Am I saved if I have a different biblical interpretation of the oneness of God?

Andrew Reil said:

Maybe it's only one sect of Christians who believe that salvation comes from confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior? Born Again? Maybe other Christians would believe that I would be saved if I believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and endure to the end, despite being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Do you think that's correct?

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I think it can be likened to building a house.
Suppose someone is building a house, and gives instructions om what materials to get.
After the instructions are given, you are listening to the conversation of those whom have just been instructed...

Person A : "The instructor said we need to get bricks"
Person B : "The instructor said we need to get wood."
Person C : "The instructor said we need to get gloves."
....

You noticed though that no one is saying that there are a number of things needed, but there seem be be arguing that one thing is needed.
What would be going through your mind?
Would you be thinking that any of them were really thinking of what the instructor really wanted to accomplish, or might you conclude they were only thinking of what they wanted, or were only interested in?

The Bible has many pages of things Jesus and his apostles said, regarding instructions from the Lord.
To pick just one part, and say this is all that is needed, would be similar to those men in the scenario, Like the one who just wanted to get the gloves.

What did my post reveal as to the answer to your question?

Inquire of God said:

They don't have any reason to believe or feel this way, they try to use scripture to back up this false assertion, but it is bogus all the way to the bone. We believe in Jesus Christ, we emphatically say so, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, we do everything we do in His name, the Church is in His name.
This is a recent development by those who are trying to slow the growth of the Church or who have relationships with those who murdered the early Latter-Day Saints.
It's an insult and a fabrication, they know it, but they think it is okay to continue to push this nonsense forward. It was not like this, publicly, just a few years ago, I never heard about this until the 1980s and it has been very damaging to the Church in some ways, but has helped the Church grow in other ways, because they cannot stop the fact that when they talk about the Church SOME people are going to earnestly check us out.
And you have to wonder why some who preach to believe in Jesus Christ would single us out like this in light of Mark 9:40 and Luke 9:50. Like they have singled us out on the DNA question, which is now throwing them to the curb.
It's like they don't even read their own scriptures, actually know what we teach or can't refrain from making things up to try to keep their people from leaving their congregations.
This is not judgment on my part, I am from their side of the fence. This is not me arguing, these are the facts.

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Thank-you for taking the time to explain that so thoroughly. I suspected that animosity might be a motivation for it, and you might be right that it's the entire explanation. As I mentioned in my first post, I have recieved one theological explanation, I'm just not sure it's universally believed by other Christians.
My purpose for asking the question is to understand their perspective. I will include your explanation to my growing understanding.
Thanks again.

37818 said:

I believe a Mormon can become a Christian. Because God does the saving. 1 John 5:9-13.

Those Christians (I being one of them) that think Mormons are not Christians, because they have the understanding LDS chrurch teaches a different view of God, Christ and gospel. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Galatians 1:6-9.
A case in point, Joseph Smith, ". . . They told me that all religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines and that none of them was acknowledged of God as his church and kingdom. And I was expressly commanded to 'go not after them,' . . ." -- https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/articles/primary-accounts-of-first-vision

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Thank-you. I think I might be getting closer to my answer.

Do you believe that a person who confesses Jesus as their Savior is saved?

If so, if that person, who is say a Pentacostal, believes that a preacher from a different Christian sect is incorrect in his interpretation of a scripture, for instance claiming that baptism is necessary for salivation when the Pentacostal thinks it's only faith, not dead works, that is required, I believe that the Pentacostal Christian would admit that the other Christian was saved, just that he interpreted the scriptures wrong.

Help me understand why I wouldn't fit into that category. Yes I have radically different interpretation of the scriptures than you, but I can show how the same scripture CAN be interpreted in a way that supports me. (So I do believe and follow the new testament with a radically different interpretation). Why then is my confession of Jesus as my personal Saviour no longer good enough for my salvation?

Clara Tea said:

A very warm and welcoming greeting to oppressed Mormons at the Religious Forum.

Obviously God would let everyone know about himself (including people of America). Why would God only tell a small group of people in the Middle East about himself?

