Pentecostal VS Other Religions

First topic message reminder :

Let's start the debate.

Okay, I just don't get it. So does that mean, Regis, that although I think you are saved, you think I am going to hell? Hmm.....

I have been brought up with both Penticostal and Baptist. My mom was saved in a penicostal church, and my uncle has the same beliefs as you.

Where I am going with this, I can't remember. But, it doesn't matter what we think. And we are all entitled to our own beliefs.

God will be the judge on the Judgement seat.

Dude! we are saved by faith through the grace of God who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Ephesians 2:8-9 says;

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

We were not saved by works man!

John 3:16 says;

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Were nothing to God, he could squash us like little ants, but!!! he loved us so much that he let his son die for us so that we could be saved.

Therefore;

It is not by works (being baptized or speaking in tongues) that we are saved. It is by our faith and the grace of God that we are saved.

say it like you meen it dood

And I totally agree Shadow!

Go read Romans Regis... that's the one book that can get you thinking.. it has me! When I get around to it, I'll post what I've learned so far...

You get salvation the moment you have faith in Christ, accept him to be your Savior. Your works don't do a thing for you... salvation happens now, not later either.

Dude! The bible is like the ultimate guide to everything!

Okay, I wouldn't classify "speaking in tongues" as "works", since technically it's a spiritual gift. The point is, Pentecostals believe that the sign that God uses to show that we are Christians is the gift of "tongues". I believe that's it, if I'm not mistaken. So, saying, "We're saved by faith, not works!" is basically unrelated here.

The problem with the whole tongues thing is that Jesus didn't say, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you speak in tongues." He said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Christians naturally respond with love to God's grace. The whole of the law is summed up in the commandments, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength" and "Love your neighbor as yourself". These are the signs of a true Christian. Also see the Fruits of the Spirit, which are also the signs of the Holy Spirit in a person's life. The Bible clearly says that not everyone will speak in tongues, but every believer should bear the fruits of the spirit. "By their fruits you shall know them". If a person "speaks in tongues" but has not love, their experience means nothing. Ecstatic utterances prove nothing; they could just as easily be the product of human trickery as God's Spirit. The only sure "test" of salvation is whether or not one produces the fruits of the Spirit.

Of course, our works don't save us. But that's a totally different debate anyway, so I'll refrain from starting an off-topic discussion on faith and works.