>> Can you baptize yourself The Pope approved the document, titled The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptised, in January after it was presented to him by Cardinal William Levada, the president of the. Dont believe everything you hear about who God is and how He works. >> Im wary to fully trust the bible as it was written by the hands of man, which is subject to the will of man leaving me afraid that I hadnt followed gods doctrine correctly. Therefore, if youre right, the apostle Paul did the people in Rome a very serious disservice by not actually telling them what they must do to be saved. The Bible doesnt teach about faith as a kind of mental agreement, but as trusting the One who made us. And every possible answer is fraught with problems. Judaism and Christianity are entirely monotheistic. Its not a choice of modern man as to the Holy Books contents. I do know that he seems to fit Pauls description of a false teacher. To fix it, the parents and the child have to come together and make things right. Im so glad you wrote to me! Because they refuse to surrender and be reconciled to God. Its a misguided attempt at helping, and it virtually never actually helps. Ive done so much in the past that was not good in Gods eyes. You might have said to a friend, I read this guys blog the other day. Thats a relationship, but its not much. The Bible tells us that everyone has been forgiven. I dont think so. The Bible describes marriage as optional, and that definitely meant abstaining from sex. If your parents will allow it, you should be baptized. On the day of Pentecost, when Peter and the other disciples were in Jerusalem in the upper room, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues. That leads some to believe that the Father, Son, and Spirit are exactly the same. I remember crying thinking, if Im having problems with this, I cant be saved. Their claims are often given a second glance because we cant really understand how three persons can be one God, but its clear that the three are not one another, even though there is only one God. God doesnt judge people based on what they dont know. I was dead, and then God made me alive. Youre not the rich man, but you share his situation. I remember the moral stories of Cain being punished for murdering Abel, Adam and Eve being cast out for disobeying god, and much more, so its left to ponder What defines an action as wrong in the eyes of god? If you dont have a community, find one. If so, you are my brother. I am Jewish and Catholic and was Baptized I am very concerned about cremation I hope I am doing the right thing it is cheaper on the cost I want my Daughter to have the money to help her out thank you for answering back deborah. You say that nobody is in Heaven right now. A: Congratulations on your new grandchild! When someone tells you something like you must be baptized to become a Christian or you were baptized wrong, check with the Scriptures. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Im sure you would agree that (in an extreme example) reading only ONE verse about something as important as salvation would be a really, really bad idea. He didnt just love the obedient, Jen He loved the whole world, even while we turned our backs on Him. Not according to Scripture. We dont need a holy book to tell you right from wrong. Im writing an email to you as well, so you have my contact info. Rather than criticizing them for criticizing you, I would suggest another way. I will be praying for you. I believe that you believe in them, but that youve been misled. There it is. Nobody will be kept out of Heaven because they made a mistake, or because they were misled, or because they got a bit of information wrong. Im very glad that you came to visit my website. I have a few thoughts about this. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abrahams side. We may never be entirely sin-free on Earth, but we can definitely get better at pleasing God. I feel it is very near and Im afraid for my husband and myself. You could get hit by a bus, or bitten by an angry goat, or have a sudden aneurysm, or trip on a crack in the sidewalk and hit your head on the corner of a little kids red wagon, or slip in the shower and break your hyoid bone on the faucet, or any number of other things. They should teach the Bible all the time, rather than other things. before my grandson was born, I was shown him, and God told me I had to help care for him because he was the son of Gods child. THE SPIRIT IS GOD Heres what Jesus said to a religious scholar named Nicodemus: No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again John 3:3. When youre baptized, you get dunked in front of other people. This does not contradict the Bible in any way. The idea that they might disguise themselves as a person we know has no basis at all. I appreciate it. God wants us to be reconciled to Him, and Hes done His part. That is, however, the wrong standard. You might try an Alpha course its a really low-key study that lasts a couple of months. Jesus paid for all the sins of the world, but u have to accept his payment. I deal all the time with spiritually immature believers, and the one thing they all have in common is that they dont really know what God has already told them. God did that. Until you sit on the chair, youre not actually trusting it to hold you up. When we do that, God does something in us. I really respect you. When people ask me and they do Im not free to tell them whatever I want to. First, lets clear up a couple of things. People who have said YES to God. I appreciate you writing to ask for input. Trust that Jesus knows best, and avoid the idea that your dreams are what people