Eternal Security: Is John 2:19 a proof text affirming only a person with a counterfeit faith commit apostasy?

[Ain't Zwinglian]

I John 2:19 as quoted in the ESV

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

*********
Whether or not a believer can commit apostasy is a red hot issue. 1 John 2:19 is one of those “go to” texts for those believe in Eternal Security….meaning a believer cannot fall away from the Christian faith. There are basically three options 1 John 2:19 presents:

• A believer can commit apostasy.
• A believer cannot commit apostasy. This text deals with a person with a counterfeit faith.
• This text is not about apostasy nor a counterfeit faith, therefore the first two options are moot.

I shall marshal evidence for the third option. This pericope has nothing to do whatsoever with apostasy or people leaving the church with a counterfeit faith.

Exegesis:

The wider context indicates that vs. 19 sandwiched between two verses that describe the antichrist (with a small a).

• Vs. 18. speaks of MANY antichrists that have already come.
• Vs. 19 states “They went out from us, but they were not of us;
• Vs. 22 defines what the antichrist believes. “This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.”

The structure of this passage of Scripture is a typical A-B-A. We see vs. 18 and vs.22 as contextual bookends which aid in understanding vs. 19. Some historical scholars believe these antichrists are Cerinthians. Irenaeus writes about these heretics which can be found in an internet search.

We divide vs. 19 into four parts of which 19b gives us the all important ἦσαν which is the interpretive key to this verse.

• 19a. They went out from us
• 19b. but they were not of us.
• 19c. for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.
• 19d. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

19a. The “they” is derived from immediate context….the previous verse. “They” are the “many antichrists.” I am going to leave 19a at this point but will come back to let later and interpret what “went out from us” means contextually.

19b. We focus now on the verb “they were not of us” which in the Greek text is ἦσαν. This NT word is in the imperfect tense and is very common. For those who can’t remember their high school or college grammar, here are some definitions of the imperfect tense, I have gathered from the internet:

• The imperfect tense describes past actions or states that were ongoing, habitual, or in progress.
• When discussing events that occurred numerous times in the past, the imperfect tense can be effectively utilized.
• In cases where an action was taking place over an extended duration in the past, the imperfect tense is ideal for illustrating the continuity of the action.
• Imperfect always describes something that is continued, repeated or habitual in the past. Shows continual action.

When John writes “they were not with us,” it could or would mean the following:

• These antichrists were continually not with them in the past.
• These antichrists were not habitually or repeatedly within the local churches in the past.
• These antichrists were never apart of the local congregation in the past.

This is significant. This indicates the local churches and the antichrists existed side by side socially, but their heretical teachings did not doctrinally influence the local churches. Today we may use the example of a Christian church in Salt Lake City within a Mormon community.

19c. for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. John repeats the same usage of ἦσαν meaning for if the antichrists had continually and repeatedly been with the local churches (ἦσαν) in the past, they would have continued with the local church. This is evangelism. John has no fear of these antichrists and is optimistic some would be converted. John uses μεμενήκεισαν (had remained) is pluperfect which indicates a past action whose results are no longer in effect. There is no question had evangelism taken place, some of these antichrists would be converted and separated from this false teaching. They would be apart of the church or as John writes “they would be continued to be with us.” But this was never to happen. Why?

19a. They went out from us. These antichrists for some reason left the region around Ephesus. This is natural. We know from our witnessing and preaching, the Word goes out which brings about faith, repentance and baptism or the unbeliever walks away. Perhaps some evangelism did occur with these antichrists, was rejected and they departed the region.

19d. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. This is a repetition from 19a. The structure of just vs. 19 would be A-B-C-A. When John states “but they went out” he emphasizing the antichristian teaching is no longer present nor a threat. John is probably addressing an unknown historical issue these antichrists had with the young churches. He is assuring his readers the situation with these false teachers is over, they did not influence the church, while at the same time, distancing himself and the congregation from their false teaching.

 

[Clare73]

I John 2:19 as quoted in the ESV

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

Whether or not a believer can commit apostasy is a red hot issue. 1 John 2:19 is one of those “go to” texts

We also find counterfeit faith in Luke 8:3-11 (three soils), Tit 1:16, Heb 6:4-6.

 

[d taylor]

-
​

Why would God call eternal life, eternal life if a believer can lose eternal life.

