“Jesus, I believe you died so I could rape and murder all those women, and get “saved” right before the state fries me”.
Signed: Ted Bundy
“Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.
For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum
Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him.
And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”
As a result of this, many (of) his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you twelve? Yet is not one of you a devil?”
He was referring to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot; it was he who would betray him, one of the Twelve.” [John 6: 49-71]
I think they KEY phrase in your statement is 'call on HIM'. How one defines that phrase makes all the difference.
Several years ago at a “International Association of Near Death Studies” (IANDS) conference in Durham NC a retired military guy told his story of dying on the operating table at Duke Medical Center. He was having a lung removed due to cancer.
It really freaked out the Dr’s as this man was talking while he was flatlined. Ends up that at the moment of his death, he turned to Jesus and asked forgiveness for all the mistakes he had made during his life. His prayers were answered and he was healed. He was told that he had ten more years to live.
He had the letters with him from the surgeons who were working on him at the time of his death.
It moved me so much I think I will go back and get a video of his presentation.
Repentance is optional?
In Deuteronomy 4:19 and Malachi 1:11 God claims everyone can be saved.
“He who has believed and been baptized shall be saved; but he who has not believed shall be condemned.” - Mark 16:16
“Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you - not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:21
“You don’t need a priest, or sacraments, or a “church”, or a denomination, or charismatic ‘gifts’ or baptism or hierarchal permission, sanction nor absolution ...”
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
.....John 20:21-23
The question is not “why do Catholics confess to priests”? The question is why do non Catholics NOT confess to priests.
Very well said. Amen.
True, (Acts 16:31) but the kind of faith that is efficacious is one that comes out of a contrite heart that God has opened,
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalms 34:18)
And the faith is that in the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned+destitute sinner, who thus confesses Christ, though the confession of Christ, which baptism is, does not save or earn one salvation. But which obedience manifests true faith, and includes repentance when convicted of not obeying.
Repentance is implicit in Biblical believing, as you can no more believe in the Lord Jesus and not have it effect your conduct, than one can believe in Muhammad and not effect changes.
We have a part to do also. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but that doesn't mean we can go off committing adultery, murder, having abortions, not caring about our parents, not going to church on Saturday or Sunday. We MUST do our part too.
Can We Lose Our Salvation?
Baptism and Salvation
A Summary of our Salvation – A Meditation on the Readings from the 4th Sunday of Advent
On the Beauty of God's Plan of Salvation
GOP's salvation lies in being more 'Catholic'
Catholic Bishop: Voting for Obama, Dems Could Place Salvation of Your Own Soul in Serious Jeopardy’
On Infant Baptism and the Complete Gratuity of Salvation
Essays for Lent/Easter: Salvation Outside the Church?
The Question of Universal Salvation: Will All Be Saved?
"There Can Be No Rupture in Salvation History" [Benedict XVI to Jewish Community in Germany]
The Catholic Teaching on Salvation by Faith Alone (Catholic / Orthodox Caucus)
Promising Salvation to Non-Catholics: A Sin against Charity
On Being Sober and Serious in Seeking Salvation
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] Benedict XVI at Angelus: Mary's mission of salvation and intercession continues..
Finders Keepers? - The Evangelical notion that Christians can't lose their salvation is unbiblical.
Fresh Embrace of Everlasting Salvation [New Mass Translation Does Away With "Barbecue Talk"]
Marriage is instrument of salvation for society, declares Benedict XVI
Catholic and Protestant "Similarities" on Faith, Faith Alone, Salvation...
Radio Replies Second Volume - Salvation of the Soul
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Salvation: A Biblical Portrait
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Salvation: "Being Saved"
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: The Catholic Response to "Are You Saved?"
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: The Knowledge of Salvation
A note from Roy Schoeman... (author of 'Salvation is from the Jews')
Radio Replies First Volume - Grace and salvation
Radio Replies First Volume - "Outside the Church no salvation"
Salvation - Are You Saved?
No Salvation Outside the Church
Prayer the Great Means of Salvation: Ch.1: The Necessity of Prayer, Sect. 3 Invocation of the Saints
Prayer the Great Means of Salvation: Chapter 1: The Necessity of Prayer, Section 2
Prayer: The Great Means of Salvation and of Perfection Ch. 1: The Necessity of Prayer, Section 1
What does the Catholic Church mean by the phrase, "Outside the Church there is no salvation"
Christian, I Presume? (Salvation) [Ecumenical]
Rock Solid: The Salvation History of the Catholic Church [Ecumenical]
Who Can Be Saved?
Grace, Faith, and Works
Getting in Touch With Reality (good character and behavior as a ticket to Heaven)
My Personal Savior
The Early Church Fathers on Salvation Outside the Church [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Extra ecclesiam - Outside the Church there is no salvation.M.a
Is Faith Necessary for Salvation? (Part 2)
Good Will Equals Salvation? (Did the pope say non christians could be saved - part 1)
The Experience of the Salvation of Christ Today
Nonbelievers Too Can Be Saved, Says Pope
Worthy Is the Lamb?
Limbo and the Hope of Salvation
And then what?
You don't need to be articulate or literate, a random passing thought will suffice. All you need is the Internet and the Holy Book of Ethel Merman.
John wrote:
John 14:6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Jesus apparently did NOT say to him, “Via the ‘church’ or any other folks as well.”
“You only need to believe Jesus died for your sins and call on HIM to save you”
OK, I’ll just add him to all my other gods.....Hindu
That, and to persevere in that faith and belief to the end.
and follow the church that HE founded and act accordingly...do not REFUSE the gift of salvation, but follow Christ as though you believe that HE is, indeed the savior.