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Question:
Do you believe you are forever saved?
- Dear Sir,
- Do you believe you are forever saved and know with great faith that your name is written in the book of life? Do you practice in your church the sinners prayer and urge people to walk up the aisle to be saved?
Answer:
(click here to see the answer)
1. Dear Tony,
2. I believe I am saved right now, forever. God gives us a guarantee of our salvation by sealing us and thus, guaranteeing our inheritance. He makes it all absolute by predestinating it. Eph 1:5-7,11-14 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works the all things [ta panta - I believe this is the body of Christ.] according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."
3. Our salvation is guaranteed and sealed by God. On top of that, because we who have trusted in Christ are now in His body, we are all predestined to be holy and blameless before Him.
4. I believe redeemed Israel and others who are saved outside of the present dispensation of grace are the ones who have their names written in the books of life. I do not believe our names are written there.
5. In Christ,
6. Bob Hill
Question:
Rom 3:22; 4:11,24 seem to show a lack of eternal security. Do you have an explanation?
- I was looking some more at the uses of pisteuwn in its various present forms in our dispensation and notice that it occurs many times without it being a quote from the OT. For example, Romans 3:22; 4:11, 24 to name just a few, seem to show a lack of eternal security. Do you have an explanation?
Answer:
(click here to see the answer)
1. Rom 3:22 is easy. It is a bad translation. Here is how it should be translated: Rom 3:22 even the righteousness of God, through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.
2. I don't see what your problem is with Rom 4:11 "And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also." This is showing only the imputation of righteousness to us believers. It is not dealing with the subject of our eternal security.
3. Romans 4:21 is similar. It shows our justification based on our belief, but it is not dealing with our eternal security either. That comes later in this epistle.
4. Rom 4:21-5:2 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. Romans 5 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
5. Here are the Scripture passages that have believe and faith in them. You can see a lot from the whole group. Let me know if you have any other specific passages that bother you.
6. Acts 13:12,39,41,48 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. 39 by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 41 Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you. 48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
7. Acts 14:1,23 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
8. Acts 15:5,7,11 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 11 "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they."
9. Acts 16:31,34 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
10. Acts 17:12,34 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
11. Acts 18:8,27 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
12. Acts 19:2,4,18 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
13. Acts 21:20,25 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 25 "But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality."
14. Acts 22:19 Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You.
15. Acts 24:14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
16. Acts 26:27 "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe."
17. Acts 27:25 "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
18. Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
19. Rom 3:2,3,22 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 22 even the righteousness of God, through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
20. Rom 4:3,5,11,17,18,24 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 17 (as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed-God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
21. Rom 6:8,12,15-18 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
22. Rom 9:33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
23. Rom 10:4,9,10,11,14,16 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"
24. Rom 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
25. Rom 14:2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
26. Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
27. Rom 16:25,26 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith-
28. 1 Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
29. 1 Co 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?
30. 1 Co 9:17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
31. 1 Co 11:18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.
32. 1 Co 13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
33. 1 Co 14:22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
34. 1 Co 15:2,11 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
35. 2 Co 4:13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak,
36. Gal 2:7,16 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
37. Gal 3:1,6,22 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 6 just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
38. Eph 1:13,19 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
39. Phi 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
40. 1 Th 1:7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
41. 1 Th 2:4,10,13 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
42. 1 Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep
43. 2 Th 1:8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey (uJpakouvousin) the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
44. 2 Th 1:10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
45. 2 Th 2:11,12 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
46. 1 Ti 1:11,16 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
47. 1 Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
48. 2 Ti 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
49. Tit 1:3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
50. Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
51. In Christ,
52. Bob
Question:
Is there eternal security in John 10:28,29?
- Dear Bob,
- I am once again reading your fine book, "The Big Difference Between the Two Gospels." I have also read Joel Finck's book, "The Power of God Unto
- Salvation: Is the Gospel Enough?" Both books have been a tremendous source of blessing to me and I find myself agreeing with your conclusion that salvation under the circumcision gospel was conditional . I do not know, however, how to "handle" John 10:28,29 satisfactorily.
- As you probably know, Pastor Paul Sadler, whom I also greatly appreciate, takes a different position on this subject as stated in the Berean Searchlight, August 2002, pages 10-12. Pastor Sadler, it seems to me, does not deal adequately with the plethora of verses which you use to support your conclusion.
- You really do have a good Web Page and the search engine is a great tool. However, I couldn't find anything after doing a search where you had dealt with John 10:28,29. If I have missed finding such or if you can give me information as to how you would treat these verses, I would be most grateful.
- Thanks so much as I realize answering such inquiries can be time consuming.
- May the Lord's blessing rest upon you in the New Year.
- His by grace,
- Dave Winebrenner
Answer:
(click here to see the answer)
1. Dear Dave,
2. Thank you for your caring remarks. Paul Sadler is an outstanding preacher and expositor of the Word. I know that he disagrees with me on this subject. It's great that we can disagree and yet have our fellowship that is based on our unity in Christ as members of His body.
3. The passage you mentioned seems difficult. I have to build my case for what I believe on this, very methodically. When we look at the context, we would think that the sheep are believing Israel, John 10:24-29: Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand."
4. But as we look further, Luke 12:32 shows us that the 12 Apostles are the little flock: "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." The Father gave them to Christ. Christ said in John 6:37, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out." Returning to John 10:26-29, He said: "But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.". And, because they are His sheep, does that mean they cannot be lost?
5. Since you have read the Big Difference, you may agree with me that Christ had two works. I think this is clear from two accounts in John. The first one is John 19:28-30: Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
6. The work of redemption had been finished when He said, "It is finished!" in John 19:30. However, He meant something different when He said earlier in John 17:4, "I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." In John 17:2 He said "as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him." As we search further, we will find that the ones given to Christ are the 12. But not all of the 12 remained saved. Judas, one of the twelve was included in His statement.
7. In John 17:2, Jesus quoted a recurring theme first found in Isaiah 8: 18: "Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me!" The children whom the Lord gave Him would produce signs. Those signs were demonstrated by the apostles when Christ sent them out in Matthew 10. In John 5:40, He showed why the Jews became unbelievers. Thus, they were not His sheep: "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." In contrast, the little flock would sit on twelve thrones, judging Israel, and the rest of redeemed Israel would inherit the kingdom.
8. However these promises were conditional. According to the words in Mat 19:27-29, they had to follow Him: Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" 28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life."
9. In Eze 34:22,30,31 we see that these promises were conditional: "Therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. . . . 30 Thus they shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people," says the Lord GOD. 31 "You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God," says the Lord GOD. Who was this "flock of My pasture" of verse 31? At the beginning, they were just the twelve, the little flock. When He said "I will judge between sheep and sheep," He judged between the apostate nation and the little flock. In Mat 21:43, it says, "Therefore I say to you [the chief priests and the elders of the people according to vs. 23], the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it." At first this nation was just a little flock, the twelve disciples.
10. Jesus quotes a passage, Isaiah 8:18, "Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me!", repeatedly when referring to the little flock. Notice further what it says in Hebrews 2: 13, And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me." If the Father gave Christ some children, then we can understand why Christ had a two-fold job to do. He had the job of preparing the little flock for their future work. He completed this part of the work in John 17:2-4.
11. According to John 17:12, one of the chosen doesn't continue in belief. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition." Judas was one of "those whom You gave Me." But he did not continue and was lost. This potential loss of salvation is also described in John 15:6: "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."
12. Judas had believed in Christ at one time according to John 2:11, "This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him." When it says His disciples believed in Him, this would include Judas. Mat 13:16 shows they were all blessed by Him. "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear." They all believed in Him. Remember, Christ promised they would all sit in judgment on Israel in Mat 19:28, So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Of course Judas didn't follow Him all the way. Therefore, he will not sit on one of the twelve thrones.
13. When Christ said in John 6:37-39: "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day." When He said, "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing," This "all" referred to the apostles.
14. Notice how John 17:6 and 18:9 substantiate this. John 17:6: "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word." John 18:8-9 Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way," 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none." He was quoting John 6:37-40 and 10:29. What does "Of those whom You gave Me", mean? John 6:44 says, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." Yet John 12:32 says, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw [drag] all to Myself."
15. The way the Father draws them is by teaching, because John 6:45 says, "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me." If, and it's a big if, they will listen and learn from God, they will be drawn by the Father. Once they are drawn, they will be given to the Son by the Father. This group of apostles is the little flock. At that time, Judas was included according to Luke 12:22&32, Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on . . . 32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
16. In Luke 22:3,4, Judas had already left to betray Christ. "Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. 4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them." Then, Christ spoke to the remaining disciples in verses 28-30, "you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." The twelve are apostles of the circumcision with the earthly hope of the kingdom which was promised to David. Our hope is heavenly.
17. John 7:17 shows who will know the Lord. "If anyone wants [is willing] to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority." It shows who will know Him in John 6:40&45: "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes [present participle] in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." 45 It is written in the prophets, and they shall all be taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard [Therefore everyone who is hearing, pa'" ou\n oJ ajkouvwn [The Majority Text supports this reading contra Nestle-Aland, Scriveners, and TR.] and learned from the Father comes to Me.
18. Everyone who was willing to hear and learned was granted by the father in John 6:64,65 to come to Christ: "But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning [The beginning of their unbelief.] who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." All are able to believe the gospel, but their salvation is conditional. They must make their election sure according to 2 Pe 1:5-11: "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
19. Therefore, my conclusion is, Judas, one of the little flock did not continue in his belief and fell. Eleven of the little flock continued in their belief and the little flock grew into a great multitude.