Mormons (Latter-Day Saints) believe that America was initially populated by Europeans. This is exactly what the Solutrean Hypothesis asserts. Solutreans were originally from Africa (they were Black), but moved to central Europe. Clovis Indians came across the Bering Straits (Beringia). But, in Virginia, under a Clovis archaeological dig, there are Pre-Clovis arrowheads. An experts on European Solutrean arrowheads said that there are 18 points of commonality between the Virginia and European arrowheads (so they are from the same group). No Pre-Clovis remains were found (dissolved by acids in the soil). A Clovis boy's bones were found, and DNA proved that he was of the same DNA as those who crossed Beringia. But, finding Clovis DNA doesn't prove or disprove facts of pre-Clovis DNA. It is thought that the pre-Clovis were either wiped out by war or the environment, or bred into the existing population. It is also supposed that their unique arrowhead technology spread quickly (through trade routes) throughout North and South America. There is an X haplogroup in the DNA of Europeans that is likely not in the Beringian group. That haplogroup is most prominent on the cost of North America, then tapers from there to a smaller percentage (indicating that Solutreans landed there, and their DNA mixed with Indians who arrived later and bred with them).

The Mormon religion is too vast to prove each and every point in such detail. But, it appears as valid as any other form of Christianity.

Sadly, mainstream Christians don't even consider Mormons to be Christian (despite the fact that they worship Christ). This is because they have a different bible, one that heavily depends on the visions of a prophet.

Mormons, in general, are peace-loving. It was a stain on the Mormon people when Mormons attacked a wagon train seeking supplies. The Mormons had been driven out of Navoo, Illinois, then driven out of Independence, Missouri, and felt that they were safe in Salt Lake, Utah after an arduous trip (some had pushed hand carts over the Rocky Mountains of Colorado). They were so frustrated that mobs might oust them from their solitude, that they attacked.

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Thank-you I appreciate your acceptance and understanding.

The church I belong to does teach that the Book of Mormon peoples lived in the Americas but has no official statement as to where in the Americas. As in individual I happen to believe that the first group, who came from the Tower of Babel, were Black, and travelled over the sea into the St. Lawrence straight settling in Modern-day Michigan. They were called the Jaredites. I believe that they, the Chinese, Phoenicians and others along the Mediterranean and even ancient Ireland participated in international trade during the Bronze age. The Jaredites had a civil war in modern-day upstate New York around 600 BC, and the few survivors met the second wave of Book of Mormon peoples who came from Jerusalem escaping the second Babylonian invasion. One group, the one that the leader of the "winning" faction of the Jaredites met, also came through the St. Lawrence straight and setup in modern day Mont Rose Iowa across the Mississippi from Nauvoo. The other group, lead by a prophet, landed in Florida probably, and migrated northward, meeting the first group centuries later. This new group also had a terrible civil war in the same place the Jaredites did (modern-day upstate New York). The winners intermingled with other indigenous peoples and are among the ancestors of modern-day Indigenous Americans.

I believe that the other ancestors of the modern day Indigenous Americans come from various groups over the Bering Straight and fishing vessel expeditions from the far East, as well as internationally during the bronze age. (Chief Joseph who was captured by the US military had a cuneiform tablet from his ancestors that, when translated was a sales receipt for swine I believe from the Bronze age).

The Mountain Meadow massacre was a despicable tragedy. Brigham Young did not condone it, and there is evidence that he forbade it, but the message was too late. The local leader was hung for it. It was done out of anger and fear because ruffians within the group that was killed taunted the locals that they would join the coming US Army and help exterminate the members the church. The whole group were killed to cover up a anger-heated gun fight between the locals and the ruffians, where the locals believed (I think correctly) that they had killed one of the ruffians, and that they would get in trouble with the US at some point. The US army was coming, and the extermination order was an official US law in Missouri (where the ruffians were from), and there was word that Senators in the US federal government were contemplating extermination because they believed that the members of the church would ally with the Indigenous Americans and the British to take over the West (the US believed the British would come through British Columbia Canada and conquer the West). This alliance was reasonable to predict even though it was not true. Despite that, the locals should have let the people go. There were so many innocent families killed.

