I was born and raised an evangelical christian. I am one of a handful of people I have found that deconverted due to their study of the bible. Was I saved? Yes, I had accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and admitted that I was a sinner. I was five when that first happened, but I had several re dedication moments in my life. However, when I wanted my life to have deeper meaning I poured into my bible line by line. And what happens when the logic and reason of the mind bring contradictions to the bible? What happens when the bible says two completely different things that no one can explain? What happens when the bible says things that god did that are morally abhorrent? Well, that would be me, a bona fide bible deconversion.
And how did the disciples live? We don't have any documentation on how they lived. You can portend what you think they were like from some letters. Paul perhaps, but people aren't always the way you think from a simple letter. In reality, we have exactly no idea what they were like. Heck, Peter denied christ when he was alive.
Name: Helper
Comments: Are You Saved?..YES! How can I be sure? Bible says so, turn to EPHESIANS 2 VS.8 AND 9...FOR BY GRACE YE ARE SAVED THRU FAITH...AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES IT IS A GIFT OF GOD NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST....( BREAK DOWN ) For by "Grace", Grace is defined as undeserved Love, Ye are "SAVED" Saved means You need assistance, and are unable to help yourself. I.E. You are Drowning and can't stay afloat and will sink and drown. SAVED HOW? THROUGH "FAITH" Means Belief, Take note, Saved through "FAITH" And not "WORKS"..CONTINUE...And That Not Of Yourselves...It Is A "Gift"....(Break Down) It Is A "Gift"...Meaning, God Is Giving You Something For "Free" Otherwise It Wouldn't Be A Gift...So, Salvation Is A "Free Gift" From God Not Of Works Lest Any Man Should Boast...Means Salvation Cannot Be Earned Or Worked For It Comes By "Faith Alone" And We Must Accept It Or Reject It (This Free Gift) But As You And I Know, Something Free Is Not Really Free, The Cost Must Be Paid From Somewhere And That Cost Was Paid ( On The Cross By Jesus Christ ) So, You And I Are Assured That We Are Saved Because Salvation Came As A Free "Gift" From God...So Do We Do Good Works? For Sure! But Not For Salvation, But For The Glory Of God,.....Helper
Source1: BIBLE
Source2: EPHESIANS 2 vs. 8 and 9
Name: HJ
Comments: I think its a bit foolish to declare oneself "Saved". I mean how will you feel if you get to the other side and find out you really aren't "Saved". It would be safer to say that you "Hope to be saved one day".