John said:
So pretty much if a christian falls into sin they are damned to hell for all eternity?
That rather depends on what you mean by “falls into sin”. Also there is a variation on people’s theology here: some believe that you cannot lose your salvation, and some (myself included) believe that you can reject God after becoming a believer. Hebrews 6:4-6 says “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” So, based on the verse, if a person rejects God (and this is not just accidentally sinning, but willfully shaking the love of God and purposefully sinning), then there is no return. So, if by “falls into sin” you mean willfully rejecting God, then yes, if sinning accidentally, no. Those among us who believe that a person cannot lose their salvation don’t think this really makes a difference though, since they wouldn’t have fallen away in the first place. You are welcome to judge for yourself on that point.
-Erica
Acts 5:1 – 11 show that you MUST give up ALL your belongings to go to heaven.
Thus, no christian I know of will get into heaven. Funny how you christian ignore most of Jesus teachings if it puts you out in the least.
Acts 5:1-11 makes no such claim. No one cared how much of the money Ananias donated. What they cared about was the fact that He claimed it was the full price, while he was intentionally donating only a part. He lied, and to God at that. The deal was not the money, but the words. See for yourself:
“But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’”
There are multiple teachings that are arbitrarily ignored by various religious denominations. I have often pointed out that I know of no Christian women who wear a hijab or other form of head covering in prayer, yet in the new testament (I do not have my source with me, but I can contribute it later) Jesus states that women should cover their heads in prayer, and that they should also not be allowed to speak in church (not to mention that Jewish women and men are also required to cover their heads in prayer, which they mostly still do).
As for the notions of sin, these are not purely Christian ideals. I was once told that I have no morals, since I am not Christian. Is this true? Do I not recognize that hurting, stealing, greed, excess, etc., is wrong? I may have different opinions about a lot of things, but the fundamental notions of right and wrong exist in all societies, in all cultures, and in all people. To say that I am going to hell because I do not recognize the Christian God is a fear tactic that is used in all monotheistic religions. I have the notion of something greater; I simply choose to explore both the spiritual and the scientific to find the best answer. Live a good life, and you will find the key to heaven – this would be a better thing to say to people than you will burn for all eternity if you do not convert to my religion. Fear! Why would God need to use such force to get His way?
Besides, as per the new testament, only…I think it’s 100 000 people are allowed into heaven.
I bet it’s already full, at that rate!