| Who will and will not be part of the First Resurrection? Those that hve made themselves ready; Matthew 25:10 (KJV) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. “see the 10 Virgins” How do you make yourself ready?
You must 1st. be born again.
John 3:3 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
How do you get born again?
Romans 10:9 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. After we have been born again and we fall into sin we can confess and repent of our sins . 1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Because we have an advocate with the Father Christ Jesus! 1 John 2:1 (KJV) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
It does not take anything else to be born again and there is no other way to Heaven except through Jesus. John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Man is of sinful nature and man cannot be good enough to make it to Heaven. Mans righteousness is as filthy rags.
Isaiah 64:6 (KJV) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Mans righteousness without God is as Filthy rags.
Water baptism does not save your soul and water Baptism Did Not Remit Paul's Sin.
1. Acts 22:12-16 is not a detailed or consecutive account of all the facts, as in Acts 9:17-18, which states:
(1) Reception of sight (Acts 9:17-18)
(2) Filling of the Spirit (Acts 9:17)
(3) Arising from prayer (Acts 9:11,18)
(4) Baptism in water (Acts 9:18)
2. Paul's own testimony elsewhere proves he was saved by faith in the blood (Romans 3:24-25; Romans 5:1; Ephes. 1:7).
3. He was already saved, healed, and filled with the Spirit before he was told to "arise" (Acts 22:16 with Acts 9:17-18).
4. "Wash away thy sins" is clearly a ceremonial washing, as are all washings by man (Matthew 8:3-4 with Leviticus 14-15). The Greek: apolouo (NT:628) is used only twice: once here of ceremonial cleansing and once in 1 Cor. 6:11 where it is the same in meaning as the baptism "without hands" of Col. 2:11.
5. No scripture says that sins are washed away by baptism other than ceremonially. Cleansing is done:
(1) by God (Psalm 51:1-13; Titus 2:11-13)
(2) by Christ (Matthew 1:21; Rev. 1:5)
(3) by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:11)
(4) by grace through faith (Ephes. 2:8-9)
(5) by faith in the blood (Romans 3:24-25; Romans 5:9; Ephes. 1:7; 1 John 1:7; Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-23; Rev. 1:5)
(6) by faith without works (Romans 2:24-31; Romans 4:1-25; Romans 5:1; Galatians 3:19-29)
(7) by confession of sins (1 John 1:9; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19)
(8) by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18; John 3:5; John 15:3; Ephes. 5:26)
6. Ananias, a Jew, was well acquainted with ceremonial cleansings. He knew that washing was outward and ceremonial and did not cleanse from:
(1) Leprosy (Leviticus 14:1-9; Leviticus 15:1-27)
(2) Guilt (Psalm 26:6; Psalm 73:13)
(3) Sins (Isaiah 1:16; Jeremiah 2:22)
(4) Wickedness (Jeremiah 4:14)
(5) Defilement (Mark 7:1-23)
Washings only typified cleansing by blood (Hebrews 9:7-15,21-26; Hebrews 10:1-23).
7. Many words describing redemption are found 3,322 times in Scripture and not once is water baptism required to make anyone phase effective.
8. Many convincing examples of remission of sins without and before water baptism are recorded in Scripture:
(1) Christ (Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:21)
(2) Old Testament saints (Hebrews 11:1-40; Luke 1:15,41,46,67; Luke 2:25-38)
(3) Palsied man (Matthew 9:1-7)
(4) The publican (Luke 18:9-14)
(5) Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
(6) Thief on the cross (Luke 23:43)
(7) The nobleman's house (John 4:53)
(8) The sinner woman (Luke 7:48)
(9) Many Jews (Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; Mark 10:52; Luke 17:19; Luke 18:42; John 7:31; John 8:30-31; John 11:45; John 12:11,42)
(10) The eunuch (Acts 8:37 with 1 John 5:1; Romans 10:9-10; Ephes. 2:8-9)
(11) The lame man (Acts 3:16; Acts 4:12)
(12) Paul (Acts 9:18-19)
(13) Cornelius and house (Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:14-18; Acts 15:7-11)
(14) Multitudes both healed and saved (Acts 5:15-16; James 5:14-15; Matthew 13:15)
9. Both Peter and John state baptism to be a "figure" and "witness" of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21; 1 John 5:6-10).
