Hello and good day to you.
I'm very happy that you have discussed this with me in a civil manner, thank you.
Hebrews 6:4-6 is talking about the possibility one could lose their salvation. You just can't change meanings of words around whenever you wish to fit your stance.
I didn't change anything. I explained exactly WHY the passage cannot be about losing salvation. If it were, it would be in DIRECT opposition to what Jesus taught in John 5:24, 6;47 and 10:28a.
I hope you take the time to address these 3 verses and make comment on the FACTS:
1. in the first 2 verses, Jesus said that whoever believes possesses eternal life.
2. this means that they possess eternal life WHEN they first believe.
3. 10:28a is the CAUSE and EFFECT of possessing eternal life.
4. The CAUSE of possession of eternal life is Jesus Christ by the statement: "I give them eternal life".
5. The EFFECT of possession of eternal life is eternal security by the statement: "and they (recipients of eternal life) shall never perish".
If salvation can be lost, then please refute EACH of these FACTS from Scripture.
The great news about one who does happen to get caught in sin and falls away, is that they can repent (Godly sorrow that is) and come back into the fold and Galatians 6:1 is a good example.
So, kind of a yo-yo system of salvation. Believe and be saved, fall into sin and lose salvation, repent and be saved, sin and lose salvation, etc ad nauseum.
Also, I've been more and more convinced that you are under the impression that all one needs to do is "believe" and that's it.
Correct. What else did Paul add to his answer to the jailer's question of what he MUST DO to be saved? Nothing. He answered: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:30-31
Are you disagreeing with Paul's answer? Seems so.
No action necessary after that, just believe only. This is very far from the truth though.
Actually, it is THE truth. As stated by Paul and the apostle John throughout his gospel.
Usually, when the verb belief/faith is involved, it requires action. When one believes/has faith, they do the will of God as stated in the gospel. For example, you must repent also Luke 13:3.
Repenting is a Greek word 'metanoia', from 2 words; change, and mind. Of course one must change their mind BEFORE they accept the promise of the gospel, which is eternal salvation through faith alone in Christ alone.
For your John 5:24 - believe - pisteuo - Thayer's states
"specifically, in a moral and religious reference, πιστεύειν is used in the N. T. of "the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of his soul"; thus it stands α. absolutely to trust in Jesus or in God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something"
The bolded words do not contain anything about required action beyond believing. To believe is to absolutely trust in the work of Christ on the cross on your behalf and that God is ABLE to "do something", which is the salvation of your soul.
Thanks for agreeing with me, even though you don't agree.
You have to DO what the bible commands for your salvation and to hold on to your salvation hence verses like Matthew 7:21-23 (it was all in vain for them, even though they "believed").
Where does the Bible say that we have to "hold on to" our salvation? This is just a made up opinion.
Which brings us to this verse, Revelation 2:10. It very much does state "remaining faithful until death". That is until your death. No matter how hard you try, you cannot change the meaning of this. It's very clear, very straightforward.
Here is the verse:
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown."
It should be obvious (but obviously isn't) that in ALL the letters to the 7 churches of Asia Minor, all included rewards for faithfulness. Not salvation itself.
OSAS is just flat out false.
I invite you to tell that to Jesus, who gave us the CAUSE and EFFECT of possessing eternal life in John 10:28a.
The statement, "I give them eternal life" is the CAUSE of possessing eternal life, Jesus Himself.
The statement, "and they shall never perish" is the EFFECT of possessing eternal life, which is that the recipients shall never perish.
So, to summarize, once a person is given eternal life, which is on the basis of faith in Christ, per John 5:24, 6:47, they shall never perish.
So John 10:28a is the clearest statement in the Bible on eternal security.
If that were the case, I could just earnestly believe in Christ, stop there at belief, kick the crud out of anyone that ticks me off, maybe go out and commit murder, not repent of anything, and still be saved because I believe in Christ, Lord and savior.
It appears that your theology doesn't include the FACT that Jesus Christ died for ALL sins. That His sacrifice was once for all. I suggest you read heb 7-10 and count every instance of the phrase "once for all".
It just doesn't work that way.
Read the Bible. Yes it does.
Until we can even come on stable ground on the meaning/definition of words, how am I even able to discuss further with you. Changing the meaning of words is just not how this works. We must be honest with ourselves here.
OK, let's start with some honesty and explain to me which words I have so-called "changed" and what the words I so-called "changed" really mean. And cite some actual sources, not just some guy's opinion.
With due respect, I bid you a wonderful weekend.
Thank you. Same to you.