Ok, this question may be opening up a can of worms. Cindy, if you delete this post I will not be offended. I don’t know if I might be starting an argument, but this is the only group of people I know to ask.
I am curious about the terms ‘baptised’, ‘saved’, and ‘born again’. I have thought at different times that they all meant the same thing, but the more I hear these terms used I am not sure. Is there a difference, and what is it? or do all of these terms mean the same thing?
I was raised ______ and was baptised, but they didn’t use those terms. They didn’t even really talk about baptism, it was something that parents had done to their infant children and just wasn’t talked about that much. I heard the terms ‘born again’ and ‘saved’ at school occasionally, but never thought anything of them. I always thought it was the same thing. But now I am hearing those terms a lot and I am starting to wonder.
Annie
Good morning!
Real quick, I wanted to answer your question. I am not going to load this up with Scripture. If you need more help with this, I am MORE than happy to help you with all of the Scriptural background. Just answering from my heart is LONG, LONG, LONG. But, I am very happy to flesh it out with Scripture too. đ
I really try hard to not be offensive to any denominations. So, please know ahead of time that I am only sharing what we believe in order to help. You guys are more than welcome to share what you believe. I truly believe that at minimum, it will get you all digging into what the Bible REALLY says. At maximum, it can be ETERNALLY life-changing. That is my deepest, biggest, number one prayer request! I want to see you all ETERNALLY changed for life. I want to see ALL of you with me in heaven.
That brings me to my answer.
Plain and simple, away from all of the jargonâŚ.
Scripture is a beautiful unfolding of Godâs amazing plan to bridge the gap between man and Himself. We read about that gap which was created in Genesis 3. It occurred because man and woman chose to sin. Sin separates us from God. There is NO OTHER WAY to bridge that gap than to believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does belief in the Name of Jesus Christ mean? He is the ONLY WAY to be saved from eternal death and be born again free from sin. He was the sinless one. The only human after Adam and Eve who lived without sin. Scripture records that He had all of the temptations, tendencies, and the ability to sin. Yet, He chose to look to the mark, the purpose He lived forâthat you and I could be reconciled to God from that gulf that separates us.
I love, love, love studying the Bible. The Bible shows us from Genesis to Revelation this beautiful love story of how God has provided for our sin to be paid for. You see our sin takes us into bondage. You have probably felt it. It makes us a slave. In sin, you can try your very best. You can do all that you have power to do. Yet, in sin, you are a slave and cannot change your life. You have no power over sin. Bondage to sin requires that a ransom be paid to for you and me to be set free from the bondage of sin and death. From the foundation of the earth, God planned to ransom us and set us free from the bondage of sin and death.
I love how the story unfolds. In the Old Testament, we see God institute the law. The law had a purpose. It was two-fold. First, to show us that we are sinners and how we fall short from Godâs glory. Secondly, to point the way and show us that Jesus WAS the Messiah, the One Who could ransom us from sin and death because HE fulfilled ALL of the requirements of the law and therefore could be our Saviour. Of course, that did not JUST HAPPEN. He had to GIVE HIS LIFE for ours.
There are so many themes that you can study along this line. It is simply beautiful! Simply amazing. I never tire of studying it! Of course, to answer your questions, I am going to stick to the theme of WHAT THIS DOES and WHAT DO YOU DO?
First, of allâŚin Scripture, we see that blood has to be shed for the remission of sinsâto purify sins. In the Old Covenant (Old Testament), blood had to be shed each year for the remission of sins (Hebrews 10). A person had to go to the Tabernacle or Temple with their very best sacrifice and the priest would sacrifice it for their sins. Amazing experience! Hebrews teaches us the significance of this and how Jesus Christ fulfilled the law completely, once for all of us. We have a New Covenant, a better covenant. (Hebrews 10: 11-39)
Christ came and lived a sinless, perfect life. That is not where it stops. He also willingly gave up His life–paid the price to ransom us from sin by dying on the cross and giving His life for us. He shed His blood as our sacrifice. All we have to do be saved or born again is to believe in HIM and accept His sacrifice for our sins. The beautiful thing, when we do, we are covered by His blood, baptized in Him, and we become a new creation! We are born again into His family, with full rights as a child of God. We are free from the chains of sin! Sin loses its power! The curse of sin is broken in our lives! The gap between us and God is bridged! Just by believing, nothing else. No other works!