10. Peter plainly says it does not save to the point of putting away the filth of the flesh (1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 5:19-21).
11. Paul definitely says sins are put off by circumcision without hands (Col. 2:11-13). This is the baptism of Romans 6:1-8; 1 Cor. 12:13; Galatians 3:29; Ephes. 4:5; Col. 2:12.
12. Since water baptism is not the real, literal, physical death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, then it has to be figurative of it (1 Peter 3:21; 1 John 5:6-10).
13. Washing of sins by baptism is ceremonial and symbolic, like the ceremony of the leper after he was cleansed (Matthew 8:3-4 with Leviticus 14:1-9; Leviticus 15:1-27) and like the garments washed in the blood (Rev. 7:13-14).
14. Paul did not teach baptismal regeneration (1 Cor. 1:13-24; 1 Cor. 15:1-5; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:9-10; Ephes. 2:8-9).
15. Jesus did not teach baptism as a means of salvation. He forgave multitudes without it (see point 8, above). Not one time did He baptize anyone (John 4:2). He once mentioned faith and then baptism (Mark 16:16).
16. Texts used to teach remission of sins by baptism (Matthew 3:6-8,11; Mark 1:4-5; Luke 3:3,8-16; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16) do not say sins are remitted by it, but "for" or because of repentance ( Matthew 3:16). Repentance and faith always precede baptism in these passages. See Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38,41; Acts 8:12,37; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 18:8; Acts 19:4.
This is what saves (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 1:9; Luke 13:3). Then one is ready for baptism, as Paul was after he was saved, healed, and filled with the Spirit (Acts 9:17-18).
Those who keep Gods commandments will inherit the promise of eternal life.
We read in Psalms 111:7 that Gods commandments and Covenant is Forever
ad;:- eternity, ever (-lasting, -more),
We have to keep the commandments of God. They are over 1,000 New and Old Testament commandments!
Psalm 111:7-10 (KJV)
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
John 8:31-32 (KJV)
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If we keep Gods commandments then we are his disciples and then we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. If someone is teaching you that you don’t have to keep Gods commandments to make it to Heaven then they aren’t obeying the commandments of God. They cannot receive the truth from God and if the blind lead the blind they will both fall in the ditch. A disciple is a born again believer in Yahshua “Christ” and the only way to be his disciple is to obey his words.
John 14:23-24 (KJV)
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
The only ones that can hear and understand Gods words are those that obey.
24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. The only way to Heaven is by Love and if you don’t obey Gods word you are breaking his greatest commandment.
Deut. 6:5 (KJV) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Mark 12:30 (KJV) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
What will happen to someone who doesn’t obey Gods word?
John 15:6 (KJV) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
This is just telling us that if we do not obey Gods word then we will be cast into the lake of fire. God has a highway and a way to Heaven. Isaiah 35:8 (KJV) And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. The only way to Heaven is to be Holy or righteous.
Nothing unclean shall enter into Heaven. Hebrews 12:14 (KJV) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Without holiness we will not make it to Heaven.
1 Peter 4:18 (KJV) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? The righteous will scarcely make it to Heaven.In this verse we have 3 of the 4 clases of people. 1. Righteous – those that will make Heaven their home. 2. Sinner- Those who have never known the Lord. 3. Ungodly-These are those who were once Godly but fell back on the Lord; The only way you can become ungodly is to be Godly first. 4. luke warm. Rev. 3:15-16 (KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Luke warm are those who will not put on the Armour of God and fight in Gods army. These are lazy and cowards these are the fearful in Rev. 21:8 (KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. No one that commits any of these sins or any other sins without repenting and turning from them will inherit the kingdom of Heaven and they will all be cast into the lake of fire.
Our sins separate us from God Isaiah 59:1-2 (KJV) Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. If we have sin in our lives and haven’t repented of them then God will not hear us or recognize us before the father.
The Word of God tells us we have to be spotless “ our wedding garment” to make Heaven our home. 2 Peter 3:14 (KJV) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Ephes. 5:27 (KJV) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. The Word tells us about some ungodly men that have lost the water/spirit of God and have come into the midst of true believers that have been living in charity which is love.Jude 1:12 (KJV) These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
To have withered and become twice dead you would have to have been 1st. dead as a sinner 2nd. alive as a born again believer and 3rd. dead as a backslider.
