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Eternal Security?Introduction

Copyright Tim Warner - 03/2003

Many Christians today insist that once you are truly born again, you can never be lost, no matter what. There are common terms used to describe this view. Probably the best known is "OSAS" ("once saved always saved"). Anoth

term is "eternal security."But, the term best liked by Calvinists is "perseverance of the saints."

Few Evangelical and Fundamental Christians realize that OSAS is the minority view in Christianity today. It is heldalmost exclusively by Presbyterians, Baptists, and some non-denominational groups with roots in one of these twodenominations. OSAS is rejected by the majority of Christians. But, what may come as a bigger shock is that OSAnew doctrine unheard of prior to John Calvin. For the first 1500 years of Christianity, Christians believed it was pofor true believers to fall away and be lost forever if they did not persevere in their faith unto the end. In the words

John Wesley: "whatever is true is not new; whatever is new is not true."

The Orthodox View from the Early Church to Luther

The earliest Christians taught that perseverance was not guarenteed, and that many true Christians would not finirace, and would be lost. Intense persecution in the early Church brought this issue to the fore. Some were faithfulto martyrdom, and others forsook the Faith when faced with death or torture. The following quote from Irenaeus (

2nd cent.) illustrates the early Christian view immediately following the time of the Apostles.

"And to as many as continue in their love towards God, does He grant communion with Him. But communion with

life and light, and the enjoyment of all the benefits which He has in store. But on as many as, according to their owchoice, depart from God. He inflicts that separation from Himself which they have chosen of their own accord. Butseparation from God is death, and separation from light is darkness; and separation from God consists in the loss the benefits which He has in store. Those, therefore, who cast away by apostasy these forementioned things, beinfact destitute of all good, do experience every kind of punishment. God, however, does not punish them immediatHimself, but that punishment falls upon them because they are destitute of all that is good. Now, good things are and without end with God, and therefore the loss of these is also eternal and never-ending. It is in this matter jusoccurs in the case of a flood of light: those who have blinded themselves, or have been blinded by others, are for deprived of the enjoyment of light. It is not, [however], that the light has inflicted upon them the penalty of blindnbut it is that the blindness itself has brought calamity upon them: and therefore the Lord declared, He that believMe is not condemned, that is, is not separated from God, for he is united to God through faith. On the other handsays, He that believeth not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten God; that is, he separated himself from God of his own accord. For this is the condemnation, that light is come ithis world, and men have loved darkness rather than light. For every one who doeth evil hateth the light, and comnot to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may

made manifest, that he has wrought them in God."(Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V, XXVII, 2)

While predestination was taught beginning with St. Augustine in the 5th century, even Augustine believed thatperseverance was not guarenteed to all believers. He taught that one could not know for sure whether he had the of perseverance" until his death. Augustine taught that true Christians should pray continually that God would grathem the grace to persevere unto the end, and that some true Christians would NOT persevere and would be lost.

are two excerpts from St. Augustine's treatise "On the Gift of Perseverance."

"I have now to consider the subject of perseverance with greater care; for in the former book also I said some thinthis subject when I was discussing the beginning of faith. I assert, therefore, that the perseverance by which weersevere in Christ even to the end is the gift of God; and I call that the end by which is finished that life wherein

there is peril of falling. Therefore it is uncertain whether any one has received this gift so long as he is still alive. Fhe fall before he dies, he is, of course, said not to have persevered; and most truly is it said. How, then, should hesaid to have received or to have had perseverance who has not persevered? For if any one have continence, and faway from that virtue and become incontinent, - or, in like manner, if he have righteousness, if patience, if even fand fall away, he is rightly said to have had these virtues and to have them no longer; for he was continent, or herighteous, or he was patient, or he was believing, as long as he was so; but when he ceased to be so, he no longe

what he was. But how should he who Has not persevered have ever been persevering, since it is only by perseverthat any one shows himself persevering, - and this he has not done? But lest any one should object to this, and safrom the time at which any one became a believer he has lived - for the sake of argument - ten years, and in the of them has fallen from the faith, has he not persevered for five years? I am not contending about words. If it bethought that this also should be called perseverance, as it were for so long as it lasts, assuredly he is not to be saihave had in any degree that perseverance of which we are now discoursing, by which one perseveres in Christ evethe end. And the believer of one year, or of a period as much shorter as may be conceived of, if he has lived faithfuntil he died, has rather had this perseverance than the believer of many years standing, if a little time before his

he has fallen away from the steadfastness of his faith."

"But, on the other hand, of his own will a man forsakes God, so as to be deservedly forsaken by God. Who wouldthis? But it is for that reason we ask not to be led into temptation, so that this may not happen. And if we are heacertainly it does not happen, because God does not allow it to happen. For nothing comes to pass except what eithHimself does, or Himself allows to be done. Therefore He is powerful both to turn wills from evil to good, and to cothose that are inclined to fall, or to direct them into a way pleasing to Himself. For to Him it is not said in vain, O

Thou shalt turn again and quicken us; it is not vainly said, Give not my foot to be moved; it is not vainly said, me not over, O Lord, from my desire to the sinner; finally, not to mention many passages, since probably more moccur to you, it is not vainly said, Lead us not into temptation. For whoever is not led into temptation, certainly i

Used with permission of owner, Tim Warner--blessings of our Lord to you Pastor Tim! May 24, 2013


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led into the temptation of his own evil will; and he who is not led into the temptation of his own evil will, is absoluled into no temptation. For every one is tempted, as it is written, when he is drawn away of his own lust, andenticed; but God tempteth no man, - that is to say, with a hurtful temptation. For temptation is moreover beneby which we are not deceived or overwhelmed, but proved, according to that which is said, Prove me, O Lord, anme. Therefore, with that hurtful temptation which the apostle signifies when he says, Lost by some means the tehave tempted you, and our labor be in vain, God tempteth no man, as I have said, - that is, He brings or leads one into temptation. For to be tempted and not to be led into temptation is not evil, - nay, it is even good; for thisto be proved. When, therefore, we say to God, Lead us not into temptation, what do we say but, Permit us not led? Whence some pray in this manner, and it is read in many codices, and the most blessed Cyprian thus uses itnot suffer us to be led into temptation. In the Greek gospel, however, I have never found it otherwise than, Leanot into temptation. We live, therefore, more securely if we give up the whole to God, and do not entrust ourselvartly to Him and partly to ourselves, as that venerable martyr saw. For when he would expound the same clause rayer, he says among other things, But when we ask that we may not come into temptation, we are reminded o

infirmity and weakness while we thus ask, lest any should insolently vaunt himself, - lest any should proudly andarrogantly assume anything to himself, - lest any should take to himself the glory either of confession or suffering

own; since the Lord Himself, teaching humility, said, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the Spiriindeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. So that when a humble and submissive confession comes first and all isattributed to God, whatever is sought for suppliantly, with the fear of God, may be granted by His own loving-

kindness."(Augustine, On the Gift of Perseverance, Ch. I, XII)

In essence, Augustine taught that true Christians ought to pray always for the grace to persevere, and that only whe finished his life, having been faithful unto death, could it be known that he would persevere. Perseverance wassomething entirely separate from true regeneration by the Spirit. Even truely born-again Christians might not persand could be lost, in Augustine's theology. Consequently, not all born-again Christians will ultimately make up the"elect." That true Christians could fall away and be eternally lost was the universal view of Christian writers prior t

Calvin.

