the power of prayer

An Examination of the Doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved

The Eight Pillars
of
Eternal Security

or
The Toppling of an Idol
By Jeff Paton

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An Idol 1: A representation or symbol of an object of worship: A false god... 4: An object of extreme devotion. 5: A false conception.
( Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster 1991)

Oh, great is the Diana of the Calvinists! If one genuine Christian can fall, slip away, apostatize, or be severed from Christ, not only will eternal security, the head of their idol, come toppling down, but so will the rest of her defiled body! Is it any wonder that, despite the fact that the whole of Scripture is decisively against them, they must at all costs save their precious license for sin? We could list many cases of certain individuals who have been made examples of in the apostolic record. We could list several clear and unambiguous passages that either speak directly about the possibility and danger of apostasy and falling away or give inference to this possibility through logical conclusion. Nevertheless, this will not do, for the high priests of this unholy deception have already cast a spell of Scriptural blindness with their twisting of the Word of God that is so pleasing to the tickled ears of their hearers. Their minds, eyes, and hearts have been dulled and darkened so that they cannot comprehend these truths.
The blatant and open sinning of those who have dishonored Christ by their profession of Christianity proves their salvation is highly questionable. When asked how they can claim to be saved while they live in sin, their explanation is always about their faith in the doctrine of eternal security . . . and never about their faith in Christ! Christ brings conviction while eternal security brings comfort. Between the two, they choose the idol.
Proving that eternal security is without Biblical support is the only way to knock out this false prop from under the eternal security proponent. This is not a difficult task to do if we examine their "proofs" anew and allow the Bible to speak for itself. We will not dodge the issues and "explain away" the texts that seem difficult as the eternal security folks do, but each of their pillars will be approached within its context and the Word of God as a whole.

Pillar One

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. John 10:27-29.
With a small amount of scholarship, this verse can be cleared up. In the Greek text, the hearing and following are in the present tense. What does this mean? It means that only those who are hearing and following Christ right now are his sheep. Those that are living in a state of continual sin are not his sheep because they are neither hearing nor following Jesus. Who are secure? The sheep. Who cannot be snatched (taken away by force)? The sheep. Who is Jesus giving (present tense) eternal life? Those who are sheep. Who are the sheep? Who shall never perish? Who is Christ giving eternal life? Only those who are hearing and following right now! Whom do Jesus and the Father protect in their hands? Not the one who heard and followed, but only those who are actively believing now with an obedient faith. Is this not works? No! It is genuine faith! This is true biblical security.
The term "snatch" means to take by force. This promise guarantees that the devil cannot remove the believer (present tense) from the hand of God. This safety is only from forces outside the believer and God Himself. A backslider removes himself from the promises of safety and security. He is not removed against his own will.
Now, looking at this passage in its plain and obvious meaning, it renders no credence to the theory of unconditional eternal security. The chief pillar has fallen! The remaining seven groan under the weight to save this failed doctrine.

Pillar Two

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
First, these verses do not say, "Who shall separate us from the salvation of God?" Secondly, nowhere in these verses is Paul saying that sin cannot separate the one who rebels against the true and holy God.
To read the doctrine of eternal security into these verses is not warranted, since the conditionality of God's love is asserted throughout the Scriptures as a whole. God has an unconditional love for the lost as we can see in John 3:16. Other passages, such as the account in Mark 10:21,22 of the rich young ruler, who Jesus "beholding him loved him," further show the unconditional love of God, yet the ruler went away lost and grieved.
Why does Jude 21 warn us to "keep yourselves in the love of God" if the possibility of separation from God's love is impossible? In John 14:21 the conditionality of God's love is expressed this way, "He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, is he that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifest myself to him." Notice the clear and unambiguous words of Jesus, "He that hath my commandments and keeps them . . . is loved of my Father, and I will love him." Only bias and prejudice could impel one to deny the obvious conclusion that sin and rebellion is not the keeping of Christ's commandments, and that rebellious sinners are not in the love of God. In John 15:10 Jesus makes the same point again by inference, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
Clearly, there is a general love of God that goes out to all mankind regardless of their lost condition, and a specific and intimate love that God has only for those that are in fellowship with him through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is plain to see that this passage in Romans is this latter type of love.
Who shall separate us? Paul is addressing two elements here, one being "us." It is only those who are "in Christ" that Paul is concerned with here, and not humanity overall. Notice that the designation "who" is not the believer himself, but that influence or circumstance that is outside the believer. The entire listing of Paul is consistent with this context! Death, life, angels, principalities, powers, et cetera, are all elements that do not include the moral choice of the individual who is now a believer. God's love is present in those who are in Christ, regardless if their circumstances in this life seem to give the impression that his love and protection is being withheld from them.
"Doesn't this passage say that 'any other creature cannot separate us from the love of God?' We are creatures and therefore we cannot separate ourselves!" Oh, what pathetic lengths will one go to save this precious Diana! The context demands that these "other creatures" are not us! Common usage of words denies this strange manner of interpretation. It makes no sense to say "who shall separate us . . . death, life . . . height, depth, nor we disobedient believers ourselves shall be able to separate us."
To get eternal security from these Scriptures, one has to assume that this is the meaning of the texts before reading them. By using this approach, they start it with theory, and they end it with theory, and that all they have! THEORY, and not TRUTH!

Pillar Three
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
Notice that the eternal security advocate cannot produce even one unambiguous and clear passage for thier rotten doctrine! If this pivotal doctrine runs throughout the Scriptures, as is claimed, why aren't there passages that say, "No matter what sin a saved person commits, he will still go to heaven," "Believers cannot utterly fall away from the faith," and "Once a Son, always a Son." As much as they preach this from the popular pulpit, one would think that "eternal security" was a term that was found in the Bible! Yet the truth is that it will only be found in their theology books.
How they derive unconditional eternal security from Philippians 1:6 is a mystery. Paul had his confidence that God would continue his justifying and sanctifying work in them all the way to the end. Yet what was Paul's confidence in? Was it that he believed they were eternally secure and he wanted them to know it? This is what the eternal security proponents want us to believe.
Paul was confident of their perseverance only because they had "fellowship in the gospel from... THE FIRST DAY UNTIL NOW." Paul tells what his confidence is based on, and that is what we should believe. If there was a group of believers who showed nothing but good fruit from the day of their conversion until now, then there would be no other choice but to have confidence in the grace of God for them.
Please take note that the Scriptures never state this kind of confidence for those who are lukewarm or "sinning saints." This promise is only for genuine, obedient believers! Paul himself thought that was "meet" or "just" for him to think this way about them (verse 7). They had given Paul absolutely no reason to doubt that they were genuine Christians! Would he say the same thing of you?

Pillar Four
Who are kept by the power of God through faith . . . I Peter 1:5
Notice the condition to this security. It is through faith. Sin is not faith. It is unbelief, or anti-faith. As long as believers are constantly abiding in the faith, the power of God keeps them. Since they have their faith in Jesus Christ, they have the security that is promised.
If eternal security were true, why is it never stated in the Bible that, "It is impossible for a believer to lose his salvation?" It is because the doctrine of eternal security is nothing but a lie!

Pillar Five
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Romans 11:29
The individual's salvation is not the intent of the context here. It is the love of God for the nation of Israel. If one wishes to argue that "salvation is a gift, and therefore cannot be taken back by God" one would be inclined to agree with that. God does not take salvation away from us. We throw it away! It is our act of unbelief that brings separation and forces us to be broken off from the life of God. Look! In the preceding verses God tells us that many in Israel were "broken off" because of unbelief! We are also warned that we too can also be broken off unless we continue to "stand by faith." (Romans 11:20-21).
Why violate the context of this verse to "prove" eternal security, when we can be faithful to the Word of God and have the truth?