Our treatment by locals in Missouri and Illinois was also despicable. It was done by lawless locals, but also by local law enforcers and state troops. There was rape, murder, and theft of property. Official appeals to the federal government was met by "your cause is just but we can do nothing for you" (the president might lose the Missouri vote).

We believe that the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that the church should be named "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". We believe that it is not just a church organized by good people who want to try to follow the Bible the best they could, but that it was literally the restoration of Jesus Christ's ancient Church in preparation for the Second Coming. The restoration was done under Christ's instructions through a prophet (Joseph Smith). The name "Mormon" was a deliberate move by our enemies who were never going to acknowledge our real name. They did not and do not believe that we are Jesus Christ's Church, and will not use a name that will signify that. We used to just go along with this, but no more. Our current prophet, President Russel M. Nelson has been instructed by the Lord to not go along with calling ourselves "Mormon" anymore. We politely ask others to respect our preferred name. Many media outlets do now.

Thief said:

I would draw the line as to WHAT.....not who.....
God and heaven allow in the Door

even then.....anyone in heaven could be thrown out

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I'm sorry I don't understand what "WHAT" refers to.

Can you elaborate?

cataway said:

if you are saved ,what are you saved from?

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Saved from my sins, and from living away from God in the afterlife.

nPeace said:

I think it can be likened to building a house.
Suppose someone is building a house, and gives instructions om what materials to get.
After the instructions are given, you are listening to the conversation of those whom have just been instructed...

Person A : "The instructor said we need to get bricks"
Person B : "The instructor said we need to get wood."
Person C : "The instructor said we need to get gloves."
....

You noticed though that no one is saying that there are a number of things needed, but there seem be be arguing that one thing is needed.
What would be going through your mind?
Would you be thinking that any of them were really thinking of what the instructor really wanted to accomplish, or might you conclude they were only thinking of what they wanted, or were only interested in?

The Bible has many pages of things Jesus and his apostles said, regarding instructions from the Lord.
To pick just one part, and say this is all that is needed, would be similar to those men in the scenario, Like the one who just wanted to get the gloves.

What did my post reveal as to the answer to your question?

Click to expand...

Thank-you.

First of, regarding your previous post, I agree with it. I personally think that I need more than just confessing that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, I believe I must follow the path that he dictates. I believe that He saves me, and then expects me to obey Him. I am forever indebted to Him, and will gladly do as He says. I acknowledge that my "doing what he says" does not buy my salvation (He buys it), I am just grateful and obedient to Him out of love and wanting to do what is right.

I think the faith group I am looking to learn about can be labelled "OSAS" (Once Saved Always Saved).

Andrew Reil said:

Thank-you for taking the time to explain that so thoroughly. I suspected that animosity might be a motivation for it, and you might be right that it's the entire explanation. As I mentioned in my first post, I have recieved one theological explanation, I'm just not sure it's universally believed by other Christians.
My purpose for asking the question is to understand their perspective. I will include your explanation to my growing understanding.
Thanks again.

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The critical thing is that if a person's testimony is not surely grounded, some of these people can talk you right out of your religion, it happened to one of my sons who was a returned missionary, he is no longer a member of the church. And we were convinced he was solid in the Church. If you have not read "Shaken Faith Syndrome" I highly recommend it. Also, if your testimony is not based on a strong interaction with the Holy Ghost I highly recommend that you read "Jesus the Christ" as it has a lot of information on how to get that relationship.
I do realize that you may not have these issues, I am really trying to just help, I hate to lose people to these "religionists" who are more concerned with what we teach than their own beliefs.
Since I joined the Church in 1974 I have been attacked repeatedly and at some time-periods incessantly for my beliefs. Before I joined I was NEVER attacked for my Baptist or JW background. That, in itself, is a real eye-opener.

Andrew Reil said:

I want to understand why Christians do not think I'm saved. I don't want to argue with them. I genuinely want to understand their rationale.

Here's why it's a question: I recognize that there are many debates among Christians on interpretations of the Bible, yet my understanding is that a Baptist will still admit that a Presbyterian is saved because he or she has accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. But they will not accept that I, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who accepts Jesus as my personal Savior, is saved. Why?