 

[Ain't Zwinglian]

We also find counterfeit faith in Luke 8:3-11 (three soils), Tit 1:16, Heb 6:4-6.

But at least I dismantled I John 2:19 as your primary "go to" text concerning OSAS. I John 2:19 has nothing to do with apostasy.

 

[Ain't Zwinglian]

-
​

Why would God call eternal life, eternal life if a believer can lose eternal life.

The purpose of this thread is to demonstrate I John 2:19 can not be used to for either apostate faith or counterfeit faith. And it is an abuse of this text when one uses it to demonstrate an example of counterfeit faith. Otherwise, you have a good point.

 

[d taylor]

The purpose of this thread is to demonstrate I John 2:19 can not be used to for either apostate faith or counterfeit faith. And it is an abuse of this text when uses it to demonstrate an example of counterfeit faith. Otherwise, you have a good point.

-
​

Yes i was getting around to this Is Departure Proof One Is Not Regenerate? – 1 John 2:19 – Grace Evangelical Society

 

[Clare73]

But at least I dismantled I John 2:19 as your primary "go to" text concerning OSAS. I John 2:19 has nothing to do with apostasy.

Indeed. . .thanks.

However, we still have Tit 1:16 and the three soils of Lk 8:11-14.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

The answer is very simple. Not all sins result in spiritual death. Some result in (at the most) physical death.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, life for a life. Exodus 21:22-28 KJV
Received a just recompense of reward. Hebrews 2:2 KJV
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. Gal 6:7-8
Deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved. 1 Corin 5:5
Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan. 1 Tim 1:20

1 John 5:16 KJV
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto (spiritual) death, he shall ask,
and he shall give him (physical) life for them that sin not unto (spiritual) death.
There is a sin unto (spiritual) death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

 

[BobRyan]

I John 2:19 as quoted in the ESV

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

*********
Whether or not a believer can commit apostasy is a red hot issue. 1 John 2:19 is one of those “go to” texts for those believe in Eternal Security….meaning a believer cannot fall away from the Christian faith. There are basically three options 1 John 2:19 presents:

• A believer can commit apostasy.
• A believer cannot commit apostasy. This text deals with a person with a counterfeit faith.
• This text is not about apostasy nor a counterfeit faith, therefore the first two options are moot.

I shall marshal evidence for the third option. This pericope has nothing to do whatsoever with apostasy or people leaving the church with a counterfeit faith.

Exegesis:

The wider context indicates that vs. 19 sandwiched between two verses that describe the antichrist (with a small a).

• Vs. 18. speaks of MANY antichrists that have already come.
• Vs. 19 states “They went out from us, but they were not of us;
• Vs. 22 defines what the antichrist believes. “This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.”

The structure of this passage of Scripture is a typical A-B-A. We see vs. 18 and vs.22 as contextual bookends which aid in understanding vs. 19. Some historical scholars believe these antichrists are Cerinthians. Irenaeus writes about these heretics which can be found in an internet search.

We divide vs. 19 into four parts of which 19b gives us the all important ἦσαν which is the interpretive key to this verse.

• 19a. They went out from us
• 19b. but they were not of us.
• 19c. for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.
• 19d. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

19a. The “they” is derived from immediate context….the previous verse. “They” are the “many antichrists.” I am going to leave 19a at this point but will come back to let later and interpret what “went out from us” means contextually.

19b. We focus now on the verb “they were not of us” which in the Greek text is ἦσαν. This NT word is in the imperfect tense and is very common. For those who can’t remember their high school or college grammar, here are some definitions of the imperfect tense, I have gathered from the internet:

• The imperfect tense describes past actions or states that were ongoing, habitual, or in progress.
• When discussing events that occurred numerous times in the past, the imperfect tense can be effectively utilized.
• In cases where an action was taking place over an extended duration in the past, the imperfect tense is ideal for illustrating the continuity of the action.
• Imperfect always describes something that is continued, repeated or habitual in the past. Shows continual action.

When John writes “they were not with us,” it could or would mean the following:

• These antichrists were continually not with them in the past.
• These antichrists were not habitually or repeatedly within the local churches in the past.
• These antichrists were never apart of the local congregation in the past.

This is significant. This indicates the local churches and the antichrists existed side by side socially, but their heretical teachings did not doctrinally influence the local churches. Today we may use the example of a Christian church in Salt Lake City within a Mormon community.

