Song Numbers

“Once saved, always saved” – Is this true?

Impossibility of apostasy Once saved, always saved Perseverance of the saints One cannot fall from grace

I. Jesus taught that some would fall

The Parable of the Sower Lk. 8:5 [5] A sower went out to sow his seed Lk. 8:11 [11] Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God

Lk. 8:13 [13] They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away

Can one fall away from something he does not have? Jesus taught that some would fall away in time of temptation

The Vine and the branches Jn. 15:1-6 [1] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

[4] Abide in me, and I in you [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. [6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned

These branches were connected to the vine and from the vine received life 1 – they became unfruitful 2 – they were cut from the vine 3 – they were gathered up and 4 – cast into the fire

“This is a figurative description of the destiny of those who cease to be faithful to the Lord. So great is the danger of apostasy that there are more than two thousand warnings of it in the scriptures.” (Guy N. Woods)

II. Examples of apostasy

Demas – 2 Tim. 4:10 Hymenaeus and Alexander – 1 Tim. 1 Simon the sorcerer – Acts 8:9-24 Prodigal son – Luke 15:24 Judas – Mt. 25:14-16

Fall and restoration of Simon the sorcerer Mt. 16:19 [19] And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Acts 2 & 10 Acts 8

Acts 8:5, 12 [5] Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. [12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women

Acts 8:13 [13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Acts 8:20-23 [20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

[22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. [23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

III. Arguments attempting to support “once saved always saved”

1. You cannot be unadopted It is a matter of inheritance and not of adoption Inheriting eternal life involves doing God’s will

Mt. 25:34-40 [34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: [36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me

Heb. 6:12 [12] That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises

2. Never saved in the first place 1 Tim. 1:19 [19] Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Rev. 2:4-5 [4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent

3. God will never let you die in a fallen state 1 Cor. 6:10 [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God

IV. Make your calling election sure

2 Pet. 1:10 [10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall

Conclusion If Christians could not fall away, then why is a means of coming back to God provided?

Acts 8:20-22 [20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

[22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

1 Jn. 1:9 [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness