Will buddhists go to hell?

[restore]

I v been told that buddhists will go to hell since Jesus is the only path,, but today a friend said we could not know or judge those things,only God knows.
I v also read a thing telling that slavation is by hearing and accepting gospel,but for those who have no chances to hear,they may still get salvation by what they do,be judged by their behaviour on earth,just like those people who have helped the little ones in church even if they do not know about Jesus.

feel confused....

[Zecryphon]

I v been told that buddhists will go to hell since Jesus is the only path,, but today a friend said we could not know or judge those things,only God knows.
I v also read a thing telling that slavation is by hearing and accepting gospel,but for those who have no chances to hear,they may still get salvation by what they do,be judged by their behaviour on earth,just like those people who have helped the little ones in church even if they do not know about Jesus.

feel confused....
Well my advice to you would be to talk to some Buddhists and see if they have ever heard the gospel of Christ. Try and feel them out as a whole. If they have and have rejected it, then yes they are going to Hell. If they have not heard the gospel you know what to do. Good luck. Now Buddhism for the most part is not really a religion but more a philosophy since the Buddha never made any claims of deity, now there are theistic Buddhists, but I don't know which god they are worshipping.

[HypnoToad]

Only God knows, but it's God who has told us it is by Christ alone. So, if a Buddhist rejects Christ, they are lost.

Now, as for those who never had a chance to hear about Christ, Paul does seem to indicate that those people might be judged differently (I'll have to look for the reference - I believe it's somewhere in Romans where he mentions they have "a law unto themselves".)

[Elife3]

I believe so because Buddha is a false god.

[barrykind]

Stated By Zecryphon


Well my advice to you would be to talk to some Buddhists and see if they have ever heard the gospel of Christ. Try and feel them out as a whole. If they have and have rejected it, then yes they are going to Hell. If they have not heard the gospel you know what to do. Good luck. Now Buddhism for the most part is not really a religion but more a philosophy since the Buddha never made any claims of deity, now there are theistic Buddhists, but I don't know which god they are worshipping.

My ; if i truly thought this line of thinking was right...................................................WE SHOULD NOT NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT THE GOSPEL; THAT WAY "they never heard" and never go to hell... hummm

Thats not biblical line of thinking. YaHWeH (God) is all love, all mercy, all grace, and all judgement.

Now Yahushua (Jesus) did state that it would be better for "Sodom and Gohmorrah) than for that generation, because if Sodom and Gohmorrah would have heard what they heard they would have repented with sackcloth and ashes long ago. ! hummm

So seemingly thier is different degrees of pumishment.


BUT THE TEACHING of "because they have not heard the gospel" they are not going to helll,,,,,IS A LIE!

And ultimately "the Lake of FIre"


Study Romans dear brother, do NOT believe everything you hear from the pulpit!...Study out the scriptures. Read about the BEREAN's and liken yourself unto them...study...The Holy Spirit will reveal to those who seek in spirit and truth and have received a love of the truth. If we keep ourselves intune with the Holy Spirit we WILL NOT BE DECEIVED......for there is lying spirits in the world today that would :"DECEIVE": the VERY ELECT if it were possible...so it takes YaHWeH and His dear SON YAHUSHUA (Jesus) to keep us from a LIE!!

Pray ask YaHWeH God to speak to you and tell you if i speak words of wisdom or speaking contray to scripture....i am NOTHING, HE is everything.............do not miss a message because im inadequite..


The story in the news paper may be true, dont disbelieve it because you may not like the paper boy who delivered the paper...:)

Study everything with prayer and fasting and study.. :)


love always in the Messiah (Christ)


barry

:groupray:

[barrykind]

Stated By Zecryphon


Well my advice to you would be to talk to some Buddhists and see if they have ever heard the gospel of Christ. Try and feel them out as a whole. If they have and have rejected it, then yes they are going to Hell. If they have not heard the gospel you know what to do. Good luck. Now Buddhism for the most part is not really a religion but more a philosophy since the Buddha never made any claims of deity, now there are theistic Buddhists, but I don't know which god they are worshipping.

My ; if i truly thought this line of thinking was right...................................................WE SHOULD NOT NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT THE GOSPEL; THAT WAY "they never heard" and never go to hell... hummm

Thats not biblical line of thinking. YaHWeH (God) is all love, all mercy, all grace, and all judgement.

Now Yahushua (Jesus) did state that it would be better for "Sodom and Gohmorrah) than for that generation, because if Sodom and Gohmorrah would have heard what they heard they would have repented with sackcloth and ashes long ago. ! hummm

So seemingly thier is different degrees of pumishment.


BUT THE TEACHING of "because they have not heard the gospel" they are not going to helll,,,,,IS A LIE!

And ultimately "the Lake of FIre"


Study Romans dear brother, do NOT believe everything you hear from the pulpit!...Study out the scriptures. Read about the BEREAN's and liken yourself unto them...study...The Holy Spirit will reveal to those who seek in spirit and truth and have received a love of the truth. If we keep ourselves intune with the Holy Spirit we WILL NOT BE DECEIVED......for there is lying spirits in the world today that would :"DECEIVE": the VERY ELECT if it were possible...so it takes YaHWeH and His dear SON YAHUSHUA (Jesus) to keep us from a LIE!!

Pray ask YaHWeH God to speak to you and tell you if i speak words of wisdom or speaking contray to scripture....i am NOTHING, HE is everything.............do not miss a message because im inadequite..


The story in the news paper may be true, dont disbelieve it because you may not like the paper boy who delivered the paper...:)

Study everything with prayer and fasting and study.. :)


love always in the Messiah (Christ)


barry

:groupray:

[Mskedi]

I have issues with the idea of a permanent hell, and this is specifically the issue that gives me the most trouble as my husband and his family, all of whom I love, are Buddhists. And they're wonderful, good people.

I can't imagine God punishing them for being as reverent towards their beliefs as I am towards mine.

[Shiversblood]

Maybe when they die, they are just dead and don't go to heaven because they didn't accept Jesus. The bible always says without Jesus a man shall surely die. Maybe only if they are evil they go to hell. But i can't know for sure.

[Zecryphon]

Stated By Zecryphon




My ; if i truly thought this line of thinking was right...................................................WE SHOULD NOT NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT THE GOSPEL; THAT WAY "they never heard" and never go to hell... hummm

Thats not biblical line of thinking. YaHWeH (God) is all love, all mercy, all grace, and all judgement.

Now Yahushua (Jesus) did state that it would be better for "Sodom and Gohmorrah) than for that generation, because if Sodom and Gohmorrah would have heard what they heard they would have repented with sackcloth and ashes long ago. ! hummm

So seemingly thier is different degrees of pumishment.


BUT THE TEACHING of "because they have not heard the gospel" they are not going to helll,,,,,IS A LIE!

And ultimately "the Lake of FIre"


Study Romans dear brother, do NOT believe everything you hear from the pulpit!...Study out the scriptures. Read about the BEREAN's and liken yourself unto them...study...The Holy Spirit will reveal to those who seek in spirit and truth and have received a love of the truth. If we keep ourselves intune with the Holy Spirit we WILL NOT BE DECEIVED......for there is lying spirits in the world today that would :"DECEIVE": the VERY ELECT if it were possible...so it takes YaHWeH and His dear SON YAHUSHUA (Jesus) to keep us from a LIE!!

Pray ask YaHWeH God to speak to you and tell you if i speak words of wisdom or speaking contray to scripture....i am NOTHING, HE is everything.............do not miss a message because im inadequite..


The story in the news paper may be true, dont disbelieve it because you may not like the paper boy who delivered the paper...:)

Study everything with prayer and fasting and study.. :)


love always in the Messiah (Christ)


barry

:groupray:
"My ; if i truly thought this line of thinking was right...................................................WE SHOULD NOT NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT THE GOSPEL; THAT WAY "they never heard" and never go to hell... hummm"

Where did I advocate not telling anyone about the gospel? I believe you have misinterpreted my entire post and have drawn a faulty conclusion as a result.

[Zecryphon]

I have issues with the idea of a permanent hell, and this is specifically the issue that gives me the most trouble as my husband and his family, all of whom I love, are Buddhists. And they're wonderful, good people.

