Once saved always saved

[BlueCelt]

The idea of once saved always saved, is that primarily a reformed/calvinist doctrine or is it more widespread or less widespread then that? Thanks for any answers!

Blue

 

[arunma]

Calvinists believe in a doctrine called "perseverence of the saints," which states that one who is effectually called to faith in Christ will persevere in that faith until the redemption of his body. Other Christians have different names for this doctrine (such as "once saved, always saved"), but most Christians I know of believe this. It is, after all, founded in Scripture.

I would point out, however, that this doctrine does not teach that you can make a decision for Christ, fall away later in life and practice another religion, and expect to be saved. Many people believe the Bible teaches that we shouldn't question our salvation. It does not teach this. In fact Peter is so bold as to say,

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (2 Peter 1:10)
​

The Bible says that followers of Christ will live a certain way. If someone isn't living in this manner, then that person should ask himself if he is truly in Christ, or if he merely intellectually assents to the doctrines of the faith. The latter isn't sufficient for salvation. I do not know why you are asking this question. Maybe you, like so many Americans, professed faith in Christ as a child and later fell away, and you think that you will go to heaven on the basis of this prior confession. If this is the case, I strongly urge you to repent and believe in the Gospel, because you will go to hell regardless of any prior confession, if that confession didn't produce genuine and lasting faith within you.

 

[ephraimanesti]

The idea of once saved always saved, is that primarily a reformed/calvinist doctrine or is it more widespread or less widespread then that? Thanks for any answers!

Blue

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Actually, "once saved, always saved" is a heretical doctrine introduced by satan for the purpose of instilling in Christians a false confidence regarding their standing--or non-standing of the case might be--with God in the hopes that through carelessness and a sense of false security, they would fall away from God in a state of presumption and spiritual pride. In this regard, Paul warned the Corinthians "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall."(I Corinthians 10:12)

While i would be the first to admit that i find it highly unlikely that anyone who has come to know our Lord Jesus would ever turn away from Him and return to the darkness from which our Lord delivered Him, but our freewill remains after becoming a Christian and the history of the Church makes mention of those who, from time to time, have turned away from the Light for one reason or another and been lost--Judas, of course, being the first mentioned.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[AV1611VET]

Hello --- --- nice to meet you!

The idea of once saved always saved, is that primarily a reformed/calvinist doctrine or is it more widespread or less widespread then that? Thanks for any answers!

Blue

Jesus taught it ---

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

 

[Proud Christian 2]

I think it is widespread. Really, after you accept Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and God and everything, you are saved. At least, that is what I think and have been taught.

 

[DerSchweik]

I would say it depends on what circles in which you fellowship. Some, to be sure do believe in OSAS. Others do not. As to which group is more prevalent, who knows? Both have scriptures supporting their stance. Interestingly, non-Christians as well employ their interpretation of predestination in support of theirs.

We do well imo to put our trust in Him regardless how one defines predestination. One day He will clear all this up (and other disputes as well); until then we need to ensure we find ourselves in a position to have such issues clarified. One thing is certain, whether one can or cannot abandon their relationship with God now, in eternity the matter will be moot; either the choice one has made now or the one God has made for them will be final.

 

[JohnDB]

The OSAS is a doctrine created by man out of the scriptures. There are no scriptures that directly state this...but there are many that tell you to constantly work out your salvation with fear and trembling...meaning humility.

I believe in the parable of the soils and the story of the man born blind as far as this particular aspect of salvation goes. Both of these stories paint a different picture than what this Calvinistic doctrine promote. People who read many of the old commentaries tend to promote this theology. (Matthew Henry, and the like)

I disagree with them for not only the reasons stated above but also it seems to be a method of man for determining who belongs to God and who doesn't. This is not something that is man's job...one that solely belongs to God. There usually is a severe penalty for touching things that do not belong to us (such as judging someone's salvation) We are to determine if a person's behavior is such that we can fellowship with them or not. If they lead an overt lifestyle that rejects God (such as a homosexual lifestyle or philandering lifestyle) then we are to reject them from the fellowship of believers. Their salvation is always up to God though...not something for us to determine or not.

Some people do intensely believe in God for only a time...but due to their character and nature they do not behave in such a manner for long. Some don't believe at all upon hearing the Gospel message. Then there are others who when understanding the Gospel message intensely believe and put their whole lives into living what they have heard and gives them hope for tomorrow. Every aspect of their lives is now given to their belief in God. That is what the parable of the soils relates and I believe it.

