the study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved
35
votes
10answers
2k views
What happens to people who have never heard about Jesus? [closed]
There seems to be general consensus inside Christianity that in order to be saved, you must have faith, and that this faith has to be in Jesus Christ. Here is one verse sometimes cited for the ...
35
votes
9answers
1k views
Who saved people before ~33AD?
The exact date isn't important but at some point about 2000 years ago Christ died on a cross. Since that point Christians everywhere have put their faith in Him. He claimed to be the Way, the Truth ...
12
votes
3answers
460 views
How do you “Convert” somebody to Christianity?
A highly debated topic I know. There are hundreds of answers for this, but I would personally like to know what the Bible says about this.
If somebody was interested in being saved, what is my ...
18
votes
5answers
556 views
Are there unforgivable sins?
Jesus came and died for our sins so that we may be forgiven and have salvation.
But Matthew 12:32 (NIV) says there is at least one thing to prevent being forgiven.
32 Anyone who speaks a word ...
14
votes
6answers
798 views
Can a Christian walk away from his or her salvation?
There is a plethora of verses that say that people can not cause a saved Christian to lose his salvation, such as
John 10:29 (NLT)
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is ...
23
votes
10answers
2k views
Can an atheist go to heaven?
The question of who goes to heaven and who to hell seems to result in very different answers depending on which tradition the Christian answering belongs to. Some traditions, especially evangelical ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
What happens to non-believers or believers of other religions after death?
What happens (according to Christians) to people who specificially rejected the idea of God, the Bible and the christian teachings after they die?
Is there a difference to people who believed in ...
6
votes
3answers
224 views
Do parts of Hebrews 3 and 4 imply that saved Christians can become unsaved?
A few nights ago, a friend and I were reading through Hebrews 3 and 4. A few verses in particular caught my attention...
Hebrews 3:11-13 (NLT)
11 So in my anger I took an oath,
...
11
votes
3answers
236 views
Is repentance required for salvation?
I know that through faith alone I am saved. But is repentance a requirement for that salvation as a part of my faith? Is repentance a single act, or should it be continuous?
4
votes
3answers
235 views
Does my monk go to heaven? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What happens to people who have never heard about Jesus?
I have found this very basic question perplexing to different pastors, rectors, and members of churches: If ...
26
votes
10answers
620 views
Biblical basis for baptism as a prerequisite for salvation
Some people believe that if you have not been baptized, you cannot be saved.
Others (including myself) believe that it is merely the outward declaration of what has already happened in the heart.
...
5
votes
3answers
219 views
Do Christians Regard Speaking in Tongues as Necessary?
I have heard that some Christians consider it the only sure sign of having received the Holy Spirit, which would seem quite important.
If not generally, which groups hold to this belief, and in what ...
24
votes
6answers
370 views
Is the “sinner's prayer” important for salvation and why?
In evangelical churches the sinner's prayer is a very much emphasized aspect for someone to become or convert to being a Christian. In fact, most church services I attended growing up ended with the ...
11
votes
3answers
305 views
Can angels be saved?
We know from the Bible that devils are fallen angels, once created good but who chose to join Lucifer's rebel uprising and consequently lost their place in heaven.
Can those angels ever be saved? Can ...
16
votes
6answers
1k views
What happens to unborn, unbaptized babies who die?
If we accept that unborn babies are human beings and not merely a non-human organism, and further we require baptism as a prerequisite for salvation (using it as justification for infant baptism)...
...
6
votes
2answers
404 views
What is the Biblical basis for multiple judgments?
I recently heard a talk on the notion of "multiple judgments"; the idea is one is initially judged simply on the fact of their salvation - did that person put their life in Christ's hands and accept ...
3
votes
3answers
231 views
Are there any tenets of Gnosticism that are still present in the church today?
Towards the end of the New Testament writing, the heresy of gnosticism was one of the chief "false teachings" against which Paul and the other writers were contesting. Could someone present some of ...
14
votes
3answers
477 views
How could a loving, just, merciful God have created such an unfair test for humans?
According to the Bible, God is loving:
1 John 4 (NIV)
8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4 (NIV)
16 And so we know and rely on the love God ...
10
votes
1answer
239 views
What does the Roman Catholic church teach about those who die having never heard of Christ?
What does the Roman Catholic church teach about those who die having never heard of Christ? Is there any possibility of salvation for them?
Related:
What happens to people who have never heard about ...
5
votes
3answers
349 views
Did Jesus need to die, or would mere shedding of blood have been sufficient?
Originally: St. Thomas Aquinas on salvation by a drop of Christ's Blood
I heard on Relevant Radio a year or so ago something perplexing, I think it was a priest saying it, but it may have been a ...
11
votes
3answers
199 views
What does it mean to “be saved”
It seems common in Christian communities (and in questions on this site) for people to say they have been saved. What does someone mean by this when they say it? How would I know that I have been ...
12
votes
1answer
244 views
What is the difference between the doctrines of “Perseverance of the Saints” and “Eternal Security?”
The terms "Perseverance of the Saints," "Eternal Security," and the phrase "once saved, always saved" are a bit fuzzy in my head. I understand the general concept behind them, but what are the ...
7
votes
3answers
209 views
Is belief a work into salvation?
Is the placing of one's faith in Christ for salvation, a work? - Can I produce faith on my own?
How does the Bible answer that question?
2
votes
4answers
216 views
Christian Position on the meaning of Faith
We are told, 'The just (upright) shall live by faith.' So I have a question for the Christians here. How do you understand faith? This does not have to be strictly biblical (since the scripture does ...
