Winning souls?

[micah7:9]

 I hear a lot today in churches about getting souls saved and the need for saving/winning souls. Is this a course that a christian should take? What does the Bible teach about winning souls?

[Seth]

It gets to what a soul is in the first place. I think the ET church thinks of it as identical to spirits, like ghosts or something. And their point is to save them from a future in hell where they would supposedly be tortured in physical fire, while not being physical themselves....I guess. I think it's a big mess.

I believe the soul is the seat of our emotions and thoughts. In fact the word "soul" in the Greek is "psuche," the root of the word "psychology" dealing with the mind, the thoughts, the emotions, memory, sensation and self awareness and identity. In fact, it was translated as "mind" more than a few times.

Anyway, I believe salvation of the soul has to do with what the Bible says Jesus came to save people from, "For he shall save his people from their sin." I think that is exemplified through the parable of the Prodigal Son. That parable shows the descent of a soul into an empty life of sin and wasting away his life and inheritance. His soul is saved when he remembers his father and returns to his place with him and rather than starvation and loss, his soul is filled with joy and strength.

[micah7:9]

It gets to what a soul is in the first place. I think the ET church thinks of it as identical to spirits, like ghosts or something. And their point is to save them from a future in hell where they would supposedly be tortured in physical fire, while not being physical themselves....I guess. I think it's a big mess.

I believe the soul is the seat of our emotions and thoughts. In fact the word "soul" in the Greek is "psuche," the root of the word "psychology" dealing with the mind, the thoughts, the emotions, memory, sensation and self awareness and identity. In fact, it was translated as "mind" more than a few times.

Anyway, I believe salvation of the soul has to do with what the Bible says Jesus came to save people from, "For he shall save his people from their sin." I think that is exemplified through the parable of the Prodigal Son. That parable shows the descent of a soul into an empty life of sin and wasting away his life and inheritance. His soul is saved when he remembers his father and returns to his place with him and rather than starvation and loss, his soul is filled with joy and strength.

So you believe in the Greek thinking, I don't. The Bible tells us exactly what a soul is Gen. 2:7 I put no stock in "the" soul thing, For he shall save his people(souls) from their sin"
You probably have this correct, "It gets to what a soul is in the first place. I think the ET church thinks of it as identical to spirits, like ghosts or something. And their point is to save them from a future in hell where they would supposedly be tortured in physical fire, while not being physical themselves....I guess. I think it's a big mess."

Save is to make safe, whole, heal, deliver, protect and He does. Anyway I erred in my OP I wanted to say What does the Bible say about winning souls?

[WhiteWings]

What does the Bible say about winning souls?

Faith saves. Faith is a gift from God. So God is the only one able to "win souls".

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,


Unfortunately things are never that easy...  :laughing7:
Have you ever thought about how exactly God gives that faith. I did and concluded He can use many ways. But I can only speculate and never prove it.
One of the ways could be that God sends out people to "win souls". It's still God doing the saving but those spreading His word may plant the 'saving seed'. And often those people think they are "winning souls".

[rosered]

What does the Bible say about winning souls?

Faith saves. Faith is a gift from God. So God is the only one able to "win souls".

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,


Unfortunately things are never that easy...  :laughing7:
Have you ever thought about how exactly God gives that faith. I did and concluded He can use many ways. But I can only speculate and never prove it.
One of the ways could be that God sends out people to "win souls". It's still God doing the saving but those spreading His word may plant the 'saving seed'. And often those people think they are "winning souls".

:dsunny:    great  post Toney ,
  Faith comes by hearing what the Spirit is saying  , like the Wind that blows
  you never know   whom the  Spirit is moving in someone  , we just hear His Son though them [you dont  actually see it  literally  you just know it by the minds  eye of understanding ]  many witnesses whom have the testimony of Jesus in their mouths  coming  from their own hearts when the LORD'S Spirit  HAS  MOVED  before and settled on /in  them , that work of faith  with results /change 

  none can glory but in God only

[Seth]

Adam became a living being. What does it mean to be a living being? What is a being without a mind?

