Knowing God is really there and that you're saved.

[V8Tsunami]

I've been struggling with this for a while now. I never doubted my faith growing up. I was baptised and raised in a Christian home, and have always prayed and believed in Jesus, and have asked him to be my Lord and savior.

When I went off to a large university, I met alot of non-Christians and took an eastern religion class. People kept asking me how I could be sure of my faith when Christianity and the concept of one god have only been around for a couple of millenia, yet mankind has existed for quite a few thousand years. They also asked me, that when the world has so many religions, how can I be sure I have the right one and everyone else is wrong? How could I know God was there when you couldn't see or feel him? I don't have concrete answers to these questions at this point, so I'm worried.

I always thought I could know when the spirit came when I felt a heartwarming feeling when I prayed or read scripture. But then I noticed that I felt this way when I watched racing or InuYasha. I surmised that the spirit was either protecting me or that that wasn't the way the spirit felt.

The Pentacostals I've talked to say that the proof of the spirit, and that you are saved, is speaking in tongues, and that the spirit only comes after you're baptised in Jesus name. I talked to one lady who became a good friend of mine for a year or two, and she mentioned speaking in tongues even before she knew what it was. I'd never done that before I went to that Church. I think I've done it, but I'm afraid that it was merely me getting caught up in the moment because everyone around me was doing the same thing.

Lately, I've felt that I've lost my salvation somehow. My heart just doens't feel secure anymore, it feels dark and cold for some reason. I dunno if I'm not dedicating myself to Christ enough, or if it's due to my hating to drive the speed limit (I hate going slow), or due to my inabilty to overcome my desires. For some reason I just don't feel like I'm good enough to go to heaven.

Anyway, please pray for me. I'm struggling with this, the "demonic shadow", and going places I shouldn't go on the internet or playing on the internet when I should be working. I love my job and feel that God has put me here, but I'm scared I'll lose it due to going places I shouldn't on the web, or that they'll hire someone else who will work harder.

[Nate]

The Pentacostals I've talked to say that the proof of the spirit, and that you are saved, is speaking in tongues, and that the spirit only comes after you're baptised in Jesus name.

I am not knocking Pentacostals by any means, however, I disagree with that statement. I am quite strong in my faith and have been baptized in Jesus' name, but I have never spoken in tongues. Does this mean I am not saved? Of course not.

I hear you on the college thing, though. I am taking history of Western Civilization, which deals heavily with the religious beliefs of those cultures. I have also struggled with doubting my faith, more times than I care to remember. It's part of being Christian. You're going to have doubts.

I'll pray for you, dude.

[Spiritsword]

Yes, speaking in tongues isn't necessary. Like kaemmerite, I've been baptised and am a Christian and do not find myself speaking in tongues. That is simply the way the Spirit is expressed in some, not in all.

I fell away from God during late HS/early college. I was pretty much agnostic, then God brought me back to Him. Questioning one's faith at times is healthy--ask God to strengthen your faith, express your questions and doubts to Him, and God will give you evidence--but you need to be open to it and not expecting concrete proof all the time.

It will ultimately come down to faith, to some degree. That's been tough for me, because I'm skeptical by nature and not used to accepting things simply because I'm told that's the way they are. But God will help you with that faith, as He has constantly helped me. Just ask.

And if you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you're saved. Period. Even if you sin, even if you sin horrendously. No one is perfect, no human, that's why we need Jesus' sacrifice. All Christians sin, many have questions or doubts. You're not alone in any of those things. Pray to God about it. I will pray as well.

[Fsiphskilm]

I've been strug

[GhostontheNet]

When I went off to a large university, I met alot of non-Christians and took an eastern religion class. People kept asking me how I could be sure of my faith when Christianity and the concept of one god have only been around for a couple of millenia, yet mankind has existed for quite a few thousand years.