All men are created to give God glory and honor in some shape or form...some as demonstrations of his power, some as demonstrations of God's holiness, and some as dearly loved Children. The manner is varied and different as there are people in the world. It is impossible for me to determine all the many ways that this is done. The only one I can determine is how I must serve and do the things that I do for God...no one else can do it for me.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

While some people will tell you that salvation can be lost and even go so far as to call it "a heretical doctrine introduced by Satan", it is something that is clearly taught in scripture.

There are seven Biblical reasons why one cannot lose their salvation:

1. Nothing can separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus your Lord.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Neither death nor anything that happens after death, or anything that happens while you're living can separate you from God's love. If there were no other verse in the Bible that deals with eternal security, this one covers the base.


2. When you are born again, you are made perfect forever.

For by one offering He [Jesus] hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)

When Jesus died on the cross, He saved you forever. Jesus offered one sacrifice for sin forever. If you ever lost your salvation, in order for you to be saved again, Jesus would have to die again. By one offering He has perfected forever those who were sanctified.


3. Our Lord always finishes what He begins.

Being confident of this very thing, that He [God] which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

Let me tell you what the Holy Spirit of God does for your salvation. First, He convicted you of sin. Second, He converted you. And the Convictor and the Converter is also the Completer. If God fails to finish what He's begun God has failed and He cannot fail.


4. If a man is born again, He is predestined to be like Jesus.

For whom He [God] did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

God saw you before this world was put in space. He saw you repent of your sin and ask Jesus to save you. And when God saw that, not only did He foreknow it, but also He predestinated it. If it is settled in eternity how can it be undone in time?


5. If a man is born again are in Christ.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

You are in Christ just like Noah was in the ark. The ark was a picture of Jesus and when Noah went into that ark God shut the door. Noah may have fallen down a lot of times in that ark, but he never fell out of it. Your security is not in a place, it is in a Person and His name is Jesus. And if you're in Jesus, you're secure and if you're not in Jesus you're not secure.


6. If a man is born again, then he already have eternal life.

Heareth My word, and believeth on him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

Everlasting life is not something you get when you die. Everlasting life is something you get when you receive Jesus. If I have everlasting life, when can it end? Suppose I had it 10 years and it ended. Did I have everlasting life? No, I had a 10-year life. Whatever you have, if you ever lose it, whatever it was it wasn't everlasting.


7. The Lord Jesus Christ is ever interceding for the Christian.

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. (John 17:9)

Jesus also prayed: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil...Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" (John 17:15, 20). Say your name in that verse because Jesus prayed for you! Has Jesus ever prayed a prayer that wasn't answered? No, not one (see John 11:42 and Hebrews 7:25).

I would also add that, logically speaking, if we can lose our salvation by committing sinful acts, then that means that we can hold on to our salvation by not committing bad acts, which essentially amounts to earning our salvation, which of course violates Ephesians 2:8-9, which says that there is nothing we can do to earn or to keep our salvation.

 

[DerSchweik]

Mod Hat On

Folks, let's not turn this into a debate about OSAS. The OP's question is how widespread is the belief - period.

Mod Hat Off​

 

[salida]

I agree as long as that christian isn't walking in sin (doesn't practice it). The "once saved always saved" is true as long as a person isn't walking in sin.

 

[GodIsNear]

The idea of once saved always saved, is that primarily a reformed/calvinist doctrine or is it more widespread or less widespread then that? Thanks for any answers!

Blue

Hi Blue,
I know that all Orthodox Churches do not believe in the concept of "Once Saved Always Saved", I also believe that the Catholic church does not believe in the concept, however for the protestant churches i believe some are with and some are against this teaching.

Any corrections are welcome ofcourse.

 

[chosenpath]

We are responsible for cultivating a thriving harvest for God.

We can learn from the lesson of Cain and Able.

Genesis 4:9
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where [is] Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. [Am] I my brother's keeper?"

1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, [you are] God's building.

1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Hebrews 6:6
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. 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; but if it bears thorns and briers, [it is] rejected and near to being cursed, whose end [is] to be burned.

 

[Aibrean]

Lutherans do not believe in this.

 

[BlueCelt]

Thanks for the responses all!

Blue