Pillar Six
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37
Again, notice that nothing is said about this fictional eternal security.
Who are given to Christ? Those who come by faith. Those that receive the gracious offer of the Father are guaranteed acceptance by Christ. What is promised is nothing more than that anyone who casts his faith upon the Christ will not be turned away! Believers do not have to fear that the availability of salvation is limited in any way.

Pillar Seven
And this is the Father's will who hath sent me, that all of which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again on the last day. John 6:39
Many confuse God's will with God's decree. It is also God's will that none should perish, and that all would come to repentance (2Peter 3:9). It is the Father's will (desire) that Jesus should not "lose" any, but this is an ideal, and not a proof of the inability of falling away. For in John 17:12 Jesus said, "those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost except the son of perdition," direct proof that in spite of the desire of God that "none shall be lost," there was at least one of the chosen twelve that was! The will of God never violates the free will he has given us to exercise!

Pillar Eight
The final pillar remaining is starting to crumble into dust, since without the support of any verses positing this fallacious teaching, Ephesians 1:13-14 will render no support on its own.
In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The only way that this can be perceived as a proof for eternal security is to have the support of some verse where the doctrine has already been proven. Standing alone as it does, it renders nothing that teachers of carnal security can use. The verse does not say whether believers can break this seal or not, but the whole of Scripture proves that they can. Observe that the Holy Spirit is only a down payment on our inheritance and that we do not possess the fullness of this gift until the Lord returns. The fullness of this promise is only to those who endure to the end. The Scriptures tell us to "Be faithful until death and I will give you a crown of life." (Rev. 3:5,21). The Lord preserves the faithful (Psalms 31:23), not the unfaithful. This is the true perseverance of the Saints!

Mourn, for your Idol has Fallen!
"Now they sin more, and have made them molten images of silver, and idols according to their own understanding." Hosea 13:2 "What profiteth the graven image that its maker hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe to him who saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach!" Hab. 2:18-19 "He heweth down cedars for himself . . . He burneth part of it in the fire . . . and the residue of it he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down to it and worshipeth it, and prayeth to it, and saith, deliver me; for thou art my god." Isaiah 44:14-17.
Nothing is more senseless that to create a god with one's own hands, only to bow down to worship it as mighty and powerful! Christians' assurance can only be based on a vital, living and trusting faith in the one true God, Jesus Christ. If there is a break in this relationship, there cannot be any hope of assurance. To claim assurance while one does not have a relationship with God is equal to worshiping something other than God, whether it be a doctrine or a piece of wood. Some will claim that fellowship with God can be severed but not the relationship to God. This statement is the same as calling God a liar! For it is written "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:7). Notice that cleansing for sin is conditioned upon fellowship with God, and that fellowship is conditioned upon walking in the light. If the blood of Christ is not cleansing us from all sin, it is impossible to be in a relationship with God! Fellowship and relationship are inseparable from the saving work of Christ. Being "out of fellowship with God" is the same as being out of the grace and relationship with God.
My friend, cast away the false god of assurance that has been fashioned with the hands of men! Do not trust in lofty and eloquent pleas to trust in a false eternal security, but put all of your trust in Him who keeps us through a genuine, trusting, and abiding faith, that we may one day hear those wonderful words "well done, good and faithful servant."
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The Pillars of Eternal Security - Part 2
by Jeff Paton
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In the Eight Pillars of Eternal Security, I thought that the main pillars had suffered enough erosion that the idol of unconditional eternal security would teeter and fall. Even without the main pillars to support this teaching, the worshipers of this doctrinal goddess have rushed in to prop up their idol once again. With much religious fervor, new pillars have been swiftly erected in their place as the stability of the old ones have collapsed. There is little hope that we will see the disappearance of this doctrine, not only because of its popularity, but also because one would their license for sin. If someone abandoned carnal security, all excuses for sin would be lost, and the dulled conscience would be livened again to the vast holiness of the living God. They would be faced with a dilemma they have ignored; compliance or condemnation. Those that don't want to comply, will tenaciously cling to their idol, no matter how much evidence there is against it, and no matter how paper thin the arguments are for it. Whether the Scriptures support it, is of no concern to them. They make their idol "the gospel," and condemn anyone as deceived and lost for not accepting it. They heap eternal hell and condemnation upon those who do not worship their doctrine, which was carved out of wood and stone! Earthy rationalization from the mind of men becomes the basis of God's truth, and not the spiritual revelation of His Word!
In the second part of this article I will peer underneath these pillars and will examine the substrata which they use to support the weight of these doctrines. Once there is no Biblical support in sight, they routinely fall back on unproven theological presuppositions to justify their conclusions. This tactic is their last refuge, it gets you away from Scripture and distracts you from the truth! Do not let their slight of hand distract you, the only thing that is important is what does the Bible prove? and not, what does some imaginary theory prove!

PILLAR NINE
Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24

Since the writing of the Eight Pillars of Eternal Security, this passage has been quoted as the Goliath that must be struck dead. The emphasis that is made is- hath eternal life.....shall not come into condemnation.....is passed from death unto life.
This is the same perpetuated error that eternal security proponents make in their interpretation of John 10:27-29. The English does not clearly exhibit the present tense of the Greek. The hearing and believing are in the present tense. The condition of having everlasting life is that we are hearing and believing right now! This is not some past act of a moment that secures these promises. It is impossible for one who ceases to continue in the required hearing and believing to have the blessings and promises connected to it.
The substrata: The conclusions derived from the Greek are definite and unavoidable. To salvage this text for their cause, they deviate from the prior condition and argue the word "eternal." They say " If eternal life is "eternal," how can it be lost? The believer hath everlasting life, and that cannot end! If the everlasting life you receive from God ever ceases for any reason, it was not "everlasting."
This assumes that eternal life exists as a possession apart from faith. If someone possessed an eternal pearl of great price, then later they cast the pearl off in favor of something else, that does not make the pearl any less "eternal." It does however cease to be the possession of the one who cast it off. "Eternal life" itself does not lose its quality because of one’s unbelief. However, the possession of this quality of life is no longer owned by the one who no longer meets the Scriptural conditions stated. The fact that they now possess everlasting life is because they are hearing and believing now.
This is not salvation by merit as some will charge, but it is the consistent definition of saving faith throughout the Scriptures. The one who clings to a lifeguard for rescue from drowning does not claim their "clinging," or absence of resistance as the cause of their deliverance. The lifeguard gets the deserved credit, but cannot save the one who fights or refuses his help. It would also be foolish to assume that since one was saved from drowning, that it would be impossible for them to become careless and fall in the water and drown in the future! Such is the logic of eternal security.
They shall not come into condemnation. The same condition applies. If they continue to hear and believe, they have no fear of condemnation. But is passed (perfect tense) from death to life. This is truly the state of the one who presently hears and believes. He was dead, and was made alive, and continues to live today as the perfect tense implies. This is the abiding, continuing, and enduring that the Bible exhorts believers to do. It is important to note that the verse says nothing whatsoever about those who cease hearing and believing. In fact, the Scriptures have no promises of blessings for those who trample under foot the blood of Christ! Based upon the conclusions already given it would be sound advice to follow Paul and Barnabas who are in agreement with our Lord’s statement by "speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God" (Acts 13:43).