20. The criterion for being a member of this multitude was, continuing to follow Christ according to John 6:64: "But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning [of their unbelief] who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. Therefore those who fit into this statement in John 10:27 were not Christ's: John 10:27: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
21. In Christ and sealed,
22. Bob
Question:
How do I know if I am saved?
- Hi, I used to be a member of the Church of Christ but I recently left the church after 8 years. I knew deep in my heart that their teachings werent true to the Word of God but because of fear of being ridiculed I stayed. In June I finally had the courage to leave. The members told me that they would have to disfellowship themshelves from me and have sense did. I feel so alone right now. I know for a fact that the Lord had given me the strength to finally get the guts to stand up and speak the truth.
- I asked the Lord years ago to show me the 'truth' with so many churches now adays teaching so many doctrines it is so confusing to know who is right. Now I believe in Calvanism. I believe we are predestined. I believe in eternal security. Was that the Lord who showed me the truth or is it just me? I really want to become saved and I have been calling out to the Father for His mercy but I dont know if I am saved yet. I still sin but it bothers me when I do. I know that I cant do anything to get myself saved but I dont want to go the Hell either. Please help me. I feel like I am about to go crazy.
- My mother is a member of the Church of God in Christ and she always wants me to attend her church and I have in the past and everytime I go there I feel so uncomfortable. Every one was falling out, speaking in tounges, laying hands on each other and crying. Is this from God. I told my mother I didnt like being their and that I feel that the Lord doesnt want me there but she says itn nothing but Satan telling me this is this so?
- I really want to be saved as I stated before and I know that I can no longer just accept any doctrine for some reason. What shall I do?
- Signed someone confused and lonely
Answer:
(click here to see the answer)
1. Dear Yolonda
2. You said �Now I believe in Calvanism. I believe we are predestined. I believe in eternal security. Was that the Lord who showed me the truth or is it just me? I really want to become saved and I have been calling out to the Father for His mercy but I dont know if I am saved yet.� But you still don�t know if you are saved.
3. You really need the answer to these deep questions because you aren�t sure what you have to do to be sure you are saved. Since you have so many questions, I want to discuss this question with you: What Must I Do to Be Saved?
4. If you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, and you trust in Him for your salvation, you are saved.
5. But, if you fall away, can you be saved? once you really put your trust in Christ, you can�t lose your salvation. When you believe in Jesus Christ as your savior, the Holy Spirit seals your salvation so you can�t lose it. God chose the body of Christ to be holy before Him. When you trust Christ, you become a member of the Body of Christ.
6. The body of Christ was chosen to be holy and blameless before God, before the foundation of the world. Because you are a member of the body of Christ, you can�t lose your salvation. That�s what it shows in Eph 1:4-14.
7. Eph 1:4-14 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth -- in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
8. Further, when you trust Christ as your savior, the Holy Spirit baptizes you into the body of Christ. So, you cannot lose your salvation.
9. Rom 6:3-11 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
10. You have been told by some people, apparently, that you have to something to be kept saved. But, God keeps you because He has sealed you into the body of Christ: 1 Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free -- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
11. Some teach that you have to live according to God�s law to be saved. So I want to ask you this final question. Do you have to do works of the law to be saved like it says in James? Jam 1:25; 2:6-12,14,24 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 2:6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
12. James wrote in the first verse of his epistle that it was to the 12 tribes of Israel who were scattered. God inspired the Apostle Paul to write to us Gentiles who believe, differently: Rom 4:4-5 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
13. In a similar way, God inspired Paul to write this in Gal 2:16: knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in of Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
14. So, what�s going on? God has two main gospels. One was given to Paul and one to Peter. That�s what it says in Gal 2:2,7-9: And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 7 . . . when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel of the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
15. The circumcision gospel had conditions. The uncircumcision gospel had no conditions, just belief. Paul�s message, the uncircumcision gospel, had some secret elements. They are mentioned in Eph 3:1-9: For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles � 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which has been hidden from the ages in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.
16. Therefore, Yolonda, we are not under the circumcision gospel. We are under grace. You are sealed if you have trusted Christ as your savior.
17. In Christ,
18. Bob Hill
Question:
Does a person plainly living in sin still go to heaven? What does Scripture say?
- Does a person plainly living in sin still go to heaven? What does Scripture say?
- I have a friend whom believes once saved always saved. Kinda like a license to sin. She believes that even though she is plainly living in sin & knows that she should not be in that position that she will still go to heaven. I personally do not believe that. I wonder why God would allow that?? Is there any scripures you can show me that indicate either?
- Thanks,
- Sheila
Answer:
(click here to see the answer)
1. Dear Sheila,
2. Your friend is right and wrong. When a person in the dispensation of Grace trusts Christ as her savior, we see in Scripture that she is sealed unto the day of redemption. But if she really trusted Christ as her savior, she would have a desire to live for the Lord and not blatantly want to live in sin. I think, if a person has the attitude and does what your friend does, she most likely didn't really believe the gospel to begin with. However, the Bible does show that if she really did trust Christ, she has eternal security.
3. Now, concerning eternal security, the Apostle Paul was accused of believing the same thing your friend seems to be saying. In Rom 3:8, Paul was inspired to write: "And why not say, 'Let us do evil that good may come'?-as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just." He certainly did not say the kinds of things your friend is saying.
4. Later, in that same book of Romans, he laid out our eternal security in Christ because we died to sin when we believed and the Holy Spirit baptized us into the body of Christ. Rom 6:1-13 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
5. Our eternal security is never put in the sense of having the liberty to sin, but it does say we are dead and have "been freed from sin." Then, in Eph 1:4-11 & 4:30, it shows that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption, the rapture.
6. Eph 1:4-11 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth-in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
7. Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed unto the day of redemption.
8. The Colossians passage shows we are going to be presented holy and blameless before Him. We found in Eph 1:4,5, that we have a predestined adoption. We can't lose it. God chose us in Christ, not to be saved, but to have security. This is what we call corporate predestination. We as a group were predestined to be holy and blameless.
9. Therefore, we see from this that we are going "to be holy and without blame before Him in love. This is absolute if we really trusted Christ as our savior. That's because we were chosen to be this way as well a predestined. You can't get any surer than that, and your friend should examine herself to see if she is really saved. God wants to save the world, but He's working with us to produce it, so there's a reason for reproach, but not when it comes to our salvation. Again, in Col 1:22,23, it says that He is going "to present you holy, blameless and irreproachable before Him- 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached in every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister." If your friend really trusted Christ, she will be reproached when she stands before God, but she would not lose her salvation.
10. The following passage in 1 Corinthians is a strong one on eternal security since they are saved even though all their works are burned up: 1 Co 3:9-15 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
11. I hope this answered your question.
12. In Christ,
13. Bob Hill
Question: Are we the only people in God`s programs that are secure without enduring to the end?
- From: Dana Fitz-Randolph
  Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 12:22 PM
  Are we the only people in God`s different programs that are secure without enduring to the end?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Dear Dana
2. That is what the Scriptures indicate. Apparently that is true because this is the only dispensation where there is no presence of a prophet of God or the miracles that could attest to the truth of God's message. Therefore, we are sealed unto the day of redemption, whereas, as you noted, others have to endure.
3. Sealed in Christ,
4. Bob
Question: If one is genuinely saved will they always exercise some amount of faith in the gospel?
- From: Anthony.
- Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 4:16 PM
- To: bob@biblicalanswers.com
- Subject: Colossians 1
- In Colossians 1:21-23, is Paul saying that those with true saving faith will continue in it and not be "moved away?" In other words, if one is genuinely saved will they always exercise some amount of faith in the gospel? I would appreciate it if you would email me your thoughts on this.
- Thanks and God bless.
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. In this passage in Colossians, we see Christ�s work for the whole world, the security of the believer, and the conditions for our approval. The most important thing is Christ�s work for the whole world.
2. At one time, we were all alienated from God because of our sin and evil deeds. But our wonderful God was delighted to do something about our rotten condition: Col 1:19-22 for He delighted to have all the fullness [That�s us, the body of Christ.] dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile the all things [That�s the Jews and the Gentiles in the body of Christ.] in (eis) Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, whether the things on the earth or the things in heaven, 21 even you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works [That�s us, the Gentiles.], yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death [Again, in the body of Christ.].
3. Now, let�s look at our security in Christ in Col 1:21,22: He has reconciled (us) 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy (hagious) and blameless (amwmous). We see the security we have here by comparing the Greek words with what is found in Eph 1:3-5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, to be holy (hagious) and without blame (amwmous) before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
4. Our salvation is secure because once we believe, we find the body of Christ is chosen to holy and blameless. Not only that, but we also see that we are predestined to the security of adoption as sons. We can�t lose it according to the metaphor to the Greek law of Ephesus.
5. But that�s not all. God wants to save the world, but He�s working with us to produce it, so there�s a reason for reproach. Paul continued: Col 1:22,23 to present you holy (hagious), blameless (amwmous) and irreproachable before Him� 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached in every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
6. We are secure in Christ, but we can lose our reward if we do not continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel.
7. 1 Co 3:7-15 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God�s fellow workers; you are God�s field, you are God�s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one�s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one�s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone�s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 [b]If anyone�s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved[/b], yet so as through fire.
8. So what should we do? What we really must do is allow His love to fill us. We can do that by faith if we focus on loving God. Meet Him, His person in the OT. See who He is, Christ, in the NT. And let Him produce the right motivation in our hearts so we will be constrained by the love of Christ, not the flesh.
9. I hope this answers your question.
10. In Christ,
11. Bob Hill
Question: Eternal security or Lordship Salvation?
- From: John Parker
- qkdrawmcgraw@juno.com
- Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2001 6:30 AM
- To: bob@biblicalanswers.com
- Question: Eternal security or Lordship Salvation?
- John Parker: Hello, Bob. I greatly appreciate your reply and time given in answering my questions.
- I am pleased that we agree on the "salvation" issue. I am guilty of believing in something called "Lordship Salvation" (Gal2:20) (also termed "Responsible Grace"), which to me is John3:3 defined. I have been engaged for some time in an ongoing "OSAS vs OSNAS" debate, which often includes predestination. It is quite fun to simply take the verses they give in support of OSAS, and by simply reading the context around them, disprove (in my esteem) their contention. Take the 1Peter1:4ff; it does say that the INHERITANCE is eternal, but what of our GRASP of it? (Alas, Juno email does not display "bold" or "itallics") If there is to be no contradiction in the Word, especially from the same writer, then we must weigh this passage carefully lest it conflict with 2Peter2:20. I was actually in the position of instructing the "experts in OSAS" that the "escapees" in verse 20 were NOT the "false teachers and prophets" (who never cease to delight in sin), but were "those who barely escaped", that the false teachers and prophets were seeking to entice (18). Ironic that in 2Pet1:4 the "escapees" of the corruption-that-is-in-the-world are SAVED, but OSAS contend the "escapees of the defilements of the world through the EPIGNOSIS-knowledge of the LORD and SAVIOR Jesus Christ" were NOT saved. Seems dishonest...
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Bob Hill responds:
2. I would translate Gal 2:20 this way: �I have been crucified with Christ; but I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; and what I now live in the flesh, I live by faith, that of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.�
