Question for the Evangelical Community

[e.r.m.]

I realize answers may vary greatly, but in your church, how much time is spent teaching the congregation how one is saved, breaking the scriptures down and giving a full lesson? Is this topic largley left alone because it's so simple and "understood", or does your leadership treat this topic as something they really want their congregations to understand well? This is not a thread on how one gets saved. I want to understand how different evangelical leaderships handle teaching this topic.

Thank you.

 

[Kenny]

It varies in the church I attend. It a simplistic way, it is done at the end of every service at least to where people have a grasp. it must work because people respond.

Within the context of a sermon, it is broken down further every so often.

For in-depth study of all the intricacies, we have a Discovery Class where questions can be fielded.

 

[e.r.m.]

It varies in the church I attend. It a simplistic way, it is done at the end of every service at least to where people have a grasp. it must work because people respond.

Within the context of a sermon, it is broken down further every so often.

For in-depth study of all the intricacies, we have a Discovery Class where questions can be fielded.

Thank you. A discovery class being offered is good. It shows that the leadership cares about teaching about this. Within the context of a sermon, it being broken down further every so often is also good. Would you please give me an example of what is taught at the end of every service? And can you tell me more about this Discovery Class? Thank you.

 

[12jtartar]

I realize answers may vary greatly, but in your church, how much time is spent teaching the congregation how one is saved, breaking the scriptures down and giving a full lesson? Is this topic largley left alone because it's so simple and "understood", or does your leadership treat this topic as something they really want their congregations to understand well? This is not a thread on how one gets saved. I want to understand how different evangelical leaderships handle teaching this topic.

Thank you.

E.R.M.,
In Theology, the branch that deals with Salvation, is called Soteriology. Scriptures on this subject can be found throughout the Holy Scriptures.
It really does not matter how the vast majority of religions teach their members, because the Bible says that we will all stand before God's throne, for ourselves!!! Romans 14:10,12. Teachers can help, but it is each one's responsibility to search for the truth, as mentioned at, Proverbs 2:1-12, John 4;23,24, 2Thessalonians 2:9-13. Remember, there is only ONE WAY, Matthew 7:13,14, Acts 9:2, 19:9. There is only ONE religion that pleases God, Ephesians 4:3-6. If we want to have a future we must all find that one, the ONE that the Bible describes,at 1Corinthians 1:10, 26-31, the one that is hated by all nations, Matthew 10:22, 24:9, John 15:17-20. Agape!!!

 

[Kenny]

Thank you. A discovery class being offered is good. It shows that the leadership cares about teaching about this. Within the context of a sermon, it being broken down further every so often is also good. Would you please give me an example of what is taught at the end of every service? And can you tell me more about this Discovery Class? Thank you.

The end of the service is what we would call "Being led by the Spirit" where we always point to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and how when we trust Him with our lives our past is erased and our future is secured. Many times we tag on the subject taught... so if we are teaching about family we would also add "You can have a new family.. a family of believers with a new Father" or something like that.

 

[e.r.m.]

E.R.M.,
In Theology, the branch that deals with Salvation, is called Soteriology. Scriptures on this subject can be found throughout the Holy Scriptures.
It really does not matter how the vast majority of religions teach their members, because the Bible says that we will all stand before God's throne, for ourselves!!! Romans 14:10,12. Teachers can help, but it is each one's responsibility to search for the truth, as mentioned at, Proverbs 2:1-12, John 4;23,24, 2Thessalonians 2:9-13. Remember, there is only ONE WAY, Matthew 7:13,14, Acts 9:2, 19:9. There is only ONE religion that pleases God, Ephesians 4:3-6. If we want to have a future we must all find that one, the ONE that the Bible describes,at 1Corinthians 1:10, 26-31, the one that is hated by all nations, Matthew 10:22, 24:9, John 15:17-20. Agape!!!

I agree that it is an individual responsibility, but I have found that individuals largely follow their leaders direction and leaders must give an account Hebrews 13:17. When leaders stress the importance of understanding how one gets saved, a greater percentage of their congregation follows suit, and the reverse plays out as well.

 

[omega2xx]

I realize answers may vary greatly, but in your church, how much time is spent teaching the congregation how one is saved, breaking the scriptures down and giving a full lesson? Is this topic largley left alone because it's so simple and "understood", or does your leadership treat this topic as something they really want their congregations to understand well? This is not a thread on how one gets saved. I want to understand how different evangelical leaderships handle teaching this topic.

Thank you.

In conservative Presbyterian churches it is not preached much. It is a basic doctrine that is universally accepted in reformed theology. Members accept it, visitor come to accept it or find another church.

The main emphasis in reformed theology is to teach the Bible sod that we may know God better and better know what He expects of His children.

 

[e.r.m.]

In conservative Presbyterian churches it is not preached much. It is a basic doctrine that is universally accepted in reformed theology. Members accept it, visitor come to accept it or find another church.

The main emphasis in reformed theology is to teach the Bible sod that we may know God better and better know what He expects of His children.

Thank you. This coincides with what I've read on the Presbyterian website, the belief that everyone is already saved. How one gets saved would naturally not be preached much. Am I right?

 

[Kenny]

why the inquiry?

 

[metis]

Not to pick on the evangelical community (which means I'm now going to pick on the evangelical community ), nor to stereotype them, but one of the things I have long run across both here and when I was growing up within one of these communities, is that there's a general lack of knowledge about church history, and often the church history that is taught does not exactly match up with historical reality. This even includes how the canon of the Bible itself was actually selected, whereas so many within these communities seemingly think that the Bible floated down from heaven and someone in their early church caught it.