PILLAR TEN
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9
Although this is not used on a regular basis by eternal security proponents, it is included since it is the allegation of some that it posits unconditional eternal security.
The emphasis on this verse is usually given as "God says that if you confess with your mouth, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, thou shalt be saved. PERIOD! The argument says that the condition of confession and belief have been met at an altar of prayer, then the promise is sure....thou shalt be saved. The conditions are met and the promise guaranteed. God cannot lie.
There is a lot of merit in these words, but the context of the verse is not talking of final salvation. It is dealing with the reception of salvation now. The context is talking about justification, receiving righteousness by faith. We would associate this with the popular term "getting saved."
Nothing within the context would give us any warrant to force an unconditional eternal security upon "thou shalt be saved." Eternal Security is not even implied in the passage. One can read it into it, but cannot get the doctrine out of it; unless they presuppose that it is there. That would not be sound exegesis. Such loose methods of interpretation would leave the Bible a thing that is subject to personal opinion. This is dangerous; anything.., I mean ANYTHING could be proved with this method!
Some have argued that the Greek word used here is in the aorist tense, that is, an act of the moment. A singular act of belief that brings about salvation. This is true that the moment we believe, God saves us. The context of the passage leaves us there. It is important to know that the Scripture is consistent in the use of the present tense wherever the conditions of final salvation are stated. This passage is no exception since it does not consider anything other than the believers initial passing from death unto life.
The substrata: Although the theological underpinning that I am about to bring forth is not directly related to this verse, but it is commonly used by eternal security proponents when they fail to find Biblical support.
"We must be eternally secure because Jesus paid for our sins past, present, and future." It is an interesting challenge if you ask them to prove this supposition. They are assuming that you will be logically defeated by buying into this reasoning. They can search the Scriptures day and night forever, and they will never find any proof of this statement. In fact, the Scriptures lead us to another conclusion. We are told that if we sin, we have an Advocate with the Father. That is, a Lawyer. Now if all your future violations of the law were already paid for, then you would never need an Advocate. The Judge is already satisfied, and no punishment can be inflicted on the one who's fine is already paid for. The fact that Jesus is the Advocate for the believer (1 Jn. 2:1) is evidence enough that future sin is not automatically covered. We would not need an Advocate if we were already judicially paid for at the cross as the Eternal Security proponent asserts.
The fact that the Bible never states that future sins are forgiven is more than innuendo based upon the idea of a need for an Advocate. Paul makes a direct reference concerning the forgiveness of sins in Romans 3:24, 25. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."
John says it is only if we confess our sins that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 Jn.1:9). No promise of forgiveness can be found in Scripture for those who refuse to repent. To say that all future sins are covered when we first believe is a theological assumption and not a Biblical fact. We have clear and indisputable statements that past sins are covered in the atonement, yet we are at a total loss to find a singular passage that states, or even implies, that all future sins of a believer are already pre-forgiven.
Some people will base their eternal salvation on an unproven assumption that allows them safety in their sin. Anything concerning salvation that cannot be proven from the Scriptures is nothing more than a baseless theory. Theories are alright if they are used to support that which is clearly defined in Scripture. They are dangerous if they are used as a foundation for any doctrine. This past, present, and future theory was developed to support and bolster their theory of final perseverance. Without any Scriptural evidence to support this teaching, their theory of future payment turns out to be faith in a gargantuan assumption! This approach is prime breading ground for doctrinal idols, and not for truth!

PILLAR ELEVEN
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

In a lot of ways this is the same as Pillar Eight. Much ado is made of the word "sealed" within both of these passages as proof that the carnal "christian" is secure. Also, much emphasis is put upon the statement "unto the day of redemption." Because of the inordinate stress that the advocates of this theory put upon these words, I find it necessary to give more attention to the subject than what has already been given in the original Pillars.
Once again I want to underscore that the word "seal" in itself makes no allusion to a doctrine of unconditional security whatsoever. It does speak of security which cannot be denied, but nowhere does the word itself define the extent of that security. The word "seal" in itself does not give us the mode in which we are sealed, nor does the word itself give any indication whether the seal can be broken or not. Many will charge that this is clarified by the clause "unto the day of redemption." They read "unto," the Greek "eis" as till, or all the way to the day of redemption. They see this as proving that the seal is guaranteed through to the day of His coming. This stems from a misinterpretation of the ambiguous "unto" of the King James version and by not looking at the original Greek. All versions of the Scriptures since the KJV, and the unanimous consensus of the Greek scholarship of our day goes against this interpretation. Most translate this passage as, "for the day of redemption." The idea of the passage is that we were sealed with a view to the day of redemption. The passage does not say that we are guaranteed this sealing all the way to the day of redemption, or are sure of our arrival at this designated end. The possibility of grieving the Holy Spirit, which is the "seal", implies that this passage is meant as a warning and not as a passage of assurance as the Eternal Security proponents demand. This verse admits the possibility of grieving the Holy Spirit, which implies that there is a real danger and that this seal can be broken.
The substrata: Many allude to the ancient custom of using a wax seal as a mark of ownership. There is also the idea of preserving an item in a container, such as jelly or preserves. These references are not complete ideas in which we can take every aspect of them and force them upon Scripture. In fact, the Scripture never specifies how this "sealing" is applied.
For example: A wax seal of ownership is independent of the object which is sealed. Thus, many say that from this image, we cannot break this seal ourselves. As for the jar of preserves; the item inside remains uncontaminated as long as the seal is not broken, or, the seal remains unbroken if the contents remain uncontaminated and do not fester. Since the Bible makes no mention of exactly how this sealing happens, it would be wrong to force any idea too far in either direction. This would be reading too much into these verses. Interjecting our preferred idea of what we think this sealing is into this passage would prove a theory, but it would not prove that it is the idea of Scripture.
Another substrata that the eternal security crowd falls back upon is the use of anthropomorphisms, I.E. human images used to describe God’s relationship to us. Images such as Father, Good Shepard, son, Judge, etc,... are anthropomorphisms. The fact that God is our Father is sometimes used in a way that goes beyond the plain words of Scripture. For an example, here is an actual quote from an eternal security advocate:
"No matter how much I tell my father that I am not his son, the TRUTH of the matter is that I will ALWAYS be his son, regardless of where I go or what I do, and I can never change his genes within me that bear witness to this. And likewise with God, no matter how much I try to tell him that I am no longer his son, I will ALWAYS be his son and will be unable to remove his spiritual "genes." The Holy Spirit was "intercoursed" into my spirit when I was saved."
The problem with arguments like these, besides that they go against the clear words of Scripture, is that they sometimes prove too much! We were all born children of the devil; according to the above argument, we cannot lose our son-ship because genetics cannot be changed. All this proves is that no one can ever become a child of God! Besides, we are adopted into the family of God aren’t we? Look at what foolish lengths this logic will take us if we apply these images too far! There is nothing Biblical about the above quotation, but people buy into these arguments every day, even the absurdity of being "sexed" into salvation! We must be careful not to get carried away in the application of these thoughts. They were never intended to be used to build extensive theories and systems of theology.
THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN
If old proofs are defeated we can be sure that new ones will always be put in their place. We must be forever vigilant in what we accept as truth, or otherwise, we will build one pillar of error that will someday become a temple. I pray that we will all be willing to tear down those false pillars as they become evident to us. Our assurance is not in a doctrine but in a vital union with our Savior Jesus Christ. "We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God." Acts 14:15
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200 REASONS
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT
BELIEVE IN

