Questions tagged [soteriology]
The study of the mechanisms by which an individual is saved.
633 questions
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What happens to non-believers or believers of other religions after death? [closed]
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 ...
user301
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Is righteousness a prerequisite for salvation? [closed]
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 just ...
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Since God provided for the forgiveness of sins in the Old Testament, why do we need Jesus?
I thought of this when I was researching this question.
Leviticus 4 goes into great detail about the sacrifice that must be made in order for a sin to be forgiven. However, we see here that God ...
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When did knowledge of Christ's sacrifice become necessary for salvation? [closed]
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 ...
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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 ...
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Is the "sinner's prayer" important for salvation and why? [closed]
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 ...
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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 ...
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Was Jesus' death legitimate? [closed]
Legitimate, not in the fact that He died, but in how specifically his blood was shed. It is said that Jesus' death was the final fulfillment of the old testament requirements. If this is true, then ...
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Can fallen angels be redeemed? [closed]
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 ...
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How were people saved prior to 33 AD?
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 ...
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Do you have to have a certain amount of intelligence to get into heaven? [closed]
Is there a certain level of intelligence required to get into heaven? I would expect someone to be able to understand at least some of scripture to be saved, but how much intelligence is needed to ...
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Can an atheist go to heaven? [closed]
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 ...
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Do Christians regard speaking in tongues as necessary? [closed]
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 ...
user304
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Do I get a second chance to believe in Jesus after I die? [closed]
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 ...
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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 ...
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What does the Catholic church teach about fate of non-Catholic christians?
From what I've heard, The Roman Catholic Church claims to be the only representative authority of God on Earth. Does it indeed claim that, and if so what does it say happens to members of non-Catholic ...
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Why are some people born into famine and starvation? [closed]
I was raised Christadelphian, and after 17 years of education and reading the bible, I dismissed my faith and left the church. One of my main reasons for turning my back on God was this.
Why is it ...
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Did Adam and Eve end up getting saved? [closed]
After answering a recent question, it occurred to me to ask: Is there any biblical evidence regarding whether Adam and Eve have been redeemed in some fashion (and are thus going to Heaven/the New ...
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Are there unforgivable sins? [closed]
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 ...
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What is the SBC's stance on what/how salvation is/works?
What is the Southern Baptist Convention's stance on what salvation is and how it works?
Is there an official doctrine?
Is it challenged by prominent members?
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Is it possible to be a Christian by birth? [closed]
My parents are both Christians. When we were kids they always took us to church. Does that make me a Christian?
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What does it mean to be an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ? [closed]
Romans 8:16-17
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer ...
user23
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What was it about the death of Jesus that allows God to forgive us?
I've heard many people state that it was the punishment inflicted by the Romans that allows God to forgive us. This just doesn't make any sense to me.
How can a man suffer for a short while here on ...
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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 “...
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What does it mean to "be saved" [closed]
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 ...
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Are all who are saved, saved equally? [closed]
If two people are saved, are they "equally saved?" I don't doubt that both people are completely forgiven, but is it possible for one Christian to be more revered by God than another Christian? Is ...
user77
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Is repentance required for salvation? [closed]
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?
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How do you "Convert" somebody to Christianity? [closed]
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 ...
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What is the Biblical basis 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. ...
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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.
...
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Difference between Augustinianism and Calvinism
Is there a difference between Augustinianism and (Five Points) Calvinism as they relate to the doctrine of salvation?
If so, what is the difference?
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What happens to unborn, unbaptized babies who die? [closed]
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)...
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user32
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How do you know that you are reborn of Spirit? [closed]
This is by far one of the most profound questions in Christianity today. We have so many different denominations stating many different things. I know that this is a large debate, but go ahead and ...
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