Hello beloved,
Recently, I addressed the doctrine of election. I hope that many of you had the time to read over that article and to search the Scripture and see, for yourself, that what I was saying is true. After hearing a wonderful sermon by my Pastor last week, I find it necessary to address one of the doctrines of grace called “perseverance of the saints”. You might have heard it referred to as “once saved, always saved”. The basic teaching behind it is that none who are truly saved can be condemned for their sins or finally fall away from the faith.
In this article, my intention is to let the Bible speak on this doctrine. In doing so, another teaching needs to be addressed. That is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Without going over this, you will never understand, fully, what the Bible says about whether or not a believer can fall away. Unfortunately, a majority of the church misunderstands the truth about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I assure you, though, that when you hear this, you will realize that this is the only way to interpret the truth behind it.
Let us start by visiting the book of Ezekiel. This is a very clear passage on God’s dealing with those who, at one time, are in right-standing with God, and then fall away from that. Let’s look at chapter thirty-three, verses twelve through twenty.
12 “Therefore, son of man, say to your countrymen, ‘The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys, and the wickedness of the wicked man will not cause him to fall when he turns from it. The righteous man, if he sins, will not be allowed to live because of his former righteousness.’ 13 If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but then he trusts in his righteousness and does evil, none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered; he will die for the evil he has done. 14 And if I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right- 15 if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die. 16 None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.
17 “Yet your countrymen say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But it is their way that is not just. 18 If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it. 19 And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so. 20 Yet, O house of Israel, you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But I will judge each of you according to his own ways.” (Ezekiel 33:12-20)
It is very clear, in this passage, that a righteous man, if he sins, will not be allowed to trust in his former righteousness on the day of wrath. Likewise, if an unrighteous man repents and turns to God, none of his former sins will be counted against him.
Now let’s go to the book of Hebrews.
“4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)
The first question you should ask when studying this passage is, “Who is the writer addressing?” He is addressing Christian Jews in Rome who were facing persecution under Nero. Over and over, the Christians in Rome are warned not to fall away, for many of them were facing that temptation. They were constantly under pressure to confess that Caesar was lord. Being that Christians are the ones addressed, who do you think the writer meant when he said, “if they fall away”? He was talking about those who had once been enlightened. They had the veil removed and could see the truth. He was talking about those who had tasted the heavenly gift. What gift? Salvation, of course. He was talking about those who had shared in the Holy Spirit. Is it possible to share in the Holy Spirit without being born again? No. And he was talking about Christians who had tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age. Then, not only did the writer say that these Christians could fall away, he said that if they did fall away they could never be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. How could it be possible that they would never come to repentance? Simple. You’ll never repent if you think you are right. And there in lies the danger of the teaching of “once saved, always saved.”
To see another pericope addressing the fact that a Christian can fall away from the faith, let’s visit the tenth chapter of Hebrews.
“26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:26-29)
I would just like to point out that if you go back to verse nineteen you will see that the writer is addressing Christians, when he says “Therefore brothers”. This is backed up by verse twenty-nine saying that this man had once been “sanctified by the blood of the covenant”. But what I want to focus on is that verses twenty-six and twenty-seven show us that there is no sacrifice left for a Christian who deliberately continues in sin, and will be judged as an enemy of God. Beloved, don’t think you can just continue in sin and trust that your sins are covered. No! You had better repent! For “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) But, unfortunately so many will never come to repentance because they are convinced that they are right.
With that thought in mind, we must address the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. This teaching has been horribly maligned by Arminians and Calvinists alike. A widely agreed upon teaching of this is that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is an act you commit by giving the devil credit for a work of the Holy Spirit. Now, I could spend time addressing that, but I think that, when you see the accurate teaching, there will be no need for me to even address it. The aforementioned teaching is simply not parallel to God’s character. So, let’s turn to Matthew chapter twelve.
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:22-32)
Now I would ask that, if you have any presuppositions to the teaching I mentioned early, to check them at the door for a minute. There is only one correct interpretation of Scripture and this is the one for the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I am sure of that. The minute I learned this it clicked. I have had children come to me thinking they have committed some sin that has written them off from ever being saved. Does that really sound like the character of God? Absolutely not. But, this teaching will set so many people free.
So, when reading this pericope, it is vital to know what is going on. Jesus healed a demon-possessed man. There was no one that could deny this miracle. The people were astonished. Since the Pharisees could not deny the miracle, what did they do? They accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of the devil. Many students of the Word get caught up there. But, before we move on, you have to see that the reason the Pharisees were saying these things is because of their hard hearts. They were full of pride, and the last thing they would ever do is admit that Jesus might be who He says He is. The Pharisees were so convinced that they were right that there was absolutely nothing Jesus could do that would convince them otherwise. So, you have to see that, in the following verses, Jesus is not addressing the words of their mouths, but He was addressing the state of their hearts(Luke 6:45). And you’ll see that again, if you visit verses 33-37 and key in on verse 34b.
