This thread grew out of the other thread that I started because a few people wanted to discuss the issue of eternal security with me. My understanding of the topic of the security of the believer is that all of those who are once truly cleansed by the blood of Christ in the eyes of God will never be damned to hell, but all of them will inherit eternal life, and that those who fall away from the truth and wind up in hell, from God’s perspective, were never saved in the first place. I do not like to use the term “unconditional eternal security” because I believe that our future inheritance is conditional upon faith, and certain things that we do, such as studying the word, praying and staying away from evil keeps our faith going. In other words, just as God uses means to accomplish His will in other things, God uses means to preserve His children. Therefore, I do not believe in some “greasy grace” or “easy believism” message. In my observation, one of the main reasons why so many people reject the doctrine of eternal security is because they tend to equate it to easy believism. Another reason why most Pentecostals reject it is that the Pentecostal Movement has an Armenian theological heritage since it grew out of the Holiness Movement of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s which was an Armenian/Wesleyan movement. Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of Oneness Pentecostals today reject eternal security, I believe it because I believe that the Bible emphatically teaches it for the following reasons, and many more:
Because those who fall away were never truly saved in the first place:
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Because those who are truly born again will never live in a continuous lifestyle of sin:
1 John 3:9-10 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Because we are no longer condemned by our sins when we do sin:
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Because those who are saved never depart from God:
Jeremiah 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
John 10:4-5 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Because no one will ever remove us from God’s hand:
Isaiah 43:13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
John 10:27-29 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 me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Because Jesus will lose none that that the Father gave him:
John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Because we already have eternal life:
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Because we have already received our inheritance:
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Because all who receive initial salvation (those who are justified) will be glorified:
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Because Christ’s death on the cross secured our salvation:
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Threaded Mode
