(Once Saved, Always Saved)
There are two main ideas about the eternal destiny of children of God, the saved. Some believe that one who is saved may sin, since no one is sinless. (1 John 2:1, 2). However, these believe that any and all who are truly saved, become children of God, will always repent, and cannot be lost. This is usually taught under the heading of, “once saved, always saved.” It is further asserted that anyone who dies lost was never truly saved in the first place.
Others teach that one may be genuinely saved, sin, fail to repent of that or those sins, and be eternally lost.
What is the TRUTH? Let is first be noted that we should not be concerned with what a church, a preacher, a church creed or manual says. Paul penned these words, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). All faith should be based upon a “Thus saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 10:24). Paul said he came “declaring unto you the testimony of God.” (1 Corinthians 2: 1). His “speech and…preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:4, 5). He further stated, “But we speak the wisdom of God.” (Verse 7). Verse 10 says of Paul’s teaching, “But God hath revealed them to us by his spirit.” The rest of chapter 2 emphasizes the fact that Paul taught what God told him, rather than what he heard from man.
Our faith must come from the word of God to be true. (John 8:32). Consider one more thought along this line. “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matthew 16:13). Notice that Jesus asked what MEN were saying about Him. MEN thought Jesus was John the Baptist, Elias (Elijah), Jeremias (Jeremiah), or one of the prophets. (Verse 14). The ideas of men led to many divisions. Three were named, with many others implied by the statement, “or one of the prophets.” Which ones? Jesus then asked His disciples, “But whom say ye that I am?” (Verse 15). “Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Verse 16). Please note carefully the words of the Son of man, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Verse 17). Do not miss the difference in answers! MEN gave wrong answers. Peter, in giving God’s word, gave the correct answer. Such will be the case when we study the word of God, rightly divide it, giving God’s message to people. (2 Timothy 2:15).
The question of this study, “Can a child of God be lost?” will be based upon the word of God, rather than this writer, the reader, or any other. Please read carefully Luke 8:4-18. Verse 11 (KJV) says the seed sown is . Verse 6 says the seed sown upon a rock sprung up or did not spring up (Mark out one). Verse 7 says the seed that fell among thorns sprung up or did not spring up (Mark out one). Verse 8 says the seed that fell on good ground sprang up or did not spring up (Mark out one). Did each of the three seed live? YES NO (Circle one). Can something wither or be choked out if it never lived? YES NO (Circle one). Read verses 13, 14, and answer: Did the seed on the rock hear and receive the word with joy, believe for awhile, and fall away? YES NO (Circle one). Did the seed sown among thorns hear and go forth, then were choked? YES NO (Circle one). Question: Since these plants represent people, does this parable teach that one can become alive, live for awhile, then die? YES NO (Circle one). Does the parable teach that the plants never lived, since they died? YES NO (Circle one). Does the story teach that the plants will live again if they truly lived in the first place? YES NO (Circle one).
Please read carefully, Matthew 10:1-4; 26:47-49; Acts 1:16-25. Please answer each question by circling the correct answer. Judas Iscariot was a disciple of Jesus. (Matthew 10:1, 4; Acts 1:17) YES NO Jesus sent His disciples, including Judas Iscariot, out to heal all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease, even raising the dead. (Matthew 10:1, 4, 8) YES NO Jesus sent Judas Iscariot forth with the other disciples to preach. (Matthew 10:4-7) YES NO Each of the twelve was a disciple of Jesus. (Matthew 10:1-4) YES NO Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus with a kiss. (Matthew 26:47-49) YES NO Judas Iscariot realized that he was condemned, repented (?), and took the thirty pieces of silver back. (Matthew 27:3) YES NO John the immerser called upon the people to “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. (Matthew 3:8) YES NO Judas Iscariot’s fruits showed genuine repentance. (Matthew 27:5; Romans 13:9) YES NO Judas Iscariot by transgression fell, lost his office, and went to his own place, rather than to Abraham’s bosom in paradise. (Acts 1:20, 25; Luke 16:22; 23:43) YES NO Did this fallen disciple and apostle die saved? YES NO.