There is another death which means to crucify ones flesh; that we must do. 2 Tim. 2:11-15 (KJV) It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we disobey his commandments he will deny us. Matthew 7:22 (KJV) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Many will say Lord im a Christian I was born again at so and so time and preached your word and worked under the anointing and cast out devils . Matthew 7:23 (KJV) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Because their sin had separated them from God Isa. 59:2 .and their righteousness shall not be remembered Ezekiel 3:20 (KJV) Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
The word of God says in Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. This is the most misinterpreted scripture in the whole bible.God says for he hath said.If he has said then where has he said he will never leave us nor forsake us? We will find it in Deut. 31:6 (KJV) Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
fail. raw-faw'; leave, let alone;.If we read this chapter God is speaking to Israel about going forth to take the promised land. That he will go before them and fight the battles for them and with them.God is only saying that he will always be their with us to fight the battles for and with us that he will not abandon us to fight satan alone .This scripture has nothing to do with Eternal Life but only that he will be with us even til the end of the world.
2Tim.2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. God will not deny or change his word for us we have to abide by his word or God will cast us into the lake of fire. 14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. God is telling us to study the word and rightly divide it. God tells us in 2 Tim. 3:1-7 (KJV) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Men will deny the power of the Holy Ghost/Spirit. Many so called Christians deny the power of the Holy Ghost just because they are unlearned about the word.
The word of God tells us how long that the gifts of the Holy Ghost and the five fold ministry will be here on the earth. Ephes. 4:11-13 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: They will be here until God sets up the New Heaven and New Earth that will be when we all come into perfect unity.
2Tim.2:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. These that teach such doctrines of devils are ever learning but are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Because they deny and or blaspheme the Holy Ghost which is the only unpardonable sin. Matthew 12:31-32 (KJV) Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
1 Tim. 4:1-2 (KJV) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; How can you depart from the faith without once being part of the faith. 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
We are told to hold firm unto the end in Hebrews 3:6-19 (KJV)
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. We have to hold onto the word until the end. 7Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. God is giving us a warning not to fall into unbelief in his word and disobey his commandments. 13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Today if you will repent of your sins and turn from them then God will hear you and save you from a lake of fire. 16For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Here God is giving us an example not to follow in their paths and backslide on the Lord. Hebrews 4:1-11 (KJV)
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. Don’t come up short!
2For 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. 3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. We have to labour to enter into his rest don’t fall into the same example of unbelief or sin.
We are told in The Word of God that we have to endure unto the end to be saved in
Matthew 24:13 (KJV) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. We cant just endure at the beginning when we repent we have to repent daily and crucify our flesh daily. 1 Cor. 15:31 (KJV) I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
We are told that we have to over come in many scriptures.
Rev. 2:7 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
We have eighteen Blessings only to the Overcomer
1. The tree of life (Rev. 2:7)
2. The crown of life (Rev. 2:10; Rev. 3:11)
3. Escape the second death or lake of fire (Rev. 2:11; Rev. 20:14)
4. The hidden manna (Rev. 2:17)
5. A white stone and a new name (Rev. 2:17)
6. Part in the first resurrection/rapture (Rev. 2:25; Rev. 3:11; 1 Thes. 4:16; Phil. 3:21; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:23,51-58)
7. Power over the nations (Rev. 2:26-27)
8. Complete defeat of rebels (Rev. 2:27)
9. The Morning Star (Rev. 2:28)
10. Walk with Christ in white (Rev. 3:4-5)
11. Name eternally in the book of life (Rev. 3:5; Rev. 22:18-19)
12. Confession of name before God (Rev. 3:5)
13. A pillar in God's temple (Rev. 3:12)
14. Eternal abiding with God (Rev. 3:12)
15. God's name upon him (Rev. 3:12)
16. Name of the New Jerusalem upon him (Rev. 3:12)
17. New name of Christ upon him (Rev. 3:12)
18. Eternal throne and kingdom (Rev. 3:21; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 22:4-5
We are told that judgment begins with the born again believers first in
1 Peter 4:17 (KJV) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? What shall the end be with any person that don’t obey the Word of God. We are told in the Word of God in 1 John 2:4 (KJV) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Anyone that does not keep Gods Word and claims to be born again is a liar and all liars are going to be cast into the lake of fire Rev.21:8.
