Once Saved Always Saved?
Recently I’ve been in discussions with several people about salvation. We’ve been discussing the question about “Once saved, always saved”. I decided that I wanted to open this discussion up to everyone through this blog. I’m going to give you a few verses that seem to indicate to me that someone who has been saved can turn away from God and then be lost. I know that not every one agrees with this and so I would like to hear the reasoning behind the opposing view if you are willing to share. I know that some would say that they never were really saved in the first place even though we might have thought they were. I will really try to be open minded about this so join into the discussion with your thoughts---even if you don’t feel sure about where you are. Let’s learn together.
I’ve got several scriptures that I’ll share with you and I’ll go ahead and write them out so you won’t have to dig quite as much. I have others as well but won’t put them all down up front.
This first passage seems to indicate to me that God, who has grafted in the Gentiles to the branch (Christ) can also “regraft” in those who have been broken off. They were a part of the branch, then broken off and “lost”, but can be regrafted in if they repent.
Romans 11:13-24 (NIV)I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry [14] in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people(Jews) to envy and save some of them. [15] For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? [16] If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
[17] If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, [18] do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. [19] You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." [20] Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
[22] Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. [23] And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. [24] After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
If we believe and then later, because of life circumstances revert back to unbelief, wouldn't we be cut off according to this passage?
This next passage seems to indicate to me that you are saved by the gospel, if….
1 Cor. 15:1-2 (NIV)
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. [2] By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
The last passage I will use initially is where the Galatians were initially converted to the gospel of being saved by grace through faith and then who reverted back to being saved by works. Paul tells them in
Galatians 5:1-4
[5:1] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
[2] Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. [3] Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. [4] You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Doesn’t this passage indicate that we, like the Galatians, if we revert back to trying to earn our salvation by works have fallen away from grace.
I look forward to your answers (or questions) or discussion in general. dennis
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This is Dave Berkey.
Have you Facil
Well said Annie. Amen!
When I