Read Acts 5:1-11, and circle the correct answer. Ananias and Sapphira were believers, Christians. (Acts 4:13, 32, 34; 5:1) YES NO Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession to help the destitute. (Acts 5:1). YES NO Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Ghost (God) about their gift and died immediately, without repenting. (Acts 5:1-11) YES NO Ananias and Sapphira, died liars and will be saved. (Revelation 21:8). YES NO.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12. These children of God sinned in the wilderness and YES NO Some of God’s children were overthrown in the wilderness. YES NO Children of God can feel secure, yet fall, never repenting. YES NO.
Hebrews 12:15 (KJV) says a saved person needs to look diligently for what reason? __________________________________________
2 Peter 2:18-22 One who has “clean escaped from them who live in error…escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…have known the way of righteousness” can “be entangled therein, and overcome…turn from the holy commandment”, but they will always repent prior to death and be YES NO.
Dear honest and truth seeking student. Read the following inspired scriptures, and ask why these statements would be in the word of God if one could not keep from doing them. For example, 1 Corinthians 15:58, why would God tell the saved to “be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” unless one could fail to do so? Can any saved person fail to do one or more of these things? YES NO Would God say a person’s labor could be in vain, if it could not? YES NO.
Revelation 2:10, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” shows that one who was truly saved will repent prior to death. YES NO Compare Mark 13:13.
Read Hebrews, chapters 3 and 4, and circle True or False.
T F The saved are Christ’s house whatever they do. (3:6).
T F No saved person can harden his/her heart and fail to enter God’s rest. (3:8-11)
T F All the saved will take heed to remain believers. (3:12).
T F Exhortation is unnecessary since any hardened person must repent. (3:13).
T F One cannot fail to hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end. (3:14).
T F Saved people’s hearts cannot be hardened, leading to be lost. (3:15).
T F No one sinned and died in the wilderness short of the promised land. (3:17).
T F All of God’s people repented and entered into His rest. (3:18, 19).
T F No truly saved person should fear that they will come short of God’s rest. (4:1).
May a righteous man turn away from his righteousness and live? (Ezekiel 18:24).
May a servant of the Lord fail to watch and be lost? (Luke 12:42-46).
What do those born again of water and the Spirit enter? (KJV John 3:3-5). _______________ __________________ ______________ Will all who enter the kingdom of God be saved? (Matthew 13:41, 42). YES NO.
Galatians 1:1-9. Can a church be removed from the gospel to a false gospel without being accursed? YES NO Could this same church do anything that would not allow them to enter the heavenly kingdom of God? YES NO.
What does the word IF tell us in the following KJV verses?
1 Corinthians 15:2 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Galatians 6:9 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Colossians 1:23 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2 Peter 1:10 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1 John 1:7 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read Hebrews 6:1-6; Revelation 2:5; 3:1-4, 14-18; 1 Corinthians 8:11; 2 Peter 1:5-11; John 15:1-6; Romans 1:18-32; and circle the correct answer.
T F It is impossible to restore some saved ones.
T F Some saved ones can fall away, that is, they cannot be renewed again unto repentance.
T F A church may leave its first love, become displeasing to God, fail to repent, and be removed.
T F A saved one who knows God’s will can never leave it without repenting.
T F Weak or strong brethren who sin will always repent and be saved.
T F Saved ones will make their calling and election sure because they cannot be lost.
These few statements from God teach that one may be saved, sin, and fail to repent, thus robbing them of the heavenly home. Cf. Colossians 2:18.
What have you concluded from your study of God’s word, rather than what you may have heard someone say? Hopefully, you have seen that much of what is taught is contrary to what God has said. Your only decision now is whether or not to go with the saving word of the Almighty God, or remain with the vain doctrines and commandments of man. Cf. Matthew 15:7-9.
The word of God does not contradict itself. Whatever any other verse(s) may teach, they will not be contrary to what you have just studied herein. A second installment to look at scriptures people use to teach otherwise is yours for the asking. It is hoped that you will avail yourself of it, so that you may see the harmony of the full and complete errorless word of the Holy Spirit as penned by the various writers. Should you have questions about anything stated herein, or other matters, please call the person who gave you this brief work, or write to the name and address hereon. Read Isaiah 1:18.
It Is Written 