I've read the bible from cover to cover. I've read the new testament at least ten times with concordances close by for additional opinions. While I was still in my 20's I had most of it committed to memory...chapter and verse. Without a doubt the most confusing, contradictory piece of writing in the history of the world. They couldn't even decide what it takes to accomplish what is supposed to be the most important decision a human will ever make that being what will determine eternal fate:
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
James 2
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Then there's the baptism thing. Some churches require no ritual, some sprinkle and the Primitive Baptist believe that if one is never submerged completely their soul is doomed to eternal flames and a pit of molten brimstone.
There are hundreds of contradictions in what might be considered some of the most important issues in the bible. Maybe that's why when the south sea islands are included there are more than 4000 ancient gods being worshipped. That might be when Christianity and it's conventions, denominations, sects, cults, sub cults, etc. are added there are more than 44,000 other ways to believe.
If the all powerful, all knowing, supreme god of the universe dropped off the only keys to the kingdom to a gang of ignorant primitives who believed in witchcraft and thought the earth was flat, he has one helluva sense of humor.
What is difficult about it? You must have faith and you must also work for salvation. Jesus and God Command that one preach the word and spread Gods word to everyone.
What part of this do you not understand....people who tie up their time in ancient god worship are either very naive or very brainwashed. PERIOD
Question for you.What does god have against poor folks who live in trailer parks. Every time a tornado hits one twice as many people get killed as does when it hits a subdivision with brick homes.
Hey Cammmpbell--stick to your original point.
So far, the response is that you need Faith first, then works to demonstrate that faith.
But your listed statements from the Bible does not seem to convey that.
Ephsians suggest that faith alone saves man.
James suggest that faith alone is not enough, one must do works as well.(editted remark--RGS did claim this!)
Add in the concept of rituals that are only demonstrations and have nothing to do with faith(I can go through a Baptism--I can lie and say I say I accept Jesus as my lord and savior. This will not change my faith) or works of the individual in question, the whole concept of being saved appears to be up to the religious organizations that dictates what it means..
You do have a viable point here, Cammmpbell--don't become emotional and lose the thread of your argument.
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