter the Kingdom!

You can see what kind of conditions we get when man makes the rules, look at the shape that this earth/world is in currently, and it's not getting any better.

God has left man to his own devices to show us that WE CAN"T get it RIGHT!

A wise person will fear God, and repent!

Matthew 10:28

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

God Bless and Happy Sabbath Day!

Yes, the Bible says few people will go to heaven and many will go to hell. Since 2/3 or more of the earth believe in God, not all who believe in God will go to heaven. I believe some will assume they are Christians and will assume they'll go to heaven, but will be very disappointed when they don't make it in. The reason I believe this is Matthew 7:21. Matthew 7:13-14 says narrow is the way that leads to life and few will find it. Few. Of course we don't earn salvation by works, but genuine Christians should have good works as a fruit. If not, how are they different than satan, who also believes in God and Jesus. I believe some people can feel assurance in their salvation, but I think most have a false sense of security. Obviously if "few" people are saved, and "most" believe, then some people's standards aren't inline with God's standards for salvation and most should absolutely be concerned. Matthew 10:28 - Jesus warned Christians (His literal followers) to fear the one who can send them to hell. So, it is my opinion that some need to fear God more and have a false sense of security as if they have a pass to commit unlimited sin and follow the world, including satan. The Bible says most will not enter heaven. I think most dost don't take following Jesus very seriously. Also beware of false teachings, like one commenter even in this thread who falsely claims eveyone is going to heaven, despite Jesus saying the opposite. Trust Jesus over man's lies and false teaching. God bless...

Righteous Judgment

** John 7:24 **

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

2 Thessalonians 1:5

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

Romans 2:5

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

1 John 3:7

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

Ezekiel 3:21

Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Matthew 10:41

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

Matthew 23:28

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

John 5:22

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Once I got busted by Jesus for judging. We were street ministering; and all the Catholics would drive by the Catholic Church, tip their beers and holler out the priests names. honk the horn at us :/

The Holy Spirit leaned on me and said quietly but no nonsense..DO NOT JUDGE !

All you can do is fall down and say YESSIR!!!

Jesus, Israel's Messiah, was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, not to the Gentiles. "But he [Jesus] answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 15:24 Jesus commanded His apostles to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel with the gospel of the kingdom and not to the Samaritans or the Gentiles. "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 10:5-7. When Jesus was on earth, Paul says that He ministered to the circumcision, the Jews, and not to the Samaritans or to the Gentiles. "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:" Romans 15:8. You are mixing Paul's gospel of grace through faith with the gospel of the kingdom that Jesus and the twelve ministered to the circumcision.

This was the same problem that Paul addressed before the counsel in Jerusalem ( Acts 15) and in his letter to the Galatians. Paul said that if anybody, including angels, preached a gospel different from the gospel that he taught the Galatians, which is the gospel of grace through faith, let him be accursed, i.e., excommunicated from the faithful in the church.

Finally, Christians should heed Miles Coverdale's advice when studying Scripture:

"It shall greatly help ye to understand the Scriptures if thou mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goeth before and what followeth after."

May the Lord Jesus Christ grant you mercy and renew your mind so that you can accept reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Amen.

Precious friend, IMKane: "Paul seems to be saying there were TWO gospels." Yes, Biblically Correct! Note the following 'Dispensational' Differences Between God's TWO Gospels:

Part I Gospel of the kingdom =

Gospel of the circumcision ( Galatians 2:7; Acts 3:25-26; Genesis 17:9-14)

Preached by John, Jesus, and the 12 ( Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 10:5-8)

The Prophecy Program for the Jews ( Luke 1:32-33; Luke 3:19-26; Daniel 2:44; James 1:1)

Preaching of The Cross as historical ( Acts 2:23,36; Acts 3:14-15; Acts 5:30)

Gospel to be believed = Christ's Name ( Matthew 16:16; John 20:31; 1 John 5:13)

Salvation by faith and water baptism ( Mark 1-4; Mark 16:16; Luke 7:29-30; Acts 2:38)

Justification without works is dead ( James 2:17; James 2:20; James 2:24; James 2:26)

Repentance emphasized along with faith ( Mark 1:15; Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19)

Reconciliation not mentioned.

