What do you all think about an A.M.E.Pastor saying in a Sunday School setting saying "I don't care what you say, but I know I'm going to heaven."? One of the members told him that he is doing the Lord's work. You can't judge yourself.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2002

Answers

All true believers are assured of their salvation. If you are not sure, see your pastor. Study of the Bible will assure every believer of his/her final destination. John 5:24 says plainly that believers are pased from "death unto life." John 3:16 - 18 also provides assurance of everlasting life. It is simply a matter of faith in Jesus. I will be praying for you.

Be Blessed. Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2002

Romans: 10:8-13

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH the Lord Jesus, AND shalt BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED.

Richard Allen once said that he chose Methodism because we "preach a plain and simple Gospel." The truth is so plain and simple that it is often sometimes missed. We, as AMEs, believe that Jesus ALONE is Savior and Lord.

Your pastor is right, If he has met the conditions stated above he is going to heaven and so will you and all who so believe and trust in the saving grace of Jesus Christ Our Savior and Lord! We have this blessed assurance in the word of God.

So with boldness and confidence we sing and believe the great hymn of the church by Fanny Crosby, based on this same passage in Hebrews (Hebrews 10:21-22) --"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2002

Dear Sister Nelson,

Thank you so much for asking a most important question!!! The AME pastor is right to say that because he is saved now that he has eternal life in Heaven with God and Jesus. As a child, I remember that salvation was something that a christian could not be certain of until one died. I experienced a revelation on salvation in 1983 when I was on a US Navy ship. I became so depressed that I read my Bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 in 8 months. This is the greatest thing that I have ever done. If you haven't already done so, if you want to turn your life around 180 degrees or more, I encourage you to ask God to give you the time and the desire to read the whole Bible through.

I learned that what or who belongs to God cannot be taken from God. I, you, your pastor, and every Christian belongs to God. Therefore, the devil cannot take away your salvation. The blood of Jesus saved those who came before him, those present during His earthly ministry, and all who came after Him. Salvation is a one time event!!! I got baptized on August 25, 1966 but I got saved before the baptism when I confessed to God that I was a sinner, repented, and believed God sent His son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins and accepted Him as my saviour.

There are so many scriptures where Jesus talks about salvation being eternal John 3:16. The following scriptures also support that a Christian can be confident right now that he has a home in Heaven.

This is Jesus talking in the gospel of John. "There is no eternal doom awaiting those who trust him to save them. But those who don't trust him have already been tried and condemned for not believing in the only Son of God." John 3:18(The Book)

This is Jesus talking again in the gospel of Luke. "However, the important thing is not that the demons obey you, but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven." Luke 10:20 (The Book)

"And because of what Christ did, all you others too, who heard the Good News about how to be saved, and trusted Christ, were marked as belonging to Christ by the Holy Spirit, who long ago had been promised to all of us Christians." Ephesians 1:13 (The Book)

"But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead-only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved-and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms-all because of what Christ Jesus did." Ephesians 2:4-6 (The Book)

"I have written this to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may know you have eternal life." I John 5:13 (The Book)

I find this last scripture interesting because John an apostle of Jesus says that we may know now that we have salvation. We don't have to wonder, we can praise God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit right now because our names are written in Heaven!!!

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2002

AMEN.........I love your answer, it was put so eloquently clear. I will your answer to those who had a problem with judging yourself. Clara Nelson

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2002