3. That shows the faith we have is generated by the Son of God.I agree with your analysis of 1 Peter1:4ff, except I would start at verse 3. �Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith [They have to continue in faith.] for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [They do not have their salvation until they endure to the end.] 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith�the salvation of your souls. [They receive their salvation after they endure to the end.] I believe Peter is referring to Circumcision believers. Peter was the one to whom the Circumcision Gospel was given according to Gal 2:7,8: �But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision had been committed to me, as the gospel of the circumcision was to Peter, 8 for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcision also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles.� The Circumcision Gospel was a gospel of faith plus works for salvation. In contrast, the gospels Paul preached was salvation by grace without works. Rom 4:3-5 �For what does the Scripture say? �Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.� 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.� I also concur with your analysis of 2 Pe 2:20 and 2 Pe 1:4.
4. John Parker
5. Actually, complicating the OSAS debate are the three different positions of OSAS, verses the one of OSNAS.
6. OSAS:
7. 1. God creates some for Heaven, some for Hell. The former will be saved by His sovereignty, the latter will perish because of their sins that He chose not to redeem. Since it is GOD who "elects", it is impossible to lose salvation.
8. 2. Salvation is by believing, but it is allowed to live as "carnal Christians" in constant sin without growth or maturity (1Cor3, "Their works will be burned up but they will still be saved"). I call this "Incantation Salvatioin", since it seems nothing more than reciting "The Sinner's Prayer"...
9. 3. We participate in our salvation, by accepting His death-and-resurrection and being "born again", but once we are in God actively controls to thwart any tendency toward "losing salvation". "He cannot deny Himself" and "you are sealed and NOTHING can break that seal" are verses (albeit with added theology!) used to support...
10. Bob Hill
11. I would have to add one more position. Mine would be, your number 3. with a few changes: We participate in our salvation, by believing Christ died His death for our sins and was resurrected because of our justification. We become a new creation in Christ, but once we are in Christ, God sealed us unto the day of redemption: Eph 1:13: �In Him you also, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.� Eph 4:30 �And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed unto the day of redemption.�
12. John Parker
13. I saw somewhere on your site your differentiation between "life" and "spirit" of "YUCE" (psuche); although James uses "pneuma" in 2:26 (along with "nekros"), it seems clear that the "yuce" of 5:20 is contextual to the "yuce" of Rev20:4. And the James 5:20 also uses "thanatos" (don't know how to make a BETA), which from my sources conveys the concept of "physical death with implication of eternity in Hell". My Orthodox friend concurs that this passage is indeed addressing loss-of-salvation.
14. I have already contended that the John 10 "Nothing will SNATCH you from My hand (Jn10:29) uses the "Harpazo" (ironically the same as "rapture" in 1Thess4), which clearly means "seize-forcibly"; it does NOT say that you cannot freely walk away (hardened by the deceitfullness of sin). It was fun just a day or two ago commenting on their contention that verse 10:26 indicated predestination; but I clearly showed Jesus was only saying "you don't believe I am the CHRIST because you are not 'saved' ". I gave them Matt16:15-17 as reference.
15. Bob Hill
16. I concur with your statements with the observation, again, that the material in James, Revelation, John and Matthew is circumcision gospel stuff and not applicable to the dispensation of grace that we are presently in. In the 2 dispensations just prior to ours, the dispensation of grace, they had to express their faith by faith-works and endure unto the end to be saved.
17. John Parker
18. If salvation is nothing more complicated than "abiding in Him" (John15), then the passage of 2John1:8-9 is impossible (again in my esteem) to contradict. Unless we can be saved "without having God" (one person in the debates has contended this. That fellowship is separate from relationship, that we can be saved and have the relationship but be out of fellowship {1Jn1?!}. He actually said that Jesus can deny us before the Father but only our rewards will suffer, we will still walk the golden streets!)
19. Bob Hill
20. I think he is wrong too. They lose their salvation if they don�t continue to abide in Christ. We are sealed. We are saved no matter what, once we truly believe.
21. John Parker
22. Thank you very much for pointing out the James 1:13-16; that passage had not "jumped out at me" for the discussion, but it is perfectly in harmony with Hebrews 3:12-13.
23. John Parker
24. We have the same "take" on the concept of His "choosing" us; a position I have re-inforced with the parable of Matt22:2-14, where the first guests became unchosen because of their rejection of the invitation (Jews), the passers-by became chosen because of their acceptance (Gentiles), yet one of their number became unchosen because of his filthy rags (refusal to repentance and clothing himself with God's righteousness). They still say that God has "chosen us before the foundation of the world" (rejecting the concept of mere "fore-knowledge without sovereign selection). I also understand as you that the "sealing by the Holy Spirit" (Eph1:13) is conditional on the unignorable "HAVING BELIEVED". Romans 11 is another powerful argument toward OSNAS, where the "branches" PLURAL indicate individuals rather than Israel-as-a-nation.
25. Bob Hill
26. I cannot agree that the �unchosen� are Gentiles. I also believe the branches are all the Gentile nations, and the root of the olive tree is the opportunity to believe directly. When the time of the Gentiles is up, they will be cut out of their special opportunity to go directly to the opportunity of salvation but, instead, will have to become Messianic Jewish believers to be saved.
27. John Parker
28. Since you're the Greek expert rather than me, may I ask you about the "all" in 1Tim2:4 and 2Pet3:9? The "predestination" crowd struggles to first explain that they are saved-though-not-always-repentant, and then that "all" is qualified to mean "only the elect" (those predestined to salvation). You may have already answered this on your website, I have a large cut-and-paste stored in "MSWorks" for future study...
29. Bob Hill
30. They can say all isn�t all as much as they want, but it doesn�t compute. The Greek is accurately translated: 1 Ti 2:4 �who wills all men to be saved and to come unto a knowledge of the truth.� 2 Pe 3:9 �The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not counseling any to perish but all to have room for repentance.� When you read 1 Ti 2:4 in the context of vs. 1-7, you can see that it is all inclusive.
31. John Parker
32. I haven't quite gotten them to accept yet that "faith" is not something magically installed by God, but that "faith comes by hearing". Believing in the total depravity of man, they say we are incapable of even CONSIDERING salvation UNLESS He first hits us over the head with it. So to speak...
33. Bob Hill