I can't imagine God punishing them for being as reverent towards their beliefs as I am towards mine.
God will not punish them for their beliefs but for their sins. That's how God works. He has this set of moral laws that apply to all people, called the 10 Commandments. Since God is just He must punish law breakers, just like any judge in this country would do as well. But since He is also merciful and gracious He provided a solution to our sin problem, Jesus Christ.

[DarkGreenMind]

I v been told that buddhists will go to hell since Jesus is the only path,, but today a friend said we could not know or judge those things,only God knows.
I v also read a thing telling that slavation is by hearing and accepting gospel,but for those who have no chances to hear,they may still get salvation by what they do,be judged by their behaviour on earth,just like those people who have helped the little ones in church even if they do not know about Jesus.

feel confused....




Many preachers love to talk about hell. I can even say that some of them think that their mission is to talk about hell, to make people feel doomed to hell. Though many of these zealous preachers do not know what hell is, they speak of a "literal hell of fire": "a fire that makes immortal souls of wicked humans suffer forever". And they are ready to judge anyone and to condemn anyone who does not share their religious views. "You don't believe what I believe ? Oh, you are going to hell!". I have encountered foreign missionaries who asked people: "If you die today, where will you go ? But I don't mean in the grave. To heaven or hell ?"... Such preachers are very confident that they are eternally saved, that they are going to heaven, and they are very proud to be "saints" and to preach THEIR OWN OVERSIMPLIFIED INTERPRETATION of the Gospel ! What is presented to the masses as "Christianity" is a product of human invention, mediocracy, and superficial, carnal thinking. Why are "Christians" so enthusiastic about sending anyone to hell ? "We are saved, we have the true religion, we are the holy ones, we are the true church." Salvation does not come through "knowledge about Jesus" and "membership in the Church", but by personally knowing God and His Christ. Salvation is for those who ARE in the truth. Christianity is a way of LIFE TO BE LIVED, not a THEOLOGICAL THEORY TO BE SUPPORTED. Christianity is about following Jesus, not about advertising a system of dogmas.True Christianity requires followers, not admirers.

God is the just Judge.Who are we to condemn others to hell, only because they don't share our views ? Let God judge the way He pleases.

It seems that many people belong to the Christian religion only due to their desire to receive the prize of heaven and to avoid the punishment of gehenna. They don't love God, but just seek to save their own souls and to see how others perish; this is the very opposite of the spirit and the word of Christ.

[Shiversblood]

"My ; if i truly thought this line of thinking was right...................................................WE SHOULD NOT NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT THE GOSPEL; THAT WAY "they never heard" and never go to hell... hummm"

Where did I advocate not telling anyone about the gospel? I believe you have misinterpreted my entire post and have drawn a faulty conclusion as a result.

I think they said that because they figure Never hearing about the gospel is better then burning in the fire for all eternity. Kinda makes sense.

[DarkGreenMind]

I believe so because Buddha is a false god.

Buddha would be a false god if one worships him as a god. Buddhism is not the true faith (if it is a faith at all), of course, but it does NOT teach that Buddha is Deity. And "Buddha" is a title, not a personal name.
But why do we need to discuss Buddhists ? Let's discuss Christians.

[Zecryphon]

Buddha would be a false god if one worships him as a god. Buddhism is not the true faith (if it is a faith at all), of course, but it does NOT teach that Buddha is Deity. And "Buddha" is a title, not a personal name.
But why do we need to discuss Buddhists ? Let's discuss Christians.

Well if we're gonna discuss Christians, then the question becomes "Are there Christians who are going to Hell?" Anyone?

[Shiversblood]

Only if a Christian is evil do I think he goes to hell.

[DeanM]

Buddhists have the same chance of getting into Heaven as anyone else does. They will be judged by God, and not by man.

Here's a familiar scripture that is often quoted by some Christians as solid proof that only Christians can go to Heaven.

John 3:16-21

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=3&version=31#fen-NIV-26127f)] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[g (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=3&version=31#fen-NIV-26129g)] 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."[h (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=3&version=31#fen-NIV-26132h)]

While some like to claim that this means that anyone who is not a Christian goes to hell, I do not see the word 'hell' anywhere in there.

The word the Bible uses is 'condemned.'

'Condemned' to what? The bible does not say.

I think that the bible means 'condemned' to be judged.
Does this mean that everyone else goes to hell?

Not only does the bible not say anything about that, I really seriously doubt that that is what it means.

Is God so petty as to send all Buddhists to hell? They pray, they worship, they have another name for God (as if we can agree on the name of our God). What makes them so worthless to God?

The answer? Who knows. Man is not supposed to stand in judgement of our brothers and sisters. I have to admit that I have grown very tired of some people who claim to know God's will based on their interpretations of scripture, and who conveniently forget that we are not supposed to judge eachother.

It is questions like this that can bring out the sad side of Christianity, practised by a few, and lending a bad reputation to the entire faith.

God knows best. Anyone who claims to know any better than God does should really rethink their faith.

Blessings

[OldChurchGuy]

I v been told that buddhists will go to hell since Jesus is the only path,, but today a friend said we could not know or judge those things,only God knows.
I v also read a thing telling that slavation is by hearing and accepting gospel,but for those who have no chances to hear,they may still get salvation by what they do,be judged by their behaviour on earth,just like those people who have helped the little ones in church even if they do not know about Jesus.

feel confused....

I agree with your friend. Determining a person's ultimate destiny is not a responsibility I want. Since none of us can put God in a box, it seems that this is God's call and no one else's.

OldChurchGuy

[Zecryphon]

Buddhists have the same chance of getting into Heaven as anyone else does. They will be judged by God, and not by man.

Here's a familiar scripture that is often quoted by some Christians as solid proof that only Christians can go to Heaven.

John 3:16-21

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=3&version=31#fen-NIV-26127f)] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[g (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=3&version=31#fen-NIV-26129g)] 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."[h (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=3&version=31#fen-NIV-26132h)]

While some like to claim that this means that anyone who is not a Christian goes to hell, I do not see the word 'hell' anywhere in there.

The word the Bible uses is 'condemned.'

'Condemned' to what? The bible does not say.

I think that the bible means 'condemned' to be judged.
Does this mean that everyone else goes to hell?

Not only does the bible not say anything about that, I really seriously doubt that that is what it means.

Is God so petty as to send all Buddhists to hell? They pray, they worship, they have another name for God (as if we can agree on the name of our God). What makes them so worthless to God?

The answer? Who knows. Man is not supposed to stand in judgement of our brothers and sisters. I have to admit that I have grown very tired of some people who claim to know God's will based on their interpretations of scripture, and who conveniently forget that we are not supposed to judge eachother.

It is questions like this that can bring out the sad side of Christianity, practised by a few, and lending a bad reputation to the entire faith.

God knows best. Anyone who claims to know any better than God does should really rethink their faith.

Blessings
Jesus is crystal clear about how we come to the Father in John 14:6.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

[DeanM]

Jesus is crystal clear about how we come to the Father in John 14:6.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
And if Jesus presides over the judgement, what better way to allow Buddhists into Heaven? That way, you can be right, and so can I.

Our two schools of thought are not mutually exclusive.

Blessings

[Zecryphon]

And if Jesus presides over the judgement, what better way to allow Buddhists into Heaven? That way, you can be right, and so can I.

Our two schools of thought are not mutually exclusive.

Blessings
"And if Jesus presides over the judgement, what better way to allow Buddhists into Heaven? That way, you can be right, and so can I."

It's not about being right, it's about what Jesus clearly said in that passage about how we come to the Father.

"Our two schools of thought are not mutually exclusive."

Jesus' own words are exclusive. We come to the Father through Him and Him only.

[graceabounding]

Many preachers love to talk about hell.


Christ spoke more of hell than He did of heaven.

[graceabounding]

Here are some links you might find interesting:

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1991/742_There_is_Salvation_in_No_One_Else/

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/QuestionsAndAnswers/ByTopic/4/1751_What_happens_to_those_who_have_never_heard_the_gospel/

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/QuestionsAndAnswers/ByTitle/1749_If_hell_is_real_how_can_God_be_loving/

[DeanM]

"And if Jesus presides over the judgement, what better way to allow Buddhists into Heaven? That way, you can be right, and so can I."

