Once Saved -- Always Saved by West End Church of Christ

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Once Saved -- Always Saved One of the current denominational doctrines that is a left-over from Calvinism is called, "The Eternal Security of the Believer," or more popularly, "Once Saved, Always Saved." In this lesson we will see what those who believe it say about it, what real issues are involved, and what the Bible teaches about it. Of all the denominations, the Baptist Church is probably the most prominent group that upholds this view. But first, the West End Church of Christ presents these fifteen minute sermons each Sunday. We have only one reason for doing it -- we want to preach the truth of God's word without being restricted by human doctrines, creeds, and wisdom. That is why we repeatedly ask anyone who listens to communicate with us if you do not agree with what we teach on this program. This is not done out of a spirit of dare, or challenge, but in sincerity and in the interest of being absolutely right about the most important issue of this life and of eternity. We also want to invite you to attend our services. Bible study begins at 9 a.m. Sunday morning. We have classes for all ages in which the Bible is discussed and made relevant to living in this world today. At 10 each Sunday morning we assemble to worship -- we honor God in the reading and teaching of His word, several prayers, gospel songs, giving of our means, and partaking of the sacred memorial feast of the Lord's Supper. Sunday evening we assemble for worship at 6 p.m. and mid-week Bible study is each Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Identifying the Doctrine The most basic statement of the doctrine comes from a Calvinistic Creed called The Westminster Confession of Faith. "They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace: but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved" (XIX:1, "Of the Perseverance of the Saints.") Other sectarian creeds such as the Philadelphia Confession of Faith state the same doctrine in almost the same words. One of the Baptist Church's accepted statements of doctrine reads, "We believe the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and perish, but will endure unto the end; and their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches, Edward T. Hiscox, D.D, page 67). The doctrine of "once saved, always saved," does not mean that one who remains faithful to the end will be saved -- it means that regardless of the continued fidelity of a believer, that person will be eternally saved. Once a person has been truly saved, according to the doctrine, they can do nothing whatsoever that will cause them to be lost. Within the past five years the doctrine has been refurbished somewhat. Not many Baptists would really accept the doctrine in all of its consequences. However, Moody Press published a book in 1985 entitled Once Saved, Always Saved written by R.T. Kendall. Kendall dealt with the consequences candidly and openly. He asked, "'What if we sin?" That is the most obvious question. This question is then often reshaped and put like this: 'What if a person who is saved falls into sin, stays in sin, and is found in that very condition when he dies? Will he still go to heaven? The answer is yes. (emphasis added). If he was truly saved in the first place, yes. If the answer to the question is no, then this book is utterly unnecessary. For if the matter of sin did not enter the picture, there would be no problem at all. There would never be a need for the doctrine of eternal security and there would never be an objection to it. We therefore will not proceed further in this book until we have made this clarification -- a most delightful clarification." (page 51). If one was once truly saved, then sins and dies without being forgiven of those sins, this doctrine teaches that such a person will still go to heaven. Kendall expressed the doctrine yet another way. "Whoever once truly believes that Jesus was raised from the dead and confesses that Jesus is Lord, will go to heaven when he dies. 'Once saved, always saved' means that such a person cannot lose his salvation. It follows, then, that he will go to heaven when he dies. It is an absolute enforcible promise. We are not saying once saved, always obedient. We are not saying once saved, always perfect. We are not saying once saved, always godly. It is once saved, always saved." Ibid, page 46. What is Really Involved? There are several things one must first accept before coming to grips with this doctrine. In order to get to the kernel of a nut the shell must be removed. We need to remove some things from the discussion of this question in order to get to the basic issue. The issue is not one of a lack of confidence in the grace of God, the love of God, or the power of God. The Bible clearly teaches that the saved person can rely fully on the dependability of God, His grace, love, and power. Saved person are kept by the power of God unto salvation (I Peter 1:5). God is certainly able to keep us from stumbling (Jude 24). There is no question at all that God's power and love are designed to keep the saved. His power, His love, and His grace will never fail. Neither is sinless perfection an issue. The Bible does not teach that one must be sinlessly perfect in order to be saved eternally. Roy E. Cogdill said, "I do not affirm the possibility of apostasy on the grounds of sinless perfection, for I do not believe that. I do not believe that the Bible teaches that God requires it, in order that men might be saved. I do believe the Bible teaches and that God requires the very best effort upon the part of every single individual who is earnestly interested in going to heaven eventually to overcome sin, and to lead a godly life in Christ Jesus" (Cogdill-Jackson Debate, page 164). Perfect obedience is not an issue. No mere man has ever fully and perfectly done everything God commands absolutely flawlessly. Flawless obedience on the part of a man would make God indebted to save such a person. Paul wrote, "Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor but as what is due" (Romans 4:4). R.L. Whiteside commented, "We can rest assured that if we could so work as to bring God in debt to us to the extent of our salvation, he would pay that debt. But for that to be true, a person's work would have to be perfect -- he would have to so live as to never sin, never incur any guilt." (A New Commentary on Paul's Letter to the Saints at Rome, page 92). No one can question whether those saved by the blood of Christ will be ultimately and finally saved in heaven. That is not a point of issue. That one who remains faithful to the Lord will be eternally blessed is assured by the promise of Christ. "And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved" (Matthew 10:22). It is granted that Jesus was specifically talking to those who would suffer persecution as they went forth preaching His word, but the principle is so obviously true, it is hardly worth mentioning. All who remain faithful to the Lord will be finally saved. The Focus of the Issue The one and only question involved is whether a true believer can cease believing and if so will such a person be saved regardless. To the question, the Bible answer is very straightforward. Notice the following scriptural arguments. 1. The Case of the Galatians. The epistle to the churches in Galatia opened with the salutation to brethren who had been delivered "out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father" (Galatians 1:2-4). Some of them were turning away from the gospel and it caused Paul to "marvel" (verse 6). They had been made free from sin through their faith in Christ and baptism into Him (3:23- 27). Yet Paul rebukes them severely by saying, "You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace". (5:4). Notice that these were saved people. Jesus' death on the cross had made it possible for them to be delivered from the present evil world. They had been baptized into Christ, as true believers, but had fallen from grace. You have to be in something before you can fall away from it. These people had been in grace, saved from sin, but had fallen from it. Here is a clear case that negates the entire basis for the false idea that once a person is truly saved, he can never be lost again. 2. The case of the vine and the branches. Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples: (John 15:1-8). First you will notice that Jesus speaks of those branches that were in Him. Next He affirms that they were already clean through the word He spoke to them. The relationship is described as disciples abiding in Christ and He in turn abiding in them. But Jesus gives this warning. If a branch does not bear fruit, it will be severed, thrown away, and burned. What branch was Jesus talking about? A disciple who failed to measure up to divine expectations. This again shows clearly that once one is in Christ and saved he can forfeit that by unbelief and disobedience. 3. Turning from Righteousness. The prophet Ezekiel declared, "When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, then he shall die in it. But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and practices justice and righteousness, he will live by them" (Ezekiel 33:19-20). The doctrine of "once saved, always saved" argues that it is impossible for a true believer ever to turn from righteousness. The converse then is true. A wicked person cannot turn from wickedness. But this prophetic statement declares that both the wicked and the righteous can change, turn, and alter their life. Again, there is not a single doubt that God's power is absolute. He will keep those who keep themselves in His love, His grace, and power. But to those who lose their faith, which it is possible for a believer to do, He has no obligation to keep them regardless of their own will. The doctrine of "once saved, always saved" is completely false. If you have any question at all about this topic, or if you would like extra study materials on it, contact us. You can write us at West End Church of Christ, 1609 Parkside Dr., Bowling Green, KY. 42101. Until the next time we have this opportunity to be with you by radio, may God richly bless you and yours. Good bye. Radio Sermon No. 44