Salvation according to Jesus

[achilles12604]

I wanted to explore what Jesus, and only the words attributed to Jesus say about salvation.

Is salvation given only to those who "pray the prayer" and become full fledged Christians? Can someone actually be of another religion and still be saved?


I will come back when I have examined the scriptures myself.

[mister_lee]

I wanted to explore what Jesus, and only the words attributed to Jesus say about salvation.

Is salvation given only to those who "pray the prayer" and become full fledged Christians? Can someone actually be of another religion and still be saved?


I will come back when I have examined the scriptures myself.

I hope you have quotes to support otherwise, but I would say no, unless there is a second chance to accept him as Lord.

Unfortunately, there are scriptures to support that all one has to do to is accept Yeshua/Jesus as Lord and savior, the implication being that one can live his/her life in whatever way, and as long as you sincerely repent, all is forgiven.

From a personal standpoint, yes, I believe other religions would be able to get into heaven. I do not claim any religion for one reason and one reason alone. In many of the faiths of today's world, when I see the followers in practice, the same spirit I see flow through Christians in the church I attend or have attended all my life, moves through them as well. The feeling I get around them is no different. Now, I could be wrong, as feelings can be deceiving. But what I see is a centralized message centered on love, and the feeling I have, is the collective love shared by all in attendance. It's why the Baptist church, the primarily white Catholic church, the contemporary Christian church, the Muslim, mosque, the Jewish temple, the Buddhist temple all have similar feels if one is open to examine them. If God is love and these religions each worship something similar, then in my opinion, the same entity is being worshiped. Each of these belief systems exists for a reason. Like Christianity, it has yet to die out. Christianity only makes up 33% of all the world, a bleak outlook indeed if there was salvation for only those 33%.

Yeshua/Jesus says many things that when I read them, I interpret that there will be people who don't believe that will be saved, and those that do that won't. I think anyone that thinks they can just be forgiven in the face of constant unwavering sin just because he/she is baptised or says a little prayer, seven hail mary's and a periouette. I believe the actions of the faithful happen with their actions not with words. Mother Teresa might have been one of the best Christians ever IMO, regardless of her faith. Some say other religions are Satan's work. I say they are God's. If they belong to God, then Heaven will not be an exclusive club. Give me my secret handshake and my secret decoder pen!!

[Cathar1950]

I do have sympathies with you mister_lee.
A tribal disagreement over who is most favored becoming a universal seems self-serving to many who benefit from organized religion. Yet religion is social in nature even if taken very personally.
The earliest ideas of salvation seem social in nature. One of the attraction Christianity had was its openness to others that were outside any idea of salvation as a people. Inclusive openness can be just as dangerous if we divide the world into two groups. One is the elect and the other is the dammed.
Experimintation seems to be in our nature.

As far as salvation according to Jesus goes, I think it is an impossible task, even if it is fun, and has all the problems of the historical Jesus.
At least I admire the honesty when achilles12604 mentioned "words attributed to Jesus". I can't help but think if we go thru all the so called words or teaching of Jesus the best we can do is interpret or summarize what believers thought and not what Jesus said or thought. If he was anything like his brother (provided it was his brother and we can believe anything Paul wrote or understood) and the first followers in Jerusalem were Jews that found themselves as just another sect to be dealt with by the Temple and the Romans. At any rate it seems the teachings of Jesus ended up with gentiles and coupled with their beliefs about Jesus.

[twobitsmedia]

I wanted to explore what Jesus, and only the words attributed to Jesus say about salvation.

Is salvation given only to those who "pray the prayer" and become full fledged Christians? Can someone actually be of another religion and still be saved?


I will come back when I have examined the scriptures myself.

If the premise is that "Christianity" is a religion, than my answer would be no. That is assuming the major "indoctrination" into the "religion" is that "Jesus Christ becomes Lord." If the premise is that Christianity is not a "religion," as I lean toward seeing it, then it wouldn't matter what other religion a person is in as long as there is a real relationship with Jesus Christ. Not belonging to any religion wouldn't be a negative either.

[justifyothers]

I wanted to explore what Jesus, and only the words attributed to Jesus say about salvation.

Is salvation given only to those who "pray the prayer" and become full fledged Christians? Can someone actually be of another religion and still be saved?


I will come back when I have examined the scriptures myself.

Absolutely !!



"Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"
So he answered and said "You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself."
Jesus responds: "You have answered rightly. Do this and you will live." (Lk.10:25)

That's the criteria. No 'sinner's prayer', etc. Jesus wouldn't have left anything out, right? The fact is, if we follow these 2 commandments, everything else takes care of itself. Jesus knew this.

[katiej49]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live...and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die"

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved"


its believing that Jesus death and resurrection are our salvation. no prayer required (although some do pray at the moment they come to faith)....no works....no ...nothing! just trust that Jesus has done it for us.

[mister_lee]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live...and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die"

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved"


its believing that Jesus death and resurrection are our salvation. no prayer required (although some do pray at the moment they come to faith)....no works....no ...nothing! just trust that Jesus has done it for us.

Ok, but how can one believe in God, in Jesus, and not be required to do good works. I don't see this to mean give away all your money and help others every second of one's life. But it says to love others, as much as God loves us. How can works not be a requirement also, at least in some way. Obviously we are imperfect beings, but the way you say it, that belief in Christ is all that is required, sounds as if one can live as one chooses as long as he/she believes in Christ. I'm not sure if you meant that, but that's how I'm reading.