34. When we read John 1:9 along with 1 Ti 2:4 and 2 Pe 3:9, we can see that God enlightens everyone who comes into the world enough to believe what He says about salvation. John 1:9 �That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.�
35. John Parker
36. We differ in views on the timing of the Rapture; but this is not a large issue, so let us not debate it. We agree that no matter what we trust in Him, and should it be "post" I am confident you will possess sufficient strength to endure; (this is all I ask of the "pre-trib" crowd, so that my heart is at peace). My secret wish is that I be wrong rather than right, it would be far easier...
37. Thank you again for your time and trouble with a stranger.
38. God bless you! In Christ, John Parker
39. Bob Hill
40. You have so much truth. It shouldn�t be too much for you to see the dispensational reason why we are secure and they are not. The same goes for the rapture. It is a secret, hidden in God until He revealed it to Paul.
41. Thanks for the kind words and interesting discussion.
42. In Christ, Bob Hill
Question: Is Paul talking about loss of salvation in 1Cor.9:27?
- From: Dana Fitz-Randolph
- Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 11:11 AM
- Subject: Castaway
- Dear Bob,
- Could you give me your thoughts on what Paul is saying in 1Cor.9:27?Some think that he is talking about loss of salvation which I disagree.
- Kevin
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Dear Kevin,
2. When we read your passage in its context, we see it isn�t talking about salvation at all. It is talking about the prize. 1 Co 9:24-27 �Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.� The word disqualified is adokimo", the opposite of approved in 2 Ti 2:15, �Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.� Paul wanted that prize, and he got it, according to 2 Ti 4:6-8 �For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.�
3. When Paul was writing to the Corinthians in the same book, a few chapters earlier, he showed that they would be saved even if all their works were burned up: 1 Co 3:8-15 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God�s fellow workers; you are God�s field, you are God�s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one�s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one�s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone�s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone�s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
4. In Christ,
5. Bob
Question: What is your position on "loss-of-salvation-from-not-abiding-in-Christ"
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. John,
2. I believe the loss of salvation is also a dispensational situation. What principles has God used? We see in James that He dealt with Israel differently than He does with us. Jam 1:12-17: Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, �I am tempted by God�; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
3. I want to zero in on one blessing the Father does just for the church. It is wonderful. The Father chose us in Christ. Eph 1:4 �in as much as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,� But what does �chose,� mean? This word in the Greek can be translated I select, or I choose for myself. So the first thing we should know is, Jesus Christ is the selected one. Christ is the one in and by whom the Father accomplishes His blessings. Isaiah 42:1-7 prophesied: �Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.� It also shows He was God�s chosen in 1 Pe 2:4: Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious.
4. I think you agree, the election of men is only in Christ. When a person yields to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and believes that Christ died for him, then, he becomes a member of Christ�s body, the church. Outside of Christ, according to the Bible, there is no election of anyone.
5. In Eph 1:4, God chose us in Christ. In v. 6, God granted the predestinated adoption to us. In v. 11, God definitely showed that we are inheritors in Christ. In v. 13, God sealed us in Christ. Therefore, I�m sure you would agree, we see love and blessings here, not fatalism. So, we are chosen and sealed because we believed in Christ. Eph 1:4,12,13 just as He chose us in Him 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
6. He didn�t choose us to be saved. (He wants all to be saved, 1 Tim 2:4) He chose us to be holy and blameless. Eph 1:4 �He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blame before Him in love.� He chose everyone who would believe in Christ to be holy and blameless.
7. Christ paid with His life. He made it certain with predestination.
8. Eph 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
9. And He did all this by His grace.
10. Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.
11. So, God�s election is not to salvation it is to perfection, because we are in Christ. It is for our eternal security. We who trust in Christ as our Savior have this security. This is a spiritual blessing for the body of Christ alone.
12. God gave man freedom - even to mess up.
13. Secure in Christ,
14. Bob Hill
Question: Are we the only people in God`s programs that are secure without enduring to the end?
- Dana Fitz-Randolph
- Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 12:22 PM
- Subject: gates of hell
- Are we the only people in God`s different programs that are secure without enduring to the end?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Dear Dana
2. That is what the Scriptures indicate. Apparently that is true because this is the only dispensation where there is no presence of a prophet of God or the miracles that could attest to the truth of God's message. Therefore, we are sealed unto the day of redemption, whereas, as you noted, others have to endure.
3. Sealed in Christ,
4. Bob
Question: Can one lose his salvation?
- From: Dana Chandler
- Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 2:09 PM
- Does the Bible explain whether or not one can lose their salvation? Please include key Scripture verses in your response.
- Thanks
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Dear Dana,
2. Some things are extremely confusing about the Christian life. Many don�t think they are saved because they didn�t feel like they were saved. One man I talked with couldn�t see how he could still be saved because of his bitterness toward his x-wife. Another man told me he was lost because he had done so many wicked things after he was saved. He said he knew God wouldn�t forgive him.
3. Maybe you have doubts. Are you sure you are saved and can�t lose your salvation? Why is there such a problem among Christians on this? There is a reason there is so much confusion. One of many books I�ve red, Where Two Creeds Meet, has a subtitle, �A Biblical Evaluation of Calvinism and Arminianism.
4. When you read what Calvinists and Arminians say, you can see the responsibility for so much unrest among Christians lies with those who hold these two major theologies and indoctrinate the rest of Christendom. The Calvinists teach God will cause the elect to persevere to the end in their belief. If they don�t persevere, they weren�t saved. That is, they say, they were not one of the elect. One passage they use is 1 Jo 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
5. Arminians teach you�ll be saved if you continue in your faith, a faith which produces a godly life. They present passages like these four: Mat 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name�s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Mat 13:20,21 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Jam 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 2 Pe 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.