Covers Matthew - Acts 8, then Tribulation ( Acts 3:19-21; Acts 8:12; Matthew 24:14)

Under The Law ( Matthew 5:17; Matthew 8:4; Matthew 23:2-3)

Good works will follow salvation ( Matthew 7:15-20; 1 John 2:3-5; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7,10)

Rightly Divided From ( 2 Timothy 2:15) From "Things That DIFFER!":

Gospel Of GRACE

to be continued...

In Matthew 15:24, Jesus said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." In Matthew 10:5-6 Jesus commanded the twelve, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Why was Jesus sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and not to the Samaritans or the Gentiles? And why did He command His apostles to preach the gospel only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and not to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans?

Hello Jesse,

Thanks for sharing that. Since you feel that way then it doesn't sound productive to continue discussing such things then. I think any conversation should be edifying and mutually beneficial.

I'm not familiar with a past discussion you are referring to. It's possible I forgot or maybe it was a different person. I've seen others posting using the same name before, which with a common name I figured may periodically happen.

It sounded like you characterized my comments as quite negative. That's hard to hear that as I've spent many hours helping people find Bible-based answers to their questions in the Word, researching and sharing Bible verses, and defending Christ against attacks and false teachings.

What you shared about me sounds negative, but I have seen plenty of others have a positive response. Jesus is worth defending. He's worth even being persecuted for or risking being unpopular over. The Bible and the truth is worth defending. Satan is real and he does deceive. I am in prayer for wisdom for when it's appropriate to defend against false teaching and when to refrain. Where we spend eternity is a big deal, we are close to the end times, and its apparent that many Christians instead of following Jesus are following the world. Some aren't taking this seriously. Verses like Matthew 10:28 should be shared, especially when prompted by the holy spirit. Praying for wisdom and understanding of the Word is important.

God bless...

Hi Rick.

Division between non believers is expected, That's what truth does,

Matthew 10:34-37.Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

But amongst the Brothern you're bonded together by Love, It's the spirit that causes this, "By this WE KNOW that he's in us and we in him, When one hates the Brothern, then the spirit is not in him, and if you have not the Spirit of Christ then you are none of his. There are people that claims to be Christian that absolutely "HATES" people who don't hold there views.

And that's because they're void of the spirit that produces this precious fruit.

1 John 4:20-21. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God ( LOVE HIS BROTHER ALSO.) "Do you notice it don't say "SHOULD" love his brother? No. It says Love his brother. this is equity! Not a command but a reaction CAUSED by the Spirit.

Perhaps by this "HATE" you can tell who's on the wrong side of the argument.

God bless.

Hi Jesse, thank you for your detailed response. You logically laid out your belief and thought process behind it. I have a different view of course.

Regarding what you call a "Bema seat". Many Christians don't call it that. Since the word isn't in the Bible, I prefer using the terminology the Bible already uses: Judgment. And I believe there's only 1 Judgment for all just like the verse says. I think the interpretation of the 2 different judgments is based on a misunderstanding of scripture and believe it is simple describing the same event in different ways. Revelation is a symbolic book with much of it based on an amazing vision and described in limited human terms. The evidence of the judgment being for all, is it says the book of life was there and open. If the whole judgment was to send everyone to hell, then why would the book of life be there and specifically mentioned and why would there even be a judgment if its already known that everyone there is going to hell anyway, unless you believe levels of punishment in hell. That would sure be a depressing line to be in.

Matthew 7:21 - people who said they knew the Lord and expected to get into heaven will not get into heaven. To me this means some Christians will not make it. They will believe they are Christ-followers, but Christ does not know them.

Matthew 10:28 - Jesus says to his 12 disciples, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

Why would Christians (literal Christ followers) be told by Jesus to fear God and judgment if it wasn't true? Do you think Jesus meant to say 'And you are already saved no matter what, so just do whatever, because to do anything is 'human effort' and is bad, and to do nothing is good.' No, Jesus didn't say that. Huge difference.