It's not about being right, it's about what Jesus clearly said in that passage about how we come to the Father.

"Our two schools of thought are not mutually exclusive."

Jesus' own words are exclusive. We come to the Father through Him and Him only.

So, if we can only get to the Father through the Son, why can't Buddhists, at the time of their judgement, also go to the Father through the Son. Perhaps I am making a mistake in assuming that you are speaking on topic.

Are you saying that Buddhists can't go to Heaven?

[JoshuaM]

The Lord gives specifics in His Word which is what new Christians need nourished in, not our personal feelings.

The Lord God has many ways of speaking to people, not just through other people.. Christians cannot base opinions of heaven and hell upon personal feelings or some nonbiblical teachings but must on the Word of God. It is not a Biblical teaching that we can pray for dead people and they will be saved. that teaching does not come from the Bible. If there is a Biblical reference that says without Christ people can still live with the Lord i will read it too. but verses have to be in context containing surrounding verses pertaining.

Matthew 5:
19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 10: 32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

Matthew 7: 13"(C (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=7&verse=12&end_verse=14&version=49&context=context#cen-NASB-23330C))Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
14"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.


John 14: 5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Matthew 18:3: "And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children [paidion], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:4: "Therefore, whoever humbles himself [tapeinoo] like this child [paidion] is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:5: ""And whoever welcomes a little child [paidion] like this in my name welcomes me."
Matthew 18:6: "But if anyone causes one of these little ones [mikros] who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 19:14: "Jesus said, "Let the little children [paidion] come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.""
The Greek word for "little children" in these verses is paidion, which means "a little child, either male or female" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, Spiros Zodhiates, p.1089). In verse 4 (above) we are told that whoever "humbles himself" like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and the Greek word for "humbles" (tapeinoo) means "to bring low, to humble" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, Spiros Zodhiates, p.1366). These "low, humble" people who believe in Jesus and are like little children are mentioned by the Greek word mikros in verse 6 (above), which means "low, humble" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, Spiros Zodhiates, p.986). Now, notice in the above passages that Jesus did not say, "unless you change and become like murderers, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." We would not expect Jesus to say such a thing because unrepentant murderers are excluded from heaven (1 John 3:15, Revelation 21:8, 22:14-15). Since Jesus said that we must become like little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven, the implication is that little children are not excluded from heaven for any reason. This further supports the view that infants and young children are spiritually alive and will go to heaven if they die.
Here are several more interesting passages: John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”[e (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%209&version=50#fen-NKJV-26470e)]
36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”
37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”
38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.
39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”
40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?”
41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains. Deuteronomy 1:39: "And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, [B]your children who do not yet know good from bad --they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it."
Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
Isaiah 7:15: "He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right."
Isaiah 7:16: "But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste."

In John 9:41 (above), Jesus said that those who are "blind" are not guilty of sin, and He used the Greek word tuphlos which means "being blind, ignorant, stupid, slow of understanding" (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, Spiros Zodhiates, p.1400, John 9:41). This refers to people who are ignorant of sin rather than those who are physically blind, which means that infants and young children (who are too young to understand about sin) are not guilty of sin. In Deuteronomy 1:39 (above) we see a reference to children who were too young to know good from bad. This demonstrates that young children are ignorant of sin, and Jesus said that those who are ignorant of sin are not guilty of sin (John 9:41, above). In Isaiah 7:14-16 (above) we see once again that there is a period when young children are ignorant of sin, and therefore they are spiritually blind and not guilty of sin (John 9:41, above).
by these verses only those who cannot sin and jesus came to the world so people won't be judged. if Christ is rejected. so will the people. babies cannot reject and are blind. but babies aren't buddhists or anything

some will ask "don't goodhearted people go to heaven even without Christ if they are good enough?"

actually all those verses do show their is only one way to heaven.

and there is proof nobody is truly good-hearted

Matthew 19:
16And behold, there came a man up to Him, saying, Teacher, what excellent and perfectly and essentially good deed must I do to possess eternal life?(A (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=19&verse=16&end_verse=18&version=45&context=context#cen-AMP-23779A))
17And He said to him, Why do you ask Me about the perfectly and essentially good? There is only One Who is good [perfectly and essentially]--God. If you would enter into the Life, you must continually keep the commandments.
18He said to Him, What [a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=19&verse=16&end_verse=18&version=45&context=context#fen-AMP-23781a)]sort of commandments? [Or, which ones?] And Jesus answered, You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,(B (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=19&verse=16&end_verse=18&version=45&context=context#cen-AMP-23781B))

if we were so good we would not need saved by grace. we would not need Christ. As Christians we cannot deny what the Word of God says.
Romans 3:21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[i (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203;&version=31;#fen-NIV-28002i)] through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

these and the other verses together with emphasis on Greek meanings in some of them show there are conditions. It is through Christ, not our own "good" deeds.

Yes everybody is in God's hands, but even Satan is in God's hands. Satan will go to hell. And the Lord Jesus and His disciples taught how we obtain salvation and how we get to heaven. I am not drawing conclusions, it is blatantly right there in those verses.

and the teachers of false doctrines will surely go to hell! Teachers of Buddhism are those teaching false ways to get to the afterlife. Buddhists deny heaven and choose reincarnation.

2 Corinthians 11:12-15
And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

[JoshuaM]

So, if we can only get to the Father through the Son, why can't Buddhists, at the time of their judgement, also go to the Father through the Son. Perhaps I am making a mistake in assuming that you are speaking on topic.

Are you saying that Buddhists can't go to Heaven?

Buddhists can accept Christ when they are alive and no longer be Buddhists. Then they can go to heaven.

i will give some parables in addition to my verses already

Matthew 24:36"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024;&version=31;#fen-NIV-23991f)] but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:
Matthew 25

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Hebrews 9:25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

2 Corinthians 6: 1As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you."[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%206;&version=31;#fen-NIV-28885a)] I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

[JoshuaM]

Hebrews 3


Warning Against Unbelief

7So, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
8do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the desert,
9where your fathers tested and tried me
and for forty years saw what I did.
10That is why I was angry with that generation,
and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.'
11So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' "[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203;&version=31;#fen-NIV-29991a)] 12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

[Zecryphon]

So, if we can only get to the Father through the Son, why can't Buddhists, at the time of their judgement, also go to the Father through the Son. Perhaps I am making a mistake in assuming that you are speaking on topic.

Are you saying that Buddhists can't go to Heaven?
"So, if we can only get to the Father through the Son, why can't Buddhists, at the time of their judgement, also go to the Father through the Son."

Because Buddhists have decided to try and save themselves through good works, not through faith in Christ. The Bible is clear we are saved by faith, not works. After we die, we are judged. For the Christian the penalty of God's wrath is set aside, because we have called upon the name of Christ to be saved. For everyone else, they're going to Hell.

"Perhaps I am making a mistake in assuming that you are speaking on topic."

The only mistake you're making seems to be that you believe that after you die, you have a choice. Christianity doesn't teach that. LDS theology teaches that.

"Are you saying that Buddhists can't go to Heaven?"

Yep.

[ralangley]

A while back, someone from this forum posted a website where several people from around the world described their experiences of hell. The comonalities in their experiences is astonishing. In each case, Jesus took them to hell and instructed them to report back to the world what they experienced. Jesus told them that even some Christians don't believe hell is a real place.

At first I was skeptical. The idea of a loving God and a god that could condemn anyone to everlasting torment was unreconcilable to me. But as I read these reports, and as I noted that some of these books are best sellers, and yet, published for free in many languages on the internet, I began to wonder. The authors were behaving as if something profound happened to them and that they cared more about sharing their story than maximizing their profits. They all also said something not believed by many Christians. They said that even people who thought they were saved but were disobedient in seemingly minor (to my way of thinking) ways, were in hell. The bar for our salvation is high - much higher than I thought. I prayed and I asked the Holy Spirit to teach me if hell could be real. I became immediately convicted that hell is real, and we must do everything to avoid it.

Here's the website found in other places on this forum: www.spiritlessons.com (http://www.spiritlessons.com)

Please read a few of these testimonies and then prayfully consider the possibility that this could be true. If it is true, nothing is more important on this planet than saving souls. Our own included.

[Spiritofprophecy]

greetings in the name of Jesus:

I will say first that I forgive the budists: and that I say they are not doomed to hell!