Commentary: Straw man. If Christianity is true, the concept of one God has been since the very creation of man, and it is instead all the others that are the more recent abberations (Romans 1:18-32 [url]http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201:18-32] )

They also asked me, that when the world has so many religions, how can I be sure I have the right one and everyone else is wrong? How could I know God was there when you couldn't see or feel him? I don't have concrete answers to these questions at this point, so I'm worried.

A good start would be to examine the evidence for the very capstone of our faith; that Yeshua Christ was risen from the dead on the third day. There is quite a mass of various cases for its occurance. A good first move to doing this would be to read Lee Stroebel's The Case for Christ http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... s&n=507846 , also, N.T. Wright's The Resurrection of the Son of God http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... s&n=507846 is a splendid volume if you don't mind reading 700 something page scholarly books (and if you balk on the scholarly geek-speak you can send me a buzz and I can help decrypt it). With the resurrection, you have proved everything of our faith with confidence. Also, you confess that Yeshua Christ is Lord, which is one half the battle. For Paul says the following is the criteria of salvation;

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:8-10 ESV http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010:8-10;&version=47; )

So then, if you believe that Yeshua Christ is risen from the dead too, you needn't worry about whether or not you are saved, instead you may know it is so. If you falter in this, fall back on the evidence of its truth (and there is a vast bulk of it). I believe this settles the issue, and will commit no more writing on the remainder of it.

[Chichiri]

Speaking in tongues used to be used for being able to communicate the word of the gospel to people in other languages that you didn't know.

Considering the bible is available in a ton of different languages now, speaking in tongues isn't really needed.

[Sephiroth]

If Christianity is true, the concept of one God has been since the very creation of man, and it is instead all the others that are the more recent abberations

Yeah, totally.

and the Speaking in tounges bit, it is something with a very specific purpose, only some people will be gifted with the ability to speak in tongues.

Ok, assurance. Heh heh, this is something every Christian has struggled with, ok this is the way our pastor put it in a message a couple of weeks ago, which i thought made alot of sense :

"The body of Christ is a diverse lot of people, they like different things , watch differend things, all have their own way of doing things. After asking Jesus into your life, some of you will have instantly felt different, some of you will feel no different, but theres nothing wrong with that, just know that If you asked God into your life He's not gonna turn His back on you"

its pretty paraphrased, but i hope it got the message across, see i'm kinda like the second group, one that didn't feel different, after a while i thought "Am i really saved?" but after being Christian for a while, a have a good deal of perspectivw on the matter, and that knowing Gods nature that i sincerely asked for Jesus in my life, and God will not turn away from that.

[Rogie]

I have nothing new to add to the conversation, but I will pray for you and that God will help to renew your faith.

[K. Ayato]

Those people you've come across have raised very interesting and thought-provoking questions, which is of itself a good thing. As a Christian witness, you do and will want to provide answers, but it's not the top priority. What's important right now as you communicate with them is to show them (if they are not saved) their spiritual condition. Then, as you progress, you can answer their questions. If you don't have the answer, it's ok. You can look into it and come back to that issue at another time.

[KOBUSHInoTENSHU]

i kno i've been feeling like this for a few months now. i hate it. So many people annoy me when they r stubborn and when i explain how the universe didnt pop out of nothing. It scared me alot. I also would like it if you guys would pray for me. (I'll pray for u V8Tsunami!) Im praying about it too but i need help.

[K. Ayato]

We secular college students should stick together.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

What is this Yeshua Christ thing? His name is Jesus Christ!
Anyway, I'll be praying for you mate.

[K. Ayato]

Yeshua is Hebrew.

[GhostontheNet]

What is this Yeshua Christ thing? His name is Jesus Christ!
Anyway, I'll be praying for you mate.

You seem to lack a knowledge of our Lord's name in translation. In Hebrew in is Yeshua, which was translated in Greek to Iosios (though I may be misspelling), and in turn to Jesus in Latin from the Greek. Most translations take the step forward, and call Him by His Latin name rather than the Greek, I figure if this is ligit, I can take a step back and prefer to refer to Him by His Hebrew name.

[Roll]

Answers in Genesis is a ministry that describes many, many stories from college students very similar to yours. Their faith was shipwrecked by anti-Biblical students, faculty, and curriculum (even in so-called Christian colleges), and they had written to AiG to thank the ministry for helping them become strong Christians again. If you haven't already, you should check the site out!

http://www.answersingenesis.org

[K. Ayato]

Hang in there, man.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

speaking in tongues is not nesscessary. but it is incredibly amazing!!! I haven not spoken in tongues, but ive wittnessed large amounts of people. And it touched me so much. But it ain't a nesscessity ^_^

[Debitt]

I don't have too much to add to this aside from saying that I will be parying for you, V8.

But I must say that though speaking in tongues is truly amazing, it is not 1) the proof of your salvation by any means 2) not the only gift the Holy Spirit can bestow upon a believer. I remember one church service I attended with a very close friend, and the sermon that morning was on Spiritual Gifts. Among these gifts was, of course, prophecy and the gift of tongues - rare and treasured gifts by every means. But also included in that list were very very everyday things, like encouragement (the one gift I acknowledge as to posessing myself, but that's aside from the point), the gift of being able to comfort and support and uplift your fellow men, and discernment, the gift of being able to distinguish God's Will for you and others. And though as believers we see these gifts reflected in people everyday, that doesn't not make them any less extraordinary than speaking in tongues or prophecizing. The fact that the Lord inspired Paul (I believe it was Paul who set these down to paper, though I can't remember the reference exactly. I'll have to go look for that later) to include these in a list of GIFTS believers can recieve from the Holy Spirit is evidence enough. xD;

Ack...I guess I got carried away a bit. But my point is, don't let your faith waver, and don't let yourself doubt your faith because "speaking in tongues" is supposedly sign of salvation, because there are many other traits and gifts the Lord blesses us with that are just as precious as speaking in tongues.

[Technomancer]

There is no reason why Christianity should preclude an active intellectual life, or from the enormously enriching experiences available at the universities. Speaking as a student, I have always found the breadth and depth of possible explorations to be entrancing and deeply rewarding. Reading the thoughts of some of the great minds ofour age may help, people like Lewis, or Chesterton, or Pope John Paul II.24

For wisdom is more active than all active things; and reacheth everywhere, by reason of her purity. For she is a vapour of the power of God, and a certain pure emmanation of the glory of the Almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her. For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God’s majesty, and the image of his goodness.

Wisdom 7:24-26

The following article may also be of some value:
Fides et Ratio

[GhostontheNet]

There is no reason why Christianity should preclude an active intellectual life

Amen to that.

[quote="Wisdom of Solomon 7:24-26"]For wisdom is more active than all active things] I think you may be mistaking wisdom for the divine Wisdom, which is in caps because it is a name. My edition of the Apocrypha in the intro to Wisdom of Solomon comments, "The first part contains first a mass of eschatological teaching on the destiny of the righteous and the wicked, and then the extended praise of Wisdom which gives the book its name. Wisdom is definately more hypostatized than it is in Proverbs or Ecclesiasticus, and in some respects aproaches the conception of the logos [i.e. The WORD in John's prologue]." (The Apocrypha translated by Edgar J. Goodspeed). It is worth noting that many scholars I've encountered believe that portraying Yeshua Christ as Wisdom personified is one of the major themes of the Gospel of John. Internet apologist J.P. Holding uses it as a backboard for defending the doctrine of the Trinity http://www.tektonics.org/jesusclaims/trinitydefense.html , and evidently Ben Witherington's commentary, John's Wisdom also goes into it in depth.

[Technomancer]

I think you may be mistaking wisdom for the divine Wisdom, which is in caps because it is a name.