It’s easy to see here that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not a particular action you can commit against the Holy Spirit. The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is when you are dead wrong, yet you are convinced that you are right. It is when you have sinned against God, yet you believe that you have done nothing wrong. Remember this, the only sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin that is not confessed. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Beloved, it is vital that you grasp this. It is such a tragedy that so many people are walking around with the guilt of thinking they have committed a sin that cannot be forgiven. If you are convicted of it, that is evidence enough that you have not committed it. We must preach this truth so that they can be set free. Anyone can foolishly say, “That’s of the devil” about a work of God, and almost immediately be sorry about it and repent. But the unpardonable sin is when a person deliberately hardens himself against the Holy Spirit, and the convicting power of that Spirit. Usually, such people become deceived (Hebrews 3:13) early in this process, but later willfully choose to continue in their actions until they destroy both their conscience and any further desire to repent. One of these deceptions would be that you can’t lose your salvation.
Shall I make an application, for you, of someone blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Most commonly, a person guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit is one who has been saved by the blood of Christ, who has then fallen into a lifestyle of continual sin, and thinks they can continue in this lifestyle, based on the fact that they believe they cannot fall away from the grace of God.
The argument against this would be that this person was never saved in the first place. Really? Then how do you deal with Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26? Both of these pericopes explain that you can be soundly saved and, then, fall away from the faith. I have heard Hebrews 6:4-6 taught from the perspective of those who believe in the doctrine of perseverance. The only thing they can do with those scriptures is to explain them away; making them say something they do not say. These same teachers will say that you cannot make a doctrine out of just a few scriptures. I perfectly agree with that statement. However, the one who brought this to my attention needs to apply it. There are many scriptures that back up the fact that a believer can fall away. I will give you a list of them at the end of this article. However, those who teach that you cannot fall away always use the same scriptures, usually either John 10:28 or 1 John 2:19.
John 10:28 says that “no one can snatch them out of my hand”. Of course no one can snatch you from his hand. The scripture says so. But you can surely choose to leap from his hand. The verse does not, at all, address that.
Let me also address 1 John 2:19, briefly. This is where people come up with the argument that if someone has engrossed himself in continual sin, that it is simply evidence that he was never saved in the first place. The verse says, “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” Now, where does this verse talk about belief? It doesn’t. “Us” is referring to the fellowship, not the faith.
To finish this article, I would like to form a hypothetical based on the teaching that if someone, who professes to be a Christian, falls into continual sin, it is evidence he was never born again. I’ll use a fictitious character named John Doe. John is forty years old. At the age of ten, he gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized. It was a sound conversion. Throughout high school he witnessed anytime he had the chance, he read his Bible regularly, he sang in the choir, etc. All of the other youths, and even the adults, looked up to him as a wonderful example of a Christian.
All through high school, John lived a life dedicated to the Lord. Then, at the age of eighteen, he went off to college. John was a great football player and got a full ride to NC State. For the first semester, or so, he did great. He even led a guy to the Lord at his dorm. Then, one night after the win at the Orange Bowl, John got introduced to alcohol. He got drunk and had sex with one of the cheerleaders. Well, he felt horrible about it the next day. He went to his parents and confessed the sin. He repented…at least for a while.
A few weeks later some teammates invited him to a party. He knew he shouldn’t go(conviction), but he went anyway. Again, John got drunk. The next day, he felt bad again. But, that did not stop him from going to a party the next weekend.
By the end of his freshman year, John Doe was getting drunk every weekend and regularly having sex with his girlfriend. He had fallen into continual sin. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says that there won’t be drunkards or fornicators in the kingdom of God. John had become both.
Here is where many would say that this young man had obviously never been truly born again. I strongly disagree with that. Let me use yet another scripture to refute that. Ephesians 5:3-8 says, “3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…” Paul states here that you are not to become partners with those that practice sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Paul was writing this letter to the church(the believers) in Ephesus. His warning for them to “live as children of light” was to keep them from falling back into darkness. That’s exactly what happened to John. He was surrounded by children of darkness and gave in. He became partners with them and lost his salvation.
But there is a flip side to this coin. John was raised in a church that taught you could never lose your salvation. He knew he was soundly saved at age ten(because he was). Therefore, he trusted in the fact that all of those sins he committed in college were “covered by the blood”. He never came to a place of repentance because he didn’t think it was necessary. Beloved, do you see, now, why this “once saved, always saved” teaching is so dangerous? At any point, John could repent, but he won’t because he thinks there is no need for it. Now, he is married, with children, to the same girl he was fornicating with in college. They have both put those days behind them now…but God hasn’t. They still need to repent. For without repentance they cannot be forgiven.
Beloved, I encourage all of you to really search the scriptures to see if what I am saying is true. It is so easy to clutch to beliefs simply because that is what you were taught. But, the fact that someone you respect taught you that doesn’t, necessarily, make it true. It must line up with the Word of God. I am including a list of scriptures that will help you in your search. I ask you to read them, in context, and see if I am telling you the truth. I would like to know if you can prove to me otherwise. And it is obvious that the number of scriptures listed would disprove any who might say that a doctrine has been created using just a few scriptures. The truth is that this rings true throughout the Bible.