I also say that since Jesus is the only way to God and salvation, that I should inform them they are in peril of damnation and loss of life eternal.

I Know God can by Grace, can save any one; and all things are possible by God: I see not why he would. But he could. And its not my place to tell God, what he can and cannot do on his authority which is not mine.

I have his words, and his words which are also God;which tells us the Budist is outside Gods road to salvation; and all who follow are in peril. And that's the extent I will go; as should all who wish God not to Judge them. Judge Budists in their fruits and works, Judge not the salvation of individuals as to salvation; which is for God alone to do.
And as we, Judge not Budists: so God shall not Judge us.

Many will probably disagree with " My opinion of word". And I ask they be not offended or in distress. For God loves even the Budists. As he loves each man as if there were no other.

God bless Christian Forum and all who use it.:wave:
</IMG>

[DeanM]

"So, if we can only get to the Father through the Son, why can't Buddhists, at the time of their judgement, also go to the Father through the Son."

Because Buddhists have decided to try and save themselves through good works, not through faith in Christ. The Bible is clear we are saved by faith, not works. After we die, we are judged. For the Christian the penalty of God's wrath is set aside, because we have called upon the name of Christ to be saved. For everyone else, they're going to Hell.

"Perhaps I am making a mistake in assuming that you are speaking on topic."

The only mistake you're making seems to be that you believe that after you die, you have a choice. Christianity doesn't teach that. LDS theology teaches that.

"Are you saying that Buddhists can't go to Heaven?"

Yep.
So all this, Romans 2:5-11 is what? Wrong?

Romans 2:5-10

5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%202:5-11&version=31#fen-NIV-27954a)] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

[restore]

I m also questioning about " Romans 2:5-10"

Buddhism is the foundation of many asian countries'culture, they were grown up in those culture, thinkingstyle and everything with those marks,but many of them r really v nice loving people.They just have no chance to really understand gospel.

There is a difference from others who really deny and betray our God and go to worship other gods.

[Oscarr]

Jesus made it quite clear. He said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no person comes to the Father, except by Me." Jesus was quite clear on what He believed was the only way to the Living Father. The Living Father is the only God who is actually alive. All other gods are either bits of wood or metal or in people's imagination. The Living Father is the only God who is a real person.

When Jesus was on earth He told the Jews, "He who has seen Me, has seen the Father." This means that He came to earth to reveal the Living Father to the Jews. He said, "I and and Father are one." This meant that Jesus and the Father were so much in unity, that anyone who got to know the human Jesus while He was on earth, actually got the know the Living Father as well, because both have the same attributes.

Now, the question arises: Do Buddhists recognise the Jesus Christ is Lord of all, and the only way to the Living Father? If so, then they can expect to get to Heaven. If not, they can never come to or have any fellowship with the Living Father, because they do not come by Jesus Christ the Risen Lord.

Therefore, the question basically answers itself. It is clear that the Bible teaches that Buddhists can expect to spend an eternity permanently separated from the Living Father and every good thing that has ever been created by Him for the well-being and enjoyment of mankind.

[Zecryphon]

So all this, Romans 2:5-11 is what? Wrong?

Romans 2:5-10

5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%202:5-11&version=31#fen-NIV-27954a)] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
"5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%202:5-11&version=31#fen-NIV-27954a)] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."

Jesus made it very clear how people come to the Father. Why are you trying to find scriptures that prove Jesus wrong?

You've highlighted this verse here:

6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."

God will give to each person according to what they have done, and what does Romans 6:23 say? "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Remember Romans 3:23?

Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Everyone has sinned, including the Buddhists. It's really simple, those who have not called upon the name of Christ to be saved, will perish. Jesus said in Luke 13:1-5 'repent or you too shall likewise perish.' I don't know why you can't take Jesus at His word. Rather than trying to use the Bible to discredit Jesus, I would take that Bible and hit the streets if I were you, and witness to the lost Buddhists and everyone else you see, who thinks he or she can save themselves.

[JoshuaM]

I am really not surprised many people are ignoring the Biblical references I posted and mostly posting according to personal feeling.

I am not surprised people are not regarding the rest of Romans 2 prior to the mention of Gentiles being judged by their law.

5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%202&version=31#fen-NIV-27954a)] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

And yes, one must consider Romans 3 and 6. Not ignore the rest of the Bible and say this means everybody will be in heaven with the Lord. One must look that in so many words it says everybody will be judged according to their sin. There are no people without sin except for babies.


Then we also must consider that Paul was told to go to preach to Gentiles and so are we. but Paul converted a Gentile to Jesus. Cornelius had some of the teachings of Jesus but did not learn of Jesus the way Jews did. The Gentiles did not have all the Jewish teachings, but in the Bible did begin to learn about Christ. A Gentile is not a non-Christian. A Gentile is a non-Jew.. All Christians are Gentiles unless they are raised in Jewish tradition. I myself have Jewish blood. But that is irrellavent except for the fact that I am not raised under Jewish tradition.


It says all will be judged so clearly all will go somewhere for judgment. It does not say anything about nonbelievers going to spend eternity with the Lord. It is Biblical all will be judged, but it is also Biblical that all who are separated from Christ will not see the eternity in Heaven. Therefore only Jews and Gentiles who accept Christ will be forgiven. Romans clearly states that all who sin will be judged accordingly. We all know the grace only comes through grace which is given by Christ's sacrifice and our chance to accept Christ now. Yes the Lord reveals Himself to others on earth other ways, but the fact is, if people refuse the conviction of the Holy Spirit and do not accept Christ, it is judgment, then hell, because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

see Romans 3:23

[DeanM]

"5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%202:5-11&version=31#fen-NIV-27954a)] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."

Jesus made it very clear how people come to the Father. Why are you trying to find scriptures that prove Jesus wrong?

You've highlighted this verse here:

6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."

God will give to each person according to what they have done, and what does Romans 6:23 say? "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Remember Romans 3:23?

Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Everyone has sinned, including the Buddhists. It's really simple, those who have not called upon the name of Christ to be saved, will perish. Jesus said in Luke 13:1-5 'repent or you too shall likewise perish.' I don't know why you can't take Jesus at His word. Rather than trying to use the Bible to discredit Jesus, I would take that Bible and hit the streets if I were you, and witness to the lost Buddhists and everyone else you see, who thinks he or she can save themselves.
It amazes me that, when all I have done is quote a scripture, that you accuse me of "Trying to use the Bible to discredit Jesus."

I take that back..I did also ask a question as to whether or not you thought the scripture was wrong...

Is that the part of my post that you are refering to?

[Zecryphon]

It amazes me that, when all I have done is quote a scripture, that you accuse me of "Trying to use the Bible to discredit Jesus."

I take that back..I did also ask a question as to whether or not you thought the scripture was wrong...

Is that the part of my post that you are refering to?
"It amazes me that, when all I have done is quote a scripture, that you accuse me of "Trying to use the Bible to discredit Jesus.""

Dean, you threw out those verses in Romans to counter the verses I had already presented in John, as a way of saying "see what it says here? What about these verses?" It's not hard to see what you're doing. Here it is again:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37184969#post37184969)
"So, if we can only get to the Father through the Son, why can't Buddhists, at the time of their judgement, also go to the Father through the Son."

Because Buddhists have decided to try and save themselves through good works, not through faith in Christ. The Bible is clear we are saved by faith, not works. After we die, we are judged. For the Christian the penalty of God's wrath is set aside, because we have called upon the name of Christ to be saved. For everyone else, they're going to Hell.

"Perhaps I am making a mistake in assuming that you are speaking on topic."

The only mistake you're making seems to be that you believe that after you die, you have a choice. Christianity doesn't teach that. LDS theology teaches that.

"Are you saying that Buddhists can't go to Heaven?"

Yep.

So all this, Romans 2:5-11 is what? Wrong?

Romans 2:5-10

5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%202:5-11&version=31#fen-NIV-27954a)] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.


"I take that back..I did also ask a question as to whether or not you thought the scripture was wrong..."

They're not wrong but you have to keep the verses in context. Go back to the beginning of the chapter, Paul is writing to a specific group of people and warning them about their behavior, he is addressing hypocrites.