It's almost as if this is what is taught: "Jesus lived and lives, he taught 12 others almost 2000 years ago who wrote a book, so now let's sing some songs and pray. And, btw, all other churches, denominations, and religions really don't understand and/or observe well enough, but we've got the answers!".

However, to repeat, I'm sure that this does not apply to all evangelicals, so simmer down @KenS !

 

[e.r.m.]

The end of the service is what we would call "Being led by the Spirit" where we always point to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and how when we trust Him with our lives our past is erased and our future is secured. Many times we tag on the subject taught... so if we are teaching about family we would also add "You can have a new family.. a family of believers with a new Father" or something like that.

Thank you.
The inquiry is because it has been my limited experience that evangelical churches do not really "teach" this. It is instead presented as a foregone conclusion that this is how it is, which is very powerful in getting people to accept it without understanding why? I was at an evangelical service in 2011 where the pastor preached on giving to the poor and then with no segway, invited people to be saved according to their belief system. My cousin is my most salient example. At her altar call, she told me she met with a counselor who did Not explain to her the scriptural basis of what she was about to do, and they hadn't explained it to her since. I would like to see how much or how little this is the norm.

 

[e.r.m.]

Not to pick on the evangelical community (which means I'm now going to pick on the evangelical community ), nor to stereotype them, but one of the things I have long run across both here and when I was growing up within one of these communities, is that there's a general lack of knowledge about church history, and often the church history that is taught does not exactly match up with historical reality. This even includes how the canon of the Bible itself was actually selected, whereas so many within these communities seemingly think that the Bible floated down from heaven and someone in their early church caught it.

It's almost as if this is what is taught: "Jesus lived and lives, he taught 12 others almost 2000 years ago who wrote a book, so now let's sing some songs and pray. And, btw, all other churches, denominations, and religions really don't understand and/or observe well enough, but we've got the answers!".

However, to repeat, I'm sure that this does not apply to all evangelicals, so simmer down @KenS !

Are you catholic metis?

 

[metis]

Are you catholic metis?

Nope. See where it says "Religion" on my page-- upper right-hand corner.

 

[e.r.m.]

Nope. See where it says "Religion" on my page-- upper right-hand corner.

Oh yes, sorry.

 

[omega2xx]

Thank you. This coincides with what I've read on the Presbyterian website, the belief that everyone is already saved. How one gets saved would naturally not be preached much. Am I right?

Not quite. We don't believe everyone is already saved. If you are looking at Presbyterian sites you need to distinguish between liberal Presbyterians and conservative ones. That all are saved may be liberal Presbyterian theology.

 

[e.r.m.]

Not quite. We don't believe everyone is already saved. If you are looking at Presbyterian sites you need to distinguish between liberal Presbyterians and conservative ones. That all are saved may be liberal Presbyterian theology.

Thank you for the clarification. Would I be correct then in saying that conservative Presbyterians believe that those who are to be saved are already saved, and those who are to be lost are lost?

 

[omega2xx]

Thank you for the clarification. Would I be correct then in saying that conservative Presbyterians believe that those who are to be saved are already saved, and those who are to be lost are lost?

There are 2 things that happened before the creation.
--WE were chosen in Christ---Eph 1:4
--Our names were written in the Lamb's book of life from the foundation of the world---Rev 13:8

Presbyterian theology teaches that man plays no part in his salvation. It is all of God. people object to that because it rejects man's free will. Because the Bible speaks both of God soverginty and man's free will. I believed they are both true. It is an antinomy---2 truths that SEEM to contradictory.

When you were born did you start living or dying---both are true.

 

[e.r.m.]

There are 2 things that happened before the creation.
--WE were chosen in Christ---Eph 1:4
--Our names were written in the Lamb's book of life from the foundation of the world---Rev 13:8

Presbyterian theology teaches that man plays no part in his salvation. It is all of God. people object to that because it rejects man's free will. Because the Bible speaks both of God soverginty and man's free will. I believed they are both true. It is an antinomy---2 truths that SEEM to contradictory.

When you were born did you start living or dying---both are true.

Thank you.

 

[omega2xx]

Thank you.

Your welcome. Hope it helps a bit.

 

[Kenny]

Not to pick on the evangelical community (which means I'm now going to pick on the evangelical community ), nor to stereotype them, but one of the things I have long run across both here and when I was growing up within one of these communities, is that there's a general lack of knowledge about church history, and often the church history that is taught does not exactly match up with historical reality. This even includes how the canon of the Bible itself was actually selected, whereas so many within these communities seemingly think that the Bible floated down from heaven and someone in their early church caught it.

It's almost as if this is what is taught: "Jesus lived and lives, he taught 12 others almost 2000 years ago who wrote a book, so now let's sing some songs and pray. And, btw, all other churches, denominations, and religions really don't understand and/or observe well enough, but we've got the answers!".

However, to repeat, I'm sure that this does not apply to all evangelicals, so simmer down @KenS !

HAHAHAHAHAHA!! It's true Metis, it's true!!!!

And most people didn't think about the reality that the disciples preached out of the Jewish scriptures and not out of the NT.

Uh oh... wait a minute... I'm have a revelation here... an epiphany is just downloading...

MY MESSAGE IS A JEWISH MESSAGE!!!