Theology 22 — Challenging Conditional Salvation

Pull up a chair and listen in as we discuss and wrestle with some verses that proponents of eternal security use to make their case.  Now there will be some overlap here with our last episode, but also some new content as well.  We’ll discuss texts that seem to imply that salvation has nothing to do with works, that we already have eternal life, that salvation is permanent, and lastly that the holy spirit guarantees salvation.

—— Notes ——

State the Doctrine Simply

Salvation is a gift given by God’s grace that we receive by faith and repentance, resulting in a lifestyle of obedience.  If someone turns away from following Christ, whether in a definitive moment of rejection or through a gradual turning away into sin, he or she becomes lost.

Texts that Support This Teaching

Mat 7.21-23; John 15.1-8; Rom 11.16-24; 1 Cor 6.9-10; 9.27; 15.1-2; Gal 5.19-21; 6.8-9; Eph 5.3-12; Phil 3.11-14; Col 1.22-23; 1 Tim 4.16; 5.8; 2 Tim 2.11-13; Heb 2.1-3; 3.12-14; 4.1, 11; 6.4-8; 10.26-29; Jam 2.18-20; 2 Pet 2.20-22; Rev 3.1-5

 

Difficult Texts

Below are a number of texts used to teach that salvation cannot be lost.  Also, here’s a website (jesus-is-savior.com/Believer’s Corner/eternal_security.htm) to present a strong argument for eternal security.

Salvation Is Based on Faith Alone Not Works

John 3.16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

“believe” in John is more than just mental assent; it implies obedience

John 3.36 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

 

Ephesians 2.8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

The initial moment of salvation is truly by grace through faith.

However, once saved we need to perform works

Ephesians 2.10 (very next verse) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

several other verses in Ephesians make it clear that sinful living results in destruction

Ephesians 5.5-8 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  7 Therefore do not become partners with them;  8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

 

2 Timothy 1.9 [God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began

• yes, the calling is not because of our good works
• but, once we accept the call we must live that out
• I once got a call from Anastasia at BU, offering me a scholarship
  • I had to accept it, but then I also had to move away and enroll and go to the school
  • the calling was free, but it required action or else it would result in nothing

 

Titus 3.5-6 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  6 which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior

• yes, we