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I really do not think there is a single formulaic set of steps to help someone have that assurance. I am more inclined to see the need to take an individualized approach that takes into account each person's unique experiences, background, current knowledge, capacity to understand, etc. It requires really getting to know them and just meeting them where they are. What might work for one person to reach a assurance of salvation may not work for another. Yes, there may be common approaches that work for people that have much in common. But the diversity and differences we see around us suggest that the common evangelistic approaches used just may not reach or work with everyone. Bottom line, I think I would need to get to know someone and have a relationship with that hypothetical person knowing nothing about Christianity. Until I know them, I can't know what will persuade them.

Our pastor's sermon this past Sabbath was about the optimism of God. As I thought about how God being optimistic about our future because he sees us as what we can be. That is because the future, our future is entirely in his hands. He is confident about us. One way we greatly complicate salvation is making it about us rather than about him. We are fickle in our opinion of us. He is rock solid. We need to focus on Righteousness by Faith as less about our faith or faithfulness and what we believe about ourselves and remember it is really about God's faith in us and His faithfulness to us and that He believes in us.

I would say it's even simpler: What will you do with Jesus?

Gerry, the problem with what you cited is that it makes salvation to complex. 1) Salvation was achieved on the Cross. See Romans 5:12-19. Here we are told that just as the sin of one person (Adam) brought sin to all of humanity, so also did the work of Christ on the Cross bring the gift of salvation to all. Gerry, the salvation of the human race has already been accomplished. 2) Now that salvation has been accomplished each human faces a choice. The is the conflict that began in heaven many years ago when Satan challenged God and said: Your creation would chose me, if they were free to chose between you and I. 3) Each person Earth must make a decision as to whether to spend eternity with God or to join Satan in his life and future. For those who chose not to spend eternity with God, God will grant them their desired choice along with its consequences.

Robert, I am aware that you probably are not interested in my assessment. But, my primary audience in that post was not you. Rather, it was other people reading your post and my response. You simply gave me the platform to make my statement.

Ahhh....a statement that says 'I am right', everyone else is wrong! 'Prove' means nothing is this statement. How many religious variations are there based on 'Bible Proof'? Ah, you proved my premise rather quickly!!!

Just like FaF gave Robert until he began his diatribe. Just because one is a former SDA doesn't mean he/she is a former Christian. Several years ago, I cam to CA with a big chip on my shoulder. Since coming here, I have realized that I am not the only one here with questions and concerns. BUT ... concerning the core SDA beliefs (soon coming of Jesus, Sabbath, state of dead), I am in complete agreement. I have noticed most people here are not near as hostile as people on anti-SDA sites. I have noticed that regardless of (what I consider to be) insignificant non-salvational issues, I share a culture of vertical relationship with God and horizontal relationship with many people here. This is my "church" during the week.

People have to believe that you care about them and what they have to say before you can expect them to care about what you say. The depth of your relationship will determine the best approach to bring them to Christ. Sometimes, it is simply the example we set without even telling them about Jesus that will whet their spiritual appetite. As far as what it takes to be saved: 1. See Mark 16:16, Acts 15:11,and Acts 16:31 2. Repeat daily ( or hourly) as needed. Galatians 3 and 5 give us 2 choices - to believe that we are saved by the sacrifice and grace of Jesus Christ; or to live in 100% with the ENTIRE law - all 662 precepts.

Gerry, you do not have to worry about what you need to do. Salvation is yours. It is simply up to you to decide where you want to spend eternity.

I don't know what the instruments are called, but this is very, very cool...

From Indonesia and made of bamboo. I have a set of the ones that are hanging. They are called angklung. The bamboo xylophone I think is sometimes called gamelan or is a part of a larger gamelan ensemble that includes similar metal gong-like instruments There are a number of samples of gamelan music on YouTube. Javanese and Balinese varieties has a haunting ethereal quality about it.

Absolutely!! Its sad, as one politician siad a number of years ago, outside they hassle each other, but behind closed doors they laugh at us. Its even sadder to see those on opposite sides bite each others heads off and come to blows because of politics!!

Gerry, speaking for myself, I want to learn all I can about the Christ that is inviting me to choose to spend eternity with him so I can make an informed decisions as the whether or not the life I will live in an eternity with Christ is the life that I want to live.

as they always have, no matter who's in office...

Ya, he ran on a platform of change and down with elitists, wonder what his supporters have to say now! What he left out of his campaign rhetoric was that he wanted His elitists and to change things his way, not what is best for America. But, those with the money have always thought what is best for them is best for America! Money changers will continue to rule!!!

just an update. Although the attendance was nowhere close to our expectations, we did have 3 baptisms last Sabbath. There was supposed to be two more today but came down with a bug. I believe there were supposed to be 3 or 4 coming in on profession of faith. I had to leave early for my clinic, so I wasn't there for the whole service.

I like 1 John 5:11-12 “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Romans 2:7 “. . . seek for immortality.” Why would we be told to seek for something which we all naturally possess? Ecclesiastes 12:7 “Then the dust [body] will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” According to this verse, “the spirit” returns to God regardless of the character of the person to whom it was given! Upright or evil - the spirit returns to God. 2 Corinthians 5:1-8: mentions or alludes to THREE states MORTAL BODY “earthy house” -- “this tent” -- “in this we groan” -- “at home in the body” -- “absent from the Lord” NEW IMMORTAL SPIRITUAL BODY “a building from God”--“a house eternal in the heavens”--“further clothed”--“clothed with our habitation from heaven”--“mortality swallowed up of life.” “absent from the [mortal physical ] body”--“present with the Lord” DEAD -- "naked" -- "unclothed" (without a "house" -meaning a body)