In Christian love,
Adam Tennant
Ezekiel 3:20
Ezekiel 33:10-30
Ezekiel 18:24-29
Matthew 7:21-23
Luke 15:23-24
Romans 11:22
1 Corinthians 9:27
1 Corinthians 15:2
2 Corinthians 6:1
Galatians 5:4
Ephesians 5:3-8
Colossians 1:22-23
1Timothy 1:18-20
1Timothy 2:4
1Timothy 3:6
1Timothy 4:1
1Timothy 4:16
1Timothy 5:8
1Timothy 6:10
1Timothy 6:20-21
2Timothy 2:16-18
Hebrews 3:6, 12, 14
Hebrews 4:4-6
Hebrews 4:14
Hebrews 10:26
2 Peter 2:1, 15, 20-21
2 Peter 3:9
2 Peter 3:17
1 John 2:18, 19, 24
2 John 1:8
Jude 1:6
Revelation 3:5
Revelation 22:19
November 26, 2008 at 11:53 pm |
Yes…but, saved from what? How can a person be saved from Hell, then not saved from Hell? The moment that you die, you are either saved or not saved from the fire. Two seconds before that point is moot. If in the end you land in Hell, then you were not ever saved from it, were you?
Saved from sin? I challenge anyone to prove that they’ve been made sinless. Even the most faithful Christian sins regularly.
The seed that falls on the good soil does not get transplanted to the bad. It just happens that the seed that falls on the bad soil grows for a time, then dies. It was never “saved,” as it were.
Yes, I am either once saved, always saved, or not saved at all. There is no purgatory. I don’t get to go to Heaven, then Hell.
November 27, 2008 at 12:20 am |
When you are born again, your sins are washed away. At that point, you are saved from sin. If you die, at that point, you are saved from hell. However, if you turn back to a lifestyle of sin, you have fallen out of God’s grace. You must, at that point, repent or eternal damnation awaits you. Your argument of whether one is saved from sin or hell doesn’t coincide with scripture. Read Matthew 12:12-13, “12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” You can be soundly saved at the moment of conversion, but you must stand firm to the end if you wish to be saved on Judgment Day.
No offense, M. Patterson, but your argument would be much stronger if you were to take the scripture I used to prove that a believer can fall away and show me that they actually mean something other than what I have shown. And I think you need to go back and study the parable of the sower. You cannot get, from it, that one who is saved, cannot fall away.
Thank you for your comment. It is always refreshing to converse with another believer about the doctrines of Truth.
In Christian love,
Adam Tennant
November 30, 2008 at 10:36 pm |
Do you not see that IF a person falls away they can never be saved again? This is vs 4 with verse 6… “It is impossible to… bring them back to repentance.” Thus, according to the Scripture you cite, IF a person can lose their salvation THEY CAN NEVER BE SAVED AGAIN. Hmmm…
November 30, 2008 at 10:46 pm |
That’s where the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit comes in. Anyone who repents will be saved. That’s a guarantee. However, those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit cannot repent, only because they will not repent. Like I said in my article, the only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one which goes without being confessed.
In Christian love,
Adam Tennant
November 30, 2008 at 10:52 pm |
Brother Adam Well Said! Your Article is very true, and thanks for sharing this with everyone to see! This once saved, always saved message leads alot of people straight to the very pits of Hell!
Great Job Brother!
November 30, 2008 at 11:45 pm |
I think what you are seeing in the old testament is a quid-pro-quot where God told the Jewish people – “if you do this, I will do that.”
It is not that way in the NT. A person who says they are saved, but then continues in their sinful lifestyle, or a person who says they are born again, and dives into carnal sin and don’t return, that person was never saved to begin with. In other words, God did not put them back on the right path (the way is narrow).
1 John 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
The above passage in 1 John is talking about a lifestyle (v. 6, ought to walk in the same way…”) If you continue in a sinful lifestyle and don’t repent, you won’t be saved.
Repentance is not a one-time occurrence, but a continual process of God revealing your sin, and you responding with a lifestyle change, until He takes you home with Him.
The passage in Hebrews 6 is speaking of someone who is not saved. They only tasted the gift, but did not sit down to dine at the banquet at the invitation of the Savior. This person is the same one who shows up without his wedding garments on in Matt 22:2-14: “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Sean
November 30, 2008 at 11:55 pm |
Sean,
Thanks for your comment. I’ve heard this interpretation. I disagree on this being a quid-pro-quot. I would be interested in why you believe that though.
I have heard both of these interpretations you have mentioned on Hebrews 6 and 1 John. I can’t argue it any different than I did in my article. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one, my friend. I really do appreciate you giving your perspective though. And I’ll have to look up the passage from Matthew 22.
In Christian love,
Adam Tennant
December 1, 2008 at 8:05 pm |
well what about Philippians 1:6?? this is why i’m confused… it says, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”
first of all , just so I’m not misunderstood, I don’t believe either, that a true Christian can be a Christian and live a sinful lifestyle. But I also don’t see how God can begin a work of salvation or faith in someone and not be able to finish it. We are adopted as children of God and we don’t become unadopted once we’re in the family, born of the Spirit. we are SEALED!!! Eph. 1:13,14 … “having believed you were marked with Him , with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…” (i won’t type up the whole passage now.. see it for yourself if you’d like).
