Eternal Security

1. Eternal Security

2. What is the doctrine? “Eternal security is the present possession of eternal life. In other words, from the point of salvation, it is the irrevocable and unfailing condition of eternal life guaranteed the true believer in Christ in both time and eternity.” Ankerberg and Weldon, Knowing the Truth About Eternal Security, p. 5.

3. Why do we care? “If salvation can be lost, it is vital that Christians not be given a false sense of security. If salvation is secure, it is vital that Christians not anguish over a nonexistent possibility.” Ankerberg and Weldon, Knowing the Truth About Eternal Security, p. 5.

4. “…others do not believe the doctrine [of eternal security] is scriptural because of the existence of problem passages. But biblically, this is easily resolved, because only one teaching can be true. Either Christians can lose their salvation or they cannot. Both teachings cannot be true” Ankerberg and Weldon, Knowing the Truth About Eternal Security, p. 10.

5. “Theologian Robert Glenn Gromacki is correct when he writes, ‘I recognize that God is one and that His revelation is harmonious with His character. It is absolutely impossible to find fifty passages that teach eternal security and fifty others that deny it. The Bible teaches one doctrine, not two contradictory positions. Only one can be correct’ ” Ankerberg and Weldon, Knowing the Truth About Eternal Security, p. 14.

6. 50 Passages That Deny the Doctrine of Eternal Security

7. Passages that remind us our salvation is conditional. 1. Gen 3:3 – ‘nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ 2. 2 Chronicles 15:2 - If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. 3. 1 John 1:7 – if we walk in the light… 4. John 15:9-10 – if you keep my commandments

8. Passages that remind us our salvation is conditional. 5. Matthew 10:22 - But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (see also Matthew 24:13 ) 6. Philippians 3:12-15 7. Rev 2:10 - Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 8. Revelation 3:1-5

9. Passages that remind us our salvation is conditional. • John 10:27-28 • Galatians 6:7-8

10. Examples of those who did fall away • 1 Samuel 10:1, 6, 10 – Saul • 1 Corinthians 10:1-10 – The Israelites • Hebrews 4:2-12 – The Israelites • John 6:66 - From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. • John 17:12 - 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

11. Examples of those who did fall away 16. Acts 8:9-21 – Simon 17. 2 Tim 4:10 – Demas 18. Jude 5-7 – “the people” and angels 19. 2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment

12. Actions that lead to losing eternal life • Matt 5:22 But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. • 1 John 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. • Jude 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

13. Actions that lead to losing eternal life • 1 Cor. 6:14-18 – Sexually Immoral (Rev. 21:8) • 1 Tim. 5:11-12 – cast of 1st faith • Gal 5:4 - You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. • 2 Pet. 1:5-9 – not growing

14. Actions that lead to losing eternal life • Rev. 22:19 – Adding to God’s word • Rev 3:16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. • John 17:3 – Forget God

15. Actions that lead to losing eternal life 30. Rom 14:15 Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. (1 Cor. 8:11) 31. 1 Tim 4:1-2 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons

16. Actions that lead to losing eternal life • 2 Tim 2:18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. • 2 Peter 2:12-22

17. Passages that warn us • Acts 20:28-31 • Romans 11:21-22 • Romans 8:12-13 • Luke 8:13 • Matthew 25:30 • Hebrews 6:4-6 • Hebrews 10:26-31 • Hebrews 12:14-17

18. Passages that instruct us how to avoid losing eternal salvation. • Luke 12:42-46 • 1 Cor 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. • 1 Tim 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

19. Passages that instruct us how to avoid losing eternal salvation. 45. Heb 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him

20. Passages that explain what to do if we fall away • Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. • Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place -- unless you repent.

21. Passages that explain what to do if we fall away 48. James 5:19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. 49. 1 Cor 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

22. Passages that explain what to do if we fall away 50. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

23. “Theologian Robert Glenn Gromacki is correct when he writes, ‘I recognize that God is one and that His revelation is harmonious with His character. It is absolutely impossible to find fifty passages that teach eternal security and fifty others that deny it. The Bible teaches one doctrine, not two contradictory positions. Only one can be correct’ ” Ankerberg and Weldon, Knowing the Truth About Eternal Security, p. 14.

24. If the Bible: • Reminds us that our salvation is conditional, • Gives us examples of those who did lose salvation, • Specifies actions that lead to loss of salvation, • Warns us not to lose salvation, • Instructs us how to avoid losing our salvation, and • Tells us what to do if we lose our salvation. Then how can some say it is “irrevocable and unfailing.”

25. Biblical security

26. Heb 7:24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. NKJV

27. 50. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.