That brings me to your question about baptismâŚ
There are many, many beliefs about baptism. Many do not even realize that baptism goes back to the Old Covenant, when the priests were commanded to prepare to minister through their âsacrificial bath.â Again, this was every year. This was their preparation to minister before God to His people. Very significant when we look at why we are to be baptizedâstick with me.
When John comes on the scene, he creates a stir because he calls people to repentance and to be baptized. This is beautiful!
First, there are two baptismsâone is the baptism in your heart as you believe in Jesus:
Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God. (Col. 2:12)
Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Rom. 6:3-5)
The second baptism is our water baptism as an outward confession to the world of our salvation AND as our first step into ministering to the world (our first step of obedience as a Christian). All that water baptism does is symbolize to the world what has gone on inside of us. It is an act of obedience declaring to the world our salvation. It is the first step of obedience in sharing our faith with the world as a minister to the world.
John declares that the baptism by water does not save, it symbolizes our repentance for our sins (that we have turned from our sins and our sinful lives apart from Christ). Baptism by water does not save, rather we can all be saved by believing in Jesus, the Lamb of God. The baptism of water symbolizes the baptism that has taken place in the soulâa spiritual work inside of us. It is an outward confession of an inward change. It is also a preparation for our ministry of reconciliationâwe are all called after salvation to be ministers of reconciliation to our world.
I believe that it is important to get this right. First, baptism by water DOES NOT SAVE a person. Only believing in Jesus saves a person. More on this in a bit. If we place our faith in water baptism, we are placing our faith in a âworkâ that we do. Can you be saved without water baptism? Absolutely! The best example is the thief on the cross. Such a beautiful story. He believed. He could not be baptized by water due to the circumstances in his life, but look at that profession of faith! It was beautiful! The world still KNOWS he gave his life to Jesus! He believed and THAT DAY was with Jesus in heaven. No baptism. If it were any different, I believe that Jesus would have told him, âToo late!â or âSorry, wish I could help you, but you have to be baptized!â It is ALL ABOUT believing in Jesus. More on that in a bitâŚ
Secondly, I do believe that it is important to be baptized by water soon after salvation. It is a mark in our life. Many people grapple with their salvation. Almost all of the times that I have counseled with people and they are really grappling with their salvation, it is because they did not follow up with baptism. They are not real sure if they were saved. The enemy loves, loves, loves to create doubt and confusion. For this reason, I believe that we need to KNOW how to be saved. Then, as soon as we believe, we need to be baptized and join a local, Bible-believing church (not all churches are Bible believing or Biblical!!! BEWARE!). Every instance in Scripture shows a baptism almost immediately. While it is not essential to salvation, it is very important to begin your new life of obedience. It will declare to the world your relationship with God. It is the first step of obedience after salvation. It is the first thing that God wants for you to do with your life.
You will see many varied teachings about baptism. Take them ALL back to Scripture. Many are very, very dangerous. First, if we ADD to salvation ANYTHING other than to believe in Jesusâbelieve is a full word meaning that we place our faith in Jesus, repent (turn away) from our sins, and become a new creationâif we add ANYTHING to believing in Jesus, we are adding âworksâ to salvation. Works come AFTER salvation. They do not GET YOU SAVED. Salvation is a free gift that you accept! You simple accept it by believing in Jesus, accepting what He has done for you to be free from sin.
There are many, many teachings about baptism. You have to watch out for this! Entire denominations have been formed as a result. I am not wanting to offend anyone, but the bottom line is that if you add any works, then you are able to do something yourself to be saved. Likewise, if you are able to do things to be saved, you can also do things to lose that salvation. Actually, this is EXACTLY what many denominations teach. However, this is NOT what the BIBLE teaches.