ETERNAL SECURITY


SEVEN REASONS WHY ETERNAL SECURITY IS FALSE

• It cheapens God's estimate of sin
• It is not taught in scripture
• It renders all exhortations to holiness to be irrelevant
• It must "explain away" the vast majority of scripture
• It encourages sinful living and false assurance
• It results in false conversions that weaken the true Church
• It is the most destructive and deceptive lie of Satan
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TWENTY LIES NOT FOUND IN SCRIPTURE
1. Once saved always saved.
2. Christians are no different than other sinners, except they are saved.
3. God cannot see the Christians sin because they are covered by the blood of Christ.
4. We can be filthy as a barnyard in body and still be saved and holy in spirit.
5. We all sin in word, thought and deed, every moment and every day.
6. All who have ever fallen away were never saved in the first place.
7. That when one comes to Christ, their sins are paid for past, present and future.
8. You can only lose fellowship with God and not salvation.
9. God would never disown or damn one of His own children.
10. A sheep cannot become a goat.
11. If we sin we only lose fellowship and not relationship with God.
12. Salvation is unconditional.
13. If salvation cannot be earned it cannot be lost.
14. God will not begin a work that he will not finish.
15. Repentance is not required for salvation.
16. Christians who say we must remain faithful to stay saved preach a works salvation.
17. We can be "Sinning Saints" or "Backslidden Christians" and still be saved.
18. Only at death can we ultimately be saved from sin.
19. Christians are still sinners.
20. I am secure because Jesus paid my sin debt in full.
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173 SCRIPTURAL REASONS
WHY THE DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL SECURITY
is FALSE

Below is a chart that will show two things. First, it contains verses that clearly show that Christians are free not to sin. So, we are without excuse, and we can discard the old worn out notion that Christians sin in word, thought, and deed, every moment and every day. Secondly, you will find verses that show that sanctification, perfection, and holiness are not only possible in this life, but that they are a command of God! This is entirely the work of God through His Holy Spirit. Man's part in sanctification and purity is his obligation to believe the scriptures concerning God's willingness and desire to cleanse and purify, and to consecrate himself entirely to God's control.
Gen. 2:17
Matt. 24:4,5,11-13
John 8:51,52
1 Cor. 10:11-21

Ex. 32:32-33
Matt. 24:42-51
John 10:27-29 Only those who that now *hear and *follow; those that do not hear and follow are not sheep! Jesus said so! 1 Cor. 15:1,2

Deut. 4:23-31
Matt. 25:1-13
John 12:46
2 Cor. 1:24

Deut. 8:19-20
Luke 3:9
John 14:15,21-24
2 Cor. 11:2-4

Deut. 11:13, 21-22
Luke 8:13
John 15:1-6
2 Cor. 12:21-13:5

Deut. 30:16-30
Luke 11:24-28
John 15:9-15,18
Gal. 4:9

Ezek. 3:19-21
Luke 12:42-46
John 17:12
Gal. 4:19

Ezek. 18:4
Luke 13:6-10
Acts 1:24,25
Gal. 5:1-4

Ezek. 18:24-32
Luke 13:24
Acts 4:32-5:11
Gal. 5:19-21

Ezek. 33:11-20
Luke 14:25-35
Acts 11:21-23
Gal. 6:7-9

Matt 1:21 From
sin, not "in" sin Luke 15:24 Was a "Son"
Acts 14:21,22
Eph. 1:14

Matt 3:10, 12
Luke 16:13
Luke 16:13
Eph. 2:8

Matt. 5:13
Luke 16:25 "Sonship" did
not save him from torment! Rom. 1:18
Eph. 3:17

Matt. 5:20 Your righteousness, not imputed. John 1:12 * believe
Rom. 2:6-8,9,10
Eph. 5:6

Matt. 5:22
John 3:14,15 * believe
Rom. 2:11
Phil. 2:1-30

Matt. 6:15
John 3:16 * believe
Rom. 5:8-9
Phil. 3:4-4:1

Matt. 7:19,21,22
John 3:18-2l * believe. The condemned love
darkness + sin Rom. 6:11-23
Col. 1:21-23

Matt. 10:33
John 3:36 *believe
Rom. 8:12-14,17
Col. 2:8

Matt. 12:37
John 5:24 *hear *believe
Rom. 8:28
I Thess. 3:1-8
Matt. 13:19-22
John 6:35 *coming *believe Rom. 11:20-22
1 Tim. 1:18-20

Matt. 13:41-42
John 6:54 Eternal life is conditioned upon *eating *drinking Rom. 13:4
1 Tim. 2:15

Matt. 18:21-35
John 6:66
Rom. 14:15-23
1 Tim 4:1,16

Matt. 22:10-13 Robe of personal holiness, not fictional imputation. John 8:30,31
1 Cor 3:16,17
1 Tim. 5:11,12

I Tim. 6:20-21
John 8:34-36
1 Cor 9:23-27
1 Tim. 6:9, 10

II Tim. 4:10
II Tim. 1:15
II Tim. 2:11-18
II Tim. 3:13-15

Heb. 5:5,9
Heb. 2:1-3
Heb. 3:6-9
Heb. 3:14

Heb. 4:1-16
Heb. 6:4-9
Heb. 6:11-12
Heb. 10:19-31

Heb. 10:36
Heb 10:38
Heb. 11:13
Heb. 12:16-17

Heb. 13:14-17, 25
James 1:21-22
James 2:14-26
James 4:4-10

James 5:19-20
I Peter 1:5-9,13
II Peter 2:1-22
II Peter 3:16-17

I Jn. 1:5-1:7 cleansing for sin is proven to cease with the loss of fellowship! I Jn. 2:1 May not sin once! The verse says "IF" we sin, not "when" we sin! I Jn. 2:1 To need and "Advocate" is proof that our sins were not "paid" for Past, Present, and Future. If that were so, we would not need an Advocate with the Father. I Jn. 2:3-5

I Jn. 2:15-29
I Jn. 3:1-3:10
I Jn. 4:17-18
I Jn. 5:2-5

I Jn. 5:12-13 *believing = eternal life I Jn. 5:16
II Jn. 6-9
Jude 5-12, 20,21

Rev. 2:5-7
Rev. 2:10-11
Rev. 2:16-26
Rev. 3:4-5

Rev. 3:8-12
Rev. 3:14-22
Rev. 17:14
Rev. 21:7-8

Rev. 22:11 Death does not sanctify! If you die a sinner, you remain a sinner for eternity! Rev. 22:18-19

VERSES ON SANCTIFICATION
Matt. 5:48
John 8:34-36
Acts 15:9 **purify
John 8:11

John 17:17-19
Rom. 6:12-23
Rom. 8:13
1 Cor. 5:7
** purge out
I Cor. 11:13,15:34
II Cor. 7:1
Gal. l:4 Eph. 1:4

Eph. 2:1-10
Col. 1:12, 13, 21-23
I Thes. 3:12, 13
I Thes. 4:2-4

I Thes. 5:23 **sanctify
II Thes. 2:13
II Tim. 2:19
Titus 2:11,14

Heb. 7:25
James 4:8 **cleanse **purify I Peter 1:14-17
I Peter 4:17, 18

I Jn. 1:7,9 Forgiveness and cleansing from ALL Sin! I Jn. 2:1 written that we may not sin. Period! I Jn. 3:5-10
I Jn. 5:2-5, 18

Jude 24, 25


KEY TO THE CHART

All references with an asterisk (*) are in the Greek present tense. The present tense shows a continuous action that is taking place at this very moment. When it concerns belief, the present tense is always used whenever the conditions of final salvation are stated. Since willful sin is unbelief, one cannot be believing and sinning at the same time. The benefits and security of salvation only stay ours as we continually put our full trust and lives into the hands of a Holy God.

The double asterisks (**) show an aorist tense. An aorist tense indicates a momentary occurrence and not a drawn out process. For example, if I "wash" my hands, this may take a process, but it is to be completed quickly. I do not wash forever. Sanctification may take a process to complete, but scripture makes it clear that its completion is to be in our physical lifetime. There is no example within the New Testament where sanctification or purity is in the future tense. There is no hope of sanctification after death.

THE DOCTRINAL DELUSIONS OF DAVE HUNT
ON THE SUBJECT OF
ONCE SAVED - ALWAYS SAVED
"And for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The question of the "eternal security of the believer" is often raised in letters we receive. This subject has been the cause of much controversy in the church for centuries- and still creates confusion and distress for many Christians. It is too much to expect to dispel this problem completely for everyone in a brief tract, but perhaps we can at least help in that direction. (Hunt)
Those who believe in "falling away" accuse those who believe in "eternal security" of promoting "cheap grace." The latter in itself is an unbiblical expression. To call it "cheap" is really a denial of grace, since it implies that too small a price has been paid.
Answer: Calling the Eternal Securist’s doctrine "cheap grace" since it teaches the inevitable conclusion that one can sin all they want and still be "secure" in their salvation, is somehow a denial of grace? This is absurd! Just because many Eternal Securist's treat the blood of Christ so cheaply as if it were a license to sin, does not mean that their doctrine of grace is true! "Cheap Grace" is a "False Grace." To call this grace a "cheap grace" is not to fight against truth, it is to defend "Biblical Grace!"
Grace, however, must be absolutely free and without any price at all on man's part; while on God's part the price He paid was infinite. Thus for man to think that his works can play any part in either earning or keeping his salvation is what cheapens grace, devaluing this infinite gift to the level of human effort.
Answer: First of all, Mr. Hunt has no Biblical proof for the THEORY that he rests his conclusions on. NOWHERE in Scripture does it say that the "price He paid" excludes any responsibility in man! In fact, Mr. Hunt denies fatalism, yet he contradicts his own statements by asserting that there are no conditions to receiving salvation. You had to repent and believe the Gospel in order to be saved. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). No faith, no salvation. The same faith one needs in order to get saved is required to stay saved! You must continue to repent and believe in order to retain the benefit of the Gospel to be saved (1 John 1:9). You cannot say that salvation is "conditional," requiring faith at its inception, and then accuse the Biblical standard of "continuing" in the faith as a condition of salvation as somehow "earning or keeping" your salvation. Continued faith is not "earning" your salvation. Faith that continues is the Biblical definition of saving faith.
To speak of "falling from grace" involves the same error. Since our works had nothing to do with meriting grace in the first place, there is nothing we could do that would cause us to no longer merit it and thus "fall" from it.
Answer: Mr. Hunt confuses the "conditions" of salvation with the "meriting" of salvation. His THEORY can only be true if there are no conditions to salvation whatsoever! If one can be saved WITHOUT faith, then one can rightly say that there is nothing one can do to "fall" from it. But, if FAITH is required to have "grace," then it possible to lose grace if faith ceases. Either Hunt’s THEORY is true, and faith and belief have NOTHING to do with salvation, or, the Bible is true and faith is essential to salvation. "Without faith it is impossible to please him:" (Heb. 11:6).
..we must be absolutely certain that works have nothing to do with salvation. Period. The Bible clearly states, "For by grace are ye saved... not of works" (Eph 2:8-10). True to such Scriptures, evangelicals firmly declare that we cannot earn or merit salvation in any way.
Answer: Mr. Hunt believes that works have nothing to do with salvation. This is clearly an overstatement that goes far beyond the Bible. He has convoluted the idea that since the Scriptures state that one cannot merit salvation by works, that this somehow eliminates works from the Gospel scheme. The Bible clearly says that salvation cannot be merited by "works," and it just as equally demands that "works" accompany salvation. The balance here is that true conversion and faith will and must produce good works in order to evidence itself as genuine conversion or faith. The Scriptures constantly state that "works" are part of the Christian walk. The Bible is not a book that is "against" good works in any way.
Mr. Hunt tries to equate the idea that believing that one can fall away from the faith is equivalent to believing that one is saved by works. Those that believe the Biblical teaching that salvation can be lost or forfeited, do not believe in meriting or earning salvation either! The truth of the matter is that those that believe that one can fall away from the faith also believe in salvation by grace just a thoroughly as he does! They however, do not discard the other half of the truth by ignoring what the Scriptures say about works and the believer. Just because "works" cannot "earn" salvation does not mean that "works" have nothing to do with salvation. It is deceptive lie to say that salvation has "nothing" to do with works. What does the Bible say concerning the role of works and salvation? The Bible says that those that are truly saved WILL bear fruit (John 15:5), and those that cease to abide in the vine (Jesus Christ) fail to produce fruit and are "taken away" and "burned." (John 15:2, 6). James states that "faith, if it has not works, is dead..." (James 2:14, 17). A "dead" faith is not a "saving" faith.
Mr. Hunt, along with most Antinomians, misapplies Ephesians 2:8-10 by ignoring verse 10. We are saved by grace... TRUE; We are not saved by merit of works... TRUE; But verse 10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which GOD HATH ORDAINED that we should walk in them." If one’s faith does not produce good works, then it is no saving faith at all. A Biblical, saving faith demands good works! If one can be saved without good works, then the promise of Christ is a failure! If we can fail to produce good fruit or works, then the "workmanship" of Christ is a failure! Being in Him, (the Vine), has resulted in nothing. The life giving sap of the Vine has proven to be ineffective. If Christ cannot do something as easy as producing good fruit and good works in us, then it is questionable whether He could ever be effectual in saving us from our sin at all! This shows how Mr. Hunt’s THEORY destroys the hope of the Gospel! The Bible contends for a work producing faith; Mr. Hunt contends for a fruitless "devil’s" faith (James 2:19).
Mr. Hunt, "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20).
..if salvation from the penalty of breaking God's laws cannot be earned by good deeds, then it cannot be lost by bad deeds. Our works play no part in either earning or keeping salvation.
Answer: Mr. Hunt’s THEORY further complicates the clarity of the Bible. Here he attempts to deceive the very elect with the lie of the devil. Notice that his argument is based upon his THEORY and the logic of that THEORY, and NOT any teaching from the Bible!
Sin is the barrier that separates man from God. The "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The "wages" have never changed. In order to have our past sins forgiven, we must repent and believe the Gospel (Romans 3:25; 2 Peter 1:9; 1 John 1:9; Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, 17:30). To "repent" is to turn from that which separates us from God. The forgiveness of sins is received through trust, or belief in the sufficiency of the atonement of Christ. What happens then if one ceases to trust and believe, and refuses to repent? (Ezek. 18:4; 24-32). The Bible says that the soul that sins shall surely die; the wages of sin is death; without faith, it is impossible to please God. My friends, turning from sins in faith is not in any way "earning" salvation; it is true faith! Repentance is part of Biblical faith. Many people are ignorant of this need. God says, "And in the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness..." (Acts 17:30). Paul exhorts those that were ignorant of the need of works and repentance saying, "that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." (Acts 26:20).
Works do not "earn or keep" salvation- Faith does. But what kind of faith saves? One that turns from sin, one that produces good works. No other kind of faith will save you! That is Scriptural.
"salvation can be given to us as a free gift only if the penalty has been fully paid."
Answer: This is patently false. Mr. Hunt seduces us with logic and not Scripture. The atonement of Christ was a provision, and not a payment for sin. The atonement of Christ is a provision for all who will repent and believe. It is not limited to a few people that are mystically "paid for." Viewing the atonement of Christ as a provision instead of a payment expands and enhances the idea that the grace of God is truly a free gift to all. The idea of payment is the one that puts limits on God’s grace.
Therefore God, in love and grace, through the virgin birth, became a man so that He could pay the debt of sin for the entire human race!
Answer: If Mr. Hunt's THEORY that sins were "paid for" on the cross is true, then no one can end up in hell! If a sin was paid for on the cross, then that sin cannot be punished again. If "ALL" the sins of the human race were paid, then "ALL" must be saved! Nowhere in Scripture does it say that God removes this assumed "payment" from those who do not believe. God cannot "unpay" a payment that He has already paid. If it is a payment as Mr. Hunt dogmatically states, and some are ultimately lost, then one of two things must have happened.
1. The blood of Christ failed these individuals, and thus, His blood will most likely fail all!
2. The atonement of Christ was not for all (which is a false statement; 1 John 2:2), but limited to a mystical "few." This would destroy the Gospel as "good news" for all, to be a "bad news" for most. If the atonement paid for only a few, then we cannot know if we were "paid for" or whether we have any chance since God does not offer salvation to "all." Salvation becomes a lottery that no one can know if they are the winner until they reach eternity! This is the undeniable conclusion of Mr. Hunt's THEORY. His own THEORY which is supposed to provide assurance, ends up destroying assurance for ALL!
In the Greek, Christ's cry from the cross, "It is finished!" is an accounting term, meaning that the debt had been paid in full. Justice had been satisfied by full payment of its penalty, and thus God could "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Rom 3:26). On that basis, God offers pardon and eternal life as a free gift. He cannot force it upon anyone or it would not be a gift. Nor would it be just to pardon a person who rejects the righteous basis for pardon and offers a hopelessly inadequate payment instead-or offers his works even as "partial payment."
Answer: This is a fanciful approach to the idea of Eternal Security that has come into popularity in recent years. The argument seems like it is sound and is based upon the Greek term [teleo] which can be translated as "paid". This is a fact, and as a fact it cannot be ignored.
1. "In the Greek, Christ's cry from the cross, "It is finished!" is an accounting term." What we need to realize is that another important fact is conveniently ignored in this statement which is that the same word can mean finished, complete, accomplished, fulfilled, and to bring to an end. It is not always an accounting term as is implied by his statement.
2. Because we have so many different meanings to this singular Greek word, we must look at the context to see which is the preferable translation. It is extremely doubtful that Jesus uttered this statement in an effort to apply any and all meanings of this one word to His death. If this is the case, then we must ask why no reputable translation of the Bible inserts "Paid in full" in place of "It is finished"?
A. The first reason is that the context determines the meaning of the word used in this passage. The obvious contextual translation is "It is finished," or accomplished/complete. His work on the cross on behalf of man has come to an end. To say "paid in full" would deviate from the direction the context is leading us. It is also significant to ask why those in the Apostolic Church, who read the Greek and were close to those who were taught by the disciples never seem to have pressed this interpretation into play. The reason should be obvious, such an idea of atonement never crossed their minds because the Apostles never taught this doctrine!
B. The context uses the same term twice; once in verse 28, and the one in question in verse 30. Tetelestai in verse 28 is, "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, (tetelestai) that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith..."This sets the meaning of "it is finished" (tetelestai) in verse 30. Jesus is confirming in His own words what was accomplished. If the meaning in verse 28 is "accomplished, finished, completed," it makes little or no sense to deviate from its purposeful meaning of "accomplished, finished, complete," in verse 30. If we say verse 30 must mean "paid in full," then verse 28 must have the same meaning, for it is talking about the same thing. Observe the awkwardness if this approach, "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were paid in full, (tetelestai) that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith...""he said, paid in full." (tetelestai). If this were not awkward enough, note that verse 28 specifically states, "that the scripture might be fulfilled." Not once does the Scripture speak of the Cross being a payment, so it is impossible that verse 28, and consequently verse 30 can be translated that way and be true to a fulfillment of Scripture!
C. The most important reason is that there is no Biblical warrant to make such an assertion. There are no passages in the entire Bible that states that anything was paid for on the cross! The Bible never suggests that anyone was paid any amount, or if they were, whom it was that was paid. The entire Old Testament alludes to reconciliation through sacrifice, but never once does it make any reference reconciliation by a payment of an account. The New Testament makes references to the sacrificial system and to the judicial system, but never, not even once does it state that anything was ever paid. There are no parallel passages that would justify imposing such a translation on this passage! Any translator of the Bible that did not want to be laughed out of a job would ever insist on such a wild and unwarranted assertion that it should be translated "paid in full" as is evidenced in every translation that has ever received the acceptance of scholars and the believing public.
