Continual belief/faith is necessary
for continual salvation/eternal life
The original Greek manuscripts reveal the verb tenses:
“… whoever believes [present tense: continues to believe] in Him may have [present tense: may continue to have] eternal life. For God so loved the world, that
He gave His only Son, that whoever believes
[present tense: continues to believe] in Him should
not perish but have [present tense: continue to have]
eternal life.” (John 3:15-16)
Glory be! ... Is it possible that even the venerable
John 3:16 stands against eternal security!
Not at all. The error is in claiming that the present tense means to "continue in the action". There is no justification in that idea.
The Greek present tense means action that is currenty happening.
For example, believing NOW, or believing AT THIS TIME. It says nothing about results of the action being dependent upon continuing the action, as you have claimed.
Here's some help in understanding the Greek tenses:
Greek Verb Tenses (Intermediate Discussion)
There are many verses that use the aorist tense, basically equivalent to our past tense for believe as well. What do you do with those verses?
Paul's answer to the jailer who asked what he MUST DO to be saved was to "believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved". Dr Luke used the aorist tense. Paul used the aorist tense in Rom 10:10.
Clarity about eternal security is found in the words of Jesus in John 10:28, where He said, "I give them (His sheep, meaning believers) eternal life, and they shall never perish".
So, when does Jesus give the free gift of eternal life? WHEN a person believes, for Jesus also noted in John 5:24 and 6:47 that whoever believes HAS (that means present possession of) eternal life.
The apostle John re-itereated the same principle here:
1 John 5:13 - I write these things to
you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that
you have eternal life.
If that isn't clear enough, consider v.11 - And this is the testimony:
God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
So, there is no question that eternal life is given when one believes in Christ, and the result of receiving eternal life (at the moment of saving faith) that person shall never perish.
BACs must endure in the faith to receive eternal life
● Colossians 1:22-23
“He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight —
IF indeed you continue in the faith … and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel”
● 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
“It is this Good News (the gospel) that saves you,
IF you continue to believe the message I told you”
● Hebrews 2:3
“So what makes us think we can escape
(from disobedience),
IF we ignore this great salvation”
● 2 Timothy 2:12
“IF we endure, we shall also reign with Him.”
● Hebrews 3:12-14 “Make sure that …
none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
For IF we are faithful to the end, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.”
● Revelation 2:10
“But IF you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of (eternal) life”
Because of the above verses, this also refer to salvation:
● Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13
“But the one who endures to the end
(of his/her life) will be saved.”
Did you not notice that NONE of these conditional verses says anything about keeping salvation, or losing salvation.