I don't think that such a clear division should be made]
In its relation to man, Wisdom is here, as in the other Sapiential Books, the perfection of knowledge showing itself in action[/quote]

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15666a.htm

Part of this is understanding the role of God in out lives and in the cosmos as a whole, but it is not the whole of it. Such action must also be informed by a knowledge of things more down to earth (cf. Wis.7:15-21). This section is important in that it both alludes to the practical as well as the sublime- not only can we grasp the nature of the cosmos and its elements, but that it leads us to God in doing so. In the context of the book, much of the exhortation is directed at kings, who no doubt have an especial need for the pursuit of wisdom. It is also worth noting that the book is not entirely Hebrew in its contents; it was most likely written by a Hellenized Jew living in the city of Alexandria. Being the greatest centre of learning in the ancient world, one might expect some kind of re-interpretation of secular knowledge into a more explicitly theological context.

Now, this idea is parallel rather than counter to the notion of divine Wisdom. For as the Pope maintains (see Fides et Ratio)

For the Old Testament, knowledge is not simply a matter of careful observation of the human being, of the world and of history, but supposes as well an indispensable link with faith and with what has been revealed. These are the challenges which the Chosen People had to confront and to which they had to respond. Pondering this as his situation, biblical man discovered that he could understand himself only as “being in relation”—with himself, with people, with the world and with God. This opening to the mystery, which came to him through Revelation, was for him, in the end, the source of true knowledge. It was this which allowed his reason to enter the realm of the infinite where an understanding for which until then he had not dared to hope became a possibility.

[K. Ayato]

Huh?

[Saint Kevin]

I'll go ahead and plug Lee Strobel's book The Case For Faith, seeing as someone already plugged the Case for Christ.

Carm.org is a good apologetics site, and has some answers to common objections to Christianity. It is a great resource.

[termyt]

Put simply, there is no such thing as a "proof of salvation." We are saved by our faith in Christ. He was God incarnated in flesh, He lived a perfect life free from sin, He died on the cross, and on the third day, He rose from the dead.

Your faith in this, and thus your desire to live a holy life, will bare fruit in your life - the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, patience, self control, faithfulness.

But faith is simply that - faith. Faith is the evidence of things unseen. If you knew with out doubt, if you could quantitatively prove it using science, if God walked among us so we could see His face and hear His voice, well then, it wouldn't be faith, would it?

John 20:29: Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.â€

[wilson1112000]

TRUE THAT, TYRMYT! I coulden't say it any better myself!

[GhostontheNet]

Technomancer: I believe we are talking past each other so I will be clearer; I believe the Wisdom/Word to be a hypostasis of YHWH our God, the second person of the Trinity if you will, which when Yeshua Christ came He was that Wisdom given bodily form, and indeed still is. When I say Wisdom and Word, I do not mean the Bible, but rather the eternally existing Word of the Gospel of John's prologue.

[K. Ayato]

How'd we switch gears so fast?

[GhostontheNet]

How'd we switch gears so fast?

I believe this is something of a sub-topic within the topic, much as some commented upon speaking in tongues. Especially since V8Tsunami has yet to post a reply since the opening.

[bbboy21]

I actualy feel the same way he does................

[V8Tsunami]

Sry I haven't replied sooner, I haven't had much time for posting of late. I've had a couple answered prayers (albeit very small ones), so things are looking up, but still I wonder, is it God or just coincidence?

As for feeling the spirit, I've noticed that I do feel something when I pray or hear my favorite Christian song. I've tried to explain it, but I can't deny it. I do feel different when I pray, no doubt about it. I feel similar to when I watch anime or racing, but it's a more intense and deep feeling of happiness. My hypothesis is that when I'm watching racing or anime, that's my spirit being happy, and when I pray or listen to Christian music, that's the Holy spirit resonating with my own. Sounds crazy, huh?

In the meantime, can you guys come up with some scripture to help me out? I'm going to try to get back into the scriptures. I keep telling myself that that's what I need to do, but for some reason I always put it off. I'm determined to get back in the word this weekend though.

Neway, God bless and have a good weekend all!