[George]

Originally Posted by cb6445

"I agree Brother Tony. Don't know why they don't want to answer that question. It's a question I've been struggling with lately. I mean I agree with the Brother's response before mine. I know we're saved by GRACE through faith. But can a person really just believe in Jesus' existence and be saved? The bible says even the devils believe and they tremble, but is belief alone enough to save your soul from hell? Does not a person have to be drawn by the Holy Ghost and repent? Can a person have no intention whatsoever of turning from the sin and filth of this world, and just ask Jesus to save them just to avoid hell or use Jesus to get them out of their "problem"? I don't believe so! Anyway, can't wait to see you brother Tony! God's speed!"

Aloha brother Clint,

Sometimes the reason we don’t answer a question, is not because we don’t know the answer, but it gets tiresome (and a lot of work) repeating ourselves over and over again over an issue that is so very basic for anyone contemplating going into the ministry.

You asked the question: "can a person really just believe in Jesus' existence and be saved?" - the answer is NO! It is not enough to "believe in Jesus' existence" to RECEIVE the gift of eternal life (Salvation). A person must BELIEVE the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

In order to get saved a person MUST BELIEVE ON the Lord Jesus Christ:

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

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.

It is NOT enough to believe that Jesus Christ "existed" - lots of people believe that. A person MUST BELIEVE ON the Lord Jesus Christ. {That entails trusting in His FINISHED work on the Cross on our behalf ("Christ died for our SINS"), and Believing that His shed blood paid God's required price (for sin) and was sufficient for ALL of our sins.}

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

The KEY verse that unlocks any confusion over one's salvation is John 1:12:

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

If a person truly BELIEVES ON the Lord Jesus Christ (not just that He existed), they become sons of God (through Christ's sacrifice), and I guarantee that God is NOT going to toss His sons into Hell!

John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

As you pointed out: believing that Jesus Christ "existed" is NOT enough - the devils "believe and tremble". But on the other hand, IF you BELIEVE ON the Lord Jesus Christ - that's a whole different story, that makes all the difference in the world. {The difference between RECEIVING eternal life and NOT receiving it - that is why the GOSPEL of the GRACE of God is so important.}

The following Links cover much of the information you are seeking:

http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...86&postcount=5

http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...3&postcount=84
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...&postcount=117
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...1&postcount=12
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...9&postcount=13
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...&postcount=261

http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...71&postcount=1
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...0&postcount=30
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...77&postcount=5
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...&postcount=107
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...&postcount=254
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...&postcount=247

The following Link tells what would happen to someone IF they could lose their salvation:

http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...82&postcount=1