[Harsha Shah]

Yes, it is Harsha Shah here. We were having a RME (yes, that is religious and moral education) class with 11-12 year-olds the other day. I have been telling you about this girl who is very intelligent and I am sure she will be working in science one day. Yes. She had been reading that in christianity humans are too weak alone to become saved and they are praying to get get the faith. Yes.

I must tell you that this girl is very secular and I an thinking that she is trying to find inconsistencies in every religion. I hope I am not offending you but she is also confronting Muslim students and Hindu students. Yes.

She had found that all christians begin as sinners. They need Jesus to be saved. Yes? However, she had also been reading that God does not hear sinners when they are praying. I was reading this forum and it is the same here. "God does not hear the prayers of sinners". Yes. The link is here. http://landoverbaptist.net/showthread.php?t=60117 The verse is in the Gospel of John Chapter 9 and it is saying "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth."

Yes, I started explaining to this girl that christians also believe in a thing called "prayers of intercession", that someone is praying for the sinner and I was thinking that this would solve the dilemma. I am thinking that sin is very bad karma and you need help to get rid of it. Yes, you would. I am also thinking that this would also explain the thing that you call apostolic succession that is very important for you christians, that a chain of saved people is practising the prayers of intercession and that this unbroken chain is the thing that is making it possible for you to become saved, too. Yes.

The girl is very bright and she asked how the first sinner could be saved in this case? Yes? Jesus was God and would not hear the prayers of disciples if they were sinners but if he was hearing them then there would be contradictory material in the Bible. Yes.

I am hoping that I am not offending you but I am thinking that this could be a major obstacle for the people who would like to become christians and saved. Yes. I would appreciate an explanation. Yes.

[Des]

Simple. Jesus washed away the sins of His disciples, giving them the power to have their prayers heard when they intervened on behalf of others, causing a chain reaction of salvation.

[Harsha Shah]

Originally Posted by Des

Simple. Jesus washed away the sins of His disciples, giving them the power to have their prayers heard when they intervened on behalf of others, causing a chain reaction of salvation.

Yes, Mr. Des. I am thinking that this would make some sense. Jesus was exceptionally listening to the prayers of sinners and giving them the christian salvation.

Yes, does this mean that unless the succession is unbroken, salvation is impossible? I am thinking of the concept of baptist successionism that is the same as the apostolic succession of the larger christian catholic church? Yes? I am going to explain this to my class. I do not know if they will be posing more questions but I am thinking that I may come back here and consult some more. Yes. Thank you again Mr Des, I hope I was not offending you. Yes.