Christian - Christ is the only way to salvation (Jesus Christ, ritual)

[Aqualung]

What does this mean? I here lots of people say that this means that once you beleive in Christ you are saved, and that's all there is to it, and that that's what grace is. I don't beleive this at all. Here are my own personal views on what it means.
christ is the only way to salvation not because that is the only thing we need to be saved, but "only way" in that nobody else could save us no matter how much they wanted to. I can't save myself. My dad can't save me. George Bush can't save me. Christ is the only way.

I beleive then that grace comes in. After all we have done, no matter how hard we try, we won't be able to save ourselves, which means that we aren't worthy for salvation. Therefore, there needs to be that grace. Jesus will save us after all we have done, through grace. This does not mean that we can just go around and do whatever we want, and still be able to rely on god's grace. The key phrase there is "after all we have done."

Jesus does save everybody in that we will all be saved from death. That much is clear. But it is also clear that this salvation is extended toward everyone, not just those that beleive in him. Everybody will be resurected from the dead. Jesus overcame death so that we would not die, and by we it means everybody. This comes from Christ alone, and we don't need to do anything to secure that.

Another problem with the first way of beleiving is that it does not take into account many things. It says that the only way to salvation is through faith, and that's all you need. But salvation from what, and to what? Everybody will be saved from death in that everybody will be resurected. Is it salvation from the second, spiritual death that will go to the bad people? No. This death is for very few people, for those who willingly take upon themselves the name of the devil.

Another thing wrong with that way of thingking is that it saves the wrong people. It would save a murderer who happened to beleive in Christ but didn't bother following Christ's example. It woudn't save a person who was born before Christ but followed mosaic law, or someone who happened to be born in a time and place where people just weren't hearing about it, but happened to be living a good life. That isn't fair, and God is a fair God.

What do other's think about this?

[michel]

From:-http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-only-way.html

Jesus is the only way of salvation because He is the only One who can pay our sin penalty (Romans 6:23). No other religion teaches the depth or seriousness of sin and its consequences. No other religion offers the infinite payment of sin that only Jesus Christ could provide. No other “religious founder” was God become man (John 1:1,14) – the only way an infinite debt could be paid. Jesus had to be God so that He could pay our debt. Jesus had to be man so He could die. Salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ! “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).


But, there is also a need to confess your sins and repent:-
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.

To "confess" one's sins does not mean merely to confess one's sins in general, but rather to identify specifically, and then to agree with God as to their specific sinful character, thus, in reality, repenting (that is, changing one's mind) about them and viewing them as God does. Since Christ's blood has already been shed to cover them, He is faithful to His Word and provides forgiveness in perfect justice.

There is also a need to be baptised:-

16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Every true believer should gladly give testimony to his new life in Christ by following Him in baptism. Those who refuse or ignore this command should examine the reality of their professed faith. Baptism is clearly a part of the great commission (Matthew 28:19) and normally is to follow immediately upon true repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 2:38,41). Nevertheless, it is faith in Christ that saves, not faith plus baptism. As this verse says, "he that believeth not"--not he that is not baptized--is unsaved. This is the clear testimony of many Scriptures (John 3:18,36), as well as Christ's promise to the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43).

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

What does this mean? I here lots of people say that this means that once you beleive in Christ you are saved, and that's all there is to it, and that that's what grace is. I don't beleive this at all. Here are my own personal views on what it means.
christ is the only way to salvation not because that is the only thing we need to be saved, but "only way" in that nobody else could save us no matter how much they wanted to. I can't save myself. My dad can't save me. George Bush can't save me. Christ is the only way.

I beleive then that grace comes in. After all we have done, no matter how hard we try, we won't be able to save ourselves, which means that we aren't worthy for salvation. Therefore, there needs to be that grace. Jesus will save us after all we have done, through grace. This does not mean that we can just go around and do whatever we want, and still be able to rely on god's grace. The key phrase there is "after all we have done."

Jesus does save everybody in that we will all be saved from death. That much is clear. But it is also clear that this salvation is extended toward everyone, not just those that beleive in him. Everybody will be resurected from the dead. Jesus overcame death so that we would not die, and by we it means everybody. This comes from Christ alone, and we don't need to do anything to secure that.

