Some churches, at the close of their Sunday service, have what is known as an “altar call”, where attendees are invited to the front of the church, and speak with the preacher, with some becoming very emotional. After this the preacher sometimes announces to the congregation that ‘so and so’ has been “saved”. Indeed, according to some Christians, all one has to do is “believe in Jesus, and they will be saved”. At that point in time, that person is “saved” for all time, and can never lose their “salvation”. Is this true? Is salvation really that easy, and guaranteed from that point forward, no matter what? read more
Some modern-day Christians have been taught to believe in the doctrine known as “eternal security” (commonly known as “once saved, always saved”). But is this belief scriptural? Let’s allow the scriptures to speak for themselves.
Is the doctrine of eternal security supported by the Bible?
“I mention it that you may be saved” (John 5:34 NIV). Notice Jesus says, “you may be saved”, not ‘you are saved, case closed, period’, as some would have us believe”. Salvation is not guaranteed to everyone, or anyone. See Matthew 7:21-23.
“For in this hope we were saved” (Romans 8:24 NIV).“It is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:5). As these verses show, in one sense, salvation is past tense.“I mention it that you may be saved.” (John 5:34)
“To us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV). “We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved.” (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV). “Being saved” in these two verses is in the present tense. Salvation began at baptism and this process continues during a Christian’s life, as long as he/she is faithful. So in another sense, salvation is an ongoing process for Christians.
“The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”(Matthew 10:22; 24:13). To be finally saved, we must be faithful to the end, and not give up. According to the Scriptures, “Once saved, always saved” is unscriptural. This may be surprising for some, but it is true.
The Apostle Paul did not consider anyone, including himself, to have eternal security
This can be clearly seen from the Apostle Paul’s candid discussion of his “goal” in Philippians 3:11-14:
“And so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
These verses make it obvious that Paul did not consider himself “once saved, always saved.” Other verses he wrote will also emphasize this point.
“For in this hope you were saved.”(Romans 8:24). Paul speaks of salvation in the past tense. “But…” But what? “Hope that is seen is not hope at all.” (Romans 8:24) So the salvation Roman Christians had received was not finalized, otherwise it would “be seen,” which “is no hope at all.” This can be seen in the final part of verse 24: “Who hopes for what they already have?”
“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”(Romans 8:25). Paul is saying “the redemption of our bodies” referred to in verse 23 is not yet attained. Therefore, the “salvation” referred to in verse 24 is not yet finalized. These Christians are not “once saved, always saved.”
“I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be =&0=&Paul here mentions the fact that he could potentially become disqualified in the race for life if he did not control himself. Obviously, Paul did not consider himself to be “Once Saved, Always Saved.”
Jude Did Not Believe In Eternal Security
Some preach a gospel that leads people to believe that salvation is as simple as one’s making a declaration such as “I believe that Jesus died for my sins”. The Scriptures, however, tell us differently.
Jude gives us another excellent example of the unscriptural thinking of the eternal security theology. Jude wanted to write about:
But he decided it was more urgent to “remind you … the Lord first saved a people out of Egypt.” (Jude 1:5HCSB) After the Israelites and their companions crossed the Red Sea “out of Egypt” they had salvation in a sense, in some ways like “the salvation we share” as Christians, that Jude wanted to write about.
“And later destroyed those who did not believe.” (Jude 1:5HCSB) Just as many of the “once saved” Israelites and their companions were “destroyed” (Numbers 11:33,34; 14:29; 15:36; 16:31-35; 21:6; 25:9), Jude uses this example as a warning that salvation is contingent on faithfully continuing on in their godly course. Thus, salvation is not eternal security.
“By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:3 NIV). Notice the phrase, “IF you hold firmly to the word,” indicating no one’s salvation is guaranteed, but, rather, is predicated upon continuing obedience. Each Christian must faithfully continue to obey God and his word to the end of their life (Matthew 24:13).
