The Bible says in Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. The class was taught in San Diego Nov. 6, 2014 at the Mission Center of Hope. Paul understood that he needed to remain faithful to the very end or else even he, too, would be rejected and lose out on salvation! That's not what scripture allows us to think, or encourage us to try to show - that our actions show us to be justified. Thank you, Josef, but I have no intention of spending 56 minutes listening to a man who used to be a Jehovah's Witness elder and who (10 minutes into the DVD) is still talking about the views of Jehovah's Witnesses. Do you agree? The entire epistle contrasts behavior that demonstrates the truth of claiming to be in Christ with behavior that proves the claim of faith to be a lie. When we come to the New Testament (the new covenant) we find one promise after another that God will preserve His people. Pastor of Hermas. So then the next question becomes if God causes us to be saved, then why isnt everyone saved? The Nicean Creed does not address this subject. Some people believe in the concept of "once saved, always saved" while others do not. The scripture that is most commonly quoted to support this doctrine is John 10:28: "They shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." On the surface this can seem like it is true that once saved, we are always saved. For this reason it is difficult to find any direct exposition of something that sounds like Once Saved Always Saved as we hear it presented nowadays. Luther believed that a Christian can have the assurance of his present state under grace but not of their future state and final perseverance. Lets look as quotes from some prominent church fathers. Speaking of the Good Shepherd and the sheep, Jesus very clearly teaches the doctrine of the security of the believer: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me. The Gnostics said that they were of the elect seed. Calvinists today say the same that they are the elect. God is not bound by any oath to give them salvation no matter what they do and they lose out on eternity. For it is written; Cleave unto the saints, for they that cleave unto them shall be sanctified. In other words, the TRUE faith will be demonstrated by good works and one has to endure until the end in the faith. after he was circumcised." The Primitive Church - from NeverThirsty.org. And in Psalm 100 he exclaims that Gods steadfast love endures forever (v. 5). At the same time, we do not want to turn our responsibility to persevere into a righteousness based on works either. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. One such view is called "once saved, always saved," also known as the doctrine of eternal security or the "perseverance of the saints." It is a belief that, I believe, can cause deadly spiritual atrophy. However, when looking into the context of these verses, we observe that they refer to people who, for example, have fallen into sin and are asking to be restored to fellowship with God. 16, Look you, brethren, lest His benefits, which are many, turn unto judgment to all of us, if we walk not worthily of Him, and do those things which are good and well-pleasing in His sight with concord. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand. This expression can sound antinomian because it could be interpreted as saying, God is stuck with me now that I am saved, so I can live the way I want because He still has to save me. That is not what most of the original once saved, always saved people meant, but I can see how that is a concern and a potential danger. What shall be done to him that has dealt corruptly with the contest of incorruption? +1, Indeed, the distinction between salvation, which is of the Lord, and personal assurance (basically all of 1 John) is a critical one. I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because ye have followed the example339 of true love [as displayed by God], and have accompanied, as became you, those who were bound in chains, the fitting ornaments of saints, and which are indeed the diadems of the true elect of God and our Lord; and because the strong root of your faith, spoken of in days340 long gone by, endureth even until now, and bringeth forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins suffered even unto death, [but] whom God raised from the dead, having loosed the bands of the grave.341 In whom, though now ye see Him not, ye believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory;342 into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that by grace ye are saved, not of works,343 but by the will of God through Jesus Christ. Humankind can now, through Christ, reach up to God because of what their Big Brother has done. By working out their calling with 'fear and trembling' (Philippians 2:12), to the end of their lives, Christians can insure they do not lose the glorious gifts and salvation they have been promised. I fall into the second camp. Is it morally wrong to use tragic historical events as character background/development? Starting with predestination, he saw that election to eternal life inevitably involves final perseverance. Treaties 1.6. Anyone who would do that is a liar. The early Church Fathers almost unanimously came at this from James' position of assuming justification before God solely based upon what God has done in Christ, insisting that faith in Christ produces a new life, and encouraging believers to be diligent in manifesting the faith. And so it is destined to fire; just as the man too is, who after baptism renews his sins: so that this also ought to be accepted as a sign for our admonition. Tertullian, On Repentance, 2.9. . Or who shall be our advocate, unless we be found having holy and righteous works? Only a few seem to believe that a person can lose his or her salvation by disobedience. 