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(JD) · Dec 26, 2007, 04:52 PM

Me thinks there is also confusion about what is "faith" and what some want as proof.

I would like those who think "I'M" right and only those who agree with "ME" would rephrase this and reframe their thinking on this matter thusly: God's Word says, and I and others agree with it.

I certainly have not created any belief of my own, nor believe anything of my own doing. Please don't make me out to be the bad guy here if you happen to disagree with the way I believe. Your argument is not with me, but with God on these matters. I have merely chosen to believe like millions of others. Don't kill the messenger please.

With reference to what Presbyterians, most protestants, and most Baptists believe is this:

The book of Romans clearly spells out the path for salvation. There are many, many other verses in the NT that verify them also. Plus, in the OT, even the sacrificial lamb for the atonement of sin made them prove they believed that God would send the sacrificial Lamb of God for salvation.

[b]Romans 10 : 9-13 That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For the Scripture says, Whosoever believes on Him will not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all tha call upon him. For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that Whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

1 John 1 :9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:2 And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Matthew 18:3 And (Jesus) said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shoall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 11) For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

 With regards to the parables Christ said in Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables; because they, SEEING SEE NOT, and HEARING they HEAR NOT, neither do they understand.

Most Protestant faiths believe the above but some also add on "works' of some type to prove their salvation, or to finish earning it. (Such as Church of Christ.)

But what is important here is that someone who truly has NOT accepted Christ's payment for sin cannot understand anything else UNTIL they do. At this point, the only discussion should be Who do you think is Christ, and what do you think He did for you? Some might think they are making deep arguments, when indeed what some questions show that even the simplest of things of the faith of God are causing them to stumble.

It's unfortunate that so many who are lost in their sin only have fear in their hearts that lash out at those who have asked God for forgiveness. God offers HIS LOVE and SALVATION to ALL, and yet so many get angry about it. I know from personal experience it is because it wasn't easy to admit that I can't on my own do good, nor get to heaven, but need God and needed to do it HIS way. God is love. He wants all to accept His love, pure and simple.

Another thought: Many people find it impossible to believe that are being deceived by what they think is right, and what they feel is correct about God and salvation. If more people would truly sit down and read the Bible... even one book such as John, they would begin to realize that what they think they know and what they believe isn't really what God says in His Word.

If you get hung up over translations, there are plenty of Greek-English Bibles that give you the exact wording as it was and what English word was used for that Greek word.
[b]
So now, let me ask of those reading, this question: WHO do YOU believe Christ is?