i think the problem is how we define “salvation” . for example, i kinda have a problem with the phrase “he gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized” and “it was a sound conversion” as said in the example of John Doe in the article. i would like to know, (and i’ll be honest i’m not as familiar with the Bible as some of you are and i’m honestly not sure about this) Where in the Bible does it say that to be saved you must “give your heart to Jesus” or “ask Jesus to come into your heart” ? not anywhere that i know of. Jesus never asked anyone “accept me in your heart and you will be saved”. i dont see it anywhere else in the NT either. the question i have for people like John Doe is not “have you ever asked Jesus into your heart? and if yes, then you are saved..” i would asked them, was there ever a point in your life when God has done such a work in your life that transformed your heart, mind, so that you have absolutely hated your sin and desired to repent of it seeing that you’ve offended God to such horrendous extent? has He given you a new heart and a new mind and birthed His HOLY SPIRIT in you, so that from that point on you desired to please God and God only and do to His will and to love HIm and to love the things He loves and hate the things HE hates??? when God saves a person , He makes him or her into a NEW creation. the old is gone!. period. how can a person be given a new nature, the nature of Christ and become a Child of God, and if he does go astray (which can happen) that God would not DISCIPLINE him to bring him back? a TRUE CHILD OF GOD, WILL BE DISCIPLINED and THE HOLY SPIRIT IN HIM WILL CONVICT HIM OF HIS SIN AND LEAD Him back to repentance!!! that is the evidence that he is saved! if a so-callled-believer starts to live a life of continual sin and does not feel the heaviness of guilt and discipline from God as to drive him back to repentance, then the Spirit of God was not in him in the first place.
i too agree with Sean that the passage in Hebrews 6 speaks of someone who has not been saved in the first place. How could Peter deny the Christ 3 times and still be brought back to repentance? peter and Judas both followed Christ and have had fellowship with him, dined, with Him, walked with HIm, seen His miracles, etc… and one repented and one didn’t. it is up to the person to repent but the Holy Spirit WILL CONVICT a child of God if that person has grieved Him. for as long as they are alive on this planet, everyday is God’s “another chance” to repent. (that is not to say that it’s ok to sin deliberately only because you God will forgive you…Romans 6, 7, 8 talks about that. )
a person at salvation is made new, renewed , reborn of the Spirit of God, MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST, resurrected from death… isn’t that what salvation is ? once we are resurrected with Christ, i don’t see how we can be made dead again. we as christians are dead to sin! alive to righteousness. a true believer will desire to live a life of righteousness. and if he or she will fall into sin (not dive into sin) he or she can be forgiven if he or she repents. if a “christian” is living a lifestyle of sin, it is because he or she is a HYPOCRITE a.k.a a FALSE CONVERT or NOT THE REAl DEAL or a FAKE. a true child of God will not be able to get away with such a lifestyle. if he’s not repenting, he hasn’t repented in the first place. Jesus said “you will know them by their fruit” . His true followers will reap fruit of righteousness! if they have “worldly fruit” it’s because they are of the world and not of God! (1 john also talks a lot about the evidence of true salvation)
i’ll close with part of the Romans passage i mentioned earlier, which i think everyone should read in it entirety:
“NOW IF WE DIED WITH CHRIST WE BELIEVE THAT WE WILL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM. FOR WE KNOW THAT SINCE CHRIST WAS RAISED FORM THE DEAD HE CANNOT DIE AGAIN; DEATH NO LONGER HAS MASTERY OVER HIM. THE DEATH HE DIED HE DIED TO SIN ONCE FOR ALL; BUT THE LIFE HE LIVES, HE LIVES TO GOD.” chapter 6, v.8-10. (so if we are in Christ, and have been made alive in Christ, and Christ cannot die again, how can we?)
if a person uses the excuse of “once saved always saved” in order to live a sinful lifestyle, be sure that person is not saved!
the AUTHOR of your salvation is also the FINISHER of your salvation. the ALPHA of your faith is also the OMEGA of your faith.
i hope i haven’t confused anyone.
thanks for reading my really long comments.
N.K.
December 1, 2008 at 9:39 pm |
and i believe the parable of the sower DOES talk about true and false conversion, not losing one’s salvation after being saved.
December 1, 2008 at 10:03 pm |
you really got me thinking about this….so forgive me for putting so many comments, if you don’t mind, i’d just like to think out loud for a moment, and i’m not saying that my interpretation is the only correct one, BUT
i was wondering about the passage in hebrews, and it says, “it is impossible for those who have been ENLIGHTENED…” it does not say , it is impossible for those who have been born again, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, regenerated believers born of the Holy Spirit of God… to have fallen away and then not be able to ever again repent. i believe there is a difference between someone who is enlightened and someone who is born again to life in Christ.
there are millions of enlightened people sitting in the pews of american church buildings today, who KNOW THE TRUTH, who read the scriptures, pray, see God at work in the lives of others, etc., and still REFUSE to repent ! there are plenty of those who have heard the Gospel millions of times but have hardened their hearts against it, and they go to church and some of them dare to call themselves christian, but they have no fruit whatsoever, no evidence of salvation at all! THEY will not be saved UNLESS they repent, but i’m not going to assume that “enlightened’ also equates SAVED! i don’t believe it’s the same thing. THEY “cannot be brought back to repentance” because they have already believed a false gospel telling them that they are saved simply because of a confession/ sinner’s prayer/ declaration they have made[even if it was sincere--there are people who put more trust and faith in the sincerity of the prayer they prayed than in Christ Himself for salvation] and they are innoculated against the TRUE GOSPEL, and if you tried to witness to someone who is a false convert lately, it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to show them that they need to repent or that they have not truly converted. THAT’S WHY they can’t be “brought back” because they love their iniquity/transgression/sin, and have never truly been saved and DON’T WANT TO REPENT, not because God will not give them another chance.