13
votes
1answer
179 views
What are the primary differences and implications of a propitiatory view of the atonement versus an expiatory view?
Western theology tends to view atonement as propitiation, while Eastern tends to view it as expiation. What are the primary differences and implications of each perspective? Are they antithetical or ...
14
votes
8answers
311 views
The Grace Gambit
You might be familiar with Pascal's Wager, also known as Pascal's Gambit. It states that one is best off believing in Christianity, because, if it is true, you'll be saved and go to heaven, and if it ...
16
votes
4answers
265 views
How does Matthew 25:31-46 (“The Sheep and the Goats”) reconcile with salvation by faith?
In Matthew 25:31-46 (a passage subtitled "The Sheep and the Goats" in the NIV), Jesus seems to be drawing a direct relationship between good works and salvation.
Matthew 25:31-46 NIV:
31 “When ...
6
votes
5answers
248 views
Is it possible to achieve a life without sin on earth?
Based on the biblical doctrines, is it possible to achieve a completely holy life without any sin during our lifetime after salvation?
14
votes
5answers
750 views
Praying for someone's salvation. Is there a point?
According to I Timothy 2:4 (NIV), God "...wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth".
But since we have free will, God cannot make us choose to accept the salvation that is ...
12
votes
4answers
723 views
Do I get a second chance to believe in Jesus after I die?
As if some people couldn't get far enough away from them on earth, several verses in the Bible seem to indicate that there will be preachers even in Hell.
1 Peter 4:6 (ESV)
For this is why the ...
7
votes
2answers
244 views
What is the Plan of Salvation in LDS theology?
I know it's different than most Christian faiths' beliefs, and I know the missionaries teach it... I know it's a big part of Mormon curriculum and doctrine, and this site is replete with questions ...
5
votes
4answers
139 views
From whom does faith come?
I've heard both of these claims, and they seem to have irreconcilable differences:
God does his part (the call/invitation), now you do yours (respond in faith)
God not only gave his son for you, but ...
4
votes
2answers
123 views
What is the nature of eternal security?
@JonEricson made a statement in this answer that is fascinating to me:
In other words, we aren't secure in our salvation because of the nature of salvation, but because of the nature of Jesus.
...
12
votes
7answers
757 views
If we are saved by grace, then why does Jesus say we must be baptized in both spirit and water?
Ephesians 2:4-9 says:
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He
loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive
together with Christ (by grace ...
9
votes
4answers
324 views
Biblical arguments for Universal salvation
Universal salvation, or universal reconciliation is the belief that God will eventually reconcile Himself with every immortal soul. That is, everyone will be saved. This doctrine has a long history. ...
7
votes
1answer
186 views
Were there provisions for salvation for non-Hebrews in the OT?
One of the significant points of Jesus ministry and the evangelism done by the early apostles seems to be their going to "gentile" nations and preaching that they too were recipients of God's plan of ...
4
votes
3answers
187 views
What happens with a soul after one's death according to Eastern Orthodox doctrine?
Inspired by this question and answers for it: what happens with a soul after one's death according to Eastern Orthodox doctrine? I'm interested in all variants.
3
votes
3answers
268 views
In what sense do Mormons believe salvation is only through Christ?
As background to my question, I found this statement by a Mormon that shows Mormons believe that there are many gods in the universe:
“While we believe that there are other gods out there, they ...
14
votes
5answers
504 views
Is it possible to be a Christian by birth?
My parents are both Christians. When we were kids they always took us to church. Does that make me a Christian?
13
votes
3answers
188 views
When did knowledge of Christ's sacrifice become necessary for salvation?
First, this question makes two assumptions:
For a person to be saved today, they must hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, and accept the gift of His death on the cross as penance for their sin.
Before ...
12
votes
4answers
187 views
Is righteousness a prerequisite for salvation?
James 2:24 NIV
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
In James we are told that a person would be considered righteous by their deeds and not ...
8
votes
3answers
367 views
How does the Arminian view of salvation account for God's sovereignty?
The Arminian view of salvation posits that man has free will and the choice to accept salvation is purely on our own free will.
The total sovereignty of God (while disputed in some theological ...
6
votes
2answers
237 views
What roles do faith and works play in the LDS/Mormon understanding of salvation?
A primary point in the Reformation was the issue of sola fide--the position that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works. This was to distinguish the position that works were necessary for ...
5
votes
2answers
214 views
Could Jesus save Satan? [closed]
Could Jesus save Satan?
Some biblical reference with explanation, would be helpful.
4
votes
1answer
116 views
How does Reformed theology interpret 1 Corinthians 9:27
This questions is aimed at those Christians who frequently refer to living people as "saved" or "unsaved", and especially to those who believe that someone saved can't become "unsaved" later.
At least ...
4
votes
2answers
219 views
What is the scriptural basis for the idea that salvation can still be obtained after death?
What is the basis in the Scripture for the doctrine that those who haven't received salvation during their physical life, especially those who heard of Christ and yet chose not to pray to Him, will ...
3
votes
4answers
483 views
When is it too late to ask for salvation?
In protestant teachings or directly from the bible, when is it too late to ask for salvation? There are many death bed conversion stories. The most momentous conversion in Western history was that ...
2
votes
2answers
102 views
Does a Christian who commits sins against Christian doctrine and commandments still remain Christian? [duplicate]
What is the position of the Christian denominations about whether a person who commits sins and lives un-Christian lifestyle, yet believes he is Christian, still remains Christian?
This question is ...
