Romans 3:23- “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Romans 6:23- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
Romans 10:9-10- “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Romans 10:13-”Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer:
(Prayer is talking to God)
God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, I invite you to pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.
More questions? Click here.
While the plan of salvation is very real, is there more to a total conversion than just reciting the prayer of another?
For a complete and detailed description of your real purpose of life, simply go to http://mormon.org/welcome/0,6929,403-1,00.html
Bill,
I will pray for you. It really is that easy. God’s plan has nothing to do with what we “DO” it has to do with what he has “DONE” on the cross for our sins.
Do you really believe that once you say “I am saved” that there is no more you need to do to prove that you actually are???
Why would you feel compelled to pray for me??? In other words, think of it like this….if I (after accepting Jesus as my Savior) desire to work hard, keep the commandments, serve others, pay a full 10% tithe (commanded by God) and every other pure, delightsome and uplifting thing I can think of…why would you need to pray for me???
Are you saying that if I do these things in addition to just paying lip service to the Lord, that I am going to hell???
You are right. It has everything to do with what HE did for us. That is why we must prove that we appeciate HIS atonement.
When you Baptize people (above ground which is wrong, do you tell them that this is all they have to do. Is it really that simple???
Bill,
Unfortunately that is what the Bible says. We can’t ever be good enough to get to Heaven.
How good is good enough? We have all sinned, like it says in Romans 3:23. We will continue to sin.
The reason followers of Jesus “do” all of the things you mention is out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us.
Yes, I will pray for you and for my athiest friend Francoise from Australia and my Catholic neighbor and many Baptists. EVERYONE who does not make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ will be seperated from Him. That place is called Hell.
Maybe you missed the point. Let me clarify it for once for all. The official name of the mormon church is “The Church of Jesus Chrost of Latter Day Saints.”
Where have I denied Jesus Christ or not professed HIM???
By the way, I was a strong member of the Southern Baptist Convention for most of my life. Therefore, I am not new to this topic. It just so happens that I KNOW the entore truth now…and you can also.
Also…and again…if you would read in Matthew about the 3 degrees of glory, you would discover that Heaven is a large place. Which one will you tell your congregation they are going to?
Bill,
It is not just saying, it is trusting. But it is a gift. If it were for works we could never do enough.
You need to read this book:
How Good is Good Enough by Andy Stanley
Kevin,
I am going to bury this thing, because I KNOW you are a wonderful man. Your heart is in the right place, and for that reason, Heavenly Father is delighted
I’m not going to tell you who I am, but I will tell you that 10 years ago, I made a wonderful discovery. This discovery told me who I am, where I came from, what my purpose is in being here, and where I can hope to go upon physical death from this earth. Being a somewhat learned man, I was never more sure that I HAD found the whole truth.
I have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ as my personal savior. I KNOW he lived a perfect life, died for my sins (after suffering insurmountable pain in the Garden of Gethsemane) was buried in a tomb, arose to live and reign forever. HE did this for me out of love and grace. The gift was free and HE paid the ultimate price.
This does not mean that I can go merrily through life calling myself a Christian (millions have been murdered in the name of Christianity), and whether I keep the commandments or not, I will still be guaranteed the same privileges of those who continue to diligently seek serve HIM and know him better.
So now I ask you, can I not be a Mormon and go to Heaven?
One last question, is God and Jesus the same person?
Bill,
Anyone can go to heaven according to John 3:16.
Yes God and Jesus are one and the same.
Also, I know who you are. Our youth group will be in your area this weekend for Chilipepper.
How did Jesus sit at the right hand of God if they are one and the same person?
What did Jesus mean when he told the thief on the cross, “today I’ll be with my Father in paradise?”
What in the world is chilipepper?
Bill,
What happened to you in your experience as a Southern Baptist that made you choose to leave for the Mormon church?
Was it an injustice or other hurt by people in the church that you attended?
Obviously there must have been something that happened to you or you must of thought something was lacking in your walk as a Southern Baptist to make you dissatisified enough to leave. I am very curious to find out what that might have been.
Rob,
With all sobriety, honesty and sincerity…
I was tired of receiving half truths to my questions….or…the old standard line…”oh, that’s one of those mysteries we’ll learn on the other side.” I always thought….here are men alledgedly trained in the gospel, and yet they cannot answer my questions…such as…”Where was I before I came to live on earth?”
Backbiting and bickering amongst the members.