1 Peter 1
9 receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls.22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever

The beginning is to have faith and the end is to receive the Spirit to being born again and having your soul saved from sin. this is why James says that works bring faith it to perfection and finish faith. the salvation of the soul is to be purified from the inside out. Like Peter, he saw faith without obedience as fruitless in the context of salvation

[micah7:9]

Adam became a living being. What does it mean to be a living being? What is a being without a mind?

1 Peter 1
9 receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls.22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever

The beginning is to have faith and the end is to receive the Spirit to being born again and having your soul saved from sin. this is why James says that works bring faith it to perfection and finish faith. the salvation of the soul is to be purified from the inside out. Like Peter, he saw faith without obedience as fruitless in the context of salvation

"What does it mean to be a living being? What is a being without a mind?"

Well that is all Greek speak to me :sigh:

[Seth]

I believe the scripture I posted answers the OP  :HeartThrob:

[ed]

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Romans 5:5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

There is a lot to work on concerning our faith.  We each have personal faith issues that we work on daily. 

Breaking free from doctrines of bondage is a daily work in our souls.

Who can we trust?

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;


Should we really follow Paul? Should we only follow Paul as much as we see Christ in Paul's words?  Was Paul right about everything or just a lot of things?  That is a faith question.

Not a thread derail.  All has to do with the personal faith and salvation of the soul.

Christ the head, many doctrines to be worked though. The salvation of the soul is here and now and a daily working.  Do we ever get there?

1 Thessalonians 5
6 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

[micah7:9]

What does the Bible say about winning souls?

Faith saves. Faith is a gift from God. So God is the only one able to "win souls".

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,


Unfortunately things are never that easy...  :laughing7:
Have you ever thought about how exactly God gives that faith. I did and concluded He can use many ways. But I can only speculate and never prove it.
One of the ways could be that God sends out people to "win souls". It's still God doing the saving but those spreading His word may plant the 'saving seed'. And often those people think they are "winning souls".

This is all I can have found about the subject.
Pro 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And whoso is taking souls is wise.(YLT)
Pro 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (KJV)
Rotherham(i) 30 The fruit of the righteous, is a tree of life, and, he that rescueth souls, is wise.

[micah7:9]

I believe the scripture I posted answers the OP  :HeartThrob:

Well, I do not. :HeartThrob:

[rosered]

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Romans 5:5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

There is a lot to work on concerning our faith.  We each have personal faith issues that we work on daily. 

Breaking free from doctrines of bondage is a daily work in our souls.

Who can we trust?

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;


Should we really follow Paul? Should we only follow Paul as much as we see Christ in Paul's words?  Was Paul right about everything or just a lot of things?  That is a faith question.

Not a thread derail.  All has to do with the personal faith and salvation of the soul.

Christ the head, many doctrines to be worked though. The salvation of the soul is here and now and a daily working.  Do we ever get there?

1 Thessalonians 5
6 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Beautiful  :HeartThrob:

[Seth]

Micah, you asked for a scripture which defines what thsalvation of the soul is. I provided it. All you have to do is look at what Peter says about the salvation of the soul. It has to do with love and obedience and how those things are related to purification. Love and obedience are the keys to salvation of the soul from sin.

[rosered]

Micah, you asked for a scripture which defines what thsalvation of the soul is. I provided it. All you have to do is look at what Peter says about the salvation of the soul. It has to do with love and obedience and how those things are related to purification. Love and obedience are the keys to salvation of the soul from sin.

yes great scriptures Seth and Micahs too they all FIT !!   BEAUTIFULLY  AS A TRUTH !!

one saving soul to many others !!  like a ripple  of wind passing though us all   making alive and stirring up the  dust so the  thing may be seen !! 


Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

[Seth]

Micah, you asked for a scripture which defines what thsalvation of the soul is. I provided it. All you have to do is look at what Peter says about the salvation of the soul. It has to do with love and obedience and how those things are related to purification. Love and obedience are the keys to salvation of the soul from sin.

yes great scriptures Seth and Micahs too they all FIT !!   BEAUTIFULLY  AS A TRUTH !!

one saving soul to many others !!  like a ripple  of wind passing though us all   making alive and stirring up the  dust so the  thing may be seen !! 


Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

:banana:

[micah7:9]

I must suppose I did not ask my question properly from the get go and now that it has gone this far, there is no way to attempt to clarify. You all said good things and quoted good scriptures so lets just leave it at that. :Peace2:

[sheila]

   regarding James 5;20..only Jesus Christ can do that...and the Holy spirit in His followers.

   there are 'others' that hunt souls...Babylon..pillows on their arms..to make them fly......God rebukes such...Babylon cage of

unclean birds..and sets these free  from the trap and fowler's snare.  Ezekiel 13;18-23

[Seth]

   regarding James 5;20..only Jesus Christ can do that...and the Holy spirit in His followers.

I agree. I think Romans 8 talks about that but I can't provide that at the moment.

[ed]

   regarding James 5;20..only Jesus Christ can do that...and the Holy spirit in His followers.

   there are 'others' that hunt souls...Babylon..pillows on their arms..to make them fly......God rebukes such...Babylon cage of

unclean birds..and sets these free  from the trap and fowler's snare.  Ezekiel 13;18-23

Yup.  Daily even for me.

Mercy brings us to the place of repentance.

Love this quote:

"Mercy is dear to God, and intercedes for the sinner, and breaks his chains, and dissipates the darkness, and quenches the fire of hell, and destroys the worm, and rescues from the gnashing of teeth.  To her the gates of heaven are opened.  She is the queen of virtues, and makes man like to God, for it is written, 'Be ye merciful, as your Father which is in heaven is merciful.'  She has silver wings, like the dove, and feathers of gold, and soars aloft, and is clothed with the divine glory, and stands by the throne of God; when we are in danger of being condemned she rises up and pleads for us, and covers us with her defence, and folds us in her wings.  God loves mercy more than sacrifice."  St. Chrysostom.
http://www.tentmaker.org/books/mercyandjudgment/mercy_and_judgment_ch1.html

[rrich7]

I think sometimes we focus on details that... I don't wanna say they don't matter cuz they do. However I think a lot of these things can be answered in simple ways by different scriptures & just understanding the root of things.

First, we understand that God is the author & finisher of faith. Also we understand that becoming "saved" isn't anything of our own doing & God does that.  I like to think, He removes the some scales from each of us in our due time, because as it is said, all men will come to know God in his due time.

Then it comes to the methods that God uses. Well, what do we know from scripture. God utilizes vessels of honor & dishonor, He can take good & bad experiences & will utilize them for His ultimate purpose.

Now what of people saving souls?
From scripture I know there are some things that seem to imply that we can turn souls, but I also believe when reading any text, especially the Bible, first it must be read in spirit & in context.
We know the actual saving of souls is only God's doing, however as Christians it is part of our duty to spread love & share the good news. When the bible mentions us turning souls, I think its more so talking about us helping planting seeds. Because if we say its us, then we take the glory from God. Something we say to someone, or even an act of love can spark that light within someone & "get the ball rolling" but that's all because God set up the circumstances so you and that person could cross paths.

So idk if this answers your question, but if you feel as though you need to share with people, share! A joy like this I find hard to contain so I love to share it with people, but that joy comes from Him. Not that I always share, but sometimes the circumstance just "feels right". Is that me or the spirit?

Also I think in sharing we have to remember & not be like our ET counterparts in trying to scream or force feed people the good news (not that the ET news sounds so good).  Only because until their veil is removed, they won't understand, but when the time is right, God will water that seed.

:dsunny: :dsunny: :dsunny:

I tend to talk around myself, but I hope that all makes sense. I'm not a philosophizer too much, I just try to lean on my faith & keep it simple. :Peace2: