Popular Beliefs: Once Saved, Always Saved I. Introduction A. Let us spend some time looking at popular beliefs of our day 1. If we are going to be able to preach the Word to others, we must know what they may believe! 2. Even if a person is not religious, s/he may have a view of Christianity based on denominational doctrines 3. We must be prepared to make a defense of the truth (1 Peter 3:15) B. Let us spend some time today looking at the doctrine of "once saved, always saved" 1. From where did it come? 2. What Scriptures are used to try to justify the practice? 3. What do the Scriptures say? 4. What questions are left unanswered by the doctrine? C. Let us now explore this doctrine II. "Once Saved, Always Saved": Origins, Meaning, Justification A. The idea of "once saved, always saved" has its origins in the Calvinist system of theology 1. In the system of logic used by Calvinism, the idea at least makes sense 2. In Calvinism, God is the only Actor: He is the one who predetermines salvation, He is the one who calls, He is the one who pulls people in, and therefore He is the one who keeps them 3. "Perseverance of the saints," the "P" in the TULIP of Calvinism, thus works within that system 4. Now, the system of logic is not Biblical, since the Scriptures establish that God is not the only actor; we have our role as obedient servants (Acts 2:40, Philippians 2:12, 2 Peter 1:10) 5. Regardless, as some Protestant groups moved away slightly from the Calvinist position, accepting that people need to believe and that people come to God, nevertheless they maintained the idea that once one is saved one is always saved B. Despite being stripped of a good justification within the Calvinist system, the idea of "once saved, always saved" is prevalent in Evangelical and other Protestant churches C. What does "once saved, always saved" mean? 1. It is the belief that one's salvation cannot be lost 2. Salvation is still had by a person no matter what may come and no matter what they may do 3. There is not entire agreement about precisely how this works out, especially in terms of a Christian getting involved in sin without repentance, but the essential principle that no matter what one says or does one does not lose one's salvation, whatever that "salvation" might end up being, is tenaciously held D. Justification 1. Many passages will be cited to justify the belief, and most of them involve any statement of security for a believer 2. John 10:27-29 3. Romans 8:35-39 4. Other passages perhaps could be cited, but all will revolve around the main idea that God will keep those who are His E. What, then, shall we say to these things? III. The Bible and "Once Saved, Always Saved" A. Let us first establish that we fully agree that there is no external power that can wrest God's children from His hand or separate God's people from His love 1. It is a great message of comfort to us-- we have no need to be concerned about the government, enemies of Christ, or any other such thing 2. God can most easily keep those who are His B. On the other hand, it is worth noting in these passages that nothing is said regarding "oneself" 1. No external force can separate us from God, but can we ourselves make the choice to separate ourselves from God? 2. None of these passages that can be cited indicate that no matter what we do, we are still saved! C. Let us now consider other passages that are within the Bible that show that indeed we can separate ourselves from God! 1. Matthew 7:21-23 2. Hebrews 3:12-14 3. Hebrews 6:4-6 4. Hebrews 10:26-31 5. 2 Peter 2:20-22 D. We know from one of the rules of hermeneutics that the sum of God's Word is truth (Psalm 119:160) E. Nevertheless, many attempts are made to maintain the idea of "once saved, always saved" despite these passages F. Attempt #1: Not the Elect 1. 1 John 2:18-19 is often used to advance the idea that people who fall away are not really saved to begin with, and that their departure manifests as much 2. Now, the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-8 would align well with this passage: those who are the "good ground" will remain 3. If one does fall away, it does probably mean that somewhere along the line, something went wrong, be it within the person himself or how he was taught or something of the sort 4. Nowhere, however, is it alleged that such persons, while striving to be Christians, were not actually Christians 5. 1 John 2, therefore, by no means teaches that all who fall away were never Christians to begin with! G. Attempt #2: Getting Away From the Texts 1. Many times, especially with 2 Peter 2:20-22, there is the attempt to over-contextualize in order to minimize what is within the text 2. The idea is that since the text is about false teachers, that such persons were never saved! 3. Let us consider the text, especially verse 20 4. How do the Scriptures say that one escapes the defilements of the world? a. It is not mere knowledge (James 2:19)! b. It is through belief, confession, repentance, baptism, and obedience that one is so able to escape the defilement (Acts 16:31, Matthew 10:32, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:16-18, etc.)! 5. At such a point, a person is considered saved; if not, then we are all in trouble! 6. 2 Peter 2:20-22 clearly shows that one can be cleansed from defilement and then go and be defiled again and be in a worse state H. It should be manifest, then, that the Scriptures do not teach the idea that once one is saved, such a one is always saved! IV. Other Difficulties With "Once Saved, Always Saved" A. There are further difficulties with the idea that once one is saved, they are always saved no matter what B. Satan 1. We read that Satan seeks anyone to devour in 1 Peter 5:8, and we must watch 2. Yet, if we are saved no matter what, why would Satan bother? 3. If salvation is assured, one would think that Satan would simply work to keep everyone else in his grasp, and not bother with Christians C. The New Testament 1. If no matter what is done, one is saved, why is so much of the New Testament devoted to moral instruction and commands regarding a Christian's conduct? 2. Galatians 5:19-24, Romans 12, and so many other passages would seem irrelevant if our salvation is assured no matter what 3. Why would it matter? D. What does it mean to be "saved"? 1. When one speaks with an advocate of "once saved, always saved," and begs the question of what happens to a Christian who sins without repentance, one gets an interesting set of answers 2. First of all, the person will say that Christians will not do such things; we agree, but Christians can and do stumble 3. This is when answers get interesting a. "one is saved, but loses their testimony in Heaven" b. "one is still saved, but they just won't get to make it to Heaven" 4. These are actual responses I have heard 5. Where do the Scriptures say anything of the sort? 6. What value does "being saved" have if one can have it yet not make it to Heaven? E. In the end, these difficulties show that "once saved, always saved" is not a fully baked theological view, and seems to cheapen salvation V. The Bible and the Christian's Security A. Those of us who recognize that the Bible does not guarantee salvation to anyone will often be charged with a belief of "if saved, barely saved" 1. As we have seen, actions seem to lead to over-reactions, and this is certainly one of them 2. It is assumed that if one's salvation cannot be fully guaranteed, that there is no hope of any guarantee 3. Is that the case? B. As we have seen, God has given His children many guarantees, and we should accept and cherish them 1. No external force can separate us from God (Romans 8:34-39) 2. If we are obedient, we can have the confidence in the hope of our salvation (Romans 6:16-18, 1 Peter 1) C. We recognize that the Bible speaks of two types of salvation: initial and final 1. Initial salvation: the point of conversion and the beginning of the walk with Christ (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:34-39, Romans 6:3-7, etc.) 2. Final salvation: Being ushered into Heaven and eternal life on the Judgment day (1 Peter 1:3-11) 3. We cannot confuse the two! D. As we strive to move from initial to final salvation, we have association with God and one another, and it is within the association with God that we can have confidence in our salvation (1 John 1:3) 1. As we are obedient servants, we have little to fear (Romans 6:16-18) 2. It is when we no longer remain obedient that we have much to fear (Hebrews 10:26-31) E. In the end, we can hopefully see the balance 1. We can have confidence in our salvation as obedient servants of God 2. If, however, we no longer serve God, but choose against Him, we have no right to expect to remain saved 3. It is neither "once saved, always saved" or "if saved, barely saved"! 4. Indeed, we have original salvation, and strive for our final salvation in the love of God F. Let us ever strive to obtain the final salvation, as it is written in 1 Peter 1:3-7 G. Invitation/songbook H. If you have never obtained initial salvation, you have the opportunity now I. If you were saved, but have fallen away, you can be restored J. Perhaps you simply require encouragement K. Let us help however we can; please come to the front as we stand and sing