Once Saves Always Saved Romans 8 1 Romans

“Once Saves, Always Saved” Romans 8: 1

Romans 8: 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

John Calvin, the Reformer • France (1509 -1654) • Contemporary of Martin Luther • Trained as both a priest and lawyer • Helped organize the “Reformed Church” with Zwingli and Knox • Profoundly affected the Protestant Movement

A Calvinist believes in… • Salvation by faith only • Faith is a gift of God through direct operation of the Holy Spirit • Man has no ability to obey God without direct operation of the Holy Spirit • Those that have faith were predestined by God • Once man becomes a child of God, they cannot lose salvation

The Westminster Confession of Faith (1648) Chapter XVII, I They, whom God has 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

Five Major Points of Calvinism T - Total Depravity U - Unconditional Election L – Limited Atonement I – Irresistible Grace P – Perseverance of the Saints Mnemonic made popular in the 1960’s

Recent Religious Tract We take the position that a Christian’s sins do not damn his soul! …and all the sins he may commit from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in any more danger. …the way a man lives has nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul. Calvinism, Samuel G. Dawson

Glen Osburn’s Recap • If you don’t have it, you can’t get it. • If you get it, you can’t lose it. • If you lose it, you never had it.

Scriptural Problems with Calvinism Biblical definition of “Falling Away” is not compatible with “Once Saved, Always Saved”

1 Corinthians 10: 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Luke 18: 13 -14 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. ”

Galatians 5: 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Glen Osburn’s Recap • If you don’t have it, you can’t get it. Matthew 7: 7 • If you get it, you can’t lose it. • If you lose it, you never had it.

Matthew 7: 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Glen Osburn’s Recap • If you don’t have it, you can’t get it. Matthew 7: 7 • If you get it, you can’t lose it. Hebrews 2: 1 • If you lose it, you never had it.

Hebrews 2: 1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

Glen Osburn’s Recap • If you don’t have it, you can’t get it. Matthew 7: 7 • If you get it, you can’t lose it. Hebrews 2: 1 • If you lose it, you never had it. 2 Peter 2: 20 -21

2 Peter 2: 20 -21 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

The Analogy of the Ark • Two points of view. 1) Regardless of what they did on the ark, all eight people were saved when it reached its destination. 2) What would have happened if someone jumped out of the ark before they reached dry land?

Colossians 1: 21 -23 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven

Romans 8: 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Luke 15: 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.

Conclusion “Once Saved, Always Saved” is a dangerous doctrine because: • It encourages lazy and irresponsible behavior • It makes God’s conditional blessings seem to be unconditional. • It damages the concept of God’s covenant relationship with man

Conclusion “Once Saved, Always Saved” is a dangerous doctrine because: • It renders the majority of the New Testament useless.

2 Peter 1: 10 -11 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.