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

 

[d taylor]

-
​

Eternal Life is what is receive at the very moment a person believes in Jesus for Eternal Life.

Now why most people will say they can lose their salvation (Eternal Life), is because they are not believing in Jesus, but are believing in actions they are doing. Which is why they say salvation is something received in the future. Which is accompanied with a final judgment of their life.

But that is not what God is promising people who believe in Jesus for Eternal Life. This verse from The Bible states God's promise to the believer in Jesus for Eternal Life. Which is a pernamnet everlasting promise of life.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

 

[Dan Perez]

-
​

Eternal Life is what is receive at the very moment a person believes in Jesus for Eternal Life.

Now why most people will say they can lose their salvation (Eternal Life), is because they are not believing in Jesus, but are believing in actions they are doing. Which is why they say salvation is something received in the future. Which is accompanied with a final judgment of their life.

But that is not what God is promising people who believe in Jesus for Eternal Life. This verse from The Bible states God's promise to the believer in Jesus for Eternal Life. Which is a pernamnet everlasting promise.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

And I see that you quoted John 5:24. !!

# 1 HE // HO , is a DEFINIYE ARTICLE , in. tyhe NOMINATIVE CASE . in. the SIGNULAR

# 2 THAT // HOTI. , is a CONJUNCATION

# 3 HEARETH //. is PERSONAL POSSESSIVE PRONOUN. , is a GENTIVE CASE , in. the SINGULAR

# 4 WORD // LOGOS , is a. ACCUSATIVE CASE , is. a SINGULAR

My question is did you hear Jesus voice. ??

And the Greek HEARTH. //. is a PERSONAL POSSESSIVE PRONOLUN. , then. you did NEVER hear his VOICE and you are just

now reading what Jesus said in. John 5:24. !!

As the book. of John was written to Israel and NOT to. the BODY of CHRIST !!

AS Jesus was speaking to those in. John 5:18 who wanted to kill Jesus !!

dan p

 

[BPPLEE]

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).

I have heard something similar, that those who seem to get saved and then turn away were never truly saved in the first place

 

[ARBITER01]

Oh yes, let's just regurgitate the same old arguments.

 

[St_Worm2]

I have heard something similar, that those who seem to get saved and then turn away were never truly saved in the first place

Hello @BBLEE, that seems to be true according to the Bible. Along with three of the four kinds of "soils" in Matthew 13, there is this,

1 John 2​

19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.​

And @Clare73 has already shared the following passage.

Matthew 7​

22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ ​

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I ~NEVER~ knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS​

​

God bless you!!

--David
p.s. - there are other verses/passages too, of course. A couple of Chapters in the Book of Hebrews come quickly to mind.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

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

What OSAS misses is the biblical condition known as apostasy. In the context of the Greek word apostasia (ἀποστασία), it means abandoning an allegiance (defection) which is often done through active opposition (revolt), and in a religious context, it is a spiritual rebellion against God. We have to ask ourselves, does this condition even exist? I say it does. Two of the most direct verses are:

Hebrews 6:4-6
"For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away( apostasy) , to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt."

2 Peter 2:20-21
"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them."

Blessings

 

[Spiritual Jew]

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

The Bible does teach that you can be confident about your salvation, but also warns about keeping your faith to the end (of your life or the age, whichever comes first) in order to be ultimately saved and spend eternity with the Lord.

These are warnings given to those who are saved:

Hebrews 3:12 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 of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

Notice here that Paul (I believe he wrote Hebrews) is speaking to his "brethren" who in Hebrews 3:1 he calls "holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling" who confess Jesus Christ as their Savior. And he is warning them about developing "an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God". You can't depart from God if you are not with God in the first place. Also, notice how he warns against being "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" and that we must "hold the beginning of our confident steadfast to the end" in order to ultimately be "partakers of Christ".

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 [c]if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

This passage is talking about saved people falling away and not being able to be brought back to repentance. No one can convince me that "those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come" are not saved. But, notice how Paul (assuming it's him) indicates that despite his warning about falling away, he was "confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation". But, he still warned them after that to "not become sluggish, but" to "imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises". So, even though he talked about the possibility of falling away, he was confident that those he was writing to would not do so. Likely, because he knew they were mature Christians who were growing in their faith. Less mature Christians are more vulnerable to falling away from the faith.