How To Get To Heaven When You Die

[pspstatus]

can't argue with the reasoning, but i don't think all religions or sects within a religion support any of those things.

I agree, but the religion he's talking about in its most basic form includes those things.

[Paddington]

Really? not that i agree with all that is in the post, but it takes a stronger person to believe than not to believe. anyone can say, "that is not worth my time", and everyone does in some form or another.

Thank you

[Paddington]

cool, will do.

almost every instance we see in the book of acts has someone acknowledging belief and immediately being baptized (thousands in acts 2, philippian jailer, paul, ethiopian eunach, etc.)

1 Peter in making a comparison to the waters of the flood says "this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God."

The first half of Romans 6 discusses our baptism in terms of dying to christ and being born again through his resurrection.

Jesus' final command at the end of matthew is to go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit.


i have never heard any debate in defense of the sinners prayer that made sense to me. Or a debate the spoke against the need for baptism.

thanks man, would love to hear your opinion as well.

Baptism isn't for salvation. It is a believer's first act of obedience. Believers are commanded to be baptized, but it's not for salavation. It's a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

[Paddington]

as a christian, my question is about the significance and purpose of the "sinner's prayer." I can't find anything in scripture that says belief in jesus leads one to a certain prayer. Scripture tells me that belief in Jesus leads one to baptism. So, i feel confident in my salvation but i have never prayed the prayer listed in the opening post.

It's not about a certain prayer, it's about admitting you are a sinner, believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead for our sins and confessing Him as your Savior and Lord. The prayer just sums this all up. That's all.

[habsheaven]

I agree that no matter what the storm is there is always somebody worse off than you but that being said there are always issues in life greater than you that you alone as a man cannot handle by yourself.

That's a very defeatist attitude. An attitude I do not possess. I know that there is no issue in life that I cannot handle.

[mrveggieman]

That's a very defeatist attitude. An attitude I do not possess. I know that there is no issue in life that I cannot handle.

So if you were terminally ill how would you be able to defeat that all by yourself?

[habsheaven]

So if you were terminally ill how would you be able to defeat that all by yourself?

I would not have to "defeat" it. I would just have to accept it. Are you suggesting that you would be praying for a cure, or praying for the strength to accept your fate?

[duane1969]

A lot of interesting perspectives here. Good discussion.

A few thoughts...

habs - I see where you are coming from. The human element tells us that we should find inner strength to deal with issues. There are some people that do not have that same fortitude. Some people say a prayer to deal with things, some crack open a beer at the end of a long day, some kick the dog...in the end we all find strength through whatever meets our personal needs. Finding strength through prayer doesn't make you weak, it makes you finding that strength in your own way.

Would you consider a person who deals with stress by going to the gym and working out to be a weak person? What about someone who deals with a bad day by going bowling? Are they weak too? Using your logic, anyone who can not deal with personal issues internally and has to turn to an outside source is weak.

shrewsbury and veggie - any more agreement on issues between you two will result in infractions. I don't know where you guys get off being agreeable, but it has to stop. This is the P&R section after all...

ensbergcollector - interesting read. I must investigate more.

[habsheaven]

A lot of interesting perspectives here. Good discussion.

A few thoughts...

habs - I see where you are coming from. The human element tells us that we should find inner strength to deal with issues. There are some people that do not have that same fortitude. Some people say a prayer to deal with things, some crack open a beer at the end of a long day, some kick the dog...in the end we all find strength through whatever meets our personal needs. Finding strength through prayer doesn't make you weak, it makes you finding that strength in your own way.

Would you consider a person who deals with stress by going to the gym and working out to be a weak person? What about someone who deals with a bad day by going bowling? Are they weak too? Using your logic, anyone who can not deal with personal issues internally and has to turn to an outside source is weak.

shrewsbury and veggie - any more agreement on issues between you two will result in infractions. I don't know where you guys get off being agreeable, but it has to stop. This is the P&R section after all...

ensbergcollector - interesting read. I must investigate more.

Duane, perhaps I did not explain that clearly enough. I have no problem with people who pray seeking strength in coping with life. My issue is with people who pray as a means of curing/fixing whatever is causing them distress.

[mrveggieman]

I would not have to "defeat" it. I would just have to accept it. Are you suggesting that you would be praying for a cure, or praying for the strength to accept your fate?

Both. I can't speak for anyone else but I believe that with God all things are possible. That's what works for me if someone dosen't agree with that then that is their right.