19c. for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. John repeats the same usage of ἦσαν meaning for if the antichrists had continually and repeatedly been with the local churches (ἦσαν) in the past, they would have continued with the local church. This is evangelism. John has no fear of these antichrists and is optimistic some would be converted. John uses μεμενήκεισαν (had remained) is pluperfect which indicates a past action whose results are no longer in effect. There is no question had evangelism taken place, some of these antichrists would be converted and separated from this false teaching. They would be apart of the church or as John writes “they would be continued to be with us.” But this was never to happen. Why?

19a. They went out from us. These antichrists for some reason left the region around Ephesus. This is natural. We know from our witnessing and preaching, the Word goes out which brings about faith, repentance and baptism or the unbeliever walks away. Perhaps some evangelism did occur with these antichrists, was rejected and they departed the region.

19d. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. This is a repetition from 19a. The structure of just vs. 19 would be A-B-C-A. When John states “but they went out” he emphasizing the antichristian teaching is no longer present nor a threat. John is probably addressing an unknown historical issue these antichrists had with the young churches. He is assuring his readers the situation with these false teachers is over, they did not influence the church, while at the same time, distancing himself and the congregation from their false teaching.

Those are very interesting points . Thanks for sharing that.

In your post "they would have continued with us..." "if the antichrists had continually and repeatedly been with the local churches (ἦσαν) in the past, they would have continued with the local church"..."19a. They went out from us".

makes it appear that the antichrist's were in the church - at least at one time.

OR do you mean to read it as "they were never with us - so they could not have gone out from us"??

IT seems to me that the chapter is saying that for some period of time the antichrist element was in the churches but at some point it left, declaring itself to be an offshoot, or branch, or reform movement or... And so now everyone can see they are two groups and not one single - but confused - mass of Christians.

 

[BobRyan]

Indeed. . .thanks.

However, we still have Tit 1:16 and the three soils of Lk 8:11-14.

Matt 13 has those soils where the seed "springs to life" -- but then later fail.

IT does not say "the dead seed only appears to turn into a plant that later withers away, rather it was always just a dead seed"

 

[BobRyan]

Why would God call eternal life, eternal life if a believer can lose eternal life.​

Why is this called "my car" if I can sell it so that it is no longer "my car"?
eternal life is a quality of the life. We don't say that someone loses eternal life by killing it. They willingly let go.

Rom 2 says eternal life is the result, something we get in the future (according to that text) "WHEN according to my gospel God WILL judge" vs 16

Other chapters speak of it like you would the new birth "something we have now".

Both are true. One aspect of it is only attained in the future - for example

Phil 2:
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Phil 3:
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Cor 9:
23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, lest after I have preached the gospel to others, I myself would be disqualified from it.

 

[Clare73]

Matt 13 has those soils where the seed "springs to life" -- but then later fail.

IT does not say "the dead seed only appears to turn into a plant that later withers away, rather it was always just a dead seed"

The seed is the word of God, which is never dead.

In both Lk 8 and Mt 13, the first seed doesn't even get planted, two seeds produce failing plants, and the fourth seed is fruitful.

Both parables are about soils (faith) wherein the seed (word of God) is planted, where the first soil is unbelief, two soils are counterfeit faith, and only the fourth soil is true faith which saves.

 

[d taylor]

Why is this called "my car" if I can sell it so that it is no longer "my car"?
eternal life is a quality of the life. We don't say that someone loses eternal life by killing it. They willingly let go.

Rom 2 says eternal life is the result, something we get in the future (according to that text) "WHEN according to my gospel God WILL judge" vs 16

Other chapters speak of it like you would the new birth "something we have now".

Both are true. One aspect of it is only attained in the future - for example

Phil 2:
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Phil 3:
8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Cor 9:
23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, lest after I have preached the gospel to others, I myself would be disqualified from it.

-
​

Because we are not talking about cars and something you buy. That is unless you believe you can buy eternal life.

 

[BobRyan]

-
​

Because we are not talking about cars and something you buy. That is unless you believe you can buy eternal life.

"Eternal" in the phrase "Eternal life" is a modifier on the kind of life
Just like "pure" in the phrase "pure gold" is a modifier on the kind of life.

