Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 11/29/2004

Question
Hi,

I have to ask you some questions concerning belief in Jesus that
have been racking my brain as of late. I'm losing sleep and my
work performance has been suffering from their incessent
demand for answers, so I sincerely ask for your help with them:

1) It says in John 3:16 that "whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life"--my concern comes over
what "believeth in him" means. I think that Jesus could be the
Son of God, but I surely don't feel like I know that he is.  I don't
feel assured that I in fact "believeth in him". Will I go to hell for
this?

2) It is said in Romans (can't find the exact verse--sorry) that
"whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved". What
exactly does this mean?
If it means that whoever asks Jesus to be saved will be, why do
they use the strange wording of "calls upon the name of the
Lord"...why don't they just say "ask God for salvation and He'll
give it to you"?

Gracious thanks for any help which you could provide.

--Matt Bachman


Answer
                        Peace


Dear Matt Bachman--
    Hmm-- "believeth in him", I take that expression to mean to take Him for what He is: the second person of the Holy Trinity.
    Hmm--"whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved".  Basicly means the same as above but perhaps wider in scope.

 Some deeper thoughts: most non-Catholic claimed once you do this, you are set for all eternity. They seem to think saved has only one meaning or application in the bible. I believe below clearly shows otherwise:

As Catholics believe "As the Bible says:
I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5-8),but
I'm also being saved (1 Cor. 1:8, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12),
and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9-10, 1 Cor. 3:12-15). So Like the apostle, saint Paul I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11-13)."

Also if they are right, this verse doesnt make sense:

1 Timothy 4:16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

                           Blessings,
                          your servant but His first
                                  george