Joyfullee wrote: "All born again believer's are "predestined" to be transformed into the image of Jesus."
If so, then others are "predestined" to be left behind.
Sounds like a fickle God to me.

Bangee5 wrote, "Is that any different than what Baptist believe. Before I was born God knew me..."
I found this interesting piece on it: What do Southern Baptists believe about Predestination?
http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/4719/what-do-southern-baptists-believe-about-predestination.

I got started on this because so many christians I know hold very different beliefs on salvation - all from the same bible.
I have friends that believe that salvation is a gift from God and he gives it only to whom he chooses - predestination.
Others believe salvation is open to all, just put your faith in Jesus and you are home free forever after.
While others believe salvation is open to all, just put your faith in Jesus BUT, while Jesus has forgiven you once and for all, you must atone for your sins daily.
There are some that say we must hear the name of Jesus to be saved.
And some believe that all will be saved at the day of judgment but I am not able to find any justification for that one. If you have one, I would like to hear it.
I know several at a small, baptist like, church that say their only obligation is to say to them the name, "Jesus," and if they do not accept; as my former friend said, very gleefully, with a loud laugh in his voice, "Then THEY will burn in Hell for eternity."

Obviously all cannot be correct.
Yes, I DO like discussing religion.
But only with those willing to defend their faith.
Yes, I am a "Doubting Thomas" but God has done some things in my life that make it impossible to deny the existence of God.


And I heartily dislike those that use God for their political ends.
I know no one would believe the story about "false prophets" in Revelation could apply to them, but if they just parrot what their minister tells them or what they hear in a bible study, and not do a bit of research on their own, they might be the "deceived elect."

You are quite right within your last paragraph.

Believers need to become Bereans. Meaning they compare everything they read, are taught, with God's Word for themselves, asking God to reveal His truth to them.

There are many false churches, false teachings. Some are hard to discern because many times some truth is subtly mixed with error, lies, deceptions. I think the majority of church going, professing Christians believe everything the man in the pulpit says and never check it out against God's Word.

I had someone recently state to me that he believes his beliefs are right because the pastor of his church is a well known and prosperous preacher of one of the largest churches in the US and teaches what he believes. From my perspective, that is an extremely poor foundation for one's beliefs concerning their eternal state.

Many false teachers, preachers abound today, they are everywhere and a dime a dozen. The size of membership or the size of the monetary riches of a church counts for nothing in God's sight and it is most definitely not a sign that God is blessing that church or that their teachings are in accordance with God's Word.

A person who has a heart that truly desires truth, will search God's Word for His truth in all things. Never, ever, just take for granted what anyone else says. (that includes me)

One last thought to be considered is that among true believers there are sometimes contradictions or opposing stances because of the differential of stages of spiritual growth. Among true believers, regardless of the level of spiritual growth, the foundational beliefs are generally in sync.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Jesus said: "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

I believe that baptism in and of it's self does not save one from sin, especially if that someone is not sincere in his heart. We under go baptism because Christ himself was baptized by his cousin John. As a Baptist, we believe that baptism shows outwardly what is happening inward in that we died to sin, are buried and are raise in the likeness of our Lord, life eternal and without sin. Baptist baptize by submersion. We also must be baptized before becoming a member of the church. But like I said, this has nothing to do with one's salvation as I see it. Others might think differently and that is okay with me.