But neither phrase explicitly states that you can't do something to lose it

 

[BobRyan]

BobRyan said:
Matt 13 has those soils where the seed "springs to life" -- but then later fail.
IT does not say "the dead seed only appears to turn into a plant that later withers away, rather it was always just a dead seed"

In both Lk 8 and Mt 13, the first seed doesn't even get planted,

true.

two seeds produce failing plants

two seeds produce life . the dead seed comes to life. The problem in both cases is NOT the seed -- it is the soil/environment around it.
In one case rocks take up a lot of space where more soil should be.
In the other case weeds choke up the space where soil should be.

Both parables are about soils (faith) wherein the seed (word of God) is planted

True.

And in 3 of those cases - conditions in the soil are right for the seed to "spring to life"|. The soil does not spring to life... the seed does.

It is not fake life -- from the dead -- in all three cases it is real life from the dead/dormant seed.

. 20 The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but is temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful

all three of the last examples - the miracle of life happens.

 

[d taylor]

"Eternal" in the phrase "Eternal life" is a modifier on the kind of life
Just like "pure" in the phrase "pure gold" is a modifier on the kind of life.

But neither phrase explicitly states that you can't do something to lose it

-
​

There are no examples in The Bible

 

[BobRyan]

Bible examples of the reality of losing salvation - "forgiveness revoked" etc.

Put bluntly --
In the OSAS model
1. The Gal 5:4 "fallen from grace" teaching cannot exist
2. The "he is able to graft them in AGAIN if they do not continue in unbelief" statement of Rom 11 -- cannot exist
3. The "I fully forgave you ALL just because you asked... now you must be punished for all, repay ALL" of Matt 18 - cannot exist
4. The "branches IN ME that do not bear fruit... cut off and case into the fire" of John 15:1-5 cannot exist
5. The -- you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either" text of Rom 11 cannot exist
6. The "I do all things for the sake of the Gospel... I buffet my body and make it my slave - lest after preaching the gospel to others I should be disqualified from it" statement of 1 Cor 9:23-27 cannot exist
7 All of Ezek 18 cannot exist

 

[Clare73]

true.
two seeds produce life . the dead seed comes to life.

The seed is the word of God which is never dead.
It is planted in soils where it can either grow and produce fruit or not produce fruit.

The problem in both cases is NOT the seed -- it is the soil/environment around it.

In one case rocks take up a lot of space where more soil should be.
In the other case weeds choke up the space where soil should be.
True.
And in 3 of those cases - conditions in the soil are right for the seed to "spring to life"|. The soil does not spring to life... the seed does.

The kind of life is the point--fruitful or unfruitful.

Only one is eternal life; i.e., the seed that produces good fruit, the other two are not fruitful (eternal) life.

It is not fake life -- from the dead -- in all three cases it is real life from the dead/dormant seed.

. 20 The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but is temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful

all three of the last examples - the miracle of life happens.

But only one kind of life produces good fruit--eternal life (of the born again), which only the fourth one had, the others not having the eternal life of true faith, but only the life of counterfeit faith, and
which counterfeit faith can apostasize, while true faith does not, it being kept by the power of God (1 Pe 1:5).

 

[fhansen]

I John 2:19 as quoted in the ESV

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

*********
Whether or not a believer can commit apostasy is a red hot issue. 1 John 2:19 is one of those “go to” texts for those believe in Eternal Security….meaning a believer cannot fall away from the Christian faith. There are basically three options 1 John 2:19 presents:

• A believer can commit apostasy.
• A believer cannot commit apostasy. This text deals with a person with a counterfeit faith.
• This text is not about apostasy nor a counterfeit faith, therefore the first two options are moot.

I shall marshal evidence for the third option. This pericope has nothing to do whatsoever with apostasy or people leaving the church with a counterfeit faith.

Exegesis:

The wider context indicates that vs. 19 sandwiched between two verses that describe the antichrist (with a small a).

• Vs. 18. speaks of MANY antichrists that have already come.
• Vs. 19 states “They went out from us, but they were not of us;
• Vs. 22 defines what the antichrist believes. “This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.”

The structure of this passage of Scripture is a typical A-B-A. We see vs. 18 and vs.22 as contextual bookends which aid in understanding vs. 19. Some historical scholars believe these antichrists are Cerinthians. Irenaeus writes about these heretics which can be found in an internet search.