God tells us in 2Peter 2:1-22 (KJV) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. These false prophets and false teachers will tell you once your are saved you can never loose it. They will be denying the blood that bought them by saying that sin cannot take you to hell after you have been saved. 2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall beevil spoken of. The truth that you have to obey Gods commandments to make it to Heaven.
2Pet.2: 3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise
of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not. In order to get money to spend upon their own lusts, they fabricate counterfeit doctrines, false theories to deceive. They preach the smooth things to appease the church. [long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not] God predicted their punishment long ago and their damnation is sure.4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) In verses 4- 8 God is giving us an example that he will not spare us if we fall into sin as well. 9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: God knows how to deliver the godly! Those who obey his Word he will give them the strength to overcome sin and turn from it and those who don’t overcome sin the unjust will be cast into the lake of fire. 10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Verses 10-14 are speaking of the ones that will not turn from their sin but come against the ones that are living by the Word and say that I have need of nothing I was saved at so and so time. 14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: These are cursed children they once obeyed God but were drawn back into sin and will not give it up. 15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
These have forsaken the way they once was on the right path.16But was rebuked for his
iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. These so called Christians have a well but it has went dry and have not the spirit “water” anymore. These will be cast into the lake of fire.18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.Those who obey Gods commandments will separate themselves from teachers with damadble doctrines of devils and escape spiritual death. 2Pet.2:19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. While they promise them once saved unconditionaly always saved they themselves are brought into bondage and will be cast into the lake of fire. 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For after they were born again they fell back into sin and the punishment in the lake of fire will be worse on them than a sinner. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. It would have been better for them not to have even been born again. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. This means that after they had been born again they went back to the sin that they were committing when they were sinners and maybe even worse. The Word of God tells us in 1 Jn 3:7-9 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. We are not to be deceived by man about our eternal security. 8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever committeth sin is of the Devil or the Devil is their father. 9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Whoever is of God and strives to endure until the end, will turn from sin and obey his commandments. The Word tells us in Jn 8:34-35 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. Everyone that is a servent to sin will not abide in Heaven forever. The son will abide because he will obey his father which is God not the devil. 2 John 1:9 (KJV) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If we do not obey Gods word we will not be part of the first resurrection because he will not recognize us as his. What will happen to the soul if we sin?
Eze. 18:20-24 (The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22All his transgressions that he hath committed,
they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? 24But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.This is the same as twice dead and plucked up by the roots Jude 1:12Jesus says in Mark 3:33 (KJV) And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? Then He answers in Mark 3:35 (KJV) For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. So only those who obeys Gods commandments are brothers ,sisters and mothers in the Lord.
Is their any such thing as once saved always saved?
Yes if you live it and obey Gods commandments
.1 John 2:24-25 (KJV) Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
We have to let that born again experience remain in us and if we do we will have the Son and the Father. 25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. Every time Jesus the word was talking about Eternal life this is what he was talking about conditional eternal security. They are a lot of Ifs in the word and everyone is conditional.We can read in the old and new Testaments about being blotted out of the book of life. Exodus 32:32-33 (KJV) Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Rev. 3:5 (KJV) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
We can be blotted out of the book of life but how because the word says in
Romans 8:37-39 (KJV) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. We can be conquerors if we fight the good fight and put on the full armour of God. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ except yourself and your sin. Isaiah 59:1-2 (KJV) Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. How were the Old Testament saints saved?
They looked toward the cross.
1 Cor. 10:1-12 (KJV) Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
The old Testament saints were saved through faith that the Messiah was coming and they ate and drank Jesus just like we do.
They looked to the cross and we look back to the cross. The only difference is that Jesus has came was crucified and resurrected. This is why we live in the dispensation of grace because he has come. If he had not came everyone would have went to Hell. God don’t look at us any different than the old testament saints.
