Is 'once saved always saved' a biblical teaching?

[Michie]

Editors’ note: The Christian Post Opinion Page has published two countering views on Calvinism. To read the opposing view in the piece titled “No, dear Christian — you cannot lose your salvation. Ever,” click here.

There are many who strongly believe in a doctrine often referred to as “once saved, always saved” (OSAS), or “eternal security” or “perseverance/preservation of the saints.”

Proponents of this doctrine believe that once a person with a sincere heart truly confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior, he is guaranteed Heaven. They believe that from that moment on, God will hold onto that believer and nothing — not even the person's own free will — can cause him to forfeit his eternal standing with God.

While I believe that it is entirely possible to be confident of one's future salvation (i.e., can you think of anything that could sway you from your faith in God? No? Me either.), the question is, what does the Bible teach?

The good news

Continued below

Is 'once saved always saved' a biblical teaching?

If the doctrine of eternal security is true that is, the belief that a true Christian cannot lose his her salvation the apostle Paul seemed to be unaware of it

www.christianpost.com

 

[Michie]

Editors’ note: The Christian Post Opinion Page has published two countering views on Calvinism. To read the opposing view in the piece titled “Is 'once saved always saved' a biblical teaching?,” click here.

It’s a scenario that’s puzzled countless Christians for a very long time.

It’s along the lines of something I’ll bet you’ve heard before from another believer at some point in your Christian walk: “My Uncle Henry used to be someone who was at church every time the doors were open. He taught Bible study, served in various capacities within the church and other Christian organizations, and prayed all the time. Now, he says he doesn’t believe in God and won’t set foot in church. I can’t figure out what’s happened!”

Ever heard a story like that?

John Chipman refers to just such a thing in his opinion article “Is 'once saved always saved' a biblical teaching?” and quotes several places in Scripture about supposed believers abandoning the faith, just like Uncle Henry, in an attempt to argue that Christians can lose their salvation. It’s a position that many take and is a cornerstone doctrine in Arminianism.

Let me tell you why I respectfully disagree, and also tell you what I think happens with the Uncle Henry’s of the world.

When it comes to our salvation and its perpetuity, we only have two options open to us: 1. A temporary regeneration in both reality and experience or 2. a permanent regeneration in both reality and experience. There are no other possibilities.

Those who think you can lose your salvation believe in option 1 — that a person can be born again and start down the road of repentance and godly living but “die” spiritually once more through deserting the faith, which results (again) in no holy longings for the things of God. Both the saving act of God and their sanctification process can be nullified by said person; the permanence of their salvation is ultimately in their hands alone.

Continued below.

No, dear Christian — you cannot lose your salvation. Ever

Hopefully, the idea of your eternal destination depending in the end on your own willpower sends a chill down your spine

www.christianpost.com

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Proponents of this doctrine believe that once a person with a sincere heart truly confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior, he is guaranteed Heaven. They believe that from that moment on, God will hold onto that believer and nothing — not even the person's own free will — can cause him to forfeit his eternal standing with God.

I sense that I have eternally security in Christ. But the characterization above resembles my views only in a cartoonish way. This doesn't give me much reason to read the pros and cons that follow.

 

[Clare73]

Editors’ note: The Christian Post Opinion Page has published two countering views on Calvinism. To read the opposing view in the piece titled “Is 'once saved always saved' a biblical teaching?,” click here.
It’s a scenario that’s puzzled countless Christians for a very long time.
It’s along the lines of something I’ll bet you’ve heard before from another believer at some point in your Christian walk: “My Uncle Henry used to be someone who was at church every time the doors were open. He taught Bible study, served in various capacities within the church and other Christian organizations, and prayed all the time. Now, he says he doesn’t believe in God and won’t set foot in church. I can’t figure out what’s happened!”
Ever heard a story like that?
John Chipman refers to just such a thing in his opinion article “Is 'once saved always saved' a biblical teaching?” and quotes several places in Scripture about supposed believers abandoning the faith, just like Uncle Henry, in an attempt to argue that Christians can lose their salvation. It’s a position that many take and is a cornerstone doctrine in Arminianism.
Let me tell you why I respectfully disagree, and also tell you what I think happens with the Uncle Henry’s of the world.

When it comes to our salvation and its perpetuity, we only have two options open to us: 1. A temporary regeneration in both reality and experience or 2. a permanent regeneration in both reality and experience. There are no other possibilities.

There is no "temporary" spiritual rebirth (regeneration), just as there is no "temporary" physical birth.

You can't be born and then "unborn" either physically or spiritually.

Uncle Henry apostasized because he did not have true (saving) faith, rather he had counterfeit faith (Mt 7:22-23).

 

[bèlla]

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost? And if it turns out that he finds it, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that did not get lost. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones be lost.

The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

~bella