The Bible teaches us that salvation is a COVENANT. It is sealed by blood. We learn this lesson also all along throughout Scripture. Again, Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He was the second Adam who came and actually lived without sinning. He could shed His blood to pay the ransom for our sins. He went the WHOLE WAY to the cross. He shed His blood to ransom us from sin and death. When we believe in Him, we are covered in the blood, baptized in the blood. We become a new creation. It is ALL DONE for us. We cannot do anything to make it happen EXCEPT believe in Jesus Christ. Look at Acts 16:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”…He and all his family were baptized…having believed in God with his whole household. (Acts 16:30-34)
“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.â (Romans 10: 9
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)
See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God…. And he baptized him. (Acts 8:36-38 KJV)
Once we believe in Jesus, He covers us by His Blood. His blood seals the covenant. This covenant brings us into relationship as a child of God eternally, giving us all of the privileges and blessings in this life and throughout eternity.
Sweet friend, there are many, many teachings out there about baptism, salvation, our relationship with God. Just like you, I grew up in several different denominations and their teachings gave a different definition to these words. I spent many years in confusion and lacking the security that God provides in relationship with us.
Many people misunderstand Scripture. Many are taught incorrectly with opinions that may be based from a part of a Scripture rather than the full counsel of the Wordâfor example, many take Acts 16 and teach that if you baptize your babies, they will be saved with you. That is not truth. Acts 16 says that his entire household believed WITH HIM. They all accepted Jesus as their Saviour and we were saved and baptized that night.
What do you do? Get in the Word. Look up every single reference to anything that you are wanting to know. Want to know about baptism? Look up every reference to baptism, baptize, etc. Read the passages around those. Research deeply IN THE WORD. Ask God to show you TRUTH! He will!
I grew up being taught that you could lose your salvation. Boy, this had me on pins and needles. I cannot tell you the number of times that I stayed up crying into the night because I did not want to lose my relationship with God. It did not help that those who believed in eternal security lived lives that were not godly right in front of me. I grappled with those beliefs. I did not have peace until one day I was reading in Hebrews and all of Scripture was pulled together in that passage. I had been saved for 12 years at that time, but I did not live an abundant Christian life until then. Boy, everything changed that morning! I GOT THE WHOLE PICTURE!
In spite of our teaching to our daughter, at 4 years old, she determined that she wanted to be saved. She could answer ALL OF THE QUESTIONS. She had the perfect answers. I had a funny feeling about it, but I did not want to hold her back in her faith. She professed Christ. She believed that He had died for her sins and that He bridged the gap between her and God. She believed that His blood covered her sins. The whole thing! So, we consented for her to be baptized. Later that year, I was teaching Vacation Bible School, a backyard Bible club. She and Matthew were in my group. I told a story about Corrie ten Boom. I donât remember that story, but as I wrapped up, I asked the children to just close their eyes and to get honest with me for a few minutes. I told them the good news that I have also shared here with youâabout our need for salvation to bridge the gap, Christâs awesome sacrifice, and the decision before us. I told them that there is only ONE WAY to be savedâthat was trusting in Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. Not trusting in THEIR own works-going to church, being a good kid, being baptized, on and on. Not trusting in their current relationshipsâtheir mom, dad who were saved. I asked them if anyone wanted to be saved. Up, Elisabethâs hand went! I nodded at her to put her hand down. She would not be satisfied. I thought she misunderstood me. Another little girl also wanted to pray and receive Jesus as her Saviour, so as the other children went to the next thing, I prayed with this little girl and let her go on back to the other children. As she left, I looked up. Elisabeth was standing behind me in tears. I asked her what was wrong. She just burst out in tears that she had believed that she could be baptized and be savedâŚthat she had missed it and it had not helped her to be free from sinâŚshe wanted to REALLY be saved. That day, she was REALLY saved!