5). Question. And then saving locks all of the fields. Those who have been truly saved will never depart from the faith. Does V=HOD prove all kinds of consistent universal hereditary definability? Man is endowed by his Creator with the power to make choices. But with respect to obedience and doctrine we are not all the sons of God: those only are so who believe in Him and do His will. It feeds the ego and wicked mind of man. Not things. This passage reveals that the author of the Shepherd of Hermas did not believe that a true Christian could lose his salvation. But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why do you think evil in your hearts? Basically, the Doctrine of Once Saved, Always Saved began with the teachings of John Calvin, (1509-64) who was a pastor, church reformer, author and teacher. He is quoting lots of Church Fathers and scripture on this topic of eternal security and assurance. . The writer of Hebrews speaks of our eternal redemption and eternal inheritance, that God has by a single offering perfected for all time those who are being sanctified, and that we must be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (9:12,15; 10:14; 12:28). And, it has morphed into a sad caricature of the original article. Nothing can separate them from the eternal and unchangeable love of God. However, we must remember that only God knows if one has actually left the faith. Paul said "IF" not "that" or because! If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. From this he concluded that we can do nothing to save ourselves, we are completely deprived and cant even respond to God initially. Was this in the Nicean creed? Eternal security, also known as " once saved, always saved ", is the belief that from the moment anyone becomes a Christian, they will be saved from hell, and will not lose salvation. And because of the misappropriation of the doctrine of "once saved always saved" they have no concern about their eternal future. It is important to note that the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved did not appear in the literature of the church until the Reformation period. Other passages related to the topic of losing eternal life are Matthew 24:13, 1Corinthians 15:2, Hebrews 2:3, 3:6, 12:4, 4:11, 10:35 and 12:25, James 5:19 - 20, 2Peter 2:20 - 22 and many others. My answer to that is simple: If you really believe this and apply it to yourself then God bless you and I am happy for you. Second Clement (A.D. 100) ch.7, Wherefore, my brethren, let us not be double-minded but endure patiently in hope, that we may also obtain our reward. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life (vv. From what I can tell, if I use the Fill & Sign tool, I can select my signature and place it anywhere on the documenton a field, on a signature field, on a line, in blank space, etc. Now notice the similarities between this Gnostic teaching and the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved: Notice how the parallels are indeed very striking, they are simply too numerous to be able to ignore. Its a realm, its a kingdom and a spiritual sphere that we belong to. The concept generally described as " once saved, always saved ," is the notion that, once one accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, salvation is assured. . Justin Martyr, Dialogue Of Justin 47. . Where Did This Phrase Originate? There is no remorse, nor a heart of repentance and the person has willfully chosen to be in rebellion against God. Christians can assert that there's a difference between a person praying a sinner's prayer and having no effect on their life, and a . . "But He, having offered one sacrifice for all time, sat down at the . ALPHA HOUR EPISODE 399 #pastoragyemangelvis #ThePrayerandTestimoniesAltar #JesusChrist #OneHourinPrayer #12amGhanaianTime #15thJune 2023. He begins, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ (v. 1). and became partakers of the Holy Spirit (they have God's spirit in them! II. Under what circumstances? Clement of Rome (A.D. 96) ch. Q: What role do we play in actively contending for our faith? Calvinists say that it is an irresistible grace and Christians cannot help but be forced by it. Did the primitive church preach the doctrine of once saved always saved? It is legitimate to ask, Are those two ways of speaking equally useful? They must first live a righteous life and remain faithful to the end before they fully receive their reward. He asks, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? But Jesus and the apostles were. Many who profess to believe fall away, but they do not fall from grace, for they were never in grace. . But the reality is there is a struggle and a striving that comes with this new life in Christ. Basic Christian Doctrines. Why did so many early church fathers say that sex was a consequence of the Fall? Then when he became evangelical it was the same things they stated that eternal security is biblical and thats what the church always believed. Verses that appear to point to once saved, always saved: John 10:27-30 ; Ephesians 1:13 ". Answer: The Biblical answer regarding whether or not a person can lose their salvation is significantly different from what Catholics and almost all the mainstream Protestant denominations teach. Thus says the LORD, Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me . all believers slip and fall into sin. For each post, you can also add a comment if you find something relevant to say. He died in the faith and awaits, with all the saints who were obedient their entire lives, the receiving of the gift of life eternal (1Corinthians 15:50 - 55). Where did Once Saved Always Saved come from? Clement's first letter (~AD 97) is the earliest Christian document outside the NT and in it we find this same 'tension': And we, thereforeare not justified of ourselves or by our wisdom or insight or religious devotion or the holy deeds we have done from the heart, but by that faith by which almighty God has justified all men from the very beginning (ch. At the start of the passage, he is not sure that someone will be saved if he or she believes in Jesus but is disobedient. One is saved on account of ones election. 