The Bible says faith without works is dead. And Jesus said if you love me then obey His commandments.

Brother Earl,

According to Jesus, the Body and Soul are NOT the same.

Jesus speaks directly about this below.

Matthew 10:28

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

God Bless

In Matthew 10:32 what does it mean when it says "only in the name of a disciple?"

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 - When a man hath taken a wife and married her, and it comes to pass that she find no favor in his eyes because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. The bible does say that in Christ

all sins are forgiven except for blasfem

If you marry and divorce. Then marry another person and divorce. Can you go back to your first husband? And is that sin?

It is possible that Gog is Russia but not exactly. If one follows the linage of Japheth you will find that Japheth begat Magog. Here is the mystery. Magog and I believe Gomer settled in what is now the Caucasus (Caucasian) mountains on the southern tip of Russia. And there is a lot of evidence that it was Magog via his family including his father, that are responsible for the concept and lineage of the Arian group of people. Also don't forget that Gomer, Japheth's brother begat Ashkenaz as in Ashkenazi Jews... You know them by their fruits and Jesus refers to them often ("...and I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan") .There is also pretty solid information that this was the origin of the Jesuits as well who have taken over most all nations. It is written that this family was so powerful it literally took over Europe and the Americas. Like it or not, this is the family who had originated the concept and the practice of white superiority. At present this bloodline is the most powerful of elitists in the world. So, is God/Magog really Russia? I don't think so. It comprises most, if not all, the elitists of the present day world, yes including Putin. And as you see from events in the Middle East, especially, the persecution of Israel, this is a coordinated effort brought forth from the 10 horns, the EU - Maygog. I would be more concerned about the "dragon kings of the east" as explained in 2 Esdras 15:29, who team with Elam (Iran) to attack Israel which will spill the world into war and make ripe the revealing of the Antichrist. As you may have noticed recently, China and Iran have entered into a 25 year pact touted as a economic agreement, but there's more, that I am sure of. "Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known." Matthew 10:26.

Pamela - We are all called, but few are CHOSEN, Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. Revelation 2:10 be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou FAITHFUL unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

And they that are with him are called-chosen-faithful, it will take every word not just what we prefer.

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are CALLED, and CHOSEN, and FAITHFUL.

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Joanne David

The lost sheep of Israel ( Jeremiah 50:6)

Jesus came to fulfill the law, the first covenant, flesh had to live a sinless life under the law of Moses given by God before it was considered an executed contract (fulfilled). The prophets, all prophecy pointing to the coming of their Messiah had to be fulfilled. These two things had to be completed before God could make a new covenant. The first covenant was made with the house of Israel and the second was offered to the house of Israel first but they rejected Jesus as their Messiah.

We see in ( Matthew 10:5-8) that Jesus told the twelve, to go only to the house of Israel and not to go by the way of Gentiles. God even told them when the Messiah would come, ( Daniel 9:25) and in ( Ezekiel 34:23-24) they were told a Shepard was coming. but they did not want to give up their authority and wealth they were enjoying, meaning the Sadducees and Pharisees.



Even when Jesus was born, they heard that it was in Bethlehem they were troubled ( Matthew 2:3) they did not even want to go see if it was their King/Messiah. We see in Acts when they totally said they reject Jesus and the new covenant, when they killed Stephen.

Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,



The Apostles continued to confirm the new covenant to the house of Israel until Peter had his dream and Paul was converted and what God told Abraham came to be, and the mystery was revealed and confirming to the house of Israel stopped. The branch was broken off so we may be grafted in.

Genesis 18:18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

God bless,

RLW

Oseas, thanks for sharing your scripture and your interpretation of it. Yes, I read the scripture and believe it, but it does not say Eve had sex with satan. It is absolutely not there and not even close in my opinion.

It appears your primary source from which you hinge your theory is Jude 1:6-7. I encourage you to search 'What is the strange flesh in Jude 1:7?' on GotQuestions website. They did a thorough breakdown of this which I agree with.