Constant arguing over money, Annie Arnstrong, salaries for pastors, building funds etc.
Holier Than Thou attitudes.
Sunday school class outings for men where alochol and tobacco were consumed.
Those who raised HELL during the week, yet would sit on the front row on Sunday and chant amen.
False teachings about tithing…in other words…few paid the commanded 10%.
No one semed to care if they kept the commandments. It was as if they were just in the Bible if on occasion, you wanted to take a stab at one or two of them.
Unworthy deacons sitting in judgement of worthy members.
Pastors who manipulate others.
A pastor who slept with the Sunday School Presidents wife…and got caught!
I sought the LDS Church. They DID NOT seek me, and NEVER once forced me to believe anything they taught I prayed, pondered and tested the spirits for over 6 months, and at the end, I KNEW in the name of Jesus Christ that I had found the true church upon the earth.
I could go on and on. Fact is, those same brothers and sisters I knew back then, are the same types on this blog (whom I love with all my heart), but who sit in judgement of the Mormon’s and others.
Bill,
I’m sorry for your bad experience. Christianity isn’t about any denomination it is about a personal relationship with Jesus.
So Kevin…why are you aligned with a denomination?
Did you know that millions have lost their lives in the name of Christianity?
Can ALL churches be true…if not…which ones in your opinion are true?
You know…for all people of other faiths.
You claim to love all people, and say you desire to rescue souls, but on the contrary, act as if people do not accept your brand, they are worthless and undeserving of God’s love.
I’ll ask you one more time. If I choose to do more than just say I am saved, if I desire to show the Lord my gratitude by working to serve and help others, if I strive to keep the commandments and so forth, WHY is this such a threat to you or anyone else?
Does it make you feel ashamed that just maybe, you don;t measure up? Could it be that maybe you doubt your salvation?
Kevin, I have refrained from using Book of Mormon scriptures in any entry on this blog.
I wanted to engage in healthy debate from Bible verses.
Why…when the Bible is loaded with verses clearly stating that faith without works is dead do you deny that they are there? I listed off 4 or 5 from the Book of James, and you/your readers act as they do not exist…yet…you proclaim to follow Jesus Christ. If this is so, how do you discount what HE said so clearly?
If you were to acknowledge them, would it mean that you possibly would have to do more and work harder? Would you have to go back and explain to your congregation that you may have been wrong. Is it an issue of pride versus humility?
I don’t have to measure up. My salvation isn’t based on how good I am or what I have done. It is based on what Jesus did for me and I accpeted Him.
Exactly…and for that reason, I left the Baptist Church.
The attitude that I can do whatever I choose to whomever I choose, whenever I choose, and whether if I slip a little or a lot…it’s all the same with the Lord…he’ll let me in anyway.
Once saved always saved is the creation of man as a means to lead others to Hell.
Jesus told the harlot to go and sin no more. I suppose he really did not know what He was talking about. He had those scriptures placed in the Bible just for something to do…while he was waiting the day he could be brutally murdered by thugs.
Bill,
Your whole salvation is based on what you do. You will never be good enough. Yes, I can do whatever I want, but I don’t want to becaue I want to serve God and please Him.
So, you never sin?
Of course I do. I mess up everyday. Do you never sin?
Kevin,
Have reached the pinnacle of understanding? Do you feel that you know everything there is to know about the gospel?
God is out there in the eternities, and HE is so advanced compared to our pitiful comprehension.
Do you believe God no longer sends prophets to the earth, and can there be more than one at a time?
No I don’t think He sends Prophets anymore. After Jesus came there was no need.
Do you sin?
O.K. I got my answer. Well..I must go to bed for the night. Hope you and your famaily have a super weekend.
Good night
Bill
You too,
Do you still sin?
Bill,
I’d like to address something you said up in #21:
The false God created in the fertile imagination of Joseph Smith certainly is advanced. He started out as a man, and has been advancing ever since. He continues to advance, learn, and grow.
The true God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is not advanced, nor is He advancing. He is, and has from eternity been, perfect. He is not learning, He is all-knowing.
Just wanted to point out the distinction.
Yet again Wes, another example of you wanting me to believe what you have contrived, so that you will still be able to disspell that which I never said in the first place.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and others in the Bible (which we carry to Sunday School and study every Sunday) is the same God of Lehi (an ancient Jew), King Benjamin, Mormon (a leader of anicient inhabitants on this continent) and many others in the Book of Mormon (which we carry to Sunday School and study every Sunday).