There's really no debate here as this is an open and shut case. Jesus told us how we come to the Father, through Him and only through Him. Buddhists do not call upon Jesus to be saved, but rather work their way to Nirvana. Therefore, they will not be in Heaven.

[Amisk]

The answer to your question lies within the Bible itself.
In Acts 4:12 we read "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" 1 Timothy 2:5

Christianity is a one God, one Saviour from sin, one way into Heaven. Jesus Himself taught that way and we either accept the full teaching of Jesus Christ and the Bible or we have no salvation.

There are a lot of good sayings in some of these other religions but Christianity alone offers us a way of life by which to die by.

[Godiswithus]

I v been told that buddhists will go to hell since Jesus is the only path,, but today a friend said we could not know or judge those things,only God knows.
I v also read a thing telling that slavation is by hearing and accepting gospel,but for those who have no chances to hear,they may still get salvation by what they do,be judged by their behaviour on earth,just like those people who have helped the little ones in church even if they do not know about Jesus.

feel confused....
this is a question that has harmed the faith of a lot of christians so i am happy to see this discussion.

my answer for this question would be it depends. mostly i doubt that there are that many who have not heard the gospel around the world. you have to know that christianity didn't go from west (america/europe) to east. it started in the miidle. in the middle east, in northeast africa etc.

my country, ethiopia, was the second oldest christian nation in the world. the arabs, for many centuries, used to call us "habesha" and see us as a hinderance to spread islam to the rest of africa. so even the arabs and asians living to the southern most areas away from jerusalem knew about the gospel for centuries. so it is highly unlikely that people have never heard of the gospel in one form or another.

also God has his ways to judge and see the life of people who lived in isolated areas where the gospel might not have reached. in ethiopian language, our bible says God looks at our "helina" to see if we had humanity and love of a divine one being in our hearts. i don't know the strict translation of the word "helina" but i think you get the idea.


anyway, in general, i think it is the depth of the gospel that differs from place to place, not the whole existance of it in isolated areas and isolated faiths like buddism etc.

so even though this thread question is an important question, i really believe it is an over-rated question and over-rated concern. i have heard many christians argue over this question and some christians even question God by saying "how can you lord judge poor people living in remote areas who have never heard the gospel?" how!! how!! LOL :D

[ALiberalTeen]

We don't know, only god does.

They probably ask the same question about Christians, they have their own faith, and we have our own.

We can''t ever truly know

[justanobserver]

well, just to add my input: my former wife is from SE Asia, raised budhist, believed in buddhism, prayed to buddha, our oldest son was dedicated to buddha when he was a baby at the Wat (temple) in North Hollywood, CA. she beleived then that her religion was right for her. I wasnt a buddhist, didnt care one way or the other but it was what she believed and I respected it then.

To make a long story short - she convertd to christianity in the late 90s. we had split up and when I was back in the area (gone a lot - Army), I talked with her about her change in beliefs.

She said that she just knew her need for something more than what buddhism gave was what got her looking for her Truth.

Is a budhist going to hell? what does the word say about salvation and who will enter in?

One post a few back quoted the verse about how Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the LIfe and no man come unto the Father but by Me. The word also sais, there is no other name given under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.

Buddhism does not invoke Jesus nor consider Him to be God and Savior.

just my thoughts on it.

[SkyPilot1]

I v been told that buddhists will go to hell since Jesus is the only path,, but today a friend said we could not know or judge those things,only God knows.
I v also read a thing telling that slavation is by hearing and accepting gospel,but for those who have no chances to hear,they may still get salvation by what they do,be judged by their behaviour on earth,just like those people who have helped the little ones in church even if they do not know about Jesus.

feel confused....
To hell in a handbag! What happens to those who haven't heard of Christ is in between them and God, but to reject Christ is to accept hell. Jesus made it plain that their is only one way into the kingdom of God, that's Jesus Christ.

[Jerrell]

The Only people who will go to hell are those who willingly reject the sacrifice of Christ. So anyone who has heard about Jesus and rejects will suffer their choice. However anyone who has not heard and passes away, who has lived a good life will have a chance to hear the Gospel within Abraham's Bosom, so that although a man may die Buddhist, he will rise Christian. Everyone will be given a chance to accept the Gospel of Christ, because he is the only way.

[Breetai]

It amazes me that, when all I have done is quote a scripture, that you accuse me of "Trying to use the Bible to discredit Jesus."It amazes me that you try to prove a point you agree with from a scripture that you reject as being true (Romans) and then get upset when someone calls you on being deceitful.


The word for this is "hypocrisy."

[nire4Jesus]

Jesus IS the only way to Heaven - God is holy and righteous. He will not be in the presence of sin & we are sinners. Someone had to pay the sin debt and it was Jesus - his son. God did it - He did everything while we stand in awe & accept His precious gift. Anyone who does not believe that with their whole heart, is doomed to an eternal life in Hell. Pretty simple, really. God states it plain in the Word.

Those that don't hear the Gospel? Well, I don't know. I'm just glad I'm not judge. God is a merciful judge...although just. He will do what is right b/c He is THE one true God.

[Shiversblood]

The Only people who will go to hell are those who willingly reject the sacrifice of Christ. So anyone who has heard about Jesus and rejects will suffer their choice. However anyone who has not heard and passes away, who has lived a good life will have a chance to hear the Gospel within Abraham's Bosom, so that although a man may die Buddhist, he will rise Christian. Everyone will be given a chance to accept the Gospel of Christ, because he is the only way.

Are a lot of American missionaries sending people to hell then if they go to Africa or something and tell Africans who have not heard about the word yet. And since when the Africans die they go to hell because they meet the Christian missionary and didnt convert. And muslim.

[Zecryphon]

Are a lot of American missionaries sending people to hell then if they go to Africa or something and tell Africans who have not heard about the word yet. And since when the Africans die they go to hell because they meet the Christian missionary and didnt convert. And muslim.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerrell http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37373005#post37373005)
The Only people who will go to hell are those who willingly reject the sacrifice of Christ. So anyone who has heard about Jesus and rejects will suffer their choice. However anyone who has not heard and passes away, who has lived a good life will have a chance to hear the Gospel within Abraham's Bosom, so that although a man may die Buddhist, he will rise Christian. Everyone will be given a chance to accept the Gospel of Christ, because he is the only way.

"Are a lot of American missionaries sending people to hell then if they go to Africa or something and tell Africans who have not heard about the word yet."

Read Jerrell's statement again. He did not say that telling the Africans the word of God would send those Africans to Hell. What he said was that people who reject the word of God will go to Hell.

"And since when the Africans die they go to hell because they meet the Christian missionary and didnt convert. And muslim."

Simply meeting a missionary does not send a person to Hell. Rejecting the truth the Christian missionary shares wtih you does send you to Hell. It's the act of rejection that is the deciding factor in this scenario here.

[Shiversblood]

How can the African know this from a breif encounter.

[Zecryphon]

How can the African know this from a breif encounter.
It depends on the content of the witness encounter. If the law is presented first, before the gospel, the person will be shown how they have broken God's law and why they need a savior. Once they know that, everything else falls into place. When we evangelize or witness to people we should not be looking for a decision on the spot, but rather conviction of sin and knowledge of their sin against God in the person we are witnessing to.

We should be aiming to plant a seed, not get a "decision". If we have successfully planted the seed, other teachers will come along and water and nurture that seed. One of those teachers will be the Holy Spirit. We need the person we have witnessed to, to read the word of God daily and spend time there and allow God to speak through His word and prayer to them, so that they may come to faith when they are ready and are fully aware of their condition before God and why they need a savior.

[Shiversblood]

Since God is God, would it be possible for him to allow Buddists to be reincarnated? I think the bible says he never does that, but he could right? Is that a bad idea to think?

[Zecryphon]

Since God is God, would it be possible for him to allow Buddists to be reincarnated? I think the bible says he never does that, but he could right? Is that a bad idea to think?
"Since God is God, would it be possible for him to allow Buddists to be reincarnated?"

God must uphold His own laws. His law demands a penalty be paid for sin, that penalty is death. Now either you can pay the penalty or you can accept Christ's payment of the penalty.

"I think the bible says he never does that, but he could right? Is that a bad idea to think?"