Sweet friend, again in not wanting to offend anyone else or seem to contridict anyoneâs teaching, I want to point you to TRUTH! That truth will set you free. You can take everything that I have shared here back to the Bible. It will match up ALL THROUGHOUT the Bible. Do the same with everything that you hear or read. If it misses ONE POINT, it is error. That is one tactic from the enemyâhe takes truth and gives it just one twist, but that twist always brings contradictions and ramifications. Truth does not have any contradictions. The Bible is absolute truth. It is our standard for all truth. If something contradicts the Bible in any way, it is error. The ramifications of error are big! Like those years of torment for me as a little girl and teen. Like that year when Elisabeth was looking for salvation and finding that Baptism by water was not the way.
Take everything back to the Bible. You have a beautiful story of how much God cares about your salvation awaiting you there!
BTWâŚno question is too tough. If we donât have answers, we will seek God for answers to those questions. Of course, if we DO know the answer, it is no problem! I am here to teach. There could be no greater topic than to teach about what the Bible says about our eternity!
If you have any other questions, just ask!
Love ya tons!
Cindy
Seen my new facelift to my websites???
http://www.MomtoMomRadioShow.com
PLUS! I am working on http://www.CindyRushton.com today!
Hi Cindy, that is a wonderful answer. I have a question, also hoping that I don’t offend anyone, but also like the other lady, don’t really know who else to ask. I personally get so much from this b/c a few months ago, I had a small bible study group. It started b/e a freind of mine heard me and my frein speaking of something, can’t remeber exactly what, and she asked us if we would like to have a bible study. Now, I had the gut feeling that she really just wanted to show us that we were wrong in believing the way we did and that their church was the only RIGHT one. I went along anyways thinking, maybe I could help her. Well, she planned a study and went through all of her POINTS. Baptism for salvation, no instruments in worship, you can lose your salvation, etc… Well, obviously I didn’t agree on these main issues. I did agree on a lot. She asked me “what are you?” I said, what do you mean? Do you mean what denomination am I ? She said yes. I said, I hate that question b/c i don’t feel like i am a baptist or a pentacostal or any particular denomination, no matter what church I went to. I said i am a christian! She was shocked! Apparently, that is what their church teaches and she said, hmmm…I just can’t fiure out what you are yet. ( What does that mean anyways?) LOL So, we went on with our studies going through all the points that she wanted to show. I tried to prove the opposite but for every verse I had they had more that SEEMED to prove her point. Now, I know that it is not baptism that saves, but to be honest, I still wonder, b/c she was so convincing. I say, well what if, i wouldn’t want to take a chance on something as simple as getting baptised. Although, I felt like every time I thought this I heard God telling me “but you know better” I told her this and then I found out that her church also does not believe that God communicates with you any other way except through scripture. So, now I am wondering if everythin I believe is wrong. I feel like I know that it is NOT wrong, and I think it is Satan that is tormenting me with thses thoughts. I WILL stand strong though. I do know that I am right b/c I have the holy spirit in me telling me so, so I know it can’t be the other way, so why do I struggle with this? My husband came home the other day and was saying that you could not lose your salvation. I thought you could b/c we did a study and and in Ezekiel 33:12-13 it seems to say you can lose you salvation. I don’t know where the verse was that my husband was speaking of but it was something about if you leave us you were never with us… So, now I am wondering about that. It does seem though that if you truly had Christ in your heart, you couldn’t just throw him out. He is there to guide us and help us. So then, if we can not lose our salvation, what is the point of Satan trying to turn us against God? Also , back to the first part I was speaking of, the lady I was studying with also said that you can’t use the theif on the cross b/c Jesus hadn’t died yet, therefore they were still under the old covenant…
I wish in a way that I had never studied with her b/c it gave me doubts, on the other hand I have never studied so hard before either and I leand a lot. Do you think it can do any good to keep trying with people who are set in their beliefs? I want to show her the truth but it doesn’t do any good. She just think I am full of the lies of Satan. Is it wise to try to help these people or do we try but if it is failing stop? I don’t want to give up if maybe God wants me to help her see the truth but she told me after it was my turn to lead the study and she saw where I was going with my study, that she would no longer study with me and that we can’t really see or talk eith each other anymore. She said if we see each other we can be friendly but not to make a point of hanging out with each other.