D. There is a serious lack of any linguistic history for the argument that the meaning is "paid in full." Such a translation has been missed by the greatest commentators and linguists if the past 2000 years if this is true! It would not surprise me that we cannot find such a translation before 16th century since the Penal Substitution Theory had not been invented yet. But it is astonishing that I cannot find any evidence or suggestion for this translation until the late 1900's; the last 50 years! If such a translation were viable, a credible expositor would have seized the opportunity to support the interpretation of "paid in full" long before now!
E. I conclude that the reason for the suggestion this should be translated "paid in full" does not come from an altruistic motive to faithfully bring forth the meaning of the Bible, but it is brought to our attention in order to salvage a THEORY that cannot be supported by the context of Biblical language.
Salvation is the full pardon by grace from the penalty of all sin, past, present or future; eternal life is the bonus thrown in. Denying this cardinal truth, all cultists, such as Jehovah's Witnesses...
Answer: "Denying this cardinal truth"? How can it be a "truth" if it is not in the Bible? How can he be so dogmatic and crass towards genuine believers in Christ by aligning them with cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses? All because of something the Bible NEVER says? Where does it say past, present, and future? This is truly an attempt to misguide his readers! Apparently his precious THEORY means more to him than unity on Biblical grounds. Why believe Mr. Hunt when you can believe the Bible? If there is anyone that is aligning themselves with the Jehovah's Witnesses and other cults, it is Mr. Hunt who seems to be so familiar with their deceptive scare tactics and preference for theories over Scripture!
While those who believe in "falling from grace" are clear that good works cannot earn salvation, they teach that salvation is kept by good works. Thus one gets saved by grace, but thereafter salvation can be lost by works.
Answer: "They teach that salvation is kept by good works." This is apparently so obvious that Hunt cannot even produce a singular proof that those that believe that salvation can be lost actually teach this! These accusations and falsities have a name; it is called slander!
Salvation is not kept by "good works." The believer is "kept" by the power of God THOUGH FAITH." (1 Peter 1:5.) As we have already seen, true saving faith always results in fruit and good works! Only a fruitful faith will save. My friend, if you have a "faith" that has never produced any change in you, you do not have a "saving" faith. Do not settle with false hopes from convincing writers that attempt to get you to disbelieve the Bible in favor of their pet THEORIES. Repent! And Believe the Gospel!
We are truly saved by grace. Salvation is not lost by works, but by loss of faith, which manifests its unbelief by sin. The wages of sin is still death, contrary to popular humanistic THEORIES.
"Falling away" doctrine makes us worse off after we are saved than before. At least before conversion we can get saved. But after we are saved and have lost our salvation (if we could), we can't get saved again, but are lost forever. Hebrews 6:4 declares, "If [not when] they shall fall away... it is impossible (v.4)...to renew them again unto repentance." That "falling away" is hypothetical is clear (v.9): "But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak" So "falling away" does not "accompany salvation." The writer is showing us that if we could lose our salvation, we could never get it back without Christ dying again upon the cross. This is folly.
Answer: I agree... Hunt’s false interpretation is FOLLY! The passage never says what he tries to make it say. The passage clearly gives the reason for the impossibility of renewing them to repentance, it is impossible, "since they crucify (present tense Greek) to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." (V.6) The verse states that it is IMPOSSIBLE since they are PRESENTLY crucifying Christ. Nothing in this verse denies that they could not stop this action and repent. It only states that it remains IMPOSSIBLE while they continued to do it. The very One that could save them is the very One that they put back on the cross in their hearts. It could only be when they stopped doing so, and admitted the sufficiency of Christ’s death and atonement that they could be renewed.
This is not "hypothetical" as Hunt tries to get you to dismiss a frightful reality. This is not a portion of Scripture that states something that never could happen, for the Bible NEVER warns us of something that is not a real danger. Mr. Hunt wants you to disbelieve the Bible and its grave warnings. This my friend is a poor exchange. He would rather have you believe his THEORY than allow you to believe a warning that was meant to save you from the loss of your eternal soul!
John 5:24 again says, "hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation...." One could not ask for clearer or greater assurance than the words of Jesus: "I give unto them [my sheep] eternal life; and they shall never perish" (Jn 10:28). If, having received eternal life, we could lose it and perish, it would make Christ a liar.
Answer: Hunt ignores portions of these passages that he does not want to be brought to your attention. He conveniently left off the conditions within these verses. In John 5:24 we read that "He that believeth" shall "not come into condemnation," or "ever perish" on the condition, "IF" they are Hearing and Following Christ, and Believing on Him. You see, these conditions are all in the present tense, which means that they must be presently occurring for the desired result to be following. This is what the passage says; Only the one who is presently "hearing" God’s word, and "believing" at this moment, has (present tense) everlasting life (John 5:24). The one who’s belief and hearing of God are past tense do not have the present tense everlasting life. A past tense belief will get you nothing. God demands faith in the present tense!
In John 10:26-29, Jesus surely speaks of the security of the sheep. The question is not whether the sheep are secure, but what is a "sheep?" The passage does not disappoint us by not giving an answer to this vital question. It states, "But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep..." There we have part of the answer, those that are not sheep do not believe. So the opposite must be true; to be a sheep, one must "believe." In verse 26, the term "believe" is in the present tense. So, one must be believing this moment, right now, continually, or they are not a "sheep."
"My sheep are "hearing" (present tense) my voice, and I know them, and they "follow" (present tense) me:" It is only to the sheep that Jesus gives eternal life. To be a "sheep," one must fulfill the conditions of being a sheep, which are a present abiding faith or belief. Constant present tense listening or hearing of Christ’s directions, and, a present tense following of this guidance. Continuing in sin is NOT listening or following Jesus Christ, and according to this passage, it is not "Believing" in any sense of the word. The bottom line? Those that are not presently hearing, following, and believing are NOT sheep! That is what Christ says! (V.27).
To say that those who say that salvation can be forfeited "make Christ a liar," is to show the greatest contempt towards our Savior’s words! In fact, it would "make Christ a liar" if He were to save anyone that did not meet these qualifications that He set in stone!
In essence, Mr. Hunt is calling Christ a liar since He does not bow to Mr. Hunt's man-made THEORY!
If sin causes the loss of salvation, what kind or amount of sin does it take? There is no verse in the Bible that tells us.
Answer: Hmmm... what about the example of Adam and Eve? How many sins did it take? I don’t think that anyone reading this needs to open their Bible to know how many sins it takes! God gives us His view of sin through the example of Adam and Eve. He does not amend His standard anywhere in Scripture. Once again, you can believe God, or you can believe Mr. Hunt’s THEORY, but you can’t believe both.
We are told that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness-so apparently any sin can be forgiven. Even those who teach falling away rarely if ever say they got "saved again." Rather, they confessed their sin and were forgiven. Hebrews 12:3-11 tells us that every Christian sins, and that instead of causing a loss of salvation, sin brings God’s chastisement.
Answer: While it is true that 1 John 1:9 would include any sin, it does however do so upon specific conditions. 1 John 1:9 states that, "IF (and only IF) we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins..." Nothing is automatic. NOWHERE in Scripture is automatic pre-forgiveness stated! To say so is to put your faith in THEORY, and not the Bible.
"Hebrews 12:3-11 tells us that every Christian sins..." Hunt is so in love with his THEORY that he makes a passage say something that it never says! The BIBLE states that Christians do not sin in practice; it is not their nature. (1 John 3:9). But IF they do, they can confess their sin to the Advocate and be forgiven. (1 John 1:9; 2:1-2). There are convictions and light that the Holy Spirit brings upon the believer. The believer may be unaware of these sins. But because they do not sin out of knowledge and rebellion, the Lord "winks" at their ignorance and chastises them until they understand and repent (Acts 17:30; John 9:41). If one realizes their sin and continues in it with the refusal to repent of it, we are warned in Heb. 10:26-31, "For if we sin willfully (present tense, keep on sinning willfully,) after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins... how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of covenant, wherein he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace..." (See Bible for all verses.)
The Scriptures everywhere exhorts believers not to sin (1 Cor. 15:34; 1 John 2:1; John 5:14; 1 John 8:11; Ps. 4:4; 1 John 5:18). No one sins by necessity (1 Cor. 10:13). We are exhorted that, "Take heed brethren, lest there be in any you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Heb. 3:12), and to, "Keep yourselves in the love of God" (Jude 21).
Are we not then saved by our works? Indeed not! In I Corinthians 3:12-15 every Christian's works are tried by fire at the "judgment seat of Christ" before which "we must all appear" (2 Cor 5:10). Good works bring rewards; a lack of them does not cause loss of salvation. The person who hasn't even one good work (all of his works are burned up) is still "saved; yet so as by fire" (1 Cor 3:15).
Answer: Another passage distorted to support an unbiblical THEORY. Hunt says that it is the believers works, when the context speaks of the works of certain pastors. He also suggests that "works" in this passage are "sins." This is something the passage nor the context ever admits!
These "pastors" were evangelizing, and sometimes with the wrong motive. It was not necessarily sinful to be competitive (as many pastors of churches are today), but because the motive was not the proper one, they had their reward here on earth instead of in heaven. Notice that these pastors worked, not "sinned!" Nothing in this passage warrants the distortion of the text to say that "The person who hasn't even one good work (all of his works are burned up) is still saved; yet so as by fire." This is an entirely dishonest interpretation. All the people spoken of had "works," some of what burned, some which did not. "If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon" (V. 14). Notice that the Scriptures know nothing of an idol or unfruitful Christian, but the Scriptures do recognize and describe an idol apostate from the faith who’s reward is damnation! (1 Timothy 5:11-13). Also notice that it said nothing of sins in the passage, so how their works be "wood, hay, and stubble?" Surely, as these pastors built, it is evident that they did not always build well. Their reward would be lost, but that did not take away their salvation. This passage is not dealing with sinning and rewards, but working and rewards!
Hunt brings up the judgment seat of Christ. He tries to imply that at the judgment seat we will not be judged for works, but our faith. Jesus said, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28-29. Paul writes that God "Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality; eternal life" (Romans 2:6-7). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:9-10). Notice that the idea that we will be judged according to our deeds, and not for our belief. But beliefs usually help to dictate the deeds that we do. This is the problem with Hunt’s THEORY. What dangers are there if one believes that they can sin all they want and all they lose are rewards? Notice that these passages state that we will receive according to what is done, and not according to what we believed. Peter asserts, that the Father, "without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man's work" (1 Peter 1:17). And St. John concludes with these formidable words: "And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books, according to their works." (Rev. 22:12). Observe that it is not once said, "according to their faith."
We should not be afraid to stand on Biblical ground that good works are a good thing; it is when they become a means of earning salvation there is a problem. Asserting that one must have a fruitful salvation that produces good works in order for it to be a saving faith is irrefutably Biblical; it is not what is falsely charged as "earning" one’s salvation. We must ask why any teacher would fight so hard against good fruit and good works when the Bible spends so much time exhorting us to do so!
He has given to us as a free gift of His grace- a gift He will not take back and which He makes certain can never be lost!"
Answer: This is the conclusion of Mr. Hunt’s THEORY. He presents this conclusion with great confidence and gusto! Unfortunately, it is not passion and dogmatism that makes such statements true, but the Bible and its contained truths that are the standard of correctness. We have seen that the "gospel" that Mr. Hunt gives us is not the Gospel of the Bible. In fact, it is the exact opposite of what the Bible says on the issue.
To build a doctrine upon the sinking sands of THEORY is dangerous ground. God emphatically says that sin is dangerous. Mr. Hunt says that sin is of little consequence besides "chastisement" and "rewards." To elevate this human THEORY above Scriptural truth is to set up an idol over God. My "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21.)
I can only conclude that many have been given a strong delusion when they show the consistency of always favoring a THEORY for their source of truth instead of favoring the Bible's light on any subject. The Bible is not to be fought; it is not to be explained away; it is to be believed.