December 1, 2008 at 10:04 pm |
inoculated* (oops, misspelled)
December 1, 2008 at 10:13 pm |
oops, another typo: i meant to say “that is not to say that it’s ok to sin deliberately only because you [think] ** God will forgive you…Romans 6, 7, 8 talks about that. )
December 1, 2008 at 11:01 pm |
Someone who is spiritually born again by the supernatural power of God , is also KEPT alive by the supernatural power of God. a Christian, who is a truly saved Christian will not deliberately sin or live sinfully continuously because , before he was dead in his sins, but now he HATES his sins, and hates the fact that he has grieved God so much with his sins. A Christian will sin UNWILLINGLY, but will not willingly live a sinful lifestyle. By definition, that is not a Christian. By definition, to a Christian, sin is despicable, hateful, ugly, and would do ANYTHING to avoid it, as far as it depends on him, but even in that instance he is dependent on the power of God to help him overcome his temptations and struggles. But don’t tell me that it’s possible for a person to have been saved, converted, regenerated supernaturally by God, knows the Scriptures, has the fear of God in him, lives a righteous, godly , Christ-centered lifestyle for a while and then happens to walk onto a party, meets “mr. beer” becomes an alcoholic, a fornicator, a “God-hater by his god-less lifestyle—without being convicted by the Holy Spirit and without feeling guilty, and now he is never ever able to repent and has lost his “previous salvation”. This is not going to happen because the fear of God in that soundly saved person WILL DRIVE HIM to repentance and remorse. See Deuteronomy 28: 58-68, Isaiah 54:7-10; 55:6!!!!!! Yes, it’s true, we must live out our salvation, and the Bible is clear that faith without works is dead. But if you define salvation correctly (as well as the evidence for it) one cannot lose it! I don’t see how someone who is dead in his sins has been made alive in Christ supernaturally, spiritually, and then dive again in his previously sinful lifestyle, as if –the same way the power of the God who holds the universe and has brought this dead man to life—this same power is now not able to keep him alive and saved once and for all. We are saved by the power of God and we are kept saved by the power of God. I seriously have trouble grasping this concept of people losing their salvation.
December 1, 2008 at 11:37 pm |
There are so many people who believe the bible with their mind, and go through the motions of Christianity (such as going to church, sharing the gospel, getting baptized, tithing, reading the bible, praying, casting out demons, healing the sick, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, doing charity work, etc,) but they have never had a change of heart! That’s the issue ! how is it possible for a person to collide with the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE WHO comes and lives inside of our mortal bodies at salvation, and then this same person walks away from God and deliberately rebels against Him like nothing happened. You CANNOT come in contact with JESUS CHRIST and still remain the same. I don’t see how that’s possible. Any person who lives in rebellion against God has NEVER known God truly. ( Hence Matthew 7:21-23.) And to know God truly is solely, entirely, completely, only and the very work of God Himself in us. It is not something we do on our own, as well as getting saved is not something we do of our own, as much as “remaining saved” is the work of God alone in us, and through us, it is His grace. None of us are “still saved” because of anything we have done or have not done. God is more than able to keep us saved once we’re saved truly. We don’t chose Him, He chooses us. God does not UNDO our adoption as His children, He doesn’t write our names in His book of life and then erase it and He doesn’t save us and then gets us unsaved. I don’t see it in Scripture at all!!!!
December 1, 2008 at 11:43 pm |
Well folks, I just got home from work. I had no idea that this would stir so many. That’s a good thing though. Thank you all for your emails and your replies on this blog. I think it is important for the readers to be able to hear both sides of this. I can only hope that they would be as the Bereans and study to find out the truth.
I would like to respond to these replies but I would rather spend time with my family.
Thanks again!
In Christian love,
Adam Tennant
December 28, 2008 at 4:28 pm |
Hey Adam,
Very good job at challenging us to take a deeper look at the Gospel!One thing that stands out is the `Doctrine of perserverance.`It seems like it may be a bit fightening to think that we as Christians in the flesh of this world may be tempted and fall away from Gods promise.Also a possible by-product of this may be the slippery slope of self-righteousness.The more dangerous sin is the one that we don`t think we are commiting.The obvious sins are easy to repent of lust,greed,anger etc.But the quiet sin of self-righteousness will attack you from the inside while on the outside it may look like a victorious Christian life. We are constantly in battle with sin with this world and the flesh.
The other thing that may be also very complicated issue Adam that I`m sure you are very aware of is sort of highlighted inEphesians Ch.5v.7 “Therefore do not become partners with them” I understand what Paul is saying here in regaurds to sin but the thing that really puts up a red flag if this is taken out of context is that believers should separate themselve from non-believers.
I`m really amazed at how much you have immersed yourself in the Gospel.It really shows!
Keep up the good works.