Their argument is so convincing that I honestly belive that if I didn’t already have Christ in my life, that I WOULD have been convinced to believe the way she does and attend her church. I thank God that he was here to tell me” But Rodna, you know better” Just listen to the “but you know betters” when you are in doubt. Thanks for listining and if you have any advice I would greatly appreciate it and anything to put my mind at ease would be very helpful! Thanks, Love, Rodna
Oh! Rodna! SUPER questions!
My sweetie is grilling and almost done. đ (WOOHOOOooooo!) So, I am needing to help him get ready for a very NICE lunch.
I am going to work on answering this for you either tonight or tomorrow morning. Stick with me here. đ
BTW…the short answer is that your friend is very, very wrong. I mentioned it earlier in my original answer, but a little error can SOUND good. It can knock you off your rocker when you are dealing with its implications in real-life situations or when you are trying to discuss it with someone. I would recommend dropping it with her and let’s get you rock-solid on your beliefs. You must be getting to her somewhere if she does not want to talk about it with you any more. I have seen that a few times in my past. It is always ok when they are feeling good. When a bit pushed, they want to “eject” from the dialogue. hehe!
I will dig in later, but my first thoughts have to go back to her response to you. You know, Rodna, I would not be offended in the very least if you questioned me like this. I would consider it a privilege to help someone with their questions. (like I am right now) I would never cut you off or NOT talk about it unless we had had some sort of problem that meant we were having conflict about our beliefs (I don’t argue about beliefs–that is not right) and even then, I would just ask you to agree to disagree and love each other doing it. KWIM?
I KNOW that there will be differences of beliefs. Those come from teaching…personal experiences…and sometimes from a lack of knowledge and understanding. There is always room to chat with friends to grow deeper and help each other to understand truth. That is part of my call! So, you have asked at the right place! đ
I will dig in later. For now, I am sending my big, squooshy Alabama hug.
Have a super day! Food is enticing me…………………
:):D:)
Love,
Cindy
Thank you Cindy, I will look for your answers later. No rush. She did say that since we donm’t agree on the core beliefs that there is no point in studying together, although I thought it would be nmice to give me my opportunity to share my beliefs as I did her. thanks. TTYL Rodna
I will dig in a little later.
To answer this quickly–Most people don’t give you that courtesy. đ Most of the time, you will have either more conflict or confusion than progress. It doesn’t sound like she wants to hear your views. Sounds like she only wants to “help” you. đ
The best way to help people is when they ASK YOU. OR…when they are watching you all along the way. She will learn more by your response to her and your actions right now than from a million words.
I am not saying that she is a lost cause. But, your time would be more productive in taking this to God. Pour it all out to Him. Then, take time to deepen your beliefs–learn what the Bible really says about all of the issues she has raised so that you are rock-solid and ready to give an answer the next time.
It is very good to hear what others believe. It will make you dig for your beliefs. I would never expect for someone to want me to present where they have it wrong with their beliefs. Something tells me that they would not be nearly as open as when they are seeking for the answers on their own. That something is how *I* learn. đ
Well, I promise to revisit this later! I think that dessert is ON ME tonight! đ
Love ya!
Cindy
I can’t wait for your answers, Cindy!
My best friend and I don’t agree on everything, so we don’t discuss it often. My hubby and I believe the same, and her hubby and she believe the same, so that’s what’s important. We have done books studies together, like Power of a Praying Wife, and that builds our relationships all the way around; we just don’t discuss “theology.”
Danielle
I just wanted to pop in on this one and say that I believe, and I’m not an expert, but to believe that BAPTISM in itself saves is not right. Baptism with the water as a symbol of cleansing is how God mad us as physical beings have a physical outward sign of the cleansing we receive when we trust in Jesus as our savior. Just like the rings at a wedding are a physical sign of a union of husband and wife, it isn’t the ring that makes you married – otherwise everytime you wash the dishes & take off your ring, you’d be single again!! That’s just how I see it. I’m not saying I have all the answers, but that’s how I see it (if you want to delete this post, that’s okay, Cindy)
Elizabeth Bowen
Good morning sweetie!