We divide vs. 19 into four parts of which 19b gives us the all important ἦσαν which is the interpretive key to this verse.

• 19a. They went out from us
• 19b. but they were not of us.
• 19c. for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.
• 19d. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

19a. The “they” is derived from immediate context….the previous verse. “They” are the “many antichrists.” I am going to leave 19a at this point but will come back to let later and interpret what “went out from us” means contextually.

19b. We focus now on the verb “they were not of us” which in the Greek text is ἦσαν. This NT word is in the imperfect tense and is very common. For those who can’t remember their high school or college grammar, here are some definitions of the imperfect tense, I have gathered from the internet:

• The imperfect tense describes past actions or states that were ongoing, habitual, or in progress.
• When discussing events that occurred numerous times in the past, the imperfect tense can be effectively utilized.
• In cases where an action was taking place over an extended duration in the past, the imperfect tense is ideal for illustrating the continuity of the action.
• Imperfect always describes something that is continued, repeated or habitual in the past. Shows continual action.

When John writes “they were not with us,” it could or would mean the following:

• These antichrists were continually not with them in the past.
• These antichrists were not habitually or repeatedly within the local churches in the past.
• These antichrists were never apart of the local congregation in the past.

This is significant. This indicates the local churches and the antichrists existed side by side socially, but their heretical teachings did not doctrinally influence the local churches. Today we may use the example of a Christian church in Salt Lake City within a Mormon community.

19c. for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. John repeats the same usage of ἦσαν meaning for if the antichrists had continually and repeatedly been with the local churches (ἦσαν) in the past, they would have continued with the local church. This is evangelism. John has no fear of these antichrists and is optimistic some would be converted. John uses μεμενήκεισαν (had remained) is pluperfect which indicates a past action whose results are no longer in effect. There is no question had evangelism taken place, some of these antichrists would be converted and separated from this false teaching. They would be apart of the church or as John writes “they would be continued to be with us.” But this was never to happen. Why?

19a. They went out from us. These antichrists for some reason left the region around Ephesus. This is natural. We know from our witnessing and preaching, the Word goes out which brings about faith, repentance and baptism or the unbeliever walks away. Perhaps some evangelism did occur with these antichrists, was rejected and they departed the region.

19d. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. This is a repetition from 19a. The structure of just vs. 19 would be A-B-C-A. When John states “but they went out” he emphasizing the antichristian teaching is no longer present nor a threat. John is probably addressing an unknown historical issue these antichrists had with the young churches. He is assuring his readers the situation with these false teachers is over, they did not influence the church, while at the same time, distancing himself and the congregation from their false teaching.

It's fairly simple: we turn away from the world and its false values and sin and we turn to God, the Vine, who alone posesses and provides the grace for us to live as His children should. What we think we believe means nothing in itself, but what we do as a result of the changes He makes in us, as we remain in Him, reflects the whole true story of our status as His children.

 

[Clare73]

Bible examples of the reality of losing salvation - "forgiveness revoked" etc.

Put bluntly --
In the OSAS model
1. The Gal 5:4 "fallen from grace" teaching cannot exist.

They have "fallen from grace" in their misuse of the law, which is remedied by correct use of the law.

2. The "he is able to graft them in AGAIN if they do not continue in unbelief" statement of Rom 11 -- cannot exist

Why not if they come to saving faith?

3. The "I fully forgave you ALL just because you asked... now you must be punished for all, repay ALL" of Matt 18 - cannot exist

Forgiveness is the result of true faith, not counterfeit faith.

4. The "branches IN ME that do not bear fruit... cut off and case into the fire" of John 15:1-5 cannot exist

The kingdom and the vine of the NT both represent professing believers, some of which are not true believers.
Both the kingdom and the vine include counterfeit believers--tares in the kingdom, and fruitless branches in the vine.

5. The -- you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either" text of Rom 11 cannot exist

God does not spare unbelief. Therefore, be careful. For if you fail to believe, you also will not be spared.

6. The "I do all things for the sake of the Gospel... I buffet my body and make it my slave - lest after preaching the gospel to others I should be disqualified from it" statement of 1 Cor 9:23-27 cannot exist

Disqualified from the reward, not from salvation.

7 All of Ezek 18 cannot exist

Unrelated. . .