Yeah, it's called heresy. The whole idea behind reincarnation is based in works-righteous salvaton. You earn your way to heaven through your works. If you don't succeed in this life, you get to come back and try again. That is not of God. God has told you how to be reconciled to Him and how to come to Him, why even entertain a thought of another way that you can not achieve on your own? It's nonsense.

[Shiversblood]

Everytime I tell someone Buddists go to hell I kinda feel bad. They are nice people, just misguided.

[Zecryphon]

Everytime I tell someone Buddists go to hell I kinda feel bad. They are nice people, just misguided.
You feel bad because you know that they can be saved, that they don't HAVE to go to Hell. This is the very reason we need to take the law of God and the gospel of Christ to the whole world, so that they can be set free of the sentence that their crimes demand.

[ZION8R]

I believe so because Buddha is a false god.

Buddha is not a god and never was. He didn't want to be worshiped. He just wanted people to understand his principles and live by them. It was later that people called themselves his "followers" and put him up on a pedestal equal to a god.

So- technically, I don't think Buddhists would go to Hell.

[ZION8R]

YaHWeH (God) is all love, all mercy, all grace, and all judgement.


If God is all love, mercy, grace and judgment, why did he keep killing people off? That doesn't sound like an all loving, merciful, graceful God to me.

[Shiversblood]

Buddha is not a god and never was. He didn't want to be worshiped. He just wanted people to understand his principles and live by them. It was later that people called themselves his "followers" and put him up on a pedestal equal to a god.

So- technically, I don't think Buddhists would go to Hell.

Can a Buddhist man live without Christ?

[Zecryphon]

If God is all love, mercy, grace and judgment, why did he keep killing people off? That doesn't sound like an all loving, merciful, graceful God to me.
"If God is all love, mercy, grace and judgment, why did he keep killing people off?"

Who is it He's supposed to have killed off?

"That doesn't sound like an all loving, merciful, graceful God to me."

You've left out judgment. The law of God is similar to the law of man. If the law of man is broken you expect the person who broke the law to be punished, that's what the law demands, a punishment that fits the crime. The law of God works the same way, if you break it, there is a penalty that must be paid in order for the law to be satisfied. The penalty for breaking God's law is death and eternity in Hell. This punishment seems harsh only to the person who doesn't understand how holy and righteous God is and how egregious and wicked sin is in the eyes of God. People also forget that we have sinned repeatedly every day of our lives against God. We have committed thousands upon thousands of crimes. What would you expect a judge in this country to do with such a career crimminal? Let him go? Of course not! You'd demand justice.

But since God is also loving and merciful, He provided a way for men to not have to pay the penalty the law demands for their crimes. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for us, which Jesus did with His birth, life, death and resurrection. He died so that you wouldn't have to. It is appointed that all men shall die once and then face judgment for their crimes. If your crimes have not been atoned for through Christ, then you will receive the full penalty of the law. That's not hateful, that's justice.


Now, I realize you may be thinking, 'well that's all well and good, but I'm a good person, none of that stuff applies to me.' If you are indeed thinking that, run yourself through the law of God (the 10 Commandments) and see if you are indeed the good person you believe you are. Let's take the first commandment: You shall have no other gods before me. Has God always been the most important thing in your life? Has He always come first? Do you serve Him daily from morning to night? If we were to ask your friends what the most important thing in your life is, will they say "God"? If not, you have put other things before God and are guilty of idolatry, and have broken this commandment.


Have you ever told a lie? If you have, then you're a liar and it is written in the Bible that all liars will have their place in the lake of fire and will not inherit the kingdom of God. So, have you ever told a lie? How about adultery? Think before you answer this one. Jesus said that any man who looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Have you done this?

How about murder? Ever been driving down the road and been cut off by another driver? I know I have. How did you react? Did you flip him off or yell something nasty at him or her? If you did, you are guilty of murder. Jesus said in Mat 5:21"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. Mat 5:22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire." have you ever spoken in anger to another person? If so, you are a murderer.


Now let's say that you have indeed done all these things. By your own admission you would be a lying, adulterous, murdering, idolator at heart, thousands upon thousands of times over, and you have to face a holy and just God on Judgment Day. Where do you think you will go, Heaven or Hell? If you're honest, you will know with every fiber of your being that you deserve Hell and that a just God has every right to send you there. Remember that we're dealing with only four of the ten commandments here, there's still six more to go. All of this should be very concerning to you. So please, if you have not thought about any of this before, please, please think about it now.

[Shiversblood]

Is there lesser punishments given out in hell? I mean, lots of Buddhists like peace and harmony, and don't commite crimes. So in hell would they get tortured a little less than the guy who is violent and a crack cocain smoker. Like, I heard of something along the lines of the 9 levels of hell, where one is worse then the other. So maybe buddhists, while suffering extreme torture, Perhaps not as bad as some others?

[Zecryphon]

Is there lesser punishments given out in hell? I mean, lots of Buddhists like peace and harmony, and don't commite crimes. So in hell would they get tortured a little less than the guy who is violent and a crack cocain smoker. Like, I heard of something along the lines of the 9 levels of hell, where one is worse then the other. So maybe buddhists, while suffering extreme torture, Perhaps not as bad as some others?
I don't see anything in the scriptures that teach that there are different levels of punishments. The 9 levels of Hell, I believe came from Dante's work The Divine Comedy, it is not scriptural as far as I know.

[DeanM]

I seem to recall that Lazarus the begger was accepted into Heaven. I don't recall any reason being given about his faith in Christ. In fact, the Bible is full of folks who went to Heaven without even knowing Jesus' name.

[Svt4Him]

With Jesus there is life, without the wrath of God.

Quote from Jesus.

[Svt4Him]

I seem to recall that Lazarus the begger was accepted into Heaven. I don't recall any reason being given about his faith in Christ. In fact, the Bible is full of folks who went to Heaven without even knowing Jesus' name.

Lazarus was not in heaven and the reasons one got there are in the OT. Name one who went to Heaven without knowing Jesus.

[ZION8R]

Can a Buddhist man live without Christ?

Why couldn't they? Buddhists are taught the principles of respect and love (harmony) to one self, others and the Earth. Christ taught similar principles did he not? Why should a Buddhist go to Hell just because he was following all the principles without Christ? Unless your idea of Hell is to go back to into the Earth after death to return all that its given you, then you can say Buddhists are going to Hell. But that's not Hell.

Then of course this whole discussion goes individual perspective/interpretation.

[ZION8R]

It sounds as if you're only taking things (except for the 10 Commandments) from the NT. But seeing how unexperienced I am in the topic of religion I could be wrong...

Who is it He's supposed to have killed off?

In the OT : Noah's Ark- why did he kill of them and feel bad about it afterwards? Why save Noah and his family at all? Noah and his family couldn't have possibly been the only righteous ones.

Or the people that were slaughtered during the Exodus.

((Or are we only referencing the NT nowadays?))

Now, I realize you may be thinking, 'well that's all well and good, but I'm a good person, none of that stuff applies to me.' If you are indeed thinking that, run yourself through the law of God (the 10 Commandments) and see if you are indeed the good person you believe you are. Let's take the first commandment: You shall have no other gods before me. Has God always been the most important thing in your life?

No, He hasn't.

Have you ever told a lie? If you have, then you're a liar and it is written in the Bible that all liars will have their place in the lake of fire and will not inherit the kingdom of God.

According to this- over half the population of the human race will be placed in the lake of fire and never see God. And yes, I have told lies. Who hasn't?

How about adultery? Think before you answer this one. Jesus said that any man who looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Have you done this?

Seeing that I am a woman- in literal meaning, No.

How about murder? Ever been driving down the road and been cut off by another driver? I know I have. How did you react? Did you flip him off or yell something nasty at him or her? If you did, you are guilty of murder. have you ever spoken in anger to another person? If so, you are a murderer.

Again, who hasn't? So if a young child lashes out in anger against their mother, are they lost forever in Hell? Or are they safe because they're innocent children with no understanding of fire and brimstone, repentance, right/wrong?


Now let's say that you have indeed done all these things. By your own admission you would be a lying, adulterous, murdering, idolator at heart, thousands upon thousands of times over, and you have to face a holy and just God on Judgment Day. Where do you think you will go, Heaven or Hell?

Wow, it seems that my life has been planned from the beginning. Lying, stealing, idolatry, murder, etc. Taking the text literally, I seem to have no chance of ever seeing the Father.

Here's another question- How does it apply to us (in this time line)? Jesus taught these things to the Jews. Thou shalt not murder = don't murder another Jew. Neighbor would also mean 'another Jew. Isn't he referencing Jews? So today, is he referencing only Christians? Don't murder another Christian. Don't covet a fellow Christian's house or belongings, etc. Is it okay to murder a non-Christian, such as say- an atheist? What about keeping the Sabbath Day holy? Sure, Christians go to their churches and stuff but as soon as they leave those doors what? They go out to eat dinner, or go shopping. In a sense isn't this against the commandment "Remember the Sabbath Day and to Keep it Holy"?


I'm curious. Pour it out on me.

[Amisk]

Many preachers love to talk about hell. I can even say that some of them think that their mission is to talk about hell, to make people feel doomed to hell. Though many of these zealous preachers do not know what hell is, they speak of a "literal hell of fire": "a fire that makes immortal souls of wicked humans suffer forever". And they are ready to judge anyone and to condemn anyone who does not share their religious views. "You don't believe what I believe ? Oh, you are going to hell!". I have encountered foreign missionaries who asked people: "If you die today, where will you go ? But I don't mean in the grave. To heaven or hell ?"... Such preachers are very confident that they are eternally saved, that they are going to heaven, and they are very proud to be "saints" and to preach THEIR OWN OVERSIMPLIFIED INTERPRETATION of the Gospel ! What is presented to the masses as "Christianity" is a product of human invention, mediocracy, and superficial, carnal thinking. Why are "Christians" so enthusiastic about sending anyone to hell ? "We are saved, we have the true religion, we are the holy ones, we are the true church." Salvation does not come through "knowledge about Jesus" and "membership in the Church", but by personally knowing God and His Christ. Salvation is for those who ARE in the truth. Christianity is a way of LIFE TO BE LIVED, not a THEOLOGICAL THEORY TO BE SUPPORTED. Christianity is about following Jesus, not about advertising a system of dogmas.True Christianity requires followers, not admirers.

God is the just Judge.Who are we to condemn others to hell, only because they don't share our views ? Let God judge the way He pleases.

It seems that many people belong to the Christian religion only due to their desire to receive the prize of heaven and to avoid the punishment of gehenna. They don't love God, but just seek to save their own souls and to see how others perish; this is the very opposite of the spirit and the word of Christ.


[B]You make some good points but you are also along way off on others.

First of all it is not Christianity that teaches that there is a literal hell. The Bible teaches the fact. In fact Jesus warned us more about hell than He ever spoke about heaven.

Few ministers I have heard loved to preach on the judgement and punishment of Hell. In fact in our present day few preachers preach about on Hell at anytime. I personally haven't heard the word "Hell" in church or in a context other than as a swear word in a number of years. .
You wrote: "What is presented to the masses as "Christianity" is a product of human invention, mediocracy, and superficial, carnal thinking."

Sad to say you are correct in some churches. This type of teaching is mere religion. It is not Biblical. Anything not Biblical is Hersey. According to the Bible such teaching will send men to the Hell, a play you seem to like to deny exists. I guess I too would like to think that it did not exist but I must face reality. However you are mixing Christianity with religion and religion for religions sake is not Christianity. [/COLOR]

As author Len Colp put it "Christianity is 24\7 way of life."
He may well have added that true Christianity takes the Bible literally. True Christianity believes, "the Old and New Testament inerrant as originally given, verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men. They constitute the divine and rule of Christian faith and practice."

"There is a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun. Hell is spoken of in the Bible as a literal place where sinners are punished forever. When the Bible speaks of "forever" it means just that.

Christ alone provided the escape from Hell for all humanity and man's aspect in the escape process is to accept the only bridge that Christ alone provided[B]

[Zecryphon]

Why couldn't they? Buddhists are taught the principles of respect and love (harmony) to one self, others and the Earth. Christ taught similar principles did he not? Why should a Buddhist go to Hell just because he was following all the principles without Christ? Unless your idea of Hell is to go back to into the Earth after death to return all that its given you, then you can say Buddhists are going to Hell. But that's not Hell.

Then of course this whole discussion goes individual perspective/interpretation.
"Why couldn't they? Buddhists are taught the principles of respect and love (harmony) to one self, others and the Earth. Christ taught similar principles did he not?"

Living by a set of rules or principles is not what saves you from God's wrath which you have earned with your sins. Buddhism tries to completely bypass wrath and judgment and that's half of it's appeal. Jesus Himself said that He is the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except by Him. John 14:6. Christ is the only one, who is not in His grave. Mohammed is in his grave, Buddha is in his. Christ said He would be raised from the dead and He was. That's the kind of savior I need. The one over whom death and the grave have no power.

"Why should a Buddhist go to Hell just because he was following all the principles without Christ?"

See John 14:6. Buddhists are not capable of living life by their own principles 100% without fail, they sin too and they sin according to the law of God, which is the only law that matters here. It is apopinted to all men to die once and then face judgment. The Buddhist will be judged by God's law, not their four spiritual principles.

"Unless your idea of Hell is to go back to into the Earth after death to return all that its given you, then you can say Buddhists are going to Hell. But that's not Hell.

Then of course this whole discussion goes individual perspective/interpretation."

No, it actually goes back to the Bible and what God and Jesus have both testified Hell is.

[Zecryphon]

It sounds as if you're only taking things (except for the 10 Commandments) from the NT. But seeing how unexperienced I am in the topic of religion I could be wrong...



In the OT : Noah's Ark- why did he kill of them and feel bad about it afterwards? Why save Noah and his family at all? Noah and his family couldn't have possibly been the only righteous ones.

Or the people that were slaughtered during the Exodus.

((Or are we only referencing the NT nowadays?))



No, He hasn't.



According to this- over half the population of the human race will be placed in the lake of fire and never see God. And yes, I have told lies. Who hasn't?



Seeing that I am a woman- in literal meaning, No.



Again, who hasn't? So if a young child lashes out in anger against their mother, are they lost forever in Hell? Or are they safe because they're innocent children with no understanding of fire and brimstone, repentance, right/wrong?




Wow, it seems that my life has been planned from the beginning. Lying, stealing, idolatry, murder, etc. Taking the text literally, I seem to have no chance of ever seeing the Father.

Here's another question- How does it apply to us (in this time line)? Jesus taught these things to the Jews. Thou shalt not murder = don't murder another Jew. Neighbor would also mean 'another Jew. Isn't he referencing Jews? So today, is he referencing only Christians? Don't murder another Christian. Don't covet a fellow Christian's house or belongings, etc. Is it okay to murder a non-Christian, such as say- an atheist? What about keeping the Sabbath Day holy? Sure, Christians go to their churches and stuff but as soon as they leave those doors what? They go out to eat dinner, or go shopping. In a sense isn't this against the commandment "Remember the Sabbath Day and to Keep it Holy"?


I'm curious. Pour it out on me.
"It sounds as if you're only taking things (except for the 10 Commandments) from the NT. But seeing how unexperienced I am in the topic of religion I could be wrong..."

The Old Testament tells of the coming messiah, the New Testament tells of the messiah that has come.

"In the OT : Noah's Ark- why did he kill of them and feel bad about it afterwards? Why save Noah and his family at all? Noah and his family couldn't have possibly been the only righteous ones."

Noah and his family were not neccessarily righteous, but they did find favor with God. How exactly, the text does not say. But since the world had fallen into such a state of sinfulness, we can safely assume that Noah and his family were living a life that was pleasing to the Lord. God killed those people, because they were not living according to His laws. The law demands a penalty be paid when it is broken, the penalty is always death. God sent a flood to wipe out the sinners from the world and then start over with Noah and his family. Of course God was grieved that He had to punish His children, just as any earthly parent is grieved when then have to punish their own child. The whole message of the Noah story to me is that faith in God and His promises lead to life. Those other people in that story did not trust in God or His promises and they found death.

"Or the people that were slaughtered during the Exodus.
((Or are we only referencing the NT nowadays?))"