need. Baptism is a public declaration of faith. Let Him bear that burden. Without that, youre just blowing smoke. Being anointed simply means that the Holy Spirit makes you able to do the things God wants you to do. A typical religious response would be stop being bad, and God will be pleased with you. Thats not what the Bible teaches. Keep in mind that listening a lot will often bring you information that you dont need, or that is incorrect. If we reject His offer, He wont drag us into Heaven against our will. To help me get in touch with him? You should believe Him. He knows when were being honest, Justinif we really want to leave behind our old sinful life, He will both forgive us and help us. Ive got good news for you, Shannon: youre already acceptable to God! Youre not alone when you struggle over whether its fair for truly bad people to go to Heaven, and about whether faith alone saves us. We all want to hear from Him, but we seldom do. We should baptized by following the example set for us in Scripture. >> does it really matter if we believe that God is living in three bodies or in one? And it remains on Saturday for Jews (which Jesus was) because thats the day stated in the Old Testament. They were commended for doing something that most people will not do today. So people could devote themselves more fully to God. Its not contextual or conditional, as with not eating pork. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. Hi Tony Heres a pretty good one: sin is purposely disobeying a known law of God by a morally responsible person. Im very excited about your question, Reita. Christians ARE obedient not perfectly, but purposefully but its not obedience that MAKES us Christians. Instead, you should wait. I dont know if Ill see him in Heaven or not. Heres an important question: reading through the whole New Testament, what can we learn about the requirements for salvation? You say You cant deny this, as its Scripture! Well, show me. The trouble is that we have no idea when that will actually happen. We need help and encouragement. When you die as a Reborn Christian, where does your spirit go then? Baptism is good, and you should be baptized when you are ablebut being baptized wont wash away your sins. and in the day of salvation I helped you.. We can say that we believe Hes trustworthy, but thats not the same as trusting Him. Third, HOWEVER. I recently found someone that I was comfortable to open up to and he told me he share the same thing and he learned to accept it . Why have Christians moved it to Sunday? If someone is pressuring you, it may be time to leave. What hes missed is that baptism isnt only for the one getting wetits for the community of faith as well. Welcome! My guess is that youre in the wrong church. I also reject the concept of purgatory. You can trust Him. Take JOY in the place you find yourself. One is that they received the Holy Spirit just as the Jewish Christians had before they were baptized. We believe innocent unbaptized infants who die will be in heaven and I read an account of a saint who received baptism before martyrdom that his repentant but unbaptized friend had received a heavenly baptism and was saved. Its usually easiest to find people like that in local congregations, so start there but you found me, right? The idea of baptism, however, is that it is a public ceremonywhere you show the community of faith that you intend to join them. Now, I dont know you or your situation, but Ive been around for a while. Nobody likes hypocrisy. Every follower of Jesus should be baptized. Please let me know. Ive felt the same way. We must have faith and follow the rules that of which God has put forth and listed. Theyre just notes. I would love to discuss this with your further, should you need a hand. Its refusing to be reconciled to God. Do you belong to Him? Older people do too, but usually less. I believe all Christians need to get baptized. My experience is very clear in this regard. The Bible says that God is spirit (John 4:24). The Holy Spirit who is God Himself comes and lives in us. If you need to talk, I will always be available. Nobody has suggested that theyre nowhere. If they decide to trust God with their life, the Holy Spirit will help them be obedient. Trust who? Heaven isnt a place you earn the right to live in. I dont like going to church and dont want to go but I still believe in Christianity. Thanks for your commentand welcome to the family! He doesnt love you because you know everything, or because you perform good deedsHe loves you because Hes a loving kind of person. Let me know your thoughts. The truth is that some people wont be in Heaven. Our job is to do what we think God asks us to do, even if others dont get it. Which says to me dont get cremated.dont have your ashes spread out or dispersed to loved ones. Ancient Jewish converts and early Christians were baptized for the same reason: to tell the faith community that they a) have come to share their faith, and b) wish to join their community and live out their faith together. They will seek first His kingdom, and always be ready to explain why they have hope in Christ. Let me put the scenario into another context. Those were martyrdoms, and that's where the idea of a "baptism of blood" comes from: No sacramental baptism, but their death for Christ made up for it. However, Paul gave this advice to Timothy: Dont let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. You may be tempted, because you know that people need to trust God, to move forward as soon and as quickly as you can. I want to be saved and I know that Jesus will save me if I stay true to him. 6:23 ), they have not earned such "wages.". Thats a beautiful thing, Mer! =). If