Brad
March 30, 2009 at 5:22 am |
Just to clear up your false teaching on Hebrews 6:
Hebrews 6:4-6
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Hebrews 6:1-6)
This is a weighty topic and it is not easily explained in few words. I want you to understand the meaning of this passage, so think with me here. Before we begin, the primary intended readers of the book of Hebrews were Jews. The basic theme of the book is the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. You see that theme all throughout the book. The point of the book of Hebrews is the superiority of Christ over all things. All throughout the book you see the writer emphasizing this. At the beginning of the book Jesus is superior to Angels. Then it talks about how He’s superior to the prophets: Moses, Joshua, Aaron, the sacrifices, the priesthood of Aaron. Jesus is superior to everything. That is the theme of the book.
In this passage the point is whether you are a Jew still holding to Judaism, or a Jew who has embraced Christianity. It is not talking about losing salvation. This passage is clearly talking about Jewish people who are not saved. Look at the very beginning of verse 1: “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity.” That word “maturity” also translated as “perfection” is always used in the book of Hebrews to speak of salvation. It is never used to mean spiritual maturity, always salvation. Let’s take a look and see:
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise. (Hebrews 7:11)
What does this verse mean? It means that if salvation were attainable through the Old Covenant priesthood, there would be no need for Jesus. It is speaking of salvation. Look at verse 19:
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. (Hebrews 7:18-19)
Again, the Old Testament Covenant is set aside because by it, no one was saved. The Old Testament law was merely a picture of the Lamb of God who would actually save His people. Here’s another:
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
This verse is saying that by His death, Jesus Christ perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Sanctification is the process in which we become more like Jesus. It is our constant progression toward spiritual maturity. We see here that the word “perfected” is not referring to spiritual maturity. Christ perfected (or saved) those who are growing in spiritual maturity. Were you spiritually mature the instant you trusted Christ? Absolutely not. This is another instance where the word translated “maturity” or “perfection” is referring to salvation. You will find that such is always the case in Hebrews.
So, let’s return to our text. In the beginning of verse 1 we have, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity.” The writer of Hebrews is saying, “Leave the teachings of Christ and get saved!” I know, this raises an interesting question. How in the world does one leave the doctrine of Christ and move on to salvation? Isn’t the doctrine of Christ the basic foundation of salvation? For the Gentile believer, yes. But for the Jew, absolutely not. You see, the word “Christ” is not a reference to Jesus. In the Hebrew langauage the word Christ literally means “Messiah.” The writer of Hebrews says here, “Leave the elementary teachings of the Messiah and come to perfection in Jesus!” This statement would never be made to a Christian, therefore we know that this passage is not intended for Christians! The writer is speaking to Jews who have been around the gospel so long that they should be teachers of it (Hebrews 5:12), yet they are so caught up in the tradition of the Old Tesament Covenant that they have not converted to Christianity.
Continue with the rest of verse 1 and through verse 2:
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. “
Repentance from dead works is not referring to salvation. Repentance is to turn away from something. That is an Old Testament concept. Old Testament repentance is turning away from sin, or dead works. New Testament salvation is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus Christ. This is not a reference to salvation. It is referring to turning away from the Old Testament concept of repentance. It’s like a half-way repentance. Turning from sin is not enough, you must turn to Jesus!
Next is faith toward God. It is not enough to believe in God. Is anyone saved because they believe in God? Absolutely not. In order to be saved you must believe in God, manifested in the flesh. This is the fundamental problem with Judaism. They believe in God, they just don’t accept Jesus as the Son of God. It’s like a half-way belief. Believing in God is not enough, you must believe in Jesus!
The next thing is the teachings about washings. Jewish tradition had all kinds of ceremonies of washings. The writer of Hebrews is saying to leave those teachings. It’s like a half-way washing. Ceremonial washings are not enough, you must be washed in Jesus!
Next is the laying on of hands. Because of the Jewish context, this is not a reference to the New Testament laying on of hands as a symbol of ordination. Instead, it is a reference to the Old Covenant sacrificial system found in Leviticus.
He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. (Leviticus 1:4)
And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar. (Leviticus 3:2)
7 If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall offer it before the LORD, 8 lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it in front of the tent of meeting; and Aaron’s sons shall throw its blood against the sides of the altar. (Leviticus 3:7-8)
12 “If his offering is a goat, then he shall offer it before the LORD 13 and lay his hand on its head and kill it in front of the tent of meeting, and the sons of Aaron shall throw its blood against the sides of the altar. (Leviticus 3:12-13)
He shall bring the bull to the entrance of the tent of meeting before the LORD and lay his hand on the head of the bull and kill the bull before the LORD. (Leviticus 4:4)
And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be killed before the LORD. (Leviticus 4:15)
22 “When a leader sins, doing unintentionally any one of all the things that by the commandments of the LORD his God ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt, 23 or the sin which he has committed is made known to him, he shall bring as his offering a goat, a male without blemish, 24 and shall lay his hand on the head of the goat and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD; it is a sin offering. (Leviticus 4:22-24)
And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and kill the sin offering in the place of burnt offering. (Leviticus 4:29)
32 “If he brings a lamb as his offering for a sin offering, he shall bring a female without blemish 33 and lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and kill it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering. (Leviticus 4:32-33)
And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. (Leviticus 16:21)
Before Old Testament sacrifices were made, the priest had to lay his hands on the sacrifice, identifying that animal with the sins that were being atoned for. This is the laying on of hands that is referred to in Hebrews 6:2.