6. Both of these groups are strongly legalistic. But they both get the basis for their teaching from the Bible. This is where an understanding of the differences between the gospel of the uncircumcision & the gospel of the circumcision is so important practically.
7. But here�s the problem. These groups get most of the evidence for their creeds from dispensations other than grace, such as the dispensation of law, from Moses to John the Baptist. Another dispensation would be in the gospels where God is ministering only to the Jews, who are called the circumcision. Those dispensations have methods of salvation that are different than our dispensation of grace, today.
8. There are two gospels in the New Testament. One is the gospel associated with the circumcision covenant. That gospel was conditional and started with Abraham when he was 99 years old. Gen 17:7,9-11,13,14 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 9 And God said to Abraham: �As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. . . 13 . . . and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.
9. The second gospel in the New Testament is the uncircumcision gospel. It�s amazing, but the gospel that required faith alone, was revealed in the life of Abram at least 13 years before he was circumcised. It was shown in Gen 15:5,6 Then He brought him outside and said, �Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.� And He said to him, �So shall your descendants be.� 6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
10. The two gospels in the New Testament were given to different apostles. Paul wrote in Gal 2:1-9 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 6 But from those who seemed to be something�whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man�for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision had been committed to me, as the gospel of the circumcision was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
11. In contrast, let�s look at Peter�s first message of salvation. It was to the Jews in Acts 2:21-24,30-40 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. 22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know � 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.
12. When God sent Peter as a bridge to the Gentiles, the only message he knew was the conditional message of circumcision. They had to be baptized in order to be saved: Acts 10:34-43 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ�He is Lord of all� 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.
13. In contrast, when we read Paul�s first message of salvation to Jews and Gentiles, he was at Pisidia. We�ll start where he was Speaking about King David: Acts 13:23-39 From this man�s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior � Jesus � 24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose. 26 Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. [Christ died] 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, . . . 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
14. The content of the two gospels is different.
15. In the circumcision gospel.
16. Their salvation is revealed in the last time:1 Pe 1:5,9 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 9 receiving the end of your faith�the salvation of your souls.
17. Water baptism was necessary to be saved: Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, �Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 Pe 3:20,21 the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us � baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
18. They only have assurance, if: 2 Pe 1:10,11 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
19. In contrast, the uncircumcision gospel.
20. Salvation is now. We have it right now. Tit 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
21. Holy Spirit baptism replaced water baptism: 1 Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body � whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free � and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
22. The 12 were sent out to baptize, Paul wrote that he was not sent to baptize: 1 Co 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
23. Eph 4:4,5 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
24. We have assurance. We are sealed and our salvation is guaranteed until the day of the rapture, the day of redemption: Eph 1:13,14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
25. Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Therefore, we can�t lose our salvation.
26. In Christ,
27. Bob Hill
Question: Is there really eternal security?
- Sat, 25 Nov 2000
- Hi Bob.
- I'm going to hit one of your "hot buttons"; not purposfully, but I'm very unsettled in this area, especially when I'm confronted with someone who believs we can lose our salvation. One of my sister's friend's was over the other day, and we got on the subject of Eternal Security. He is studying to be a pastor, but does not believe in 12 dispensations, only 3. He thinks we're prejudiced among other things from the teachings I've tried to explain to him (mainly the 12 dispensations and eternal security). The main question he got all bent out of shape about was "You mean to tell me you believe if someone was saved once in their lifetime and they willfully turn from God and become a devil worshipper that they have eternal security in heaven!!" I thought I was almost 100% sure of eternal security until he put it that way. Needless to say, I'm checking into more answers which brought me to your web site.
- I was looking at your questions anwered under eternal secruity, when I came across your response to Jeremy Clark's question. Refering to Col 1:22.23; 3:23-25 & 1Cor 3:15,23-25. The 'irreproachable' part of 'holy & blameless' is not settling right with me. What if we don't do what God wants us to in a loving way and continue in the flesh or willfully turn from God and become a devil worshipper? Would that person still have eternal security, but loss of rewards? Or (I would think) if a person did this, they most likely didn't truly belive the gospel to begin with.
- Last but not least, is 1Cor 3:14-15 a verse Catholics believe refer to a "purgatory"? It sure sounds like it to me. Anyway, my sister's friend is not being 'open minded' yet to any teaching other than what he has already learned. He says he knows Greek & Hebrew and he briefly skimmed through your '12 Dispensations' booklet and said you were "tweaking the word of God". I told him I couldn't discuss this with him anymore because he kept interrupting me & throwing question upon question on me before I could answer. I told him I don't discuss God's word in that manner, if he was not going to let me finish an answer, that was the end of discussion. And so it was. But his question remains, and now I'm not so sure of my answer for my secure understanding. Can you help!! And (I'm really going out on a limb now) do you think you can explain this more in "laymen's terms" Ha!Ha! Thank You!
- Eternally greatful,
- Dee
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Dear Dee,
2. You were right in terminating the subject if there is no allowance for a discussion. These types of discussions should be done in love. Both parties should be gracious and listen as much as talk.
3. In regards to eternal security, Paul was accused of the same thing in Rom 3: 8: �And why not say, �Let us do evil that good may come�?�as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.� Further on, he laid out our security in Christ because we died to sin in Christ when the Holy Spirit baptized us into the body of Christ.