I think the strange flesh in verse 7 is the unnatural homosexual behavior that took place within Sodom and Gomorrah, not relations with angels. Of course there was a visit from 2 angels there that the men wanted to have relations with, but they didn't know they were angels. Genesis 6:2-4. HEBREWS 13:2.

Secondly, the example of Jude 1:4-7 points out that God will punish those who disobey and deviate from God's plan for them.

Third, yes, the Bible has metaphors. Example: John 6:56. Eat flesh and drink blood. Have you literally given into cannibalism and eaten Jesus? And is that what it means? No, it's a metaphor. The bread symbolized it. Isaiah 64:8 - are you literally clay? Ezekiel 34:31 - are we a flock of sheep? Here's a simile: Matthew 10:16. 'as' sheep, 'as' serpents, 'as' wolves, which explains it's symbolic. So, when Jesus or God called humans satan were they actually satan or acting like satan? Jesus called Peter satan: Matthew 4:1. So, does that mean Peter was acting like satan or WAS satan? If he literally was satan why then did Jesus forgive him? Peter said he loved Jesus 3 times. Does satan love Jesus?

The other 2 verses you posted seem to serve confirmation bias for your theory, as they are general and are only used to reinforce the original misinterpretation.

God bless...

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Ezekiel 18:4

"Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."

Soul definition: the soul is our humanity that makes us feel emotions The spirit is our deeper connection with the Lord when we believe in God and RECEIVE Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

This is a question that is not easy to point out in our everyday Christian lives. While it is not so difficult to distinguish the body from the spirit and the soul; it is particularly difficult to distinguish the soul from the spirit. How are they different?

There are a few places in the Bible where the body, soul, and spirit are mentioned

1 Thessalonians 5:23, Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are composed of three parts. It is easy to distinguish the body as physical (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch). The spirit and soul are much more difficult because they seem similar, but are actually very different.

They have different functions in our lives as Christians in Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Matthew 10:28:And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

The soul is basically our mind, our emotions, and our will. It is who we are as human beings. It is also used to express God. As written in Luke 1:46-47, Mary said: My SOUL glorifies the Lord and my SPIRIT rejoices in God my Savior."

The function of the spirit is spiritual. The spirit is the only way to connect with God, and we can only use the spirit if we are born again, and receive The Holy Spirit through our Lord Jesus Christ's salvation.

Brother Michael,

This life is short, and will end in the blink of an eye. The next life will be forever.

Jesus explains why we should fear God in the scripture below:

Matthew 10:28

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

Happy Sabbath and God Bless!

Jesus was talking to people who were Jews.

After he died, and God raised Him from the dead, and He now sits at the right hand of the father- do these rules not apply to "Christians"?

It seems to me that all these rules were for the 12 disciples only, at that point in time.

Not for every "believer" since then, for all time.

Example:

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Is this why "Christians" who are being persecuted keep their mouths shut??

Is this why those "christians" that were beheaded by Islamics kept their mouths shut? Were they waiting for God to speak through them??

Hi Joyce,

Your question was if some people believe that. You probably already know the answer is yes. But maybe your real question is it a requirement to be baptized to enter heaven? If that is your question I have a response.

My main question is why wouldn't you want to be baptized? What's the real reason for wanting to disobey Jesus? If someone is looking to only do the bare minimum in order to "make it to heaven", one might wonder if that person is a real Christian. God wants all of us- to love the Lord with all our heart, all our mind, all our strength. If someone is mostly interested in following the world, but wants to just cut corners and do whatever they assume is the bare minimum, I personally would not feel much assurance of salvation. Jesus clearly said to be baptized, so if someone disregards Jesus's words, it seems like slapping him in his face, as that person thinks they know better than Jesus.

Here's the verse where Jesus says to be baptized: Mark 16:16

Acts 2:38 clearly says to be baptized also. If it wasn't important, they wouldn't have said to do it, but they did say to do it. So, aside from a physical disability, if someone doesn't want to do it for whatever reason, is following Jesus very important to them? It reveals someone's priorities. Matthew 6:21 - All will be judged fairly and I think some will be surprised on judgment day: Matthew 10:33. God bless...

