How do I get to Heaven? (salvation, Jehovah's Witness, grace, hell)

[kaykay]

Given all our different theological backgrounds, this thread has the possibility of getting too controversial or divisive. And I don't want it to go that way.
Could we just share what we personally believe are the requirements, so to speak for Christian salvation that Jesus made possible with His death on the cross. Just your opinion on the basics of salvation... Do you believe it is possible to have the assurance you're going to heaven? Why or why not? Do you believe you need to make any specific decision for Christ or can you be "born into it" so to speak? It might also be helpful to also post what theological background you are coming from as far as Baptist, Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Non-denominational, etc.

[maniac]

Well, I will say this, in my religion we don't like to say where anybody is "going" but I feel much more comfortable saying when somebody is going to heaven than in the alternate direction. Actually, the mormon version of Hell is called outer darkness and it's reserved for those who have been faithful followers of Christ and knew him as the savior and then betrayed him, fully turning around and denying him. Now, I don't know how severely you have to do that and I would rather not be the judge because I don't want to offend anybody. But the question was how to get to heaven. We believe in three levels of heaven, all better than earth by huge amounts. Even the lowest level where the "Bad" people go is better than earth (not outer darkness, that is a horrible place) these are people like theives and sorcerors and such, they go there and it is a nice place and all, but it's not as nice as the places above. I won't go in depth right now, but generally speaking, just do what you think is right and also, in our beliefs, accepting Christ would be a very good thing! And to acchieve the highest level you need to be married as well.

I look forward to hearing other peoples views.

[kaykay]

Since I opened this potential can of worms , I'm going to go ahead and post what I believe.

There's a lot of ways to say it, but basically I think we are saved by faith in Christ. I think this entails believing the Biblical record about who Jesus was, His atoning death on the cross, his bodily resurrection from the dead. I believe it also entails a decision to turn from sin and embrace Jesus, giving Him your life the best you know how.

We are saved when through faith we turn from our sins, believe in His atoning work on the cross and receive Him as savior AND Lord. It is not a matter of works or our own righteousness but through our faith in His atoning work.


"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
John 3:16 NASB

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it tis the gift of God; Not tas a result of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9 NASB

"He who has the Son has the llife; he who does not have the Son of God does not hae the life,These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you know that you have eternal life."
1 John 5:12,13


I do believe we can have assurance in our position in Christ, in our salvation, but I also believe that we can walk away from a position of grace and that some, indeed, do.
I grew up Baptist, married an Episcopalian and was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. We now attend what could best be described as non-denominational Charismatic.

[JerZ]

How do I get to Heaven?

I really don't know. I did a Mapquest but it didn't yield any results.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by JerZ

How do I get to Heaven?

I really don't know. I did a Mapquest but it didn't yield any results.

Too bad! That would have been really helpful!

[BudinAk]

There's a lot of ways to say it, but basically I think we are saved by faith in Christ. I think this entails believing the Biblical record about who Jesus was, His atoning death on the cross, his bodily resurrection from the dead. I believe it also entails a decision to turn from sin and embrace Jesus, giving Him your life the best you know how.

We are saved when through faith we turn from our sins, believe in His atoning work on the cross and receive Him as savior AND Lord. It is not a matter of works or our own righteousness but through our faith in His atoning work.


"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
John 3:16 NASB

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it tis the gift of God; Not tas a result of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9 NASB

"He who has the Son has the llife; he who does not have the Son of God does not hae the life,These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you know that you have eternal life."
1 John 5:12,13]

Right On KayKay! In addition to all you stated, I'll add this:
First something happens that causes one to believe In God, and in His Son Jesus Christ. That's the having faith part. Once that "clicks" in the mind, then comes the receiving part: with the mouth:
Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
That confession can be as simple as this: "Lord God, I believe in you and in your Son Jesus. I recieve Him now as my Savior. I am sorry for all my sins and ask you to forgive me. I will try to follow Him and His teachings the rest of my life. Lead me now by your Holy Spirit. Amen". It does not have to be that exactly word for word, but something to that effect. Whatever words you choose, you say them outloud, with your mouth. After that, you will become aware of a huge change INSIDE of you...somewhere in your spirit.


Bud

[irishmom]

Catholics are born again through baptism. Baptism is done in infancy (usually) to forgive original sin and when a Catholic says that he has been "born again," he refers to the transformation that God’s grace accomplished in him during baptism. The child is not old enough to believe in anything. So later, around 13 or so, we are Confirmed. We are then old enough to willingly accept and confirm our beliefs and receive the Holy Spirit. We don't use the term "born again" Christian because we already are, it's assumed. I guess if someone needed to identify themselves as willingly accepting Christ it would a "Confirmed Catholic", but we don't use that either.

[BudinAk]

Originally Posted by JerZ

How do I get to Heaven?

I really don't know. I did a Mapquest but it didn't yield any results.

LOL! OK JerZ, Mapquest won't help. You have to do a Biblequest search to find the right roadmap...it says the correct way is narrow, and the wrong way is very wide. Please refer to previous posts for directions...

Bud

[Mag3.14]

Originally Posted by BudinAk

LOL! OK JerZ, Mapquest won't help. You have to do a Biblequest search to find the right roadmap...it says the correct way is narrow, and the wrong way is very wide. Please refer to previous posts for directions...

Bud

Google Earth (TM) has just announced that it will be adding Google Heaven (TM) early in 2008. You should be able to find a clear route from this software.

[urbanlemur]

Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. There is no other way and that way is narrow. Many will try to get in via alternate paths but there is only one path and that is Jesus. God bless all.