4. Rom 6:1-13 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
5. Our eternal security is never put in the sense of having the liberty to sin, but it does say we are dead and have �been freed from sin.� Then, in Eph 1:4-11 & 4:30, it shows that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption, the rapture.
6. Eph 1:4-11 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth�in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
7. Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for [unto] the day of redemption.
8. The Colossians passage shows we are going to be presented holy and blameless before Him. We found in Eph 1:4,5, that we have a predestine adoption. We can�t lose it. Let�s read it again, starting with verse 3. �Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, [God chose us in Him, not to be saved, but to have security. This is what we call corporate predestination. We as a group were predestined to be holy and blameless.] to be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.�
9. So, we see from this, that the fact that we are going �to be holy and without blame before Him in love, is absolute, because we are chosen to be this way as well a predestined. You can�t get any surer than that.
10. God wants to save the world, but He�s working with us to produce it, so there�s a reason for reproach, but not when it comes to our salvation. Again, in Col 1:22,23, it says that He is going �to present you holy, blameless and irreproachable before Him� 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached in every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.�
11. The 1 Corinthians passage is a strong passage on eternal security since they are saved even though all their works are burned up.
12. 1 Co 3:9-15 For we are God�s fellow workers; you are God�s field, you are God�s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one�s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one�s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone�s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone�s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
13. I hope this wasn�t too heavy. In the love of Christ, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Sealer,
14. Bob
Question: John 15:6, can you lose your salvation?
- Name: Simon See
- Dear Bob,
- "Every branch IN ME [being in Christ makes one a new creature and a holy branch, 2 Cor 5:17; Rom 11:16] that beareth not fruit be taketh away [not taketh to Heaven or be laid on the shelf]...he is cast forth as a branch, and IS WITHIRED; and men gather them and CAST THEM INTO THE FIRE, and THEY ARE BURNED. (John 15:1,2,6).
- Doesn't this portion of scripture describe that once saved person could also fall int osin and be burned (if he dies unrepented) Appreciate if you could email some answers,
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Dear Simon,
2. You are right on! They could lose their salvation. That�s what Mid-Acts Dispensationalism is all about.
Question: Does the adoption of Galatians 4:3-7 show security of our salvation?
- Tue, 11 Apr 2000 18:28
- "F. Wesley Brainard"
- Greetings Pastor Bob,
- I trust this letter finds you well and blessed of the Lord on every side. I�ve so enjoyed your comments (and so has my wife). I count it a privilege that you would give so much time and energy to responding to my e-mails. You are a tireless servant who has a solid sense of what it is that God has called and gifted you to do. Be blessed and favored in your life and ministry.
- Well, I�ve been doing some study; and as I said, I went to the ORU library and got that book by William Ramsey. There are many interesting things in that book including his comments on Diatheke. You are most certainly correct when you say that he is a brilliant man. So, I�ve got some things for you to consider.
- Let�s look for a moment at the context and intent of Paul�s comments in Galatians 3
- 15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man�s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, �And to seeds,� as of many, but as of one, �And to your Seed,� who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
- So what�s the main point? Paul begins in verse 15 by saying that a �covenant� or �will� cannot be added to or annulled. Why is that important? It is important because if the first covenant (the promise made to Abraham) could be added to, then the law (introduced 430 years later) would add conditions that must be met in order to inherit the promises. That would mean that we would be forced to keep the law if we wanted to get in on the promises. But Paul makes it clear in verse 18 that the inheritance is assured by virtue of the fact that it comes by promise and not as the result of obedience to law. In other words, the law did not add to or annul what had already come by promise.
- That is the essence of Paul�s discourse here. So how do I respond to the fact that in Galatian law of the time an adopted son could not be disinherited? I simply point to the context and say that the issue is not about adopted sons and whether or not they could be disinherited. The issue is not even about eternal security. The issue is whether the inheritance comes by the initial covenant (the promise) or the secondary covenant (the law).
- Paul tells us everything we need to know. In verse 15 he gives us the bottom line, �No one can add to or annul a covenant.� In verse 18 he tells us what that means to us, that the law does not void out the promise. There is no mention from Paul about adoption or whether or not an adopted son can be disinherited. All of that is added in on top. Interestingly, Ramsey does not draw the conclusion that you have drawn (unless I missed something). He uses the interesting facts about the Galatian law to simply point out that the law (that God gave to Moses) is like a new �supplementary� will in that it �cannot interfere with or invalidate the old will.� p102 (the pages in my edition do not correspond with yours but it comes from chap. 33). So, the question becomes, are their other passages that you could point to that clearly and contextually speak of adoption in the way that you are applying this information from Ramsey and Galatian law?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Dear Wesley and Wife,
2. To begin my response, your p. 102 is p. 352 in my A Historical Commentary on St. Paul�s Epistle to the Galatians, Minneapolis: Klock & Klock, 1978. This is my answer to your response that �Interestingly, Ramsey does not draw the conclusion that you have drawn (unless I missed something). He uses the interesting facts about the Galatian law to simply point out that the law (that God gave to Moses) is like a new �supplementary� will in that it �cannot interfere with or invalidate the old will.�� What is this inheritance of the 18^th verse? The inheritance seems to be eternal life, and the only condition is faith. Rom 4:13-16 and the whole context shows that. �For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith that it migh

John Parker: Hello, Bob. I greatly appreciate your reply and time given in answering my questions.

John Parker

Bob Hill

John Parker

Bob Hill

John Parker

Bob Hill

John Parker

John Parker

Bob Hill

John Parker

Bob Hill

John Parker

Bob Hill

John Parker

Bob Hill

You have so much truth. It shouldn�t be too much for you to see the dispensational reason why we are secure and they are not. The same goes for the rapture. It is a secret, hidden in God until He revealed it to Paul.