GOD IS advanced as compared to our veiled comprehension. Can you or I sit back and look up, and see HIM where he sits on a throne of glory? Do we know what HE is doing at this very minute?
HE is still creating worlds without end, but we (you and I) only have an account of this one.
You will not read the Book of Mormon, because you seem afraid that you may learn the truth of what I speak. If you did this, you might have to adjust your views…which means you could no longer attack people like me.
As we all know, the Bible was corrupted (see one of the christian links below) and because of such a corruption, other books MUST/WILL come forth in time (aks Dead Sea Scrolls), correcting the corruptions.
The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ..as written by ancient inhabitants in the America’s. If this book were to have been stuck in between Acts & Romans, you would NOT have disputed it for a second.
We ALL know many b ooks of the Bible were doctored, or removed altogether.
See the corruption story from some of your own fellow scholars below:
http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-corrupted.html
So, then, God does (in your view) continue to learn and grow, is that what you’re saying? That God knows things today that He didn’t know last week? Interesting…
Bill,
How does that link state that the Bible is “corrupted”? I’m amazed you’d post it in support of that assertion, given what it actually says.
Here’s a couple paragraphs from the article (bold emphasis mine):
Wes…this is Jello again. It is amazing the heights you Baptist preachers will go to to protect what little is left of your decaying empire.
I never said that God continues to learn. I KNOW He is exalted! What I did say was…He continues to expand his universe(s) plural!
I tried to enter into your (for Baptist Preachers only site) where you made the jello comment, but it seemed to be blocked to all, except to those of you who were actively engaged (including pastor Kevin Bussey) in discussions…as to how to save your churches from the imminent decay which is beginning to happen. It has already blown wide open in the Catholic and Episcopal churches, and is heading your way like a huge boulder rolling down hill.
You have great attrition due to NOT teaching the truth (and what I mean by that is ALL OF IT). Withholding information would almost seem to be a falsehood…or…partial truth.
WHY will you not preach a sermom on the importance of adhering to the scriptures found in James 2:17-26 for instance.
Jesus surrounded himself with the meek and poor, and sought to teach the same.
How many poor deacons do you have in your councils???
Do you discipline the rich who can contribute large sums to the coffers, or is this reserved for the lowly sheeple only?
Bill,
Wes’ site isn’t blocked. You have to enter the code @ the end.
We do preach the entire Bible. That’s what we as Baptists have been fighting for the last 25 years.
So when was the last time you preached the entire book of James 2 or 1 Peter 5:2?
Hi Kevin,
. But I think above all the theology, the main point is we experience something with God, right? I’m not new to Christianity but what I know is, studying the entire bible is useless unless you feel God in your heart. .. That’s what we all know here, in my church.. He’s so unexplainable, we just know He’s there. Our heart are changed. umm.. I think that’s all I want to share, thank you..
I’m Diah from Bali, Indonesia and reading your blog is really blessed me. I’m new to this wordpress thingy. My English is still in progress
ow, by the way I really like your title “recovering pharisee”..
yes ok close
The Mormon Church is a false church, the Scriptures teach believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved( because we are born evil and spiritually dead thus Jesus came and was born of a virgin lived an obedient life died and arose on the third day………WE ARE NATURALLY EVIL until our Hearts are changed by the Spirit not by our WORDS), and you can judge a tree by its fruits…if you say you believe in Jesus and bear bad fruit yet again state your saved a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and vice versa. You are leading people astray with false teachings…God gives salvation freely to all who believe…our actions are nothing towards the legal debt…Christ paid it all……But if one is born again by the Spirit of the Living God they will fall and they will do good works in Christ Jesus which he prepared beforehand that we could walk in them…All who read this blog know this is a false teacher who runs this web page the MORMON church is FALSE and a demonic faith. I Hope Either you come to salvation in Him or this web page is destroyed.
And to clarify once more Jesus died for those whom the father as His children and chose them since the foundation of world…the book of Mormon is a satanic book. I beg all who read this blog read the Scriptures straight through and then read the book of Mormon I pray that God will show you that one gives Life and the book of Mormon gives death. I am a sinner and struggle with many things yet I am not saved because i think or say I am but it is because of Jesus that i am saved not that i chose to be saved but that he CHOSE me… All who do not know the true Jesus the True God and not the Mormon perversion or any other false faith will ever have eternal life and will suffer eternal hell consciously. I beg all believe on Jesus Christ and love Him and truly go to Him and see if you do know Him. The Word and the Spirit agree not contradict. The Mormon faith is folly.
