Can you know for sure?

[Enoch111]

then post what you understand..

I already did. I said that posting Matthew 12:43-45 MUDDIES THE WATERS. It has absolutely nothing to do with this subject or the assurance of salvation. So if someone comes along and puts it alongside Hebrews 10:22, it is simply an attempt to muddy the waters.

THIS IS ABOUT THE WICKED GENERATION OF UNBELIEVING ISRAEL
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

"The last state of the man is worse than the first" speaks of the fate of unbelieving Israel EVEN AFTER CHRIST CAME and they rejected Him. Their judgment was sealed, and Christ calls them "this wicked generation" since they had absolutely no excuse for their unbelief. But because of their unbelief, they put themselves under the control of Satan and his demons. In the Acts of Pilate, Pilate wrote that he could feel the demonic presence within that mob which cried "Crucify Him!".

Getting back to the OP, if a person is unsure of his or her salvation there may be two reasons: (1) that person was not really saved, or (2) that person does not really understand what God's salvation is all about.

 

[GTW27]

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." Heb 10:22

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." Matt 12:43-45

Blessings in Christ Jesus! Perhaps a little light can be shared on this subject. Back when I was at work there used to be this young girl who was constantly getting herself into trouble. She always liked to talk to me because I would give her the word she needed. I knew what her problem was from the gift of discerment of spirits. In other words she had a visitor that was causing havoc in her life. Finally one day I explained it all to her, and she knew that it was true. I told her that she had two choices but that I prefered the second choice over the first. I told her that I could cast that demon out right now(which made her very nervous) or that today she could be saved. I told her that if I cast that out of her that it would have to leave but that her problems would probably return and become much worse. I then explained if this day she came to The Lord that when He entered in, that He would never leave her nor forsake her, and that nothing unclean would(could) ever enter her again. I then explained that The Lord is Holy and when he enters in, anything unclean flees before Him never to enter again. This is the case for those that are truly born from above. They are His and He is theirs. On these boards there are two sides on this issue but only one is true. Long, very long ago, I viewed it on the wrong side as some in here do to this day. And then The Lord in His great mercy weaned me from the milk(turned the page from old to new)(from old wine to new) and gave me eyes to see and ears to hear. The key word in the above scriptures is "empty". We who are truly in Christ Jesus are not empty but filled with The Holy Spirit. And because of this truth we will finish the race, we may lose some rewards, but we will win as Victory is in the right hand of The Lord. As for the young girl, she still has a visitor but she is attending church on a regular basis. Perhaps another will water what was sowed in her heart. I know that The Lord always finishes what He starts. So we have two sides, one side stands outside the walls of the great city, and one side stands within the walls of the great city. Those that stand within the walls are One with The King of the great city and share in common all that He has. Those that stand outside can read about The Great King but understanding of Him only comes by entering in The City. The Door to The Great City has been drawing all men to it for years but how many are truly willing to lay down their life(forsake it all) to enter by narrow gate(door). I write these words today not to offend you amadeus, for I find some wisdom in your writings, but I write these words because of the one side of this issue, the ones standing outside, will soon be caught unaware. If they can not discern the nature of a Loving Father, how can they discern the times.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Getting back to the OP, if a person is unsure of his or her salvation there may be two reasons: (1) that person was not really saved, or (2) that person does not really understand what God's salvation is all about.

I have a third reason. Doubts can be caused by demonic attack. For the first two years I was saved, as a college student, I had relentless doubts about my salvation. So many well-meaning Christians had me pray one more time just in case the first prayer didn't take. That was the exact wrong thing to do because it only added to my insecurity.

One day I heard that my pastor's wife had dealt with this, so the next Sunday morning, I walked one more aisle (That's what Baptists do, lol) to seek her counsel. She didn't have me pray one more time, but she looked me in the eye, and with great conviction said,"That's the devil!" She gave me a copy of the Warfare Prayer by Victor Matthews, which is mostly scripture, and told me to pray it every day. I prayed the prayer many times a day--every time the devil hit me with doubts! It took some time, but the doubts left and have never returned!

Here's a link to Victor Matthews's Warfare Prayer for anyone who needs it: https://drvictormatthews.org/sites/drvictormatthews.org/files/study_guides/Warfare Prayer_0.pdf

Here are some more helps concerning spiritual warfare on Cru's website: www.cru.org/content/dam/cru/legacy/2012/02/Spiritual_Warfare_Prayer.pdf

 

[Ezra]

Getting back to the OP, if a person is unsure of his or her salvation there may be two reasons: (1) that person was not really saved, or (2) that person does not really understand what God's salvation is all about.

agreed

 

[Ezra]

At this moment walking with God in the Spirit, we may indeed be "saved", but like the man who was clean, if we fail to fill the empty space with good things, it will be refilled with evil and our salvation will be gone.

Does this clarify where I stand?

yes

 

[Truther]

Is it possible to know for certain that you know God? That you've received eternal life?

Can you really know?

1 John 5
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Much love!

I lean on believing per Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38.

Even the devils can believe and tremble, but they cannot be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ or be filled with the Holy Ghost.

 

[mailmandan]

I lean on believing per Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38.

Even the devils can believe and tremble, but they cannot be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ or be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely necessary for salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief, not on a lack of baptism. So salvation rests on belief. *NOWHERE does the Bible say "baptized or condemned."

If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus not mention it in the following verses? (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26). What is the one requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements? *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics.