HOLD ON!
by Jeff Paton
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The Bible is full of promises, exhortations, and warnings. Promises emphasize God's work towards us, while exhortations and warnings are our responsibility towards God. The following word study is intended to stress the obligation of mankind in the salvation process. To limit this study to a reasonable scope, I will be dealing exclusively with God's exhortations and warnings from the New Testament.
HOLD defined: 1 a: to have possession or ownership of at one's disposal b : to have as a privilege or position of responsibility; 2 a: to have or maintain in the grasp b : to support or keep from falling or moving; 3 a: to prevent from leaving or getting away. Vi 1 a: to maintain position: refuse to give ground b : to continue in the same way or to the same degree.
For the sake of brevity I will limit the discussion to the preceding definitions.
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" 1 Timothy 6:12.
What is the meaning here of "lay hold on eternal life?" This epistle is written to believers as the verse in question and the surrounding context will prove. So, the eternal life of these individuals is not a possession that has not yet been in their grasp, but that which must be maintained or prevented from getting away.
Some have translated this phrase "lay hold" as "hold tightly to" (Living Bible), "keep your grip on" (Phillips), "take hold of "(NIV, NEB, RSV). To "lay hold of " or, "take hold of " leaves the reader wondering if the eternal life is something yet to be acquired, or worse yet, earned by fighting the good fight (as the Jerusalem Bible and the TEB seem to imply by translating as "win for yourselves" and "win eternal life"). While it is true that this possession of eternal life is yet to be bestowed upon us in all its finality, ( 1 Jn 2:24-25 ), we cannot take the "winning" of eternal life as an issue of merit.
"Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust" 1 Timothy 6:19-20a.
Once again, the context is plain and clear that believers are once again exhorted to "lay hold" on eternal life. The meaning of this passage is also fixed by Paul's admonition to Timothy to "keep" that which has been committed to his trust. The interpretation of the "keeping" that Timothy is to ensure is a divided issue. Some say that this is an exhortation for Timothy himself to stay in the faith, and some say that it is a charge to Timothy to ensure that his flock is kept through the dangers of vain disputes or trust in riches. Either way, the facts remain the same concerning this "holding on". His hearers, including himself, must continue in the faith to lay hold on the promise of eternal life.
"But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end" Hebrews 3:6. The meaning of this passage is clear and unambiguous. If we do not hold fast to the end, there is no promise of eternal life.
"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" Hebrews 3:14. Holding on through to the end is our responsibility and not God's. Our being made partakers with Christ is conditioned upon our continuance in an obedient faith and trust in the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." Hebrews 4:14.
The warnings in Hebrews were written to encourage Christians to stay faithful under intense persecution. They were in imminent danger of apostasy from the faith. If a believer has nothing else to do about his salvation once it has been given to him, why then, does the writer of Hebrews continually stress holding on if there is no danger?

