[Remission of sins and other questions?]

Thanks for pointing that out. I do believe in being baptized out of obedience, but not for salvation. Born of water could mean natural birth. Born of Spirit could mean being born again.

[Remission of sins and other questions?]

Beware lest anyone takes you away from the simplicity in Christ Jesus. All that is important is to know that He (Jesus) is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world/ If we put our faith in Him and trust Him for our salvation, we will be saved. We cannot put our faith in any thing that we can do or other men can do. There is only one mediator between God and man and that is Jesus Christ. Paul said I will hear nothing among you but Jesus Christ crucified.

[Why I am a Christian]

When I read this, the first think I thought was, "Every member a missionary."

You are either a missionary or you're a mission field. (Cunningham)

[Remission of sins and other questions?]

LDS believe that with a few exception nearly every one gets to go to one of three heavens (or subdivisions of heaven) and there abide with at least 1 of the persons of God.

You also believe that baptism for remission of sins with correct priesthood authority is neccessary and that baptism must take place either by us here or by a proxy after our deeaths.

So non-LDS remain in a temporary state (that I have heard LDS call spirit prison), away from the presence of God until they have there proxy baptism performed?

So are you going to get around to baptising everyone by proxy either now or in the millenium?

If someone continues to refuse to accept the proxy baptism, are they sent to "outer darkness" eventually?

Now for a slightly trickier question, I'd agree that basptism of a believing repentant person remits their sins, but do LDS believe that is the only way to remit sin? If so, do you have a scripture (I happy to take non-NT scripture quotes) that expresses that point? I am not asking for a defence of baptism for the remission of sins or that it is the normal entry of a disciple into the church but that it is the only way for someone to have their sins remitted. Keeping in mind that Jesus remitted sins during his ministry merely on his say so and that 1 John 1:9 teaches that confession also remits sins (it uses the same word as Acts 2:38)

Thanks in advance for those that take the time to respond.

Paul mentions three levels of heaven, but there isn't any Scripture in the Bible to support that believers will go to one of three sections or sub divisions of heaven. Nor does the Bible mention baptism is essential for the remission of sin or salvation for that matter. Baptism means nothing if we are not born again. It means nothing if we haven't already asked God for forgiveness through confession and walking in repentance. It means nothing unless Jesus is the Lord of our lives. It means nothing if we don't know who Jesus is. For example, Jehovah Witnesses make a big deal of baptism, but they don't know who Jesus is. They think He is Michael the archangel. Therefore, in vain do they baptize confess or repent. Please understand that 1 John 1:9 is referring to God being faithful to forgive and purify us, but it is NOT confession that or baptism that remits sin. Only Christ's death and shed blood atones for or removes sin. No one can atone for his own sin or someone else’s sin save for Jesus.

[Remission of sins and other questions?]

It is only Christ's death on the cross with the shedding of His blood that makes the remission of sin possible. There is nothing we can add to it except faith in Christ. If we have faith, it will show with our works. Our faith and God's grace is what saves us, but without His blood there is no salvation. It is dangerous to put faith in works for the remission of sin. Baptism is a work that cannot save you, but it is an outward expression of an inward change. Like someone saying their vows in a marriage before God and witnesses. It is a commitment where we are identifying with Christ in His death and being resurrected in new life.

[Remission of sins and other questions?]

Yes, everyone needs to be baptized, either in the flesh or by proxy. To my understanding, one of the great projects of the Millennium will be the proxy baptism of every soul that has ever lived on the Earth who died without baptism.

Baptism isn't the only way to remit sins. However, it is required for entrance into God's kingdom- as Christ said, a man must be born of water and the spirit to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). However, it is not the only step that is required to remit sins: the remittance of sin also requires making use of the Atonement of Christ. Repentance is just as important.

How does baptism or repentance remit sins? The thief on the cross wasn't baptized and he was promised entance into God's kingdom

[Hello]

Thank you for the warm welcome.

[Why I am a Christian]

I am a Christian because there is no other name given whereby we might be saved save for the name of Jesus Christ. However, not all that call themselves Christian are. I believe we have to really know who Jesus is to be saved. Many know about Jesus, but don't know Him. Additionally, many religions that are mutually exculsive from eachother claim to have a witness of some spiritual significant thing in their life, but that is not really a confirmation that they are in the faith. Satan can appear as an angel of light and deceive many. If he can do that, then it shouldn't surprise anyone that his children can appear as ministers of righteousness, but they are wolves in sheeps clothing whether they realize it or not.

[Why I am a Christian]

If so, this one God would appeal to a universal following, not bind himself to one culture..

This is true.

Thus, I'm very quickly drawn to Christianity. Judaism remains married to the Hebrew people. Islam, while spreading, remains bound to Arabic and Middle Eastern culture. Part of the reason we have so much misunderstanding is that the faith is meant to be lived out in an Arabic society dominated by supporters. Only Christianity is monotheistic, universal, and portrays God as loving--even pro-active in providing reconciliation.

Islam and Judaism is monotheistic as well. Just because they stick to their culture, that doesn't mean they're not monotheistic.

[Hello]

Hi, I am aj, and I am new to this forum.

I am a Christian.