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Try harmonizing Acts 2:38 with Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18. Faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In James 2:19, we see that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in/reliance in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, they do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Their trust and reliance is in Satan (and not in Jesus) as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works.

 

[Truther]

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely necessary for salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief, not on a lack of baptism. So salvation rests on belief. *NOWHERE does the Bible say "baptized or condemned."

If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus not mention it in the following verses? (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26). What is the one requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements? *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics.

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Try harmonizing Acts 2:38 with Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18. Faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In James 2:19, we see that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in/reliance in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, they do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Their trust and reliance is in Satan (and not in Jesus) as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works.

You just completely demolished Mark 16:16 with commentary, then attempted to disannul Acts 2:38 without quoting it..

If some sinners asked you, "men and brethren, what shall we do", what would you tell them?


Jesus....

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.


Peter....

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.


You....?

 

[marksman]

I have had too many personal experiences of God to know that I am a son.

 

[Brakelite]

Can we be sure? Yes. We are promised that if we run the race, regardless of position, we win the prize. just one condition. If we get up every time we fall. Just don't stay down. keep running...walking...crawling even...anything...but keep going forward and you will never lose.

 

[Enoch111]

If some sinners asked you, "men and brethren, what shall we do", what would you tell them?

ACTS 16: BAPTISM FOLLOWS CONVERSION (ACTS 10)
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

 

[Enoch111]

...and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

This one sentence should show that this is NOT about a believer but an unbeliever.

The one who is saved is NOT empty within, since he has the Holy Spirit within. He has Christ within. Therefore no evil spirit can enter, for greater is He that is in you than he (Satan) that is in the world.

 

[mailmandan]

You just completely demolished Mark 16:16 with commentary, then attempted to disannul Acts 2:38 without quoting it..

I did not demolish Mark 16:16 or disannul Acts 2:38. This is what happens when you isolate pet verses, build doctrine on them and then ignore the context and the rest of scripture. You need to properly harmonize scripture with scripture before reaching your conclusion on doctrine. Apparently, you are unable to see anything beyond your biased church doctrine.

If some sinners asked you, "men and brethren, what shall we do", what would you tell them?

Jesus....

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

I see that what I shared with you in post #47 just went right over your head. Jesus clarifies the first clause with but he that believeth not shall be damned. If he who believes shall be saved (3:15,16,18,36; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) then he who believes and is baptized shall be saved as well.

So I will ask you again. If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus not mention it in the following verses? (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26). What is the one requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements? *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics.

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. So why the omission of baptized with "does not believe" in Mark 16:16 if Jesus makes baptism absolutely necessary for salvation? Does condemnation rest on a lack of baptism or on a lack of belief? Obviously not on a lack of baptism. *NOWHERE does the Bible say "baptized or condemned."

Peter....

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism (Acts 10:47).

In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.

*So the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing scripture with scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*

You....?

In Acts 16:30 - And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Not believe and get baptized here, but simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

 

[mailmandan]

ACTS 16: BAPTISM FOLLOWS CONVERSION (ACTS 10)
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Amen! Acts 10:43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?”

These Gentile believers obviously believed, received the gift of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues (which is a spiritual gift that is only for the body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12) and were clearly saved BEFORE water baptism.

 

[Pearl]

I know I belong to God because he gave me a personal prophecy : "You are mine!"

 

[Ezra]

why is so hard to answer can you/we know for sure ? reading some of the post you would think.you was lost/saved like a hour hand moves on a clock . dont ya all believe SCRIPTURE ?

 

[Ezra]

I know I belong to God because he gave me a personal prophecy : "You are mine!"

amen

 

[Truther]

ACTS 16: BAPTISM FOLLOWS CONVERSION (ACTS 10)
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Exactly, they were immediately baptized for the remission of their sins after expressing their faith...which is a perfect example of Mark 16:16.

Notice, they had not yet received the baptism of the Holy Ghost yet either.

This correlated with the 3000 that were added to the church at Pentecost via water baptism too(having not received the Holy Ghost yet).

 

[Truther]

I did not demolish Mark 16:16 or disannul Acts 2:38. This is what happens when you isolate pet verses, build doctrine on them and then ignore the context and the rest of scripture. You need to properly harmonize scripture with scripture before reaching your conclusion on doctrine. Apparently, you are unable to see anything beyond your biased church doctrine.

I see that what I shared with you in post #47 just went right over your head. Jesus clarifies the first clause with but he that believeth not shall be damned. If he who believes shall be saved (3:15,16,18,36; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) then he who believes and is baptized shall be saved as well.

So I will ask you again. If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus not mention it in the following verses? (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26). What is the one requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements? *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics.

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. So why the omission of baptized with "does not believe" in Mark 16:16 if Jesus makes baptism absolutely necessary for salvation? Does condemnation rest on a lack of baptism or on a lack of belief? Obviously not on a lack of baptism. *NOWHERE does the Bible say "baptized or condemned."

In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism (Acts 10:47).

In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.

*So the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing scripture with scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*

In Acts 16:30 - And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Not believe and get baptized here, but simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

You did demolish Mark 16:16.

You "harmonized" Mark 16:16 into this...

He that BELIEVETH and is SAVED shall be baptized.

Then you "harmonized" Acts 2:38 to say this...

Then Peter said repent and believe for the remission of your sins, and you shall be baptized, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.,


Easy on the hamonizations, okay?

 

[Ezra]

Notice, they had not yet received the baptism of the Holy Ghost yet either.

what do you consider the baptism of the Holy Ghost ?