Eternal Security Also Known As: Also Known As: “Once Saved, Always Saved” “Once Saved, Always Saved” “Perseverance of the Saints “Perseverance of the Saints “Assurance” “Assurance” One of the five points of Calvinism One of the five points of Calvinism Believed by much of the Christian world Believed by much of the Christian world A very dangerous doctrine; false sense of security A very dangerous doctrine; false sense of security

Can A Christian Live In Such A Way As To Be Lost?

1 st Pillar of Eternal Security John 10:27-30 “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 to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” “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 to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”

Rebuttal to John 10:28 The context. Christ is making the point that the Jews won’t listen to his answers because they are not followers of his. The context. Christ is making the point that the Jews won’t listen to his answers because they are not followers of his. Basically any thing he says to them, they won’t accept. Basically any thing he says to them, they won’t accept. Matt. 10:28, Christ tells “his sheep” that no one can injure their soul. Matt. 10:28, Christ tells “his sheep” that no one can injure their soul. Rom. 8:35-39, nothing separates us from the love of God, but we could (Jno. 14:21, 15:10) Rom. 8:35-39, nothing separates us from the love of God, but we could (Jno. 14:21, 15:10)

2 nd Pillar of Eternal Security Who are kept by the power of God through faith... I Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith... I Peter 1:5Rebuttal: Notice the condition of “the keeping” Notice the condition of “the keeping” Who is responsible for having faith? Who is responsible for having faith? Most who preach “Eternal Security” also preach “Faith Only” Most who preach “Eternal Security” also preach “Faith Only”

3 rd Pillar of Eternal Security “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,…” – Jude 24 “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,…” – Jude 24

John McArthur’s Summary of Jude “In effect, Jude is saying, ‘ Christian, I am telling you at the beginning and I am reiterating at the end that apostasy will have no affect on you. There is no need to fear the decline of the faith and the rise of heresy, because you are kept by God.’ Jude surrounds his comments on apostasy with two great promises on the security of the child of God in Jesus Christ. When we see people rejecting Christianity, we might wonder what would happen if some Christian were dragged away into the terrible apostasy. Jude’s answer resounds in the first and last statements of his epistle: ‘A Christian is kept by God.’ Can a Christian lose his salvation as a result of apostasy? That is the issue that Jude deals with.

Rebuttal to Jude 24 Context (verses 20-23)- Jude is saying that with God’s help, the Christians can persevere Context (verses 20-23)- Jude is saying that with God’s help, the Christians can persevere Verse 21 “…keep yourselves in the love of God,” Verse 21 “…keep yourselves in the love of God,” Much activity described on the individual’s part Much activity described on the individual’s part I Cor. 10:13- God will always provide a means of escape I Cor. 10:13- God will always provide a means of escape

Why Is This Doctrine So Popular? People desire assurance of salvation People desire assurance of salvation Lack of confidence in self Lack of confidence in self People want to enjoy the pleasures of sin People want to enjoy the pleasures of sin Alcohol Alcohol Immorality Immorality Worldliness Worldliness We all stumble in many things (James 3:2) We all stumble in many things (James 3:2) How do you reconcile “stumbling” without losing your salvation? (discussed later) How do you reconcile “stumbling” without losing your salvation? (discussed later)

Can A Christian Fall? The “Milk” of the Word (Heb. 5:13-14)

Can A Christian Fall? Matt. 5:30 Who was Christ talking to? Matt. 5:30 Who was Christ talking to? I Cor. 8 Whole chapter regards a weak brother stumbling, sinning, separating from God (I Jno. 5ff) I Cor. 8 Whole chapter regards a weak brother stumbling, sinning, separating from God (I Jno. 5ff) I Cor. 9:27 Paul himself was worried about perishing I Cor. 9:27 Paul himself was worried about perishing Matt. 24:12-13 Whose love will grow cold? Matt. 24:12-13 Whose love will grow cold?

Can A Christian Fall? Acts 8:22 Simon the Christian (Vs. 13) needed to repent lest he perish Acts 8:22 Simon the Christian (Vs. 13) needed to repent lest he perish Rom. 11:22-23 If the Romans don’t continue in His kindness, they will be cut off Rom. 11:22-23 If the Romans don’t continue in His kindness, they will be cut off Heb. 10:19-39 Thorough discussion of the perseverance during apostasy Heb. 10:19-39 Thorough discussion of the perseverance during apostasy

Can A Christian Fall? Heb. 12:14-17 Heb. 12:14-17 Heb. 2:1-3 Heb. 2:1-3 II Pet. 2:20 II Pet. 2:20 II Pet. 3:17 II Pet. 3:17 Rev. 3:4-5 Rev. 3:4-5

How do you reconcile “stumbling” without losing your salvation? God helps us to not stumble God helps us to not stumble Jude 24 Jude 24 I Cor. 10:13 I Cor. 10:13 Repentance and prayer (Acts 8:22) Repentance and prayer (Acts 8:22) Progressive Growth of Our Faith Progressive Growth of Our Faith II Pet. 1:5-7 Add Christian virtues II Pet. 1:5-7 Add Christian virtues I Cor. 10:5 Every thought into obedience I Cor. 10:5 Every thought into obedience Grace?? Grace??

Why Is This Doctrine So Dangerous Take Heed Lest You Fall (I Cor. 10:12) Take Heed Lest You Fall (I Cor. 10:12) False Doctrine (II Jno. 10) False Doctrine (II Jno. 10) Teachers Receive a Stricter Judgment (James 3:1) Teachers Receive a Stricter Judgment (James 3:1) False Assurance False Assurance Lack of Acceptance of Responsibility (I Cor. 10:13)- God Provides Means of Escape Lack of Acceptance of Responsibility (I Cor. 10:13)- God Provides Means of Escape

Plan of Salvation Hear the Word Hear the Word Believe in Christ Believe in Christ Confess Christ Confess Christ Repent of your sins Repent of your sins Wash away your sins Wash away your sins Endure to the end Endure to the end Rom. 10:14 I Jno 3:23-24 Romans 10:9 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38; 22:16 Matt. 10:22