Even Martin Luther, who is claimed by Calvinists as one of their own, acknowledged the possibility of a Christian faaway into unbelief. Here are a few quotes, beginning with Luther's comment on the statement of the Lord's praye

us not into temptation."

"We have now heard enough what toil and labor is required to retain all that for which we pray, and to perseveretherein, which, however, is not achieved without infirmities and stumbling. Besides, although we have receivedforgiveness and a good conscience and are entirely acquitted, yet is our life of such a nature that one stands to-dato-morrow falls. Therefore, even though we be godly now and stand before God with a good conscience, we must again that He would not suffer us to relapse and yield to trials and temptations. ... Then comes the devil, inciting arovoking in all directions, but especially agitating matters that concern the conscience and spiritual affairs, name

induce us to despise and disregard both the Word and works of Godto tear us away from faith, hope, and lovbring us into misbelief, false security, and obduracy, or, on the other hand, to despair, denial of God, blaspheand innumerable other shocking things. These are indeed snares and nets, yea, real fiery darts which are shot movenomously into the heart, not by flesh and blood, but by the devil. Great and grievous, indeed, are these dangerstemptations which every Christian must bear, even though each one were alone by himself, so that every hour thaare in this vile life where we are attacked on all sides, chased and hunted down, we are moved to cry out and to pthat God would not suffer us to become weary and faint and to relapse into sin, shame, andunbelief. For otherwiimpossible to overcome even the least temptation. This, then, is leading us not into temptation, to wit, when He gower and strength to resist, the temptation, however, not being taken away or removed. For while we live in the

and have the devil about us, no one can escape temptation and allurements; and it cannot be otherwise than thatmust endure trials, yea, be engulfed in them; but we pray for this, that we may not fall and be drowned in

them."(Martin Luther, Large Catechism XII, On the Lord's Prayer, 6th Petition).

"Through baptism these people threw out unbelief, had their unclean way of life washed away, and entered into a

life of faith and love. Now they fall away into unbelief"(Martin Luther, Commentary on 2 Peter 2:22).

"Verse 4, "Ye are fallen from grace." That means you are no longer in the kingdom or condition of grace. When a pon board ship falls into the sea and is drowned it makes no difference from which end or side of the ship he falls inwater. Those who fall from grace perish no matter how they go about it. ... The words, "Ye are fallen from grace,"not be taken lightly. They are important. To fall from grace means to lose the atonement, the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, liberty, and life which Jesus has merited for us by His death and resurrection. To lose the grace of means to gain the wrath and judgment of God, death, the bondage of the devil, and everlasting condemnation."(

Luther, Commentary on Galatians, 5:4).

Calvinism

After the Reformation, John Calvin further developed Augustine's theology of predestination, and added "perseverof the saints" as one of his five pillars of "Calvinism." In Calvinism, all those who are drawn of the Spirit will be savand will persevere unto the end. Man simply has no choice in the matter. In Calvinist thinking, God determines whbe saved and who will be lost. Ultimately, man's choice or "free will" is just an illusion. He really has no independachoice in the matter at all. If God elects certain people to be saved, and pre-determines their eternal destiny, the

thought of someone "falling away" from the faith is preposterous. They simply have no choice in the matter.

Baptists & Eternal Security

Baptists and some non-denominational churches, who are not Calvinistic in general, hold to the fifth point of Calviwhich they call "eternal security." In essence, they teach that man has a "free will" UNTIL he accepts Christ and

becomes a Christian. From that point on he has no choice in the matter.

The Roman Catholic Church strongly opposes OSAS, both the Calvinistic form and the Baptist form. In fact, the RCteaches that you are not fully "saved" until you get to heaven. They believe that salvation is a lifelong process, anin this life, Christians can never really be sure they are saved. Integral in this line of thinking, is that one must per

good works and lead a holy life to help ensure their salvation. Also, certain sins are said to be serious enough to foone's salvation.


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Because of the apparent connection between "works" and maintaining one's salvation in RCC thinking, Baptists anCalvinists have assumed that anyone who believes a Christian can depart from God and be lost is teaching a work

based salvation message. However, this assumption is wrong as we shall see in the following articles.

The Biblical View

Let me say at the outset, that I believe the RCC doctrine of salvation by faith plus works is a false gospel that cansave anyone. I am convinced the Scriptures teach salvation is by God's grace, not by our own merits. It is a free goffered to all who believe. Salvation is gained by faith alone, and works have no part whatever in our being saved

maintaining our salvation.

Now, some might assume this means one can never depart from God. But this is not true. Many passages indicateChristians can be lost. How? Through UNBELIEF. One must believe the gospel in order to be saved, and one muscontinue to believe the gospel to continue "in Christ." It is as simple as that. Works don't play any part in initial"believing," nor do they play a part in your continued "believing." It is initially by faith, and it continues to be by

throughout the Christian life.

All of this is taught explicitly in Scripture. In the following series of articles, we will display the evidence for you tojudge. OSAS may have some Scriptures that seem to support it. But, there are many Scriptures for which it simplcannot account. Likewise, the RCC might have a couple of verses from James that seem to support their teaching,there are several Scriptures that flatly contradict their teaching regarding salvation. The truth can be found only bharmonising all of the Scriptures on this topic. The view presented in these articles fully preserves the idea of salv

by grace through faith, not by works. It also integrates the many warnings in Scripture against departing from Go

Salvation by grace through faith alone is at the heart of the Gospel message. While eternal life is a free gift of Godgrace, it is applied to the individual by faith. Man cannot in any way save himself, but he can access the grace of Gsimply choosing to accept the offer of salvation through the blood of Christ, when he is drawn by the Holy Spirit. Ithrough the exercise of the will that he responds to God by faith. Faith is simply believing what God has said, andresting in that promise. A person who is saved by God's grace through exercising faith continues to beliethe Gospel throughout his Christian life. It takes no effort on our part to believe. We simply respond and surrto the drawing of the Spirit. In fact, true faith is resting in God's promise, not clinging to it by works of our own m

is obvious then, that continuing to maintain one's faith throughout life requires no effort, but a continueresting in the finished work of Christ. Make no mistake. The warnings in God's Word are real. For example, in 15:1-7, Jesus repeatedly warned the disciples to continue "in Christ." For those who do not heed the warnings, theresult is to be "burned." Many other passages include similar warnings. The early Church held this view. "For whensoul that is united with Christ forsakes its faith, it is given over to perpetual death, viz., eternalunishment."(Hippolytus, On Daniel, vi). We come to God by faith, but it is through unbeliefthat one departs fro

God. By maintaining faith we persevere to the end. But, through unbelief we can depart from God and be eternallydamned. Jesus taught that in the last days many would abandon the faith. Paul called this the "falling away." We n

to be aware of the Scriptural teaching regarding our security in Christ, because the danger of apostasy is real.

Matt 24:9-13

9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My

10 "And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another.

11 "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.

12 "And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love (agape) will grow cold.13 "But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.

(NASB)

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Eternal Security?Apostasy


Is apostasy possible? This is an important question. According to Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, "Apostasy" defined as "the determined willful rejection of Christ and His teachings by a Christian Believer [Heb. 10:26-29; Joh15:22]. This is different from false belief, or error, which is the result of ignorance."The nature of apostasy requirthat one be a believer first, then turn away from God. In one verse King David summed up the entire teaching of G

Word regarding the possibility of apostasy. Just before his death, as he passed the kingdom of Israel on to his sonSolomon, he warned:

1 Chron. 28:9

9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willimind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him

will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

(KJV)

The "forsaking" David spoke of was a willful and complete turning away from God. No doubt, he was alluding to thformer king, Saul, who forsook God, and God turned away from him. He was not speaking of committing someparticular sin. David himself was guilty of adultery and murder. His sin caused him to despair. But, he confessed h

and threw himself on the mercy of God.

Some may say that this verse does not apply to us because it is found in the Old Testament. But, the New Testam

teaches exactly the same thing regarding apostasy. The Scriptures warn that in the last days apostasy will be ram

1 Tim 4:1

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to sedu

spirits, and doctrines of devils;

(KJV)

II Th 2:1-3

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as t

the day of Christ is at hand.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away

and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

(KJV)

The Apostle warns that apostasy will be so prevalent in the last generation, he calls it the "falling away." Paul did originate this idea. Jesus mentioned it in His Olivet Discourse.

Matt 24:9-13

9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My

10 "And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another.

11 "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.

12 "And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.

13 "But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.

(NASB)

In the last days, when real persecution comes, many believers will grow cold and abandon the Faith. Only those w

continue until the end will be saved.

The parable of the sower demonstrates clearly that not all who receive the Gospel will persevere in their faith unti

end.

Mark 4:14-20

14 The sower soweth the word.

15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immed

and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediate

receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth

the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the

and it becometh unfruitful.

20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, andreceive it, and bring forth fru

some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

(KJV)


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Notice the same language is used of those who fell away when persecution came, and those who bore fruit. Both"recieved" the Word. Those who had stony ground became "offended." This is the same word Jesus used in Matthe

24:10 regarding those who will grow cold and betray one another when persecution comes.

Luke's account is even more clear regarding believers who do not endure when persecution comes.

Luke 8:13

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the wordwith joy; and these have no root, which

while believe, and in time of temptation fall away...

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, a

bring forth fruit with patience.

(KJV)

Notice the contrast between those in verses 13 and 15. Those who will fall away when persecution comes "receive

Gospel. It even says they "believed" for a time. But, the difference between them and the ones in verse 15 isendurance. The word "keep" is the Greek word "katecw" [katecho]. According to Strong's Greek dictionary this wmeans: "...to hold fast,...to retain,...to seize on."This word has the idea of grasping and continuing to hold on tig[see: Heb. 10:23]. Those who grasp and hold onto the Gospel through faith bring forth fruit with "patience." This Greek word "upomonh" [hupomone], which means: "endurance,...constancy,...patient continuance."It is evident those who will eventually fall away already had a serious problem before they believed the Gospel. The soil of theiheart was rocky. This type of soil makes growing crops difficult, but not impossible. Those with rocky soil need mumore care and cultivation if they are to survive and bear fruit. Rocks can be removed, and tender care given to thstruggling plants by caring gardeners. We cannot tell the condition of someone's heart. "...man looketh on the outappearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" [1 Samuel 16:7]. But, we can guard against unbelief in our own land try to strengthen our brethren. Someone you know, who appears to be a strong Christian, could be on the veabandoning their faith in God. When real persecution comes, and it will, the condition of the root will be what matt

not the pretty leaves.

Jesus even warned His own disciples to "continue in me." His warning was not just idle words, or a hypotheticalsituation. Jesus told them the final outcome of those who were "in Christ," but chose not to continue "in Christ." T

word "abide" in the following verses means: "to continue or remain in a given state or relation."

ohn 15:1-7

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, tha

may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4Abide [continue] in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except itabide [continue] in vine; no more can ye, except ye abide [continue] in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He thatabideth

[continues] in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6If a man abide [remains] not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather the

and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide [continue] in me, and my words abide [continue] in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be

unto you.

(KJV)

The words "in me" demonstrate clearly that Jesus spoke of saved people. Since Jesus warned His own disciples to

continue "in me," how much more should we be aware of the potential of any Christian to fall away?

Peter came dangerously close to abandoning Christ. On the very same night that Jesus spoke this warning to His

disciples, Jesus turned to Peter and said:

Luke 22:31-32

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

(KJV)

Peter was in danger of his faith failing during Jesus' arrest and trial. He denied that he knew Jesus three times. Thhis time of sifting by Satan. Yet, thanks to Jesus prayer for his strength, Peter did not totally abandon Christ. If Pe

was in such danger, how much more can we be in dire danger given the right circumstances.

Rom 11:17-22

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and

them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief th

were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if

continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

(KJV)

Paul was borrowing a parable from Jeremiah 11. In this parable God likened Israel to a good olive tree that He hadplanted. Because of their unbelief and rebellion, God said He would break off it's branches and burn them with fireused this illustration to show how unbelieving Jews, who rejected Jesus when He came, had been broken off from people of God. Believing Gentiles were then grafted in their place, among the believing Jews, as the true people ofHowever, Paul sternly warned the Roman Christians not to become to haughty or too secure in their new relationswith Christ and the people of faith. He warned that they too can be broken offif they succumb to unbelief. Not


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that they "stand by faith." This means they are continuing in their relationship in Christ through continued faith. Ifallow that faith to degrade into unbelief, Paul warns that God will not spare them either. If God didn't spare His ch

people when they fell into apostasy through unbelief, He will certainly not spare Gentiles who follow the same path

Even Paul knew he was vulnerable to the lusts of the flesh, which can ultimately lead to unbelief.

1 Cor 9:27

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to other

myself should be a castaway.

(KJV)

Paul is saying he must keep his flesh in subjection so it does not cause him to loose faith and abandon Christ. Theword for "castaway" is usually translated "reprobate" in the KJV. It is found in Romans 1:28, 2 Cor. 13:5,6,7, 2 Tim3:8, Titus 1:16, and Heb. 6:8. In the last passage it is translated "rejected." In every single case this word is usedthe lost. If Paul was aware of the ever present peril of ultimately being lost through unbelief, we too need to be on

guard.

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Eternal Security?Conditional Promises


There are several passages in the Bible that warn of the consequences if we depart from God. Some of these warncome in the form ofconditional assurances. They say that Christians will ultimately be partakers in our inherita

"IF" we continue or persevere in faith until the end.

Rom 11:20-2220 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness,I

thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

(KJV)

That little word "if" shows that the "goodness" that God extends toward believers is conditional upon their "continuin His goodness. If not, they will be cut off in the same manner as the natural seed of Abraham. Notice in verse 20our perseverance is tied to "faith." What was it that caused God to cut off the Jews who rejected Christ? Verse 20 that it was because of unbelief. And, Paul makes the point that we stand by faith. So, in verse 22, "continuing in H

goodness" is synonymous with persevering in faith, and not succumbing to unbelief.

1 Cor 15:1-2

1 Moreover, brethren,I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have rece

and wherein ye stand;2 By which also ye are saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed

vain.

(KJV)

Here Paul says that the Corinthians "received" the gospel, and were "standing" by the gospel. Yet, their salvation clearly linked to perseverance. There is that pesky little "if" again. What does it mean to "keep in memory" the goThe Gospel is all about coming to God by faith. It is clear that the ones Paul refers to were saved. Notice that he iswarning them of their need to be saved, but of their need to persevere. It is not that they need something more tthey have. It is that they need to remain and continue in what they already have. Otherwise, their "believing" [fai

have been in vain. The only way their believing can be in vain, after once having been saved, is if they are lost.

Col 1:21-23

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yetnow hath he reconci

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his s

23IF ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospwhich ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am mad

minister;

(KJV)

We are reconciled to God through Christ's death so that we will be presented sinless. But, again, that little word "imesses up the verse! There is a condition attached. In order for the above to be true, we must "continue in the faand not be "moved away from the hope of the gospel." Can you see a pattern developing here? The Gospel, and faare linked to much more than just an initial salvation experience, where we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Fathe sacrificial atonement is our means of "standing" or "continuing." And, this is a requirement if we ultimately ex

be presented before the Father with our sins forgiven, and covered by the blood of the Lamb.

Heb 3:12-14

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living G

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness o

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the e(KJV)

Notice that these verses are addressed to the "brethren." And, notice that he is warning about "departing from GoOne must be with God in order to depart from God. This is exactly what apostasy is. Yet, notice that there is one wChristians can depart from God. UNBELIEF! This is the opposite of "faith." But, this passage reveals much more. clearly tells us HOW this can happen to a believer. Verse 13 warns of a "hardening" that can occur through thedeceitfulness of sin. Hardening is a process, it does not occur overnight. Unchecked sin causes hardening of the hehard heart leads to UNBELIEF. And, unbelief leads to departing from God. Then comes the final conditional assur

We will be made partakers with Christ IF we hold our initial confidence [or faith] until the end.

Sin can be very attractive. Satan dresses up sin and uses it as bait to seduce those who had once escaped its powThat's why Paul told us to put on the whole armor of God so we will not be caught in the "wiles of the Devil," [Eph6:11]. The word "wiles" means trickery. Satan entices Christians to fall into sin. If they become entangled in that and allow it to go on, over time they will build up a resistance to the convicting voice of the Spirit. This is the hard

of the heart that leads to unbelief, and departing from God. It is not the sin itself that causes someone to fall awathe unbelief that results from the hardening process. That's why we find repeated warnings in Hebrews to maintai

faith we had at first. And, that requires treating sin as a possibly fatal disease.


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Heb 2:1-3

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we shoul

them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recomp

of reward;

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, a

was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

(KJV)

"Neglect" is treating something that is precious, casually. It is carelessness. Unfortunately, this is the state of man

Christians today. Yet, they think they are in no danger.

Some might ask, Is it really important that we believe Christians can forsake God and be eternally lost? Isn't it ento realize that if we sin we are displeasing God? Apparently it is not enough for some. Or else God would not havewasted His breath on all these warnings. The Bible teaches that in the last days apostasy will be rampant. Church-Christians today are far too confident and oblivious to the danger lurking just over the horizon. Many have fallen inSatan's traps and vices and cannot get free. They don't realize where this path leads, because they have been tau"once saved always saved." Things are going to get really bad. Persecution is coming. Soon we will have to choosebetween buying and selling to feed our children, or taking the mark of the Beast. Some of us will face a choice betdenying Christ or martyrdom. Do you think the average Christian will stand like the martyrs of old? Many Christiandepart from the faith in the last days. Satan is busy on several fronts setting Christians up for the kill. He is seducmany into sinful habits, while lulling them into a false sense of security. Finally, he will complete his attack on the

Church of God through severe persecution and deception, soon to be unleashed.

1 Pet 5:8-9

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may

devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in

world.

(KJV)

This warning is not to the unsaved. It was written by Peter to the elders of the churches. It is the job of the leader

the Church to be watchmen for Christ's flock. But, alas, many are more interested in building their own kingdoms.

er 10:21

21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all th

flocks shall be scattered.

(KJV)

Ezek 34:2

2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD u

the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the floc

5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, wh

they were scattered.

(KJV)

Pastors, elders, it is your responsibility to guard the sheep from the roaring lion. How? Warn them. Preach against

And, tell them the truth about where continued rebellion leads. For those entangled in sin already, follow James' a

ames 5:19-20

19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

20 Let him know, thathe which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from de

and shall hide a multitude of sins.

(KJV)

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Eternal Security?No Turning Back


The title of this article comes from the song, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus." This song speaks of the lifelongcommitment to follow Jesus that salvation requires. The words "no turning back" refer to the believer's resolve topersevere until the end. However, I have used these words to describe what the Bible teaches about Christians whforsake God. The Scriptures are quite clear. Once a believer abandons his faith, there can be no turning back, no c

for repentance.

Heb 6:4-8

4 For in the case ofthose who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have

been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify

themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.

7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sa

also tilled, receives a blessing from God;

8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

(NASB)

This passage has been bent and twisted in every direction in order to avoid the obvious. But, I think it is crystal clwriter went to great lengths to show he is speaking of a genuine born-again Christian. But, the important point is

once a believer "falls away" it is impossible to be restored through repentance. Notice, it does NOT say it is imposfall away, but to be restored again after falling away.

Despite the list of qualifications in verses 4 & 5, some still claim that these people were never really born-again.However, the writer used the words "renew" and "again." Both of these words mean something done a second timis saying that they cannot be restored to their former state. This makes no sense if the writer was speaking of anunbeliever. Who would want to be restored to a former state of unbelief? To be "renewed again to repentance" mebe restored again to the condition of "being enlightened, tasting again the heavenly gift, made partaker again of tHoly Spirit, tasting again the good Word, and the powers of the coming age." It is to be restored again to a condit

before having "fallen away."

The other angle, is to claim that this statement is hypothetical, but impossible. Yet, the word "impossible" does NOrefer to "falling away," but to being restored again, after falling away. If he was speaking hypothetically, then wha

the purpose of the illustration that follows?

7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose saalso tilled, receives a blessing from God;

8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

Is it only hypothetical [but impossible] that some soil does not produce fruit? Is it only hypothetical [but impossib

such ends up being burned? The illustration indicates that he was speaking of a real danger to these Christians.

2 Tim 2:12-13

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

(KJV)

Many of the early Christians were faced with the choice of denying Christ, or being persecuted or martyred. SoonChristians we know will be faced with the same dreadful choice. Either deny Christ by taking the Mark of the Beastsuffer for Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us. Verse 13 tells us why. If a Christian no longer believes the gospel

denies Christ, AND, God is always faithful, we are faced with the ultimate paradox. God would be denying Himself Holy Spirit remained in an unbeliever. God has no choice but to deny the apostate. Notice here that the catalyst th

drives this paradox is a Christian's abandonment of his faith. Again, this is the consistent teaching of the Word of G

Heb 12:15-17

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, an

thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no

of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

(KJV)

Here apostasy is compared to Esau's situation. Salvation is compared to a birthright. The point is that once "sold,"

never be recovered. It is impossible.

When the writer mentioned the "root of bitterness" he was recalling the covenant the children of Israel made with Lord just before Moses' death. God delivered Israel out of Egypt and gave them His Law through Moses. The Israe

made a vow to the Lord to obey His Law, and keep His covenant.


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Deut 29:10-20

10 Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your offic

with all the men of Israel,

11 Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer

water:

12 That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God ma

with thee this day:

13 That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he

said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

14 Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;

15 But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here w

this day:

16 (For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed

17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them

18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day frothe LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among youA ROOT THAT

BEARETH GALL AND WORMWOOD;

19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall

eace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:

20 The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against tman, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his

from under heaven.

(KJV)

There is no question in my mind that the writer of Hebrews is referring to this passage when he wrote about the "bitterness." And what is this "root of bitterness" in the above passage? It is the willful turning away from God. Wh

the consequence? Look at verse 20 above.

Some might object to this teaching as using fear tactics when we warn Christians that they may depart from Godpermanently if they continue in their sin for the long haul. Some people respond to the love of God, while others a

motivated by fear. If it takes fear to turn a wandering brother or sister around, then so be it.

ude 1:21-23

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

(KJV)

In Hebrews 3 we saw the process which leads to apostasy. However, there is one passage that speaks of the final

condition of someone who has completely departed from God through unbelief.

Heb 10:23

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)...

26 Forif we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no mo

sacrifice for sins,27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and h

done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, T

Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(KJV)

The wilful sin mentioned in verse 26 is not just any sin. Rather, it is a particular sin; it is the act of unbelief when completely departs from God. This is in contrast to verse 23, where we are commanded to "hold fast the professioour faith without wavering." The writer described the apostate's complete and utter denial of Christ, forsaking the covenant, and intentionally blaspheming the Spirit. According to verse 26, there remains no chance of repentance

someone has blasphemed the Spirit that indwelt him. "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sin." In other words,Christ's blood no longer covers him.

Was the person mentioned above really saved? Verse 29 says that he was sanctified by the blood of the covenThis is pretty strong language that can only describe a genuine Christian. Yet, his end will be with the unbelievers,

enduring the fiery wrath of God.

It is clear from this passage that a Christian cannot "lose" his salvation. "Losing" implies something involuntary, oaccidental. Departing from God is a deliberate act made when someone's heart has been so hardened by continue

he no longer believes the gospel

The idea that a saved person can forsake God and be lost is repulsive to many Christians. But, the thought that superson is eternally damned without any possibility of repentance strikes fear into the heart of believers. And it shoBecause, it was intended to do just that. But, properly understood, it should not cause Christians to worry that themight have at some point lived in sin and forsaken God without realizing it. One who has departed from God throuunbelief will no longer have any desire to restore his fellowship with God. He is a reprobate. The longing Christiansto fellowship with God, and the guilt we feel when we sin, are the direct results of the Spirit's working in our lives.longsuffering. He knows we are weak and frequently fail Him. But, the blood of Jesus Christ continues to cleanse uall sin. Our continued faith in the gospel is still counted for righteousness. An apostate, who has totally forsaken G


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will have no desire to fellowship with God. He might have remorse, and he certainly will live in fear. But, he will knhis heart of hearts that he can never turn to God. Look at Judas. He committed suicide. Why? There was no hope

restoration.

If you have a loved one or friend that claims to be a Christian, yet is living in continual sin, don't give up hope. Bu

need to warn them where this path can ultimately lead.

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Eternal Security?Examples of Apostasy


Some Christians deal with the passages concerning falling away by claiming they are hypothetical. "IF" a person cdepart from God, he could not return. But, it makes no sense for God to constantly warn us against apostasy if it wnot possible. These are not idle threats. The Word of God gives us examples of real people who departed from God

through unbelief.

1 Tim 1:19-20

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blasph

(KJV)

Paul warned Timothy to guard his faith. He stated clearly that some had abandoned their faith and shipwreckedhe named two acquaintances, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who became apostates by blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

Second Timothy, written soon after, we find Hymenaeus is up to mischief.

2 Tim 2:16-18

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; andoverthrow the faith o

some.

(KJV)

Apparently, Hymenaeus was not content to make shipwreck of his own faith. Now, we find him teaching false doct[eschatology] and thereby overthrowing the faith of others. It was common in the early Church for people to aban

the Apostle's doctrine in order to get their own following. Paul warned the Ephesian Elders of this very thing.

Acts 20:28-30

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overse

to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

(KJV)

Paul knew, both by revelation and experience that people like Hymenaeus would abandon Christ because of a lust fame and power. Incidentally, did you notice what Hymenaeus was teaching? He was teaching false doctrine conce

eschatology. He taught that the resurrection was already past. False doctrine can lead people away from Christ andamage their faith. Others leave because they get their eyes off Christ and His Kingdom and on the sin of materia

2 Tim 4:10

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; ...

(KJV)

Paul warned Timothy extensively about the lure of materialism. Apparently, many believers had quit and become

entangled in the lust for money.

1 Tim 6:10

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, an

ierced themselves through with many sorrows.

(KJV)

This brings to mind the parable of the Sower. Remember, some fell among "thorns." Jesus said the "thorns" were cares of this world and the love of money, which after the seed has sprouted, and begun to grow, they choke the

and the plant dies.

These examples of Christians who's faith failed because of a love of money or power demonstrate that the warning

Scripture about falling away are real.

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Eternal Security?Eternal Life

Copyright Tim Warner - Revised 04/2004

Much of the debate concerning "once saved always saved" (hereafter - OSAS) concerns the nature of "Eternal LifeThose who teach OSAS always seem to fall back on this term used in John's Gospel. Several passages say virtuallysame thing. Therefore, examination of one is sufficient for understanding all of them. The highlighted words below

the verbs we will be discussing in detail.

ohn 3:16

16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, thatwhoever believes in Himshould not p

buthave everlasting life.

(NKJV)

The verbs in this statement are very critical to properly understanding what Jesus meant. We therefore need to ex

the precise meanings implied by the various inflections.

"Believes"

The words, "whoever believes,"are translated from "" apresent active participle with the definite

article, plus the word "all" (), literally, "every one who is continually believing."It is a verb that functions as a the subject of the clause. Because it is a participle rather than a true noun, it carries the characteristics of its verb

including tense, and voice. In this case, the tense is "present," and the voice is "active."

Present tense: In Greek, the present tense emphasizes the kindof action, which is continuous. Daniel B. Wallac

translates the present participle in John 3:16 as "everyone who continually believes."1

Had Jesus meant to indicat

once - for - allkind of "believing," we would expect Him to use either the aoristorperfectparticiple. In this case,continuous belief is the emphasis. Hence, as Wallace indicates, "everyone who continually believes,"best reflects

meaning.

Active Voice: The active voice indicates that the person described is performing the action of the verb. He is activbelieving, not passive. Hence, we could include this in our English translation, "Everyone who himself continually

believes."

"Should not perish"

This phrase is actually two words in Greek, a verb and a negative particle. The negative particle simply turns the v

into a negative. Hence the English translation, "not." The verb here is aorist middle subjunctive.

Aorist Tense: The aorist tense indicates the kind of action, not the time of action. The kind of action implied by thaorist tense is called "puncticular," referring primarily to a whole point or period in time when the action takes plashould be seen in contrast to the continuous kind of action of the present tense. Therefore, to "perish" in this vers

refers to a specific event, in this case it is potentially future.

Middle Voice: The middle voice indicates that the subject is both the performer and recipient of the action of the

"Cause himself to perish"is the general idea in this verse.

Subjunctive Mood: The subjunctive mood indicatesprobabilityor intention. This is in contrast to the indicative mwhich indicates a definite result. The result is not necessarily certain. This is why the English reads, "should"rathe"shall."The words, "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"are meant to explainintention or reason why He "He gave His only begotten Son."Hence, God's intention is that every person who con

to believe "should not cause himself to perish."

Another good example of the Johannine use of the subjunctive mood in relation to God's will and intention can be

in the first few verses of John's Gospel. "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came witness, to bear witness of the Light, thatall through him might believe"(John 1:6-7). The underlined words a

translated from the Greek verb, "" aorist active subjunctive. The context here clearly indicates thaGod's intent and purpose for sending John to announce the coming of Christ was so that "all through him mightbelieve."Yet, not all did believe. In fact, only a minority believed. John used the subjunctive mood with regard to

purpose because it is clear that the desired result is not necessarily guaranteed.

"Have" (everlasting life)

The verb, "have"is apresent subjunctive verb.

Present Tense: Thepresent tense in Greek indicates a continuous action or state. Here it implies a continuoupossession of everlasting life. A. T. Robertson translates the identical phrase in the previous verse, "that he mayk

on having everlasting life."2

Subjunctive Mood: As with "should not perish,"the subjunctive moodimpliespurpose or probability, but not

necessarily a guaranteed result. In English, it is best translated "may have" rather than "will have," (as the indicatmood would require). It allows some level of uncertainty because only purpose or intention is in view, not the actu

result.


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The clause, "should not perish but have everlasting life,"describes God'spurpose for the subjects mentioned, all tone who continually believe." He did not state that His intention was that all who had a "born again" experience sh

reap this result. That is, a once - for - all kind of believing.

The most precise rendering in English would be as follows: "in order that each [one] who is himself continuibelieve in Him should not cause himself to perish, but may keep on having everlasting life."All of the

following ideas are implied in this verse.

1. Continuing to have everlasting life is contingent on continuing to believe.

2. If one does perish, it is by his own actions or choosing.

3. The Believer is active not passive in his "believing."

If possession of everlasting life was a permanent condition resulting from having believed in the past (OSAS), we expect the passage to use the perfect tense form of "believe." That is, "every one who has believed."The perfect tindicates a completed action with continuing results. The use of the present participle speaks only of a perseveringcontinuous faith, not a once for all kind of faith. That is, we are in possession of eternal life while we are "believingcan logically infer from this statement that God did not give His only begotten Son in order that those who believe

once - for - all might not to perish.

What is "Everlasting Life?"

Those who believe OSAS argue that if believers currently possess eternal life, and if it is really "eternal," we could loose it. Otherwise, it would not be eternal. This argument seems very powerful, and appears to be totally logical.However, it is based on a misconception of what eternal life really is. It also assumes that the adjective "eternal" rto the duration of the believer's possession of "life." It ignores the possibility that the word "eternal" might refer to

quality or identity of this kind of "life."

Since "eternal life" is a "gift," many Christians think of it as something given once, and then retained in one'spossession. But, the Bible teaches that "eternal life" is a continuous flowing stream of life which is impossible to

exhaust.

ohn 4:10,13,14

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewestthe gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me t

drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; butthe water that I shall give h

shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

(KJV)

It is important to understand that the term "living water" was understood in the Jewish culture to refer to flowingwater as opposed to standing water. [See Song of Sol. 4:15]. Notice that the "gift of God" that Jesus spoke of w"everlasting life," spoken of metaphorically as "living water." This gift of life was said to be flowing, a continuous

stream. This is exactly what Paul spoke of in the following verse.

Rom 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death; butthe gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(KJV)

Paul was simply referring back to Jesus' explanation of the "gift of God" being a fountain of life flowing perpetually

the believer.

Jesus indicated that His giving "everlasting life" was a continual action in the present, not a past action at the mom

of salvation.

John 10:27-28

27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

(NKJV)

We have a similar situation in this passage as in John 3:15. The verbs are in the present tense, indicating a contin

action. That is, "My sheep are hearing My voice, and I know them, and they are following Me. And I am giving to teternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."Jesus continually give"everlasting life" to His sheep who are hearing His voice and following Him. This passage does NOT imply that Jesugave everlasting life to His sheep who heard His voice and followed Him. As in John 3:15, there is a continuousreciprocal action going on here. We have the same kind of activity described by John in His first Epistle, again usinpresent tense verbs. "But if we are walking in the light as He is in the light, we continue having fellowship with one

another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son is cleansing us from all sin."(1 John 1:7)

Jesus spoke of this flowing stream of "life" in the following passage.

ohn 7:38-39

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was

yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

(KJV)

Now, I want you to compare this passage with the one in John 4. Notice that in John 4, Jesus said the "living watewould be a spring flowing to everlasting life. But, in this passage, Jesus was equating "living water" to the indw


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of the Holy Spirit. Are you starting to get the picture yet? There is another passage we need to tie in here. This

passage gives Jesus' definition of the words "eternal life."

ohn 17:3

3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou ha

sent.

(KJV)

Notice, Jesus did not say that you get eternal life by knowing Him. He said eternal life IS knowing Him. Eternal lifeNOT something apart from God Himself. Having "eternal life" is having Christ in us, and us in Him. He is eternal, a

is life! The life that flows from Him cannot be exhausted.

ohn 1:4

4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

(KJV)

Jesus is Life! He lives in us through His Spirit, and we live "in Him." Eternal life is not something apart from GodHimself. He has infused Himself into us. His own life flows in and through us because we are "in Christ." Paul did n

originate the idea of being "in Christ," Jesus did. Paul simply borrowed it.

ohn 15:1-7

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it w

even more fruitful.

3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neithe

you bear fruitunless you remain in me.

5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart fro

you can do nothing.

6 If anyone does notremain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are pickethrown into the fire and burned.

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

(NIV)

The words, "in me" or "in Christ" are not some mystical mumbo jumbo. They have specific reference to this parabWhenever such terms are used in the New Testament it should conjure up in our thinking Jesus parable of the vine

branches, where He introduced the concept to His disciples.3

The meaning of "remain" (or abide - KJV) is clearly to "continue" IN CHRIST. The term "in Christ," used throughouNew Testament, comes from Jesus' parable. This is what it means to be "in Christ." In the same way a branch is "vine," that is, it is a part of the vine, it is attached to the vine, and the life of the vine flows through the branch,perpetually sustaining it. This is what keeps the branch alive, and causes it to bear fruit. Jesus' point is clear. To bChrist" is to be attached to the vine, having the life of Christ flowing through us. Did the branch receive a one timeof life, and can now live on its own perpetually? Was this branch Jesus described "once saved always saved?" NO!

made it clear that this life is ONLY perpetual BECAUSE the branch chooses to REMAIN in the vine. Jesus' plea for Hfollowers here is to REMAIN in Him. Because, if they do not, they will wither and die. And, the end result will be bethrown into the fire. We are both "in Christ" as the branch is in the vine, and He is in us, as the life of the vine flow

the branches (see Jn. 6:56)! We need this relationship, and we must maintain it to persevere to the end.

Decades after Jesus spoke the True Vine parable to His disciples, warning them to remain in Him, John delivered t

same warning to Christians at the end of the first century.

I John 2:24-25

24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son an

the Father.

25 And this is what he promised us even eternal life.

(NIV)

It is apparent why John's Gospel constantly used the present tense for "believing" when speaking of possessing et

life. "Believers" have eternal life because they are remaining in Christ through the Gospel and their continuous faitChrist. His exhortation to Christians above includes both a command and a conditional statement. The command ithey must continue to hold to the doctrine of Christ. Obviously, such a command anticipates that it is possible toabandon the Gospel. The conditional statement indicates that remaining in the Son and the Father is conditional u

obeying the previous command.

Those who abandon their faith no longer "believe." Consequently, they no longer have eternal life. These are the

branches who do not remain in the vine.

As we saw in John 7:38,39, this life is flowing through us who are "in Christ" by the presence and flow of the SpiriChrist that dwells in us as believers. God is Life. God is Eternal. The word "eternal" does not describe the durationpossession of "life." It describes the quality of God Himself, and the life that flows from Him. God lives perpetuallyby the Spirit of Christ who perpetually gives us life. It is this same Spirit that will make alive our mortal bodies at

resurrection.

Rom 8:10-1110 Andif Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the deadwill


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give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

(NKJ)Notes:

1. Wallace Daniel B., Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, p. 620.

2. Robertson, A. T., Word Pictures, comment on Jn. 3:15.

3. John 6:56 is the first time Jesus spoke of believers being "in me." "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."Here it waform of a riddle, which the disciples did not understand. In John 15, almost immediately after Jesus had given them the bread and wine, Jesus fully exp

the concept of being "in me" to His disciples in plain speech using the True Vine parable.

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Eternal Security?Sealed by the Spirit


The doctrine of Eternal Security is sometimes supported using passages that speak of our being "sealed by the Sp

Eph 4:30

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

(KJV)

Some believe that once a person is "sealed" he can never be lost. But they fail to understand "sealing" in its historcontext. Today, "sealing" might give the impression of something that is permanent. But, in Paul's day, "sealing" wlegal term. When a document was sealed, it meant it was authentic. The official would roll up the legal document,a peice of wax to hold the loose end, then press the insignia of his seal into the wax. This was similar to a notary sAs long as the document remained closed, and the seal intact, it was considered legally valid. This was to insure ththe document was not altered. The Catholic Encyclopedia describes later church bishops adopting the use of the se

from the Roman government.

"At first they were only used for securing the document from impertinent curiosity and the seal wascommonly attached to the ties with which it was fastened. When the letter was opened by theaddressee the seal was necessarily broken. Later the seal served as an authentication and wasattached to the face of the document. The deed was thus only held to be valid so long as the sealremained intact. It soon came to follow from this point of view that not only real persons like kings and

bishops, but also every kind of body corporate, cathedral chapters, municipalities, monasteries, etc., alsorequired a common seal to validate the acts which were executed in their name."

Suppose a person received a promise of an inheritance in a legal will, properly witnessed and sealed in a scroll by representitive of the Roman government. When the time came for the recipient to redeem his inheritance, he woupresent the legal document to the official with the seal unbroken. The first thing the official would do is inspect theto make sure it had not been broken. If the seal had been broken, the official would know the document had been

tampered with, and it would be considered void. The inheritance would be denied.

This is the analogy that Paul was using when he spoke of being "sealed by the Spirit unto the day of redemption.""day of redemption" is the day we present our covenant with God, sealed by the Holy Spirit, to redeem our inherit

in the Kingdom of God. We must protect that covenant, and not tamper with the seal of the Holy Spirit.

Eph 1:13-14

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having

believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His g

(NKJV)

The Holy Spirit has sealed us UNTIL the time of redemption comes, when we receive our inheritance. Was it possiba Roman citizen to break the wax seal and tamper with the document? Sure it was. But this would certainly void tdocument. This is also true of one who breaks the seal of the Holy Spirit. That's why "blasphemy of the Holy Spiritthe only sin that cannot be forgiven. In passages that speak of falling away, we see that this sin against the Holy S

is definately involved with apostasy.

Heb 6:4-6

4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have bee

made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to thems

the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.

(NASB)

Heb 10:29 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foSon of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, andhath

despite unto the Spirit of grace?

(KJV)

This is why Paul warned us not to tamper with our seal.

Eph 4:30

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

(KJV)

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Apostasy& the Book of Hebrews


The book of Hebrews is without question the most important regarding the question of apostasy. The warning in His repeated several times in several ways in this book. Therefore, rather than merely looking at one isolated passais wise to view them as a group. It might be relatively easy to get around one isolated passage in the quest to ma

OSAS. But taken together, these passages are unanswerable.

Before we begin, let's restate the PFRS position on the security of the believer.

1. Salvation is accomplished by God's grace alone. God draws all men, and grants all the ability and the free choic

respond to the Gospel in faith. But, the choice is ours alone. God does not make it for us.