Do you see what the writer is doing in these verses? He is saying, “Leave the half-way repentance of the Old Testament and turn to Jesus, leave the half-way belief in God and believe in His Son Jesus, leave the half-way ceremonial washings and be cleansed by Jesus, leave the half-way Old Testament sacrificial system and be joined to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus! The writer of Hebrews is telling these Jews to leave the ways of the Old Covenant and commit the the New Covenant in Jesus! Again we see the superiority of Jesus as the theme. This is not directed to Christians, this is a call of Jews to become Christians! Now let’s see how that applies to our “problem text”:
4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Some will say that this means a believer can lose their salvation. If anyone says that is true, just point out to them that according to verse 6, they can never be saved again! If this is talking about a Christian, it says that once they have fallen away it is impossible to restore them to repentance. If this passage is talking about Christians, which it is not, once you lose your salvation you can never regain it. Nobody, not even those who believe you can lose your salvation, would allow for that.
But for us, we have seen that this passage is not talking to Christians. It is the writer of Hebrews persuading Jews to become Christians. It is written to unbelievers.
The Jews in this passage have received the full revelation of God. They “have been enlightened” (verse 4). This refers to the light through knowledge and teaching. The natural knowledge acquired through the senses. They have heard the gospel many times and they understood it fully. They comprehended it intellectually and were on the edge of decision. They knew it completely, yet they had not committed themselves to it.
They “have tasted the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit” (verse 4). They saw first hand the miracles done by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:4).
They “have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come” (verse 5). They had been around long enough that they should be teachers (Hebrews 5:12). They had the privilege of sitting under the Word of God on a consistent basis. They knew God’s word and understood it intellectually. They had the head knowledge, but had not committed themselves to it.
Here is the picture the writer of Hebrews is painting. These are Jewish unbelievers who have received the full revelation of God. They have known and understood the gospel, they have seen the work of the Holy Spirit first hand, they have been under the sound teaching of God’s word and understand it comprehensively. There is no further revelation for them to know. They have heard everything there is to hear about the gospel message. At this point, if they turn away from Jesus, back to their Old Testament traditions, it will be impossible for them to be brought to a condition of genuine repentance because they have rejected all the truth that there is! There is no more revelation to be seen, no more truth to be proclaimed. They have seen it all and comprehended it, yet they reject it and refuse to commit themselves to it. Therefore, they are hopeless and will never return to the edge of conversion.
The writer of Hebrews summarizes this section with an illustration:
7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6:7-8)
And so we see that the rain of God’s complete revelation has fallen on these people. In some it produces an abundant crop of genuine repentance and faith in Jesus. In others it produces the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Those who reject God’s revelation of His Son are cursed and thrown into the fire of Hell. This is not a warning to Christians about losing their salvation. This is a call for Jews to turn to Jesus and become Christians themselves!
By His Grace – For His Glory
Brandon
March 30, 2009 at 9:27 am |
Well Brandon,
Thank you for the time you put into your response. I would respond, but I already laid out what I believe. Also, I really don’t have the time. I would encourage you. No, I dare you to read ‘Life in the Son’ by Robert Shank. You could probably find the introduction online. The intro was written by a Baptist pastor who doesn’t agree with Robert Shank. It’s very interesting. It’s a must-read.
In Christian love,
Adam Tennant
April 5, 2009 at 7:39 am |
Adam,
I don’t know if you will come back and read this or not. I’m a little late on reading some of the teachings that you have sent. I was raised Baptist and taught to believe in the once saved always saved heresy. It wasn’t until I began to read and study for my self that God showed me that we are not His prisoners. Becaus we are made His children through adoption, we can walk away, and lose the inheritance that we would have had. I don’t think that any other verse in the Bible stresses this more than James 5:19-20
(Jas 5:19) Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
(Jas 5:20) Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
The writer starts out by addressing the brethren so he is talking to believers. He then says if any of YOU. So he is still talking to the brethren, and states that if any of them turns or errs from the truth, that he has pretty much become a sinner. He then states that if another brother (believer) sees the sinners sin and turns him back to the truth. Then the writer wants the one that helps to correct his brother from the err of his ways to know that he has saved a SOUL from death, signifying a total seperation from God. How does a Soul die except to be totaly seperated from the LIFE source (God). These two verses have always jumped out at me and I didn’t see them on your list so I decided to bring it up in hopes to help some one see the truth. Oh and by the way incase no one has noticed James is in the New Covenant
April 22, 2009 at 6:42 pm |
Adam,
Quick question about your hypothetical. You said that John did not repent, but also that John married the woman he was having pre-marital relations with and put everything behind him. Are you saying that he married her, but never had a change of heart about pre-marital sex? In your story it looks like he had a change in behavior. Just trying to understand your illustration.
MDH
Psalm 121
April 23, 2009 at 1:15 am |
Well, first of all, Mike, my hypothetical is not that important. It was probably a mistake to put that in my article. I’m not too fond of hypotheticals. But, since you asked, John did repent, if you mean he changed his behavior. But, the word “repent” actually means to change your mind(metanoia). He stopped having premarital sex because he got married(change of behavior). Not because he confessed his sins and allowed God to change his ways. He never repented, in that he never forsook his sins. Does that answer your question? But, again, the scriptures are what’s important. Thanks for asking Mike. God bless you.
