Archive -> January 1, 2005

Christianity’s Salvation ambiguity

The son of God called Jesus died so that you can be saved (John 3:16-17), people were confused about what else they should be doing after he died to go to a prepared place that Jesus spoke about in John 14:2. It becomes even more confusing nowadays because in the books of Matthew, Luke, and Mark, they all record something different about how to receive this salvation. If you believe according to the Bible, no one knows what must you do in order to be saved. Many Christians claim that faith in Jesus Christ is both necessary and sufficient for salvation. So, in other words, faith alone is required which John 3:15-18 supports. However, other verses tell a different story. This is obviously a big problem amongst Christians because whole denominations have split over these bible contradictions.

Mark 16:16 says that baptism is necessary for salvation:

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

That verse implies that faith is a requirement or else you will be “damned.” Thus, this raises the question: Is faith alone required, or is it faith plus baptism? Churches are divided on this question, especially when considering infants and children who die before being baptized. The concept of “limbo” was invented while they were trying to resolve this contradiction. They weren’t sure whether children were to go to heaven or hell.

Some bible verses such as James 2:14-15 says that works are required for salvation:

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can (sic) faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

And according to your definition and opinion, the term “works” can mean anything from good deeds towards others, following the laws of the bible and/or the fear of God. Some so-called scholars interpret this passage to mean that faith and works are both required, or that faith automatically produces works. Others interpret it to mean that works alone are required. Who’s right, who’s wrong? Because there are other verses such as Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:5, Hebrews 6:1 and James 2:17 that state works and faith are both necessary and enough for salvation and they don’t mention faith. All of these verses are from the red lettered writing of your bible, which you claim were the actual words of Jesus, the Christ. Can faith alone save you? Can faith plus baptism save you? Can faith plus works save you? Can works alone save you? According to the Bible and not your opinions, which one, two, or three of these qualify you to get to paradise?

Now according to Ephesians 1:4-6 and Revelation 17:8, each of us was predestined for either heaven or hell “before the foundation of the world.” This means that no on can be saved unless their salvation was established from the beginning. If belief is required for salvation, then only those predestined for salvation are able to believe (Acts 13:48, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). If obedience is required for salvation, then only those predestined for salvation is able to obey (1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 2:7-8). These quotes all state, or clearly imply, that God premeditated or predestined your salvation and damnation long before any of you were even born. So according to the very scriptures that you believe in, you can’t be or do anything other than what you are predestined to be or do. This is telling the criminal who is so-called “born again” that no matter how many times he is baptized, he can not be reformed. According to John 6:44, John 6:65, Romans 9:14-16 and Psalm 65:4, salvation depends on God's decision, and (God) can save someone anytime he likes.

And you wonder why Christianity is divided into so many sects, and no one know their destiny.

Excerpted from Is There A God? by Dr. Malachi Z. York