There are those who teach "eternal security", which became the Christian mantra of 'Once Saved Always Saved':
"... eternal security is that work of God in which He guarantees that the gift of salvation once received is possessed forever and cannot be lost."
Can we find that in Scriptures? What does it mean that our salvation "once received is possessed forever and cannot be lost."
Charles Stanley's view: "The Bible clearly teaches that God's love for His people is of such magnitude that even those who walk away from the faith have not the slightest chance of slipping from His hand... Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy.... believers who lose or abandon their faith will retain their salvation ...."
By these statements, Charles Stanley's teaches someone is still "saved" even if he "becomes an unbeliever" or "abandons their faith." In other words, one's salvation is always "possessed forever and cannot be lost" even if such a person no longer believes!
"In essence this 'interpretation' relieves them of all personal responsibility in their relationship with God. After all, if I am saved, and there is nothing that I can do to be lost, then it doesn’t really matter how I behave or act, so I need not worry that much about it. The truth is that this is a most dangerous doctrine when it comes to matters of religion, because it deceives people into thinking that their relationship with God is secure, when it really is not."
What does "once saved" mean?
It is used by those who think salvation is merely a choice and recitation of a prayer. Rather than believing God's sovereign will and work in salvation, they teach the heresy of decisional regeneration – sinners decide when God must save them, contrary to the Bible. They limit salvation to the moment they decided to be saved. This includes the inventions of "going forward" and/or "inviting Jesus into my heart." They look at this date as the "once saved" event that counts.
What does "always saved" mean?
For those who pin salvation on their decision, it means salvation cannot be taken away or lost, no matter how they live. "Always saved" guarantees salvation, regardless of what happens later, whether they live a holy and righteous life or one of sin without fruit or good works.
According to Charles Stanley's gospel, one's spiritual condition at the very end of his life is totally irrelevant to his eternal destiny! This idea cannot be found in Scriptures.
Revelation 2:10 - Be not terrified at any of the things you are to suffer. The Accuser will throw some of you into custody that you may be tried; and there will be trouble for you ten days. Be faithful to death and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:11 - He that hears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He that is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.
James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who endures temptations so that when he is proved he may receive a crown of life which Elohim has promised to them that love Him.
Hebrews 3:13 - But look deeply into yourselves all the days, during the day which is called today and let none of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have part with the Mashiyach, if we endure in this firm confidence, from the beginning to the end, as it is said, Today if you will hear his voice, and do not harden your hearts, to anger him.
Where did the "once saved always saved" doctrine come from?
The Westminster Confession of 1647 is a creed that is the basis of many Protestant beliefs, including “Perseverance of the Saints,” otherwise known as “once saved always saved.” It states the following:
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 (Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XVII, Article I, 1647).
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England. Many Reformation preachers, like John Calvin, taught this “once saved always saved” doctrine. Many preachers still teach is today. But read what is written in Scripture:
Hebrews 6:4 - But they who have once descended to immersion and have tasted the gift from heaven receiving the Ruach haKodesh and the good Word of Elohim and the power of the world to come, cannot again sin and second time be renewed to repentance, or a second time execute him on a stake and insult the Son of Elohim.
2 Peter 2:20 - For if, when they have escaped the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of our Master and Redeemer Y'shua, they become again involved in the same and are vanquished, their latter state is worse then the former. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after having known it, to turn back from the Set Apart Commandment that was delivered to them. The true proverb has happened to them: the dog returns to his vomit and the pig that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.
Jude 1:5 - Let me remind you that Elohim, after once rescuing the people from Egypt, again destroyed them who did not believe.
Guess that kind of flies in the face of 'once saved always saved', don't it?
Acts 2:38 tells us in order to be saved (from the curse of eternal death) that we are to repent (return to Yahweh, turn from our sinful ways) and be immersed (mikveh/baptised/ritually cleansed) so that we may receive the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit).
We are not automatically 'filled with the spirit' nor 'baptized in the spirit' but are made ready to receive it. We prepare for the indwelling of the Ruach haKodesh by spending time >every day< in the Word of Elohim. Even the apostles who were taught by Y'shua in person were not filled with the Spirit of Truth until 50 days after the death of Y'shua - specifically ten days after the resurrected Son of Elohim was taken up and placed at the Right hand of the Father.
If we turn away from our old sinful ways and return to the Creator, learn His Teachings and be immersed symbolizing our intentions, then we are ready to receive the gift of His Set Apart Spirit. If we make the first move then Yah will follow up, giving us His unmerited love and favor. It is a process, not an end-all. We never stop learning until the day He restores all things! His Spirit continues to reveal and comfort us with His Truth providing we continue on His Path of Righteousness.
In the letter to the Romans, Paul refers to himself as a servant of Y'shua, who was called, sent and separated to the Good News of Elohim and acknowledges it is from Him whom we have received grace and a mission... to the end that all may obey the faith among whom are called by Y'shua.
Grace doesn't just happen - it is a result of our Faith. Faith is our belief, our trust in YHWH Elohim. In trusting Him we choose to obey His Instructions. The result is Righteousness - we become morally justified and freed from sin.
Hebrews 11 - Now faith is the persuasion of the things that are in hope as if they were an actual fact, and it is the manifesting of the things not seen. For by faith we understand that the worlds were shaped by the Word of Elohim and that things seen originated from those that are not seen.
By faith, Abel offered to Elohim a better sacrifice and on account of it he is testified of being righteous. By faith, Enoch was translated and did not taste death and there was testimony of him that he pleased Elohim. By faith, Noah when he was told of the things not seen, obeyed Yahweh and made an ark and became righteous which is by faith. By faith, Abraham, when called, obeyed and departed to the place of his inheritance while he had no idea where he was going. By faith he became a resident in the land that was promised. All these died in faith and did not receive their promise but they saw it from a distance and rejoiced in it, and they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
John 20:29 - Y'shua said to him, "Now that you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who do not see me and believe."
The Apostle Paul's confidence for eternal life was in fighting a good fight, finishing his course, and keeping the faith:
2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought a good fight, I have completed my race, I have preserved my faith; and from now on there is preserved for me a crown of righteousness with which my Master Y'shua, the Righteous Judge, will recompense me in that day, and not me only, but them also who love his manifestation.
2 Timothy 1:12 - Therefore I suffer these things; and I am not ashamed for I know in whom I have believed...
We receive the Blessing - Life Eternal - if we obey our Creator and believe in His Son who taught the Hope which is the Good News of the Kingdom to come. Not of our own doing, nor any doctrine of man, but by the Grace of Elohim.
There is a starting point and it is different for each of us. Mine was years ago while watching a preacher on TV because he looked like my grandpa. This was the first time I'd ever come across this fella. His tone of voice caught my attention more than whatever it was he was teaching, and after several moments those words hit home. I started crying as 'knowledge' of my sins became apparent - and were many. Something struck a deep resonating chord within me. It just happened. I did not know a smidgen of the things I have learned over the years and had no idea I'd be immersed in His Word as I am today.
All praise belongs to Yahweh
All praise belongs to our Father in heaven