I have tried to ask this question many times, and except for once with a person I was able to convince that I do not want to argue, it has always quickly turned into why they believe Joseph Smith was an evil deceiver, not answering my question.

The one person who did answer me explained that because I do not believe in the Trinity, that even though I say the name "Jesus Christ", that I do not believe in the REAL Jesus Christ. That what I believe is a fictional idea that is not real, and that I have merely attributed the name "Jesus Christ" to that fictional idea. The REAL Jesus Christ that I should be accepting as my Savior is in the Trinity.

My question therefore is, if I interpret John 17:21 that "one" in the way that the followers of Jesus can be aligned perfectly with Him, the same way that Jesus Christ is already perfectly aligned with His Father, than does that interpretation nullify me?

Why do other disagreements over scriptural interpretation not nullify other Christian's beliefs?

And if a person who is initially unfamiliar with Christianity, then learns about it from a Christian missionary, and confesses Jesus, and then dies from an accident, and still harbors mistaken beliefs about God because he has not yet been taught fully by the missionaries, is he saved?

Your illumination on the topic would be appreciated.

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“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:13-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Doesn’t really matter what other people think but I would want to be sure about my eternal destiny. When I received Jesus Christ I was born again, this was undeniable because I was changed and was born again and had a totally different appetite and saw things different. I desired God now and hungry for His Word and wanted to know Him more. I know for sure I’m right with God because I have His Spirit.
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.””
‭‭John‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Andrew Reil said:

I'm sorry I don't understand what "WHAT" refers to.

Can you elaborate?

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God is no respecter of persons

I gather from that.........He doesn't care......who you are

the Carpenter said of Himself.....brother and fellow servant

neither are notation of ....who
both are notation of .....what

Andrew Reil said:

Saved from my sins, and from living away from God in the afterlife.

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if you were saved from your sin's you would never die . i should like to grantee, you are going to die . to die means to be dead . not a little bit dead but completely dead. this thing you call the after life . how do you define it ?

cataway said:

this thing you call the after life . how do you define it ?

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I hav been blind....seven days
and did not stop ....seeing

I have known my limbs cold and unresponsive
and did not stop .....feeling

and I know a level of pain.....wherein the pain .....stops

I did not

37818 said:

I believe a Mormon can become a Christian. Because God does the saving. 1 John 5:9-13.

Those Christians (I being one of them) that think Mormons are not Christians, because they have the understanding LDS chrurch teaches a different view of God, Christ and gospel. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Galatians 1:6-9.

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A better question would be, "Can a Baptist become a Christian?" Mormonism teaches that a true disciple of Christ behaves like one and doesn't take it upon himself to judge who is and who is lot a "real Christian."

In Mark 9:38-41, we read of a conversation between Jesus Christ and His Apostles. The Apostle John, apparently quite pleased with himself regarding his ability to be able to discern between a real Christian and a mere pretender, told Jesus about a recent experience he and the others had recently had. The conversation went as follows:

"Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward."

Apparently Jesus was more concerned about whether His followers were indeed following His example than He was about doctrinal technicalities. We are all (Mormons, Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals, etc.) interpreting God's word to the best of our abilities. While I believe God would prefer that we all understand and accept correct doctrines, I believe He is much, much more concerned about how we treat one another and how we refrain from making judgments against each other's right to be known as Christians.

Andrew Reil said:

Thank-you. I think I might be getting closer to my answer.

Do you believe that a person who confesses Jesus as their Savior is saved?

If so, if that person, who is say a Pentacostal, believes that a preacher from a different Christian sect is incorrect in his interpretation of a scripture, for instance claiming that baptism is necessary for salivation when the Pentacostal thinks it's only faith, not dead works, that is required, I believe that the Pentacostal Christian would admit that the other Christian was saved, just that he interpreted the scriptures wrong.

Help me understand why I wouldn't fit into that category. Yes I have radically different interpretation of the scriptures than you, but I can show how the same scripture CAN be interpreted in a way that supports me. (So I do believe and follow the new testament with a radically different interpretation). Why then is my confession of Jesus as my personal Saviour no longer good enough for my salvation?