My crew took me out for dinner and a movie. We came back home later and just curled up for late night movies. FUN! So, thanks sooooo much for your patience and understanding. Actually, I am glad that I did not dig into this until now because God was moving on my heart with a few things that I think may help you and encourage your heart. đ
Ok, some thoughts…
First, I want to send you a big, big hug! I don’t like yucky situations either. The bottom line in most yucky situations is that someone is not acting in love. Love is powerful. It can overcome differences. It can bridge gaps. It can heal hurts. It can unite. It can bond our hearts in such a way that our differences are not powerful enough to break relationships.
This situation does not look like a person really trying to help you. It shows no love. It only shows agendas. Love looks beyond agendas and has much grace when someone thinks and believes different from us.
I am soooo blessed to have very, very close friends from a whole host of religious backgrounds. I am rich from friendships. My very best friend, Lucia, has very different preferences in her church denomination than I do. We don’t divide. We don’t fight. We don’t push our beliefs on one another. We LOVE. We value one another MORE than we do our religious preferences. Really, ALL of my friends are like that. I would rather have THEM as my friend than push agendas.
I say agendas because as a Christian, I am concerned about those who are more preoccupied with indoctrination to “help” others than friendships and relationships, which really helps them the most. đ Jesus addressed our bottom line to our religion time and time again. It was to be about LOVE. Our main thing was to be RELATIONSHIPS. Anytime that our “beliefs” come before LOVING PEOPLE, we have missed it. The foundation of all we believe SHOULD BE love! đ
I remember one day that Lucia and I had our only struggle that we have had in over 10 years of friendship. I was upset for two reasons–the struggle AND I loved her so much that I could not stand the thought of anything coming between us. Of course, this thing was BIG. It was our “difference” in our beliefs. A phone call would not normally be my method for trying to resolve differences, but we needed to connect immediately and I was on my way out of town. It could not wait for later. AND, I was needing to leave immediately.
As we talked, I saw one of the reasons that we have been BEST FRIENDS for so long. Love was the priority. You can’t argue and fight with love. You can’t slice LOVE to pieces with your mouth. It is just too soft and sweet to damage it. Love it just so powerful!
Her spirit was so priceless. She loved ME more than she loved her beliefs. That spoke to my heart immeidately. She determined that she would do anything to keep from having a wedge in our relationship. Priceless. The conflict was over immediately. What was even more beautiful, we shared our beliefs, our viewpoints, and helped each other grow in understanding and wisdom from the conflict. Then, we moved on as best friends…actually BETTER BEST friends. đ
Ok…why tell you this? I am concerned about this “friendship” you are talking about. A real friend does not want to set you RIGHT. I don’t know how kind it would be to set up a “Bible Study” to dig into differences. HUmmmmm… That is really the place of the church and the pastor.
Yes, I have enjoyed talking with my friends about their beliefs over coffee. It has helped me TONS in ministry. But, I don’t think it is productive to have any one side presented at the detriment of another side–in a situation like you have here. I would NEVER treat my friends like this. I would not treat someone who was not a friend this way. There is no reason to treat ANYONE this way. I love them too much. I certainly would never have a “Bible Study” like this.
So, that brings me to how you would handle this situation….
That is tough. First, I really believe that she had NO intention to study WITH YOU. Sounds like she wanted to “help” you to understand and embrace her beliefs. There are denominations that teach that THEIR WAY is the ONLY WAY. They sincerely believe that if you do not DO what they do, you are not saved. That is dangerous thinking. They are adding their OWN list of things to do to salvation. That alone is error. Sweet friend, I don’t think she would be open to hear what you have to say, even though it could really help her.
If it were me, I would make this a matter of prayer. Pour out your heavy heart to God. Tell HIM how you feel. Tell HIM what you want for her to know. As you do, you are interceding on her behalf. I really think that you will find much, much peace as you do. Also, your prayers will begin to move things in the heavenlies. But, love her enough to let it go. Love her enough to lift her up in prayer.