2. Works do not merit salvation in any way, or contribute to our salvation. Salvation is entirely of God.

3. Since "believing" is a prerequisite on our part, continuing to believe is how we persevere (not by works).

4. Since we can submit to the Gospel, or resist God's grace and drawing, we can also submit or resist in our Christ

walk. We remain "in Christ" as long as we are walking by faith in Christ and the Gospel.

5. A true believer who has repented, received God's grace by faith, CAN later become entangled in sin. If he persisresists the correction and drawing to repentance by the Spirit, he can "harden his heart." Through a process ofhardening the heart, a once faithful believer can eventually succumb to UNBELIEF. This is the conscious rejection

Christ and the Gospel apostasy. It results in "departing from God" and the forfeiture of one's eternal inheritance

6. The apostate can never be restored. He is essentally in the same condition as the "reprobate" in Romans 1. God

given up on him.

7. While there is only one way for a believer to "depart from God" unbelief, there are two roads to unbelief menin Scripture.

a. resisting God's correction and conviction of sin leads to a hardened heart, then unbelief.

b. deception regarding the Gospel. That is, being seduced away from the true Gospel to a false Gospel. This neces

leads to UNBELIEF in the true saving Gospel of Christ.

Hebrews 2

Heb 2:1-4

1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a ju

reward,

3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and w

confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, accordHis own will?

(NKJ)

Observations:

1. The "things we have heard" (v. 1) refers to the word of Christ the Gospel. God has "in these last days spoken

by His Son"(1:2).

2. In verses 2-3, Paul draws a comparison between the situation under the Mosaic Covenant and the New Covenarepeats this kind of comparison many times in the book. In ch. 1, he compared the revelation of the Old Covenantgiven through "prophets" with the revelation given through Christ. The obvious point is that Christ's revelation issuperior. Consequently, there is a greater responsibility on the part of the one partaking in the covenant through Cthan through Moses and the prophets. The comparison between vss. 2 & 3 implies that since the penalty for negle

the Law of Moses by Jews under the Law was severe, it is much more severe for neglecting the word of Christ.

3. Paul's warning is NOT that his readers should attain to something they do not yet have. Rather, it is that they n

neglect what they already have, and consequently "drift away" from their secure position.

4. "How shall we escape" implies the potential for severe judgment, most likely the most severe form of judgmenteternal damnation. Since Paul was contrasting the condition of Israel under the former dispensation, the penaltyprescribed by the Law should be considered here. The central passage is Deut 29, which describes all the "cursingimposed on the Jews for forsaking or neglecting the covenant. The ultimate penalty for neglecting the New Covena

worse.

5. Note the use of the first person plural. "How shall WE escape if we neglect..." Paul included himself (potentially

the warning. Therefore, the severe penalty applies to Paul as well IF he would "neglect so great salvation."

Conclusions:

1. The penalty threatened is not explicetly stated, though it is implied that it is worse than that under the Law. Thpassage alone does not explicetly indicate a believer can be lost, only that he might be punished more severely th

Law prescribes.

2. Paul's exhortation is to remain in their secure place, as opposed to "drifting away." If the audience is assumed ttrue believers, the warning is that they not abandon the Gospel that saved them through neglect. If the audience presumed to be merely Jews who might be considering Christ, the warning might imply that they not squander the

opportunity to accept Christ through neglect.


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Hebrews 3

This chapter begins by clearly identifying the audience Paul was addressing "holy brethren, partakers of the heacalling." This statement could hardly apply to unbelieving Jews. He goes on to once again compare Christ to MosesCovenant to New Covenant. Moses was faithful in his household. "But Christ as a Son over His own house, whose we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end." (v. 6). Like 2:3, we have anot

conditional statement. Being Christ's household ultimately depends on whether one perseveres in hope to the end

Paul continues by reminding them of the Israelites in the wilderness at Kadesh Barnea. Here, for the first time, thepenalty Paul was warning them about is strongly implied "so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter my rIn this illustration, the penalty was that the entire generation of Jews died in the wilderness, never being able to s

inherit the "promised land."

Heb 3:12-14

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness o

14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

(NKJ)

Observations:

1. Again Paul refers to his audience as "brethren," as in verse 1 "holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling."

2. The warning here is that some of them (the holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling) might have in theheart that departs from God through unbelief. Notice, as in ch. 2, the warning is against LEAVING the secure posit

In this case it is to "depart from God."

3. The means whereby this is possible is "unbelief." It is significant that in the example of the Jews at Kadesh Barnthe reason they could not enter the promised land was their "unbelief." Having believed God, and followed Mosesthrough the wilderness, they later abandoned their faith and refused to go into the land, not believing that God wo

win their battles for them as He promised.

4. In verse 13, Paul begins to give the means of assuring their security. "Exhort one another daily while it is called'today'." The word "today" harkens back to verse 7. There Paul quoted Psalm 95:7-11. David warned Israel againsdeparting from God in that passage, appealing to Kadesh Barnea. The exhortation, in light of the disaster at Kades

Barnea, was, "Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." In verse 13, when Psays, "exhort one another while it is called 'today'," he was saying that there is a period of time (today) if one whoheart may be succumbing to unbelief, where restoration is still possible. It is still "today," before he departs from G

through unbelief.

5. The second part of verse 13 tells us how the process of "departing from God" through unbelief takes place. It isthrough the process of "heardening the heart." And that comes via "the deceitfulness of sin." So, it seems that the"deceitfulness of sin" can lead to one hardening their heart. This is a voluntary act. Remember, the Psalm Paul quosaid, "today if you will hear His voice, do not hearden your heart." Heardening one's heart is therefore a choice onmake when they "hear His voice." And since Paul was speaking of the "deceitfullness of sin," it seems that the warimplies that a believer can be tempted to sin and harden his heart when he hears "His voice." The hardened heart

turn is the breeding ground for "unbelief," which leads to one "departing from God."

6. Verse 14 is another conditional statement, like verse 6. Perseverance is a requirement if one is to be a partakerChrist. In the following verses Paul again refers to Kadesh Barnea. The conclusion is that "they could not enter in

because of unbelief" (v. 19). The warning for the "holy brethren" is the same.

Conclusions:1. There is no longer any question that Paul was addressing the warnings in this book to believing Jews.

2. What it means to "drift away" (ch. 2) is more clearly defined as "departing from the living God."

3. What it means to "neglect so great salvation" (ch. 2) is also more clearly defined as nurturing an "evil heart of

unbelief," through a process of "hardening" the heart when one hears "His voice."

4. Twice in this chapter Paul states that perseverance is absolutely a requirement if one expects to share in Christtwice he tells them how, by maintining their current "hope" steadfast to the end. Obviously, this was the opposite succumbing to "unbelief." Therefore, it seems that he equated "hope" with "faith." This, and similar statements, stimply that the exhortation is to REMAIN in their current secure state, not to seek to attain something they did notalready possess. Therefore, we can rule out the idea that Paul was exhorting unbelieving Jews, who might be

considering Christ, to go on to salvation.

5. It is significant that while Pau

osas - pristine faith restoration (warner) - eternal security

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