I'll talk about any part of the Bible you wish. Some Christians won't because they think the OT is no longer relevant. The people who were slaughtered during the Exodus, once again were living in opposition to God and persecuting His chosen people. God didn't kill them because He's a big cosmic meanie. They earned His wrath with their actions.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37799490#post37799490)
Now, I realize you may be thinking, 'well that's all well and good, but I'm a good person, none of that stuff applies to me.' If you are indeed thinking that, run yourself through the law of God (the 10 Commandments) and see if you are indeed the good person you believe you are. Let's take the first commandment: You shall have no other gods before me. Has God always been the most important thing in your life?

"No, He hasn't."

Then you have a sin problem on your hands.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37799490#post37799490)
Have you ever told a lie? If you have, then you're a liar and it is written in the Bible that all liars will have their place in the lake of fire and will not inherit the kingdom of God.

"According to this- over half the population of the human race will be placed in the lake of fire and never see God. And yes, I have told lies. Who hasn't?"

Everyone has, but you will not be able to point to the actions of others as justification for your own sins against God.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37799490#post37799490)
How about adultery? Think before you answer this one. Jesus said that any man who looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Have you done this?

"Seeing that I am a woman- in literal meaning, No."

It works both ways. So the answer is yes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37799490#post37799490)
How about murder? Ever been driving down the road and been cut off by another driver? I know I have. How did you react? Did you flip him off or yell something nasty at him or her? If you did, you are guilty of murder. have you ever spoken in anger to another person? If so, you are a murderer.

"Again, who hasn't? So if a young child lashes out in anger against their mother, are they lost forever in Hell? Or are they safe because they're innocent children with no understanding of fire and brimstone, repentance, right/wrong?"

Very young children can understand the difference between right and wrong, because of their consciences. They know immediately when they have done something wrong. Conscience means "with knowledge". Con means with, and science means knowledge. The knowledge of right and wrong that they possess mirrors God's moral law the 10 Commandments. That's not an accident, God wrote that law on their hearts. This is written in Jeremiah 31:33.

Jer 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37799490#post37799490)
Now let's say that you have indeed done all these things. By your own admission you would be a lying, adulterous, murdering, idolator at heart, thousands upon thousands of times over, and you have to face a holy and just God on Judgment Day. Where do you think you will go, Heaven or Hell?

"Wow, it seems that my life has been planned from the beginning. Lying, stealing, idolatry, murder, etc. Taking the text literally, I seem to have no chance of ever seeing the Father."

But that's where you're wrong. Jesus paid the penalty your sins have earned you. He took the wrath of God upon Himself, so you wouldn't have to. He is the way, the truth and the life. If you are feeling guilty of sins against God that means that the Holy Spirit, is pricking your cosncience and bringing about the knowledge of your fallen state before God and showing you your need for a savior. That savior is Jesus Christ. If you will repent of your sins, that means acknowledging you have sinned against God by breaking His laws with your actions, confessing your sins, you don't need to know all of them, He does already, apologize for all the sins you have committed and then also turn from your lifestyle of sin, place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins and eternal life through Him, then you will be saved, the law will be satisfied and God will raise you to life on the last day.

"Here's another question- How does it apply to us (in this time line)? Jesus taught these things to the Jews. Thou shalt not murder = don't murder another Jew. Neighbor would also mean 'another Jew. Isn't he referencing Jews?"

Jesus did mainly speak to Jews, but He also taught others as well. For instance, the Samaritan woman at the well. She wasn't a Jew, so why did He share the law of God with her to bring about the knowledge of sin in her so that He could give her the water of life? Jesus didn't keep the teaching solely for the Jews. He also, raised up a teacher for the Gentiles, that's you and me, the non-Jews, His name was Paul. He took the good news of Christ to us so that we too could be saved.

"So today, is he referencing only Christians? Don't murder another Christian. Don't covet a fellow Christian's house or belongings, etc. Is it okay to murder a non-Christian, such as say- an atheist? What about keeping the Sabbath Day holy? Sure, Christians go to their churches and stuff but as soon as they leave those doors what? They go out to eat dinner, or go shopping. In a sense isn't this against the commandment "Remember the Sabbath Day and to Keep it Holy"?"

Yes it is a violation of that commandment. All people are sinners, all people need the forgiveness of Christ daily. Even saved people continue to sin and fall short of the glory of God, that means we fall short of God's perfect standard. That's why we must repent of our sins daily and ask God to forgive us. We have forgiveness of sins because we have placed our faith and trust in Christ Jesus. The teachings about loving your neighbor are not confined to genealogy or religion but apply to all people with whom you come into contact with. Matthew 5 is a good chapter to read about this. Another good one to read Matthew 25:31-46. Do you have a Bible? If not you can go to www.e-sword.net (http://www.e-sword.net) and install their free Bible reading software. They have many translations and study tools available for free. I use the ESV. Or you can go to www.biblegateway.com (http://www.biblegateway.com) and read the Bible for free too. You can also click around this page too: http://www.livingwaters.com/witnessingtool/browse.shtml#indepth

I'm curious. Pour it out on me."

It is not I who can pour out salvation or knowledge upon you, the Holy Spirit will bring about the knoweldge you need in order for you to be saved, and Christ will be that savior for you, when by the leading of the Holy Spirit you call upon His name to be saved and put your faith and trust in Him for salvation and eternal life. I wll be praying for you.

[ZION8R]

Living by a set of rules or principles is not what saves you from God's wrath which you have earned with your sins. Jesus Himself said that He is the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except by Him.

So, even if a person who lives by Christian/Buddhist/etc principles without Christ as their personal savior and devotes their life to harmonious living and serving those in need of help without selfishness/personal gain are doomed to Hell? Just because they haven't said, "Jesus, you are my savior" or other similar phrases?

Buddhists are not capable of living life by their own principles 100% without fail,

This could be said about everyone regardless of religious belief.

The Buddhist will be judged by God's law, not their four spiritual principles.

By who's God? Not everyone believes in the same God.

[Zecryphon]

[/color]So, even if a person who lives by Christian/Buddhist/etc principles without Christ as their personal savior and devotes their life to harmonious living and serving those in need of help without selfishness/personal gain are doomed to Hell? Just because they haven't said, "Jesus, you are my savior" or other similar phrases?



This could be said about everyone regardless of religious belief.

[/color]

By who's God? Not everyone believes in the same God.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37815555#post37815555)
Living by a set of rules or principles is not what saves you from God's wrath which you have earned with your sins. Jesus Himself said that He is the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except by Him.



"So, even if a person who lives by Christian/Buddhist/etc principles without Christ as their personal savior and devotes their life to harmonious living and serving those in need of help without selfishness/personal gain are doomed to Hell? Just because they haven't said, "Jesus, you are my savior" or other similar phrases?"

Yes, because what you're advocating above, is a works-righteous faith. You are suggesting that by doing works we can earn our way to Heaven. This denies the truth of scripture. Ephesians 2:8-9 addresses this issue. It's not doing works in Christ's name that saves us or saying a prayer or phrase that saves us, we are saved when the Holy Spirit leads us in repentance of sins and then we are given the ability to have faith in Christ for forgiveness of those sins and that allows us to be born again. We are made a new creature, with a new heart and new desires. We now do good works as Christians not to earn salvation, but to show our appreciation to Christ for taking our penalty on the cross. They are works of thankfulness, not works to obtain salvation.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37815555#post37815555)
Buddhists are not capable of living life by their own principles 100% without fail,



"This could be said about everyone regardless of religious belief."

Yes, which is why the entire world needs to be saved. God knows the whole world needs a savior. Read John 3:16-17.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Zecryphon http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=37815555#post37815555)
The Buddhist will be judged by God's law, not their four spiritual principles.

"By who's God? Not everyone believes in the same God."

By the God of the Bible, the one and only true God.

[DeanM]

Lazarus was not in heaven and the reasons one got there are in the OT. Name one who went to Heaven without knowing Jesus.
Luke 16:19-25

19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell,[c (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=16&version=31&context=chapter#fen-NIV-25636c)] where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

Lazarus was in a place that was not Hell, with Abraham, being comforted, and across from the Chasm that seperated him from Hell. I take this to mean Heaven. But even if I'm wrong, you cannot dismiss the next scripture because it does not say Heaven.'

2Kings 2:11-12

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.


Blessings