Secondly, pull back and let God settle things in your heart. You have heard her beliefs. Now, take it to the Word. Test it out. Match it up. If it does not match up, you know what 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 says. It tells us to take every thought captive, match it up to Jesus Christ (what He taught and how He lived). If it agrees with Him, keep it. If it is contradictory, we take that thought captive, like a prisoner, and we put it away. God has already been working in your heart to help you with this. Turn Him loose to do the rest of the “clean-up” on this job. đ Let Him now, give you a solid place for your response and let Him steady up any uncertainties. In other words, let Him make you strong from this.
Finally, I mentioned this yesterday as I was running out the door but I want to stress it again, the best way to reach those who differ with us on their beliefs is for them to ASK US for help. There are many, many people that I can help along the way. There are also many, many more that I can never help. That is the toughest part of ministry–and, all of us are called to minister to our culture.
It is hard to see people defeated and destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. Rodna, if I am reading this correctly, it is grieving you the most because you cannot help her to see her error. Is that right? Sweet friend, you are not alone. I have been there more times than I can count. WE are not alone. Even Jesus dealt with this in His ministry. You can see it as you read through the gospels. Just for a moment, think of His life. Think of His teachings–they WERE life, hope, and absolute truth. Think of the responses to His teachings. You have entered into a depth of relationship with God that is a privilege. Stand strong. Dig deep into the Word. Get answers for the questions that she raised in your heart. Get ready for a bigger place as you walk forward in your relationship with God.
I pray that this helps. If you need more help, just ask! đ
Love ya!
Cindy
Thank you so much, Cindy! Yes, you are right, it is very upsetting that I can’t help her. I feel like if she is wrong and is putting her salvation into the act of being baptised, then maybe she isn’t saved, but then again, I don’t really know if she is or not. Where I am right now is that I really feel that that is not the case, but there is a smal part of me that keeps wondering, what if she is right? The scriptures that she shows me SEEM to make since, but then again they seem to condradict the rest of scripture. I just don’t want to be wrong. I don’t want to be wrong for myself or to lead others astray. It is a big responsibility and I don’t want to get it wrong, ya know?
I have a question for your mailbag if you want to use it. It is something I wonder about frequently and maybe others do to.
How do you know if you are truly saved or not? Is there a way to have absolute certaintly?
Thank you Cindy for answering my questions. Rodna
Hey there sweet friend!
I can completely understand your heart. Such a sweet, sweet heart!
If she is placing her faith in her baptism, then according to Scripture, she is not saved. There is only ONE WAY to be saved. That is to believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
That is it.
No other name under heaven by which we can be saved, not even “baptism.”
Truly, this breaks my heart too. I have seen many people who have believed in their works, their religion, their church, their mother/father/grandmother’s religion, their goodness, on and on.
There is only ONE WAY.
Jesus is that way.
How do you KNOW you are saved or not? Is there a way to have absolute certainty?
First, I will answer that second question. You are asking if you can have assurance of your salvation. Yes, you can KNOW, you can be absolutely assured of your salvation. That is what being a “believer” is all about. It is believing that God IS WHO He says He is, that He CAN DO what He says that He will do, that He WILL DO do what He says that He will do, and that He will do it FOR YOU.
He is THE WAY!
He CAN save you eternally–today and forever!
He WILL save you eternally–today and forever!
If you believe in Jesus, He WILL save you eternally–today and forever!
And…He WANTS to do that for you!
So…
How do you know?
How do you KNOW you are saved?
It is simple. Have you ever trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour? Have you believed in HIM and Him alone as your Lord and Saviour? Have you believed in Him so that you have turned from your sins, died to your sins, and become a new creation?
If you have, you have been saved.
If not, all you have to do is believe. He has done the rest. It is His free gift to you. All you have to do is receive Him and His gift of eternal life.
Want CONFIDENCE in that–ABSOLUTE confidence that you are saved?
