Different Beliefs on How to Get to Heaven
Going to heaven in Christianity is a widely debated topic and there are many different views on how to gain access to the kingdom of heaven. Some believe that salvation and being admitted to heaven is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ while others believe that in order to gain access to heaven one must also adhere to certain moral laws or follow certain rituals or doctrinal systems. To help you understand the concept of going to heaven in Christianity, let’s look at some of the main beliefs and viewpoints.
Jesus the Only Way to Heaven
Many Christians believe that the only way to get to heaven is through believing in Jesus as the Son of God and accepting him as your Lord and Savior. Those that hold this belief point to John 3:16 as the foundation verse for this theology, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” For these believers, the only way to gain access to heaven is through the grace of Jesus Christ.
The Bible as the Path to Heaven
Another common belief regarding access to heaven in Christianity is that following the Bible is the main path to heaven. Those that hold this view believe that following the teachings of the Bible will lead a person to an eternal life with God. It is also believed that following the laws and commands of the Bible can bring a person closer to God and can serve as a pathway to the kingdom of heaven.
Salvation Through Grace and Works
This view holds that, while eternal life is only possible through grace and faith in Jesus, there are also certain works that one can do that can contribute to the process of salvation. Generally, adherents to this viewpoint believe that one should follow the moral laws of the Bible, as well as participating in certain rituals and ceremonials, in order to ensure that one is living in a way that would please God and will result in one’s full salvation.
Spiritual Growth and Maturity
This is the belief that in order to access the kingdom of heaven, a person must grow and mature spiritually. This means that in order to have a chance at experiencing heaven, a person must continually grow in their faith and understanding of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus. Many who hold this view also believe that one must strive to be like Jesus in terms of his moral character and life-style in order to gain access to heaven.
Belief in Universalism
Universalism is the belief that all people regardless of their beliefs and actions will eventually go to heaven. This belief is to the contrary of the traditional view of Christianity which holds that acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior is required for entry into heaven. Those who believe in universalism, however, believe that regardless of what a person does, and even if an individual does not accept Jesus, all people will be admitted to the kingdom of heaven.
The Need for Inner Transformation
This is a belief that is held by some Christians and which involves the notion that in order to gain access to heaven, a person must undergo a transformation within and rid ourselves of our sinful nature. The idea here is that if one is able to completely transform themselves and surrender their life to God, then they can experience the presence of God and be admitted to heaven.
Human Fulfillment and Find Gods Plan
This belief states that being admitted to the kingdom of heaven involves discovering the plan that God has for our lives and striving to fulfill it. According to this view, heaven can only be reached when one discovers their purpose in life and then works to fulfill it according to the will of God. Those who hold this view believe that working to fulfill our purpose is the pathway to true fulfillment and admission to the kingdom of heaven.
Development of Character and Charity
This view suggests that in order for one to gain access to heaven, a person must work on developing a Christ-like character and be charitable in all of their actions. For adherents of this belief, it is not just enough to believe in Jesus, one must strive to emulate his character, love others and be charitable with their possessions in order to gain access to the kingdom of heaven.
Obedience to God’s Commandments
This final belief suggests that those who want to gain access to heaven must be obedient to the laws that God has given us in the Bible. For many, this means trying to live a life that is pleasing to God in every way and following the rules that he has put down in his word. It is believed that if a person truly loves God, then they will also obey the commands that he has given us and in so doing will gain entrance to the kingdom of heaven.
Accountability and Confession of Sins
This belief is centred around the concept of confession. It suggests that those who are serious about gaining entrance to the kingdom of heaven must acknowledge their sins and seek to confess them to find forgiveness. This belief holds that in order for a person to be admitted to heaven, they must first confess their sins and seek forgiveness. It is believed that by doing so, a person can be forgiven and admitted to heaven.
Acceptance of the Gospel
This final viewpoint holds that those wishing to get to heaven must accept the gospel ‘as-is’. This means that a person must accept the teachings of the Bible and strive to follow them in all areas of life in order to gain access to the kingdom of heaven. Those who follow this belief suggest that it is only through a sincere acceptance of the gospel and a dedication to living according to its teachings that one can truly be admitted to the kingdom of heaven.