1:514). The truth is that a person certainly can lose their salvation after they are called and receive God's Holy Spirit! Book 1.4.1. Though they may endure affliction for a short time in the world, they will gather the immortal fruit of the resurrection. - Romans 4:2. Those who are particular about words, and devote their time to them, miss the point of the whole picture (Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, Bk. But we do find a consistent belief, except for a few instances, that faith and works go together. In the strictest sense, I think they mean the same thing; namely, those whom God has saved, He will preserve and not allow to fall away. We should clothe ourselves with concord, being humble, Calvin was the first to teach it. Gospel of Matthew. I am certainly interested in what the apostolic and ante-Nicene fathers had to say. We are the Kingdom of God and as His children it changes how we behave. Indeed, no one can snatch them out of Jesus' hand, but they can put themselves outside of Jesus' hand. He assures us that His intent is not condemnation but salvation (verse 17). In John chapter 6, Jesus promises, All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. While Gnostics use their doctrine to pursue their own lusts and passions without restraint. Comments on the Bible verses quoted would be appreciated, although I do not wish to restrict my search to those verses alone. Thank you for the time and effort that went into this answer. Does "with a view" mean "with a beautiful view"? Nothing else. Did the early Church Fathers have a complete agreement on how to interpret 1 Peter 3:18-20? Grace overcomes all sins regardless of the individuals attitude toward sin. The Bible teaches that someone who claims to be a Christian but does not live like one is a liar. It props him up for a great fall. There is a very simple problem with the dogma of "once saved, always saved." That problem is that it is just not biblical! Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. This idea is true only if it is understood as having two major conditions attached. Carl F. Henry. This is a problem even for those who say the doctrine is biblical. Justin Martyr, Dialogue Of Justin 47. His faith is genuine and he produces fruit one hundred, sixty, and thirty fold. The only thing that can take you to the other side is depending on Christ for eternal life. . But the world returned unto sin; in which point baptism would ill be compared to the deluge. Many will respond, But what about those verses that seem to speak of people falling away? Often they refer to verses such as Psalm 5l:11; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 2:13; 3:4; 6:49; 10:2631. For now lets look at the arguments for and against the doctrine from a biblical perspective. They have been predestined for eternal glory and are therefore assured of heaven. One time for all time. Answer Once a person is saved are they always saved? They have been delivered once and for all by the sacrificial work of their Savior. This person has given themselves over to sinthey dont struggle anymore. True believers do fall into temptation, and they do commit sins, but these sins do not cause them to lose their salvation nor do they separate them from Christ. And to what things is John here referring? He wrote a book titled, Against Heresies in which he called believers to take heed against what was called Gnosticism. I and the Father are one.- John 10:25-30, Thus, Augustine was not inventing something new when he said, regarding perseverance, We do the works, but God works in us the doing of the works (De Dono Those who do not obey Him . Scriptures Against Once Saved Always Saved. They only who fear the Lord and keep His commandments have life with God; but as to those who keep not His commandments, there is no life in them. But some readers will object saying that they know people who have fallen away. The biblical teaching is that those who are genuine believers will never fall away from Christ. All Rights Reserved. Someone who claims to believe and lives like the world or leaves the faith is a liar, and 1 John 2:4 says the truth is not in him or her. Abraham was justified before God by faith and his actions proved ithe acted in faith when he offered Isaac. On the other hand, the perseverance of the saints stresses that we live as saints perseveringlywe go on living as saints, pursuing holiness, and living by faith. . If we look also in more detail at their writings, there seems to be this consistent close relationship between faith, repentance and good works. While Gnostics and Once Saved Always Saved believers differ on the source and how this nature came about, the concept is still the same. Likewise, someone who might live like a Christian but does not believe in Jesus is not saved. Since salvation is always Gods gift, he entitled his work on perseverance On the Gift of Perseverance. Irenaeus appears also to believe that Christians are not really once saved always saved. In other places, Paul promises that Christ will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. Tertullian, The Prescription Against Heretics, Chap 3. Note that it is not the believers love that keeps him secure, but rather the love of God from which he cannot be separated.
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