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It is not a church (Baptist or otherwise), but God Himself, not even our own wills, but God who does the saving and the keeping according to His will, John 1:12-13. John 10:27-30. John 14:6. Titus 1:2. 1 John 5:9-13. John 6:37.

Andrew Reil said:

"OSAS" (Once Saved Always Saved).

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Joh 15:1 "I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener.
Joh 15:2 Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off........

Even though you believe in the messiah, you can be cut of his vine.

There is no such thing as osas.

Inquire of God said:

The critical thing is that if a person's testimony is not surely grounded, some of these people can talk you right out of your religion, it happened to one of my sons who was a returned missionary, he is no longer a member of the church. And we were convinced he was solid in the Church. If you have not read "Shaken Faith Syndrome" I highly recommend it. Also, if your testimony is not based on a strong interaction with the Holy Ghost I highly recommend that you read "Jesus the Christ" as it has a lot of information on how to get that relationship.
I do realize that you may not have these issues, I am really trying to just help, I hate to lose people to these "religionists" who are more concerned with what we teach than their own beliefs.
Since I joined the Church in 1974 I have been attacked repeatedly and at some time-periods incessantly for my beliefs. Before I joined I was NEVER attacked for my Baptist or JW background. That, in itself, is a real eye-opener.

Click to expand...

Thank-you.
I have had my testimony shocked twice, once early on my mission, and once over a decade ago while studying about Joseph Smith on the internet. Both times I respected and trusted the Lord and took my concerns to Him in prayer, willing to be patient. Both times I recieved a sweet answer to my prayer that satisfied me.
I am not having this shock now. I am not currently concerned about my salvation being in jeopardy, although I understand the need to endure to the end. I actually do want to understand what others from this faith tradition believe and why.
I appreciate your concern. Thank-you for carrying about me.

ElishaElijah said:

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:13-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Doesn’t really matter what other people think but I would want to be sure about my eternal destiny. When I received Jesus Christ I was born again, this was undeniable because I was changed and was born again and had a totally different appetite and saw things different. I desired God now and hungry for His Word and wanted to know Him more. I know for sure I’m right with God because I have His Spirit.
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.””
‭‭John‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

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Thank-you for responding. I feel happy that you have entered into this relationship with God.
I had a similar experience when I was 14. I have enjoyed His Spirit since then.
What I would like to understand is why Christians believe that my unique interpretations of the Bible disqualifies me from being saved.

Andrew Reil said:

Thank-you for responding. I feel happy that you have entered into this relationship with God.
I had a similar experience when I was 14. I have enjoyed His Spirit since then.
What I would like to understand is why Christians believe that my unique interpretations of the Bible disqualifies me from being saved.

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Not sure what your unique interpretation of the Bible is

Katzpur said:

A better question would be, "Can a Baptist become a Christian?" Mormonism teaches that a true disciple of Christ behaves like one and doesn't take it upon himself to judge who is and who is lot a "real Christian."

In Mark 9:38-41, we read of a conversation between Jesus Christ and His Apostles. The Apostle John, apparently quite pleased with himself regarding his ability to be able to discern between a real Christian and a mere pretender, told Jesus about a recent experience he and the others had recently had. The conversation went as follows:

"Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward."

Apparently Jesus was more concerned about whether His followers were indeed following His example than He was about doctrinal technicalities. We are all (Mormons, Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals, etc.) interpreting God's word to the best of our abilities. While I believe God would prefer that we all understand and accept correct doctrines, I believe He is much, much more concerned about how we treat one another and how we refrain from making judgments against each other's right to be known as Christians.

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A prerequisite to join a Baptist church is to have salvation, that is, to be a genuine Christian and to have been immersed, aka having been baptized. Believer's baptism. Having been saved first and then baptized.

37818 said:

A prerequisite to join a Baptist church is to have salvation, that is, to be a genuine Christian and to have been immersed, aka having been baptized. Believer's baptism. Having been saved first and then baptized.

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That's nice to know. And who determines whether or not you're a "genuine Christian"? Do you get to determine this for yourself, or does someone of a different Christian denomination get to decide whether you are or aren't?

In my church, the prerequisites for membership are (1) to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (2) to repent of one's sins (3) to be baptized by immersion for the remission of those sins and (4) to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.