Deathbed Salvation - Page 3

Michael The Disciple · #21 01-09-2012, 05:51 PM

Many people are offended by the terms of salvation. Not many people WITNESS the gospel of Christ Jesus to their family, friends, or the man on the street while they are living . Jesus is offended BY THEM.

Chateau d'If · #22 01-09-2012, 05:59 PM

I'm also not so sure that the church age began at Pentecost.

I do understand that the purpose of the Gospel was not accomplished prior to the resurrection, but Jesus plainly told His followers that a cross was in His future, and that the only way to inherit eternal life was through faith in His identity and purpose.

He forgave the sins of an adulterous woman even though she had not fulfilled the necessary offerings for atonement.

He forgave the thief on the cross and he had never made satisfactory offerings either.

Understand, when Jesus arrived, the law no longer applied. He fulfilled it while on earth.

And I believe the message of the Gospel, and our response to it, spans every era, age, and dispensation.

No one has ever been saved by anything other than faith in Jesus Christ.

Aquila · #23 01-09-2012, 06:16 PM

In my mind, it's all about authority (John 20:23). We see forgiveness of sins through faith at water baptism and the anointing of oil.

Lafon · #24 01-09-2012, 07:05 PM

The apostle Paul, writing to the saints at Rome, says to them, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Romans 8:9)

It appears Paul believed if one did not possess the Spirit of God dwelling in them [at the moment of their death] they are not considered as one of His saints. If such be the case, then I experience extreme difficulty in accepting the assertion that a simple acknowledgement of Christ Jesus as Savior when one is upon their "deathbed" can be construed as sufficient for salvation.

Concerning the thief on the cross alongside Christ Jesus, to whom our Lord gave the assurance that he would be with Him in paradise after his death [he did die that day, even before our Lord did, you know], it has already been said by another that because the thief died before the new covenant became effective, then his repentance and confession of Christ as the Savior was sufficient for his salvation.

Two things of note here: 1.) Under the terms of the Old Covenant the repentant person was required to confess his sins while offering a lamb without spot or blemish upon the altar, and 2.) without the giving of blood there was no remission of sins.

In the thief's case he had the required Lamb there on the altar with him, and he did repent, therefore Jesus was compelled to accept and acknowledge his repentance, thereby remitting his sins. [Remember - the thief died before Jesus' death, albeit His blood had already been spilt upon the cross, which served as the thief's (and our) altar.] Because the Holy Ghost was not given until after Christ Jesus was glorified, then the terms of the Old Covenant were still in effect when the thief repented and died.

It has also been mentioned that James' statements concerning one who is sick, that they are to call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. This, of course, is all truth!

However, one must note that James was writing these things to Christians, and not to sinners, therefore the instructions which he gave regarding what a Christian is to do should they be sick, simply cannot and does not apply to sinners! [Read James 1:1-2)

Lastly, we find it written in Psalm 145:17 that "The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works." Simply stated, this means that God is not a respector of persons, and what He does for one then He is compelled to do the same for all others. Accordingly, seeing that the means of salvation since the birth of the New Testament church in Acts 2, then repentance, baptism by immersion in water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost as evidence by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance is that which everyone must do, without exception whatsoever!

In aknowlodging the truth that ALL are required to take heed to and obey Acts 2:38, then would it not be an unrighteous thing for God to grant etenal salvation to one who only repents (the matter of when this occurs, upon a death bed or elsewhere should have NO bearing)? Of course! But remember, He is righteous in ALL his ways!

If the repentant one presents his case to Jesus at judgment, using the excuse that he could not be baptized or receive the Holy Ghost because of the circumstances at the moment of his death, then how could Jesus, in accordance with righteousness, grant an exemption when that person had lots of opportunity to do these requirements BEFORE he ever came to his death bed?

That's not being harsh.... simply stating it the way which the Bible states it!

Jay · #25 01-09-2012, 08:43 PM

I have heard of this doctrine as being 'fire insurance'. They want to live all of their lives for the devil, and at the very last moment get right with God. That does not work.

I was very glad to hear of a man who followed through on his committment to live for God if he would be raised up. I have heard of too many stories of people who made that vow, and then failed to follow up.

The Acts 2 experience is the only way to go. If there is any mercy for those that do not find it, God has not revealed that in His word. There is no man who is without excuse for failing to be saved. More than 2/3 of the world no who Jesus is, and He will make a way for the truly hungry to hear the entire truth before they die.

RandyWayne · #26 01-09-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

I have heard of this doctrine as being 'fire insurance'. They want to live all of their lives for the devil, and at the very last moment get right with God. That does not work.

I was very glad to hear of a man who followed through on his committment to live for God if he would be raised up. I have heard of too many stories of people who made that vow, and then failed to follow up.

The Acts 2 experience is the only way to go. If there is any mercy for those that do not find it, God has not revealed that in His word. There is no man who is without excuse for failing to be saved. More than 2/3 of the world no who Jesus is, and He will make a way for the truly hungry to hear the entire truth before they die.

There is the thief on the cross. Case closed.

........and, what about all the hundreds of thousands living in South and Central America after the events of Acts chapter 2?

Lafon · #27 01-09-2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay

He will make a way for the truly hungry to hear the entire truth before they die.

I believe that! If one be "truly hungry" for God, He will always send someone to them to show them they way; that's not to say that they will always take heed to and obey it after hearing it, but they will be without excuse for that failure.

The amazing part of it all.... it is the SAME plan, never changes, despite the circumstances one might find them in at the time that they hear it.... I would hope that one would choose to take heed to it before they reach a "death bed."

RandyWayne · #28 01-09-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lafon

I believe that! If one be "truly hungry" for God, He will always send someone to them to show them they way; that's not to say that they will always take heed to and obey it after hearing it, but they will be without excuse for that failure.

The amazing part of it all.... it is the SAME plan, never changes, despite the circumstances one might find them in at the time that they hear it.... I would hope that one would choose to take heed to it before they reach a "death bed."

So what about all those living in the American continents after the events of Acts chapter 2?

Jay · #29 01-09-2012, 09:17 PM

RW, God alone is there judge. However, they were slaves to sin and bound for Hell. They worshipped gods of wood, stone, water, air, sky, etc. They practiced human sacrifice, and several other practices forbidden by Scripture. Sadly they were bound for Hell.

The thief actually died in the intertestamental period. Jesus was on the cross taking the sins of the world on Himself. Thus the sacrificial system was now defunct, but the Holy Ghost was not yet poured out. The only opportunity was right then. That was when he was convicted of his sins and repented.

deacon blues · #30 01-10-2012, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trialedbyfire

I will say at my church we do have a testimony of a man who did have a legitimate death bed repentance. He'd never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ before he was days from death in the hospital, and prayed that if God would raise him up from his condition he's repent, be baptized, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. God was faithful, saw the man's heart that he had a true heart of repentance and restored him miraculously to health.

Curious, how does someone decide they will be filled with the HG? You can choose repentance and baptism, but how do you choose the HG? It is a gift and a promise right?