September 25, 2009 at 4:32 am |
Well Adam… What happened when David lost the Joy of his Salvation? DO you not know how David sinned and the Lord accepted him back. Even Jesus said all manner of sin can be forgiven a man except blaspheming the Holy spirit. Is it not God Who says in Isaiah1:18. Come reason with me. Though your sins may be as scarlet I will make them as white as snow. Or Is this not in the scripture? It is not my will that any should perish but that all should have everlasting life. Just as God had already prepeared a way for us when Man first fell. Why do you think daivd wrote the psalms. He wrote them from his heart to repent to the Lord. The enemy tempted David so that David might fall. But what the enemy used for evil God used for Good. He used David’s heart and psalms to show us the magnitude of His Mercy. Why do you accuse your brethren when Jesus said he is not our accuser. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. YOu have wrote an article of condemnation brother. Have you not read that a broken and contrite spirit this the Lord Will not depsise? You consider yourself wise in your article but where is your hand in the article to uphold your brother who may have fallen weak to temptation. Have you not fallen weak to temptation since you’ve been born again. Oh brother where is your love for your brethren. Is it not written in the scripture a righteous man falls down seven times but gets back up. Or would Jesus say, ” do not depise the lord’s chastening for those He chastens He loves.” Surely the one being chastened must’ve misbehaved or why else would the Father discipline him. Or can he be the Father’s except He came through the Son? NO one loses their salvation. Your article is one of pride setting yourself above your brethren who may have fallen down. YOur letter would keep them down if they did not seek the Lord after reading it. Will you be like Cain and ask are you your brother’s keeper or will you be a fellow servant of Christ and tend to His sheep. Is it not written, ” he who considers himself greatest among you let him serve.” Encourage your brothers in Christ. Let us strenthen one another. Our place is in Christ. We are not like the Pharisse who holding the words of God exhalt themselves over those who hold little. For as you do unto the least you do unto Him. Did not the Lord say,” if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” These scriptures I give you brother are God’s word directly. Oh brother have you raised a child? Would you turn your child away if he truly came back to you in sorrow. I’ve never seen or read in the scripture where a mna who knows god fall back into sin.. then repents and God says Go away. But yet I always read about hte Lord Beckoning us to return. If you wrote your article to warn our brothers then impart to them some wisdom of repentance. For we were called to make disciples not be the Vinedresser. That’s God’s job brother. I suggest you ask some pastor’s what brokenness is? I love you bruh.. Let’s fight the enemy together and not pour out condemnation amongst each other. We’re soldiers for Christ… Let’s build morale for the Body is one…
September 25, 2009 at 10:13 am |
Brother, you must have missed something. The gist of this article is two-fold.
One, I am attempting to shed light on the fact that a Christian cannot continue in sin and just trust that he cannot lose his salvation, therefore never confessing and repenting.
Two, I am debunking the lie that has been taught about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. It has been widely taught that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is something you “do” that can never be forgiven. Well, that would make it a sin. I’m just saying (and backing it up with Scripture) that the only sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin you do not confess.
And that is the danger of teaching that someone can never lose their salvation. People fall into sin and see no need for confession and REPENTANCE.
I don’t know where you get the idea that I am preaching that someone cannot turn back to the Lord. I am not robbing God of His mercy. You should read more of my articles. I preach repentance as much as anything. Look at the address of my blog, “ifmypeople.”
You might want to read through this again, because after reading your comment, I find it hard to believe that you even read my article. I’m not saying you didn’t. But I believe you read into it something that isn’t there.
September 26, 2009 at 1:59 am |
I see what you’re saying now bro. However, I did read your article and to me it just came off a little strong making the point that if a christian falls to temptation he can’t come back to the Lord. I think that’s what everyone else who was replying in opposition to your article interpated as well. So forgive me for misunderstanding Bro but I think we both agree that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. However, we must confess our sins and strive to walk upright before him that we may prove what is His good and acceptable will. Aight Brother. Take care. Thanks for replying and let me know if I’m still not understanding.
September 26, 2009 at 10:10 am |
Good deal. I would say that most of the responses have been people defending the doctrine of perseverance. I wrote this article a very long time ago. I still believe that a Christian can fall away, but I have found that it is not something worth arguing about. I can live with it if someone believes that, as long as they still preach holiness and would condemn continuing in sin(Romans 6). I think that is what is most important. I had a security guard in a mall tell me one time, “I support what you guys are doing(witnessing).” Then he said, “I wish people would just understand, that all they have to do is get saved and then they can do whatever they want.” That kind of teaching I will fight against. You take care too brother. God bless.
November 19, 2009 at 10:37 pm |
I enjoyed studing with you,i have to bring the word to a small setting of people soon and after praying and enquiring of God what to speak on. He lead me to speak about the “righteous man in transgression and will his righteousness save him. The scripture will be taken from Ezekiel 33:12-20.I did my outline and as i always do compare my notes by seaching the net for help i found your website amongs all other and my soul was blessed and encouraged. To come incontact with agreement with the words of God and His Servants out there it can only be God that can connect His people with truth even through cybar space we can be on one accord.I salute you man of God.