I will attest, that one cannot love Christ, if he/she does not also try to show that love to the world. One can believe in Christ, and live as one chooses, but that person has no faith in Christ or his teachings if he/she does not reflect Christ in his/her life in some way, and I would say such a person is not saved. A person with belief and faith in Christ, would quite naturally follow his teachings, and his teachings imply good works. The two seem to go hand and hand. Church means nothing. All the praying means nothing. Baptism mean nothing, if one does not try to live a life inspired by Christ.

[justifyothers]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live...and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die"

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved"


its believing that Jesus death and resurrection are our salvation. no prayer required (although some do pray at the moment they come to faith)....no works....no ...nothing! just trust that Jesus has done it for us.

Ok, but how can one believe in God, in Jesus, and not be required to do good works. I don't see this to mean give away all your money and help others every second of one's life. But it says to love others, as much as God loves us. How can works not be a requirement also, at least in some way. Obviously we are imperfect beings, but the way you say it, that belief in Christ is all that is required, sounds as if one can live as one chooses as long as he/she believes in Christ. I'm not sure if you meant that, but that's how I'm reading.

I will attest, that one cannot love Christ, if he/she does not also try to show that love to the world. One can believe in Christ, and live as one chooses, but that person has no faith in Christ or his teachings if he/she does not reflect Christ in his/her life in some way, and I would say such a person is not saved. A person with belief and faith in Christ, would quite naturally follow his teachings, and his teachings imply good works. The two seem to go hand and hand. Church means nothing. All the praying means nothing. Baptism mean nothing, if one does not try to live a life inspired by Christ.

You are correct. Following the will of God creates a change in us that results in a deep and powerful desire to share this love with others.

[katiej49]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live...and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die"

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved"


its believing that Jesus death and resurrection are our salvation. no prayer required (although some do pray at the moment they come to faith)....no works....no ...nothing! just trust that Jesus has done it for us.

Ok, but how can one believe in God, in Jesus, and not be required to do good works. I don't see this to mean give away all your money and help others every second of one's life. But it says to love others, as much as God loves us. How can works not be a requirement also, at least in some way. Obviously we are imperfect beings, but the way you say it, that belief in Christ is all that is required, sounds as if one can live as one chooses as long as he/she believes in Christ. I'm not sure if you meant that, but that's how I'm reading.

I will attest, that one cannot love Christ, if he/she does not also try to show that love to the world. One can believe in Christ, and live as one chooses, but that person has no faith in Christ or his teachings if he/she does not reflect Christ in his/her life in some way, and I would say such a person is not saved. A person with belief and faith in Christ, would quite naturally follow his teachings, and his teachings imply good works. The two seem to go hand and hand. Church means nothing. All the praying means nothing. Baptism mean nothing, if one does not try to live a life inspired by Christ.

you answered the question yourself...."the two go hand in hand"....a heart changed by grace, a soul indwelt by the Holy Spirit, will work. It cant help it! it will WANT to obey God, ...the problem comes when we put the cart before the horse....saying we must work to EARN salvation...not seeing that good works flow naturally out of a grateful heart loved by the Father God.

[mister_lee]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live...and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die"

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved"


its believing that Jesus death and resurrection are our salvation. no prayer required (although some do pray at the moment they come to faith)....no works....no ...nothing! just trust that Jesus has done it for us.

Ok, but how can one believe in God, in Jesus, and not be required to do good works. I don't see this to mean give away all your money and help others every second of one's life. But it says to love others, as much as God loves us. How can works not be a requirement also, at least in some way. Obviously we are imperfect beings, but the way you say it, that belief in Christ is all that is required, sounds as if one can live as one chooses as long as he/she believes in Christ. I'm not sure if you meant that, but that's how I'm reading.

I will attest, that one cannot love Christ, if he/she does not also try to show that love to the world. One can believe in Christ, and live as one chooses, but that person has no faith in Christ or his teachings if he/she does not reflect Christ in his/her life in some way, and I would say such a person is not saved. A person with belief and faith in Christ, would quite naturally follow his teachings, and his teachings imply good works. The two seem to go hand and hand. Church means nothing. All the praying means nothing. Baptism mean nothing, if one does not try to live a life inspired by Christ.

you answered the question yourself...."the two go hand in hand"....a heart changed by grace, a soul indwelt by the Holy Spirit, will work. It cant help it! it will WANT to obey God, ...the problem comes when we put the cart before the horse....saying we must work to EARN salvation...not seeing that good works flow naturally out of a grateful heart loved by the Father God.

I agree, but what does it mean when people profess a belief in Christ, yet every thought and action in their personal lives, outside of fellowship, goes against the teachings of Christ? This person believes, but his/her life is not a reflection of this belief. i don't think this is an isolated instance. I see this as happening frequently. I think the confusion sometimes comes when people, preachers, etc, say that all that is required is salvation. It's like a saying that should come with a disclaimer: Must believe and TRY to follow the teachings of Jesus.

I'm not disagreeing with your assessment, but I have two degrees and both deal with language and communication. (Not bragging, just stating where my thoughts come from) It is incredibly important to be careful with words. The wrong ones can lead people down the wrong path. Saying one can have salvation without good works is the same as saying one can have salvation by good works alone. If the two go hand and hand, then a person believing in Jesus, without good works is not saved.