Jesse,

That's great to hear. Please do not fall for the lie that reciting a prayer will somehow grant you salvation. PLEASE study your bible and find a church who teaches what you learned, if what they teach cannot be found in the bible find a new church. To help you on your journey of learning "What must I do to be saved" please start with the following: We must hear him Matthew 7:25-25, We must believe in him John 6:47, We must confess him Matthew 10:32, We must repent or our sins Luke 13:3, We must be baptized Mark 16:16 & we must remain faithful Mathew 24:13. God bless!!!

Dear Shannon,

I would strongly suggest just reading the Bible with an open heart and mind and pray to God for wisdom and understanding. Seek and ye shall find. I think God wants to be sought so we may know Him.

I would also be very cautious of everything man says and would pretty much disregard this. If you just stay in God's Word and keep at it truly seeking Him and following Jesus, I think you're on the right track.

Let me share you a template response that anytime I hear sets off alarms to me. "You don't really don't have to _____" for example "You don't have to do __________ to be saved." Just fill in the blank, it almost doesn't even matter what people say when I hear this blank filled, because it just seems to all fit the same format. If I imagine a serpent whispering it to me and it makes it even more scary. If the Bible says one thing, but man says you don't have to do it, I tend to not believe man. I also question the motives: what is the real underlying reason for not wanting to do this or that?

Is the goal to do the absolute bare minimum as a Christian in attempt to 'get in' to heaven? If so, that person's motives are seriously in question. I don't think God wants your bare minimum effort, but all of you. The greatest commandment is to love God with ALL your heart and ALL your soul. Is someone truly doing that if they're always looking to do only the bare minimum luke-warm effort? Maybe their heart isn't even on following Jesus, but the sin of the world as his idol, but assumes he's a saved Christian because someone told him that once. I think for that person this verse is applicable: Matthew 10:28

God bless....

Hey Edward

You may be thinking of when Jesus was warning his disciples of what they personally would have to face. What the Pharisees and Sadducees would do to them because of their rejection of their Messiah.

Matthew 10:21-22 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mark 13:11-13 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

In many places, it is close to that today. Love is diminishing daily.

RLW

Brother Earl,

I really don't want to go back and fourth about this with you as I know you have your own beliefs.

The one thing that is making me post is this in your comment "therefore the ones that believe this are calling God a LIAR." With all humility and humbleness I beg you please do not write things like this. This is FALSE! I also believe in a "Heaven" and a "hell"(weather gehenna, hades, outer darkness, or the lake of fire).

A place for the wicked that Jesus Christ preached about many times. Telling us to "fear God who can destroy both body and SOUL in gehenna." Matthew 10:28. Also stating in Matthew 25:46 "everlasting (punishment)" The same Greek word used for "eternal (life)".

Also I will bring up what I've read in 1 Enoch. How all shall come before "the Son of Man(Christ)" on His throne and worship Him and beg for His mercy. Though they will nor receive it. Just because all shall worship the Lord one day does not mean all shall be saved. That is up to God alone who shall be saved and receive mercy. God's ways, thoughts, ability, wisdom, is so far beyond us we cannot comprehend.

We are to fear God as is taught in the Old and New Testaments. This is the beginning of wisdom, to depart from evil/sin, serve Him with a pure heart and fervently love Him.

Please my brother. Do not say we who believe in "hell" are calling God a liar as that breaks my heart. I would never say that to any other brother or sister in Christ. Just as you have Scriptures to uphold your "belief" or "interpretation" so we also have Scriptures that plainly say "hell" is a place we don't want to go.

I will end with the most important thing as there will always be different views. May we all focus on the ways of Jesus Christ our Lord following Him to do the Will of our Father in Heaven. With a pure heart producing good fruit in the Spirit loving one another. Putting all our faith and trust in the Lord.

I won't fill the page with verses. This was from the heart.

God Bless.