Reid,
Did you read the plan of salvation? I’m not a Mormon. I’m a born again- evangelical Christian.
What an interesting read. I’ve noticed a common trend among all the major cults that spin off of Christianity (Like Mormons) and that is they tend to capitalize on the deficiencies of the modern church. It’s clear (by the posts I’ve read) that many Mormons take serious issues with two things unparticular, and that is,
1: The affluence of the evangelical church in how they hoard their resources, and 2: The idea that evangelical Christians are free to sin because their salvation is not based on works.
Both are tragic problems that accentuate both the carnal flesh (the affluence) and the spiritual bankruptcy (the freedom to sin) that plague the church. Perhaps Joseph Smith was on the right track, but instead of reforming a faith that desperately needed to be reminded of the truth, he pride fully created his own. Any born-again believer that submits to the Word of God will tell you that the Word is the final authority, not the behavior of some of it’s presumed followers.
With that said, it’s time for bed, but I’ll leave you with this: Any straight forward study of Romans will tell you Christ freed us from sin, so it makes no sense to return to the bondage we were rescued from, I John also tells us if we continue to sin, God is not in us. You can’t tie salvation to sin, nor can you keep the law (Mormons) Actions cannot dictate salvation, because we’re already guilty of breaking God’s law, and the only worthy atonement is blood. The Gospel is exclusively about our sin, God’s righteousness, our inability to free ourselves from the bondage of sin, and God’s willingness to die in our stead to demonstrate His love, for His glory.
It begins with a proper understanding of our hopeless position before a righteous and sovereign God
it’s “in particular”
I’m sorry to all the folks who like my wife, are greatly annoyed by the misuse of the english language.
I think a single moment to confess what one believes is to tiny a view from an eternal God. Salvation is never a moment but a process where we gain more insight and understanding about the person of Christ. The eternal creator God was and is revealing Christ to all people way before we have any understanding of who He is and so to view salvation as one moment is rather limited. You journey started way before that. God saw you first and then we saw Him!
I do believe that as you grow in that understanding you are then able to make a confession and that you can also tell others about that confession and so your confession might be a moment but your journey of salvation starts long before that moment.
To all ,
I was freed from sin (i.e)SAVED only by HIS GRACE not by anything else and I accepted it by FAITH .
I struggled for many years to accept this simple and fundamental truth eventhough I was raised as a Evengelical Christian .
How anybody can be saved only by belief(or faith) not by deeds ? Is being saved is that simple ? Or the early reformation leaders who proclaimed this are deceiving others and themselves.
I was tormented by these questions for many years.
My personal struggle leads to the conclusion that
FAITH IS A WONDERFUL AND MYSTERIOUS THING.
Mysterious in the sense that we cannot understand it .
Salvation is the work of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Only HOLY SPIRIT reveals the truths found in the WORD of GOD.
Who are we to judge God? Are we like God? Certainly not. Can we act like Christ – to the best of our ability. All are sinners to one degree or another. I don’t agree that a thief and I deserve the same heaven…but I have FAITH that God knows what that is best. I don’t know why he’s made it this way…I know that when the kindom is alive in me, it flows from me and is created around me. Through my acts then do I build the kingdom? Perhaps…but not by a concious choice or by any expectation of reward, but by the changing of my nature, my essence, my presence through faith and having Christ alive within me. It pours out of me in my actions, my words, my influence. The more I have faith the more I do, the more I do the more I have faith. Is that my higher reward….being closer to God for longer? I don’t know…but I can tell you it’s been a great ride so far. I love deeper, I give forgiveness I’m denied, I speak better of all – and it flows back to me. No, it’s not free. It does require a lot of effort TO BE TRUE IN MY FAITH….but still, in faith alone. The works are the result of my faith, without expectation of compensation. If I can go to heaven based on works, then GOD”s son died in vain.
Hail planet Kolob! (did you know that men live on the moon, dress like Quakers and are about 6 feet tall – I think that was in Genesis 50) I’m trying to remember if that was my saviour JC that said that or the other dude, JS. ….kidding, I know it’s Joe Smith. Shoot…now that wasn’t very Christian was it? I told you it wasn’t always easy (lol)