you spend time with a community of Christians in your area, be baptized with them. Your heart stops beating. We have been instructed, by Jesus Himself, to be baptized. Unfortunately, thats not necessarily good enough to convince anyone. >> 2) Was/Is it too late for me to be saved? Nobody would suggest that anyone have sex with someone they dont want to have sex with but lots of people suggest that sex is very, very important. It sounds like a paradox to me. I dont know. Thats a common traditional thought in the modern world. He is the King of the universe, and we are His subjects. Everybody has the same opportunity to be saved, and only those who purposely reject God will be not accepted, as you say. Some were involved in churches that didnt teach them well, and they later understood that they were missing something. We all want our loved ones to be in Heaven. Salvation is not accomplished by getting wet. Just do what God wants you to do, and leave the details to Him. Today, most in the western world dont. What makes you think theres a Heaven at all? Youre 15. Its not spiritual reconciliation in any sensethat comes prior to baptism. Thats a pretty big deal. I mean, I dont know if one day Ill suddenly fall in love with a man. Theres nothing wrong with coming to God with selfish motives. First, you should read my article about the doctrine of the Trinity. Hes an interesting guy. That you would presume to say otherwise speaks volumes. Your sins have already been forgiven. What youve written so far is largely tradition and not Scriptural at all. Christians are simply people who have decided to trust God with their lives. So that I may also be proclaimed to be in the community of the children of god. We have to be persuaded that God exists, and that Hes trustworthy and then we have to commit to trusting Him. I wouldnt think so. When i read his book love wins the questions that he asked made me think and question some of Christian views i grew up believing. The way I understand Scripture, Jesus is the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. Instead, I would suggest that the unrepentant will suffer the consequences of their actions in the afterlife (at least then, if not before). Romans 4:3. If you werent, you would have to work incredibly hard to get on His good side. Nothing wrong with that. Also, we dont even know whether he was a Jew let alone whether he kept the law at all. Im happy that you want to be discerning about which church(es) to associate with. The bible speaks of being asleep unconscience not knowing of anything at all until jesus returns and calls you up. Believe it or not, other Christians need you. They should be welcoming and encouraging to you, offering to help you grow in faith. As you grow, He will guide you in exactly the right ways. When someone decides to follow a teacher, they make a permanent, lifetime commitment to follow that teacher and obey them, no matter what. Why do you want to do things for which youll need forgiveness? If you need help finding a good church in your area, send me an email and tell me what town you live inIll help you look. I would worry more about learning what Jesus taught than about the future of the planet. We are therefore Christs ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. Im with you, Marietjie. So there is a difference between being baptized in the Holy Spirit and having the Holy Spirit anoint you for a specific work. Sin is no longer the issue because, as that passage tells us, all died when Jesus died for us. Because I used to be on staff at a church that taught what you believe: that the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. Maybe YOUR church sucks. Lets say a Christian like me who was sprinkled with water as a baby and i still believe in Jesus, therefore in the Bible it says with salvation you are saved in Faith through Jesus Christ by praying and repenting of your Sins and im still never baptized in water, will i still go to Heaven. Dont accuse them, just ask. Although the Bible does not mention abortion or aborted babies, we do have two keys to help us unlock the answer to the question of whether the souls of aborted babies go to heaven. This is a reply to your answer starting with: >> Do the rules change about sin or have we gotten the whole Gay and Christian thing wrong? Not like being healthy and rich, but like being joyful and satisfied and turning into the person you were created to become. Share the gospel. After becoming a Christian, you should be baptizedbut not being baptized does not make you not a Christian. He will be dressed in clothing dipped in blood. No, I dont think youd do those things but you seem to have no problem suggesting that youre right simply because youve read the Bible very deeply. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abrahams side. Can we still find salvation in the end? where will you be if you are not reconciled and once you die is it too late? Its Gods job to transform you. Dont let anyone pressure you into doing something you feel wrong about, Karolina. can a guardian angel appear as a family member. Thats Jesus who is God. Didnt Peter deny Jesus Himself? Im also not a proponent of this kind of baptism, but Im not against it. Your job is to cooperate with Him. Listen to the Bible. No problem, chuck them on the Limbo scrapheap. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Adults were required to convert before they could be baptized. In the middle east, they understand what a disciple is. Do you? And yes, it did create some more questions. I would. ( Genesis 2:7) Likewise, when Adam died, he returned to dust and ceased to exist.

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