Dig into the Word. It is God’s love letter to you. It is HIS actual Words–what HE says to you. Take time to dig in deep into the Word. Make it a daily discipline. You will be amazed at how it will build your faith–your beliefs. When you are regularly reading and studying the Bible, you will become more and more familiar with the voice of God. You will not just FEEL that something is or is not right, but you will recall to your remembrance passage after passage that makes that true or not true. Just an example, as I have read these questions, I have sooo many Scriptures popping into my mind to remind me of what the Bible REALLY says. It is easy to stand firm when you are firmly grounded in the Bible. If you want that absolute confidence and assurance that you are really saved, it is going to only come from the Bible.
BTW…you were mentioning your concern for this woman. Again, I want to recommend that you pray for her and her salvation. I do not recommend that you try to witness to her. Why? Well, it is plain and simple, you are not sure if you, yourself, are saved. ???? Get alone with God and get that settled. That is something that you can settle right this minute. You cannot take what you do not have to others. Give it to God and He will bring others across her path to help her. đ
Back to how to have confidence, absolute confidence that you are saved…
Get in THE BIBLE. Not in articles, commentaries, or opinions of others. In fact, get away from all of the commentaries. Get away from all of the opinions of your friends–especially this one who is messed up in her beliefs. Get alone with God. Let HIM teach you.
Sweet friend, if you will seek Him. HE will always, always answer you! So many people are confused and uncertain because they do not seek God and wait for HIS answers. You just have to listen to HIM. He will speak in big and little ways. We just have to listen TO HIM and tune out all of the opinions and ideas of others. You have to get HIS Word. You have to hear HIM. You have to see it and get it inside of you. No one else can do that for you.
I asked those hard questions just like you. I am SO glad now! I spent years in torment and insecure as a Christian. I am SO, SO glad that I asked those tough questions. God answered them completely and totally. He is always faithful. He says that He will never leave you or forsake you. He is right there with you and He WILL come through for you! That is the only way that we can have that total confidence and absolute assurance that WE ARE SAVED and will be with God eternally. That is the only way that we can KNOW that nothing can or will ever separate us from God! NOTHING!
My prayer today is that you will just crawl up in your Heavenly Father’s lap. Pour out these questions. Just pull back from the world for a bit. Just sit in His presence. Dig deep into the Bible. Let Him teach you and show you exactly what you need to KNOW. He will!
Hope this helps! Great questions beloved!
Love ya!
Cindy
Thank you Cindy. Like I said before, when I was studying with her before, all it did was confirm my beliefs. I do believe that i am saved, I have done all of those things, I have even been baptised, although i know that it is not what saves, I do truly believe I jesus Christ, I totally believe hta he is my only Lord and savior, I have confeesed this and asked him to come into my life, and lead and guide me forever. I know I said this before, but I do truly believe that if I didn’t have Christ and wasn’t saved, then I would have believed her and fell into those lies. I have always felt the wonderings about salvation and my grandmother told me once that if I wasn’t Satan wouldn’t be working so hard to convince me that I wasn’t. I try to remember that. B/c, how could I not be if I hear God, and I see where he works in my life. I think it was just after al that studying with her, she put a lot of doubt into my mind. She even told me that my way of thinking was Satan leading me astray, not the other way around. It really breaks my heart, b/c I like her and i was her to go to heaven also. . Thank you for helping me and confirming what I already knew. You are right also on the whole reading scripture thing. I do have a few articles that help to explain things in an easier way but I truly get so much more understanding when I read the scripture, It is funny that you mention that b/c my bible is the John Macarthur study Bible and I believe he has a lot of good wisdom but I also know that htere are some things some big things that he is wrong on but didn’t figure any of that out until a long time after having his bible. My husband is also the ssame, just a different version. His is NKJ and mine is NASB which iI really like that version. but I have been considering getting one without a commentery in it and probabl will someday when I have the extra money. But for now I just don’t really look at the commentary but when I do I have the discernment to know whether or not it matches up to the rest of scripture. Thanks again Cindy for helping me and I hope my questions also helped others as well! Love, Rodna