OTHER AREAS OF CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY "IF "
The word "if" means "on the condition that," "allowing that," or "in the event that." I will allow the reader to research this word on their own. "If" is a small word, but if it is removed as a condition, we no longer have a Bible.
Gen. 4:3-7; Lev. 26:3-28; Lev. 26:40-42; Deut. 11:26-28; 30:17; Josh. 24:20; 1 Sam. 7:3; 12:14, 15; 1 Chron. 28:6-9; 1 Kings 11:11-13; Jer. 7:5-7; Matt. 6:14; 16:24-26; Jn. 8:31-51; 15: 6, 7, 10; Rom. 8:13, 14; 11:19-24; Col. 1:21-23; Heb. 2:1-3; 3:6,14; 6:4-8; 10: 26-31; 10:38, 39; 12: 7, 8; James 1:22-27; 2:8, 9; 2 Pet. 1:4-10; 1 Jn. 1:9; 2:3; 2:24; 3:7, 8.
If you do not complete the condition, you cannot enjoy the promise.

"ABIDE, CONTINUE, ENDURE"
More conditions! I was told that my security and salvation were unconditional! My friend, God cannot remain, abide, continue, or endure for us anymore than he can repent and believe for us! Proof that we have a conditional salvation will be shown by a study of verses containing these words.
ABIDE defined. To remain, continue, stay, or to be steadfast. As you read the following passages, ask yourself if God really does require us to remain faithful to be able to receive eternal life! Jn. 15:1-11; Rom. 11:23; 1 Cor. 7:24; 1 Jn. 2:6; 2:10; 2:24, 27, 28; 3:6; 3:14; 3:24; 2 Jn. 1:9.

CONTINUE defined. Abide, remain, stay, or be steadfast. As you read these passages you will see that there are no blessings to those who do not continue. Jn. 8:31; 15:9; Acts. 13:43; 14:22 (why exhort them if this were not possible?), Rom. 2:7; 6:1; Gal. 2:5; 3:10; Col. 1:23; 1 Tim. 2:15; 4:16; 2 Tim. 3:14; 1 Jn. 2:24.

ENDURE defined. Remain, continue, or be steadfast. Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Jn. 6:27; 2 Tim. 2:3; Heb. 12:7; James 5:11.

The point of this whole exercise is to show that an unconditional security or salvation is just a myth. Theological trickery may explain away these truths, but to those who desire to gain the prize of eternal life, no substitute for the word of God will do.



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