Another problem with the first way of beleiving is that it does not take into account many things. It says that the only way to salvation is through faith, and that's all you need. But salvation from what, and to what? Everybody will be saved from death in that everybody will be resurected. Is it salvation from the second, spiritual death that will go to the bad people? No. This death is for very few people, for those who willingly take upon themselves the name of the devil.

Another thing wrong with that way of thingking is that it saves the wrong people. It would save a murderer who happened to beleive in Christ but didn't bother following Christ's example. It woudn't save a person who was born before Christ but followed mosaic law, or someone who happened to be born in a time and place where people just weren't hearing about it, but happened to be living a good life. That isn't fair, and God is a fair God.

What do other's think about this?

It sounds to me as if you've been hanging around those Mormons way too much! It's obviously rubbing off on you. Great job of explaining!

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

It sounds to me as if you've been hanging around those Mormons way too much! It's obviously rubbing off on you. Great job of explaining!

Thanks. Now, if somebody who actually disagreed with me would debate with me . . .

Though it's also definitley good to know that I dind't just make up a whole bunch of stuff that I can't really beleive in either.

[Jenyar]

Jesus' invitation is extended to everyone, but not everyone will accept: "For many are invited, but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14). Compare the parable of the wedding banquet. How do we know who are chosen? Only through Christ. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Revelation 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by Jenyar

Jesus' invitation is extended to everyone, but not everyone will accept: "For many are invited, but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14). Compare the parable of the wedding banquet. How do we know who are chosen? Only through Christ. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Ah, Jenyar! So good to see you! You make some good points, and I will try to get to them this afternoon, after my classes.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Jenyar

Jesus' invitation is extended to everyone, but not everyone will accept: "For many are invited, but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14). Compare the parable of the wedding banquet. How do we know who are chosen? Only through Christ. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Revelation 17:14

They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

Nice post, Jenyar;

Welcome to the forum! perhaps you'd like to post an introduction of yourself on:-
Are you new to ReligiousForums.com?

I hope you like it here, and I look forwards to 'seeing you around'

[Melody]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Christ is the only way.

I beleive then that grace comes in. After all we have done, no matter how hard we try, we won't be able to save ourselves, which means that we aren't worthy for salvation. Therefore, there needs to be that grace. Jesus will save us after all we have done, through grace. This does not mean that we can just go around and do whatever we want, and still be able to rely on god's grace. The key phrase there is "after all we have done."

So far I agree with you. Christ is the only way and we "can't go around and do whatever we want". That's the repentance part which Jenyar already quoted.

Originally Posted by Aqualung

But it is also clear that this salvation is extended toward everyone, not just those that beleive in him. Everybody will be resurected from the dead. Jesus overcame death so that we would not die, and by we it means everybody. This comes from Christ alone, and we don't need to do anything to secure that.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:6

I believe we do have to do something to secure that. We must believe in Christ. If we reject Christ, we reject his sacrifice and the salvation that is offered.

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Another thing wrong with that way of thingking is that it saves the wrong people. It would save a murderer who happened to beleive in Christ but didn't bother following Christ's example. It woudn't save a person who was born before Christ but followed mosaic law, or someone who happened to be born in a time and place where people just weren't hearing about it, but happened to be living a good life. That isn't fair, and God is a fair God.

I would make the argument that if someone claims a belief in Christ and yet is able to murder, then they're giving lip service only. If someone truly believes in Christ and accepts the salvation He offers, their behavior *will* change. It can't help but.

I wish I had time to take you up on this part but there are several passages that show that those who have never heard the name of Jesus or lived before the time of Jesus are not held to the same accountability as those of us who have. I did a quick scan on the internet and came up with these links that help explain it:
http://www.iamnext.com/spirituality/condemn.html
http://www.gotquestions.org/never-heard.html

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by Melody

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:6
I believe we do have to do something to secure that. We must believe in Christ. If we reject Christ, we reject his sacrifice and the salvation that is offered.

I don't think that's true. Jesus died to overcome the death the Adam brought upon human kind. Just like we can't "choose" to not die, to not follow in Adam's footsteps, we can't "choose" to be resurected. Jesus died so he could be resurected. He was resurected so that everybody would be free of Adam's "punishment" to mankind, eternal physical death. As it says, everybody will stand before the judgemet seat and be judged according to their works. Jesus's resurection was for everybody, and the salvation from the pysical death is for everybody.

It's only when you get into exaltation that you run into differences. When it says that nobody gets to the father except through me, that means that nobody receives such