The sacrifices didn’t save them or God couldn’t have said Obedience is better than sacrifice. The sacrifices was just part of their obedience to God. “ which it takes to be saved” The sacrifices was just a rehearsal of what Jesus would fulfill at the cross. “See the spring feast of the Lord”. 1Cor.10: 5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. God is telling us that the Old Testament is an example for us to live by. 7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. We had better take heed of these and not fall into the same unbelief and be destroyed as they were. 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. God has no respect of persons and he will judge us by his word the same as them. We can fall just as they did.
Eternal Life Can Be Lost as Proven by the Following Scriptures
1. "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:17). Adam surely died; he fell from God's grace or favor; and he lost the eternal life he possessed and could have kept forever, if he had not sinned (Rom. 5:12-21).
2. Moses said, "If thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me I pray thee out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." (Ex. 32:32-33; Dt. 9:7-29; 11:13-25).
3 "Defile not yourselves in any of these things (that I cast out the nations for). . . ye shall not commit any of these abominations . . . whosoever shall commit any of these things shall be cut off" (Lev. 18:24-30).
1. "If ye shall not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments . . . ye break my covenant: I also will do this to you . . . ye shall perish"
(Lev. 26:13-39). Many times God said Israel would perish if she sinned. (Dt. 8:19-20, 11:26-28; 15:4-6; 28:21-22; 30:15-20).
5. "Keep the commandments . . . your eyes have seen what the Lord did because of Baal-peor . . . God destroyed them from among you (24,000 once born again men were killed for adultery in one day—Num. 25:1-8). . . But ye that did cleave unto the Lord are alive every one of you this day" (Dt. 4:1-4) .
6. "Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord . . . God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God . . . When thou shalt beget children. . . remain long in the land, and corrupt yourselves . . . do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger . . . ye shall utterly perish . . . be utterly destroyed" (Dt. 4:23-31).
7. "When God shall give you great and goodly cities, and houses full of good things . . . When thou shalt have eaten and be full; then beware lest thou forget the Lord . . . Ye shall not go after other gods . . . lest the anger of the Lord be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the earth. Ye shall not tempt the Lord . . . do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord; that it may be well with thee" (Dt. 6:10-19).
8. "All the commandments . . . shall ye observe and do, that ye may live" (Dt. 8:1-6).
5. "If thou do at all forget the Lord, walk after other gods, and serve them . . . I testify against you this day that ye shall utterly perish; BECAUSE ye would not be obedient" (Dt. 8:19-20).
10. "If thou shalt . . . do all his commandments . . . all these blessings shall come upon you (21 different blessings, Dt. 29:1-14). But it shall come to pass if thou wilt not . . . observe to do all his commandments . . . that all these curses (122 curses, Dt. 28:15-68) shall come upon thee . . . till thou be destroyed, because ye did not keep the commandments . . . because thou servedst not the Lord . . . until thou be destroyed . . . as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to naught; and ye shall be plucked from off the land (Dt. 28:1-68).
11. God said that any man who turns his heart away from Him and says "I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst (go head-long into sin): the Lord will not spare him . . . then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven" (Dt. 29:18-28).
12. "The Lord said to Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this (born again) people will rise up, and go a whoring after other gods . . . and will forsake me, and break my covenant . . . then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured" (Dt. 30:16-30).
13. Moses wrote this song: "They have corrupted themselves . . . They sacrificed to devils, not to God . . . Of the Rock that begat thee . . .
thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God . . . when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons and daughters . . . They have moved me to jealousy . . . provoked me to anger . . . a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell . . . l will heap mischiefs (calamities) upon them" (Dt. 32:1-44). According to this Scripture born again men who are sons and daughters of God can backslide, fall from grace, forget God, provoke Him to anger, and cause Him to abhor them and destroy them in the lowest hell.
14. "The anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel . . . The Lord said, Israel hath sinned . . . neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you" (Josh. 7:1, 10-12).
15. "If ye do in any wise go back . . . then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly" (Josh. 23:12-16).
16. "If ye forsake the Lord . . . and serve other gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good" (Josh. 24:2-20).
17. "Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua . . . (then) Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Balaam: and forsook the Lord . . . and followed other gods . . . And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel . . . God sold them into the hands of their enemies . . . when the Lord raised up judges, then the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hands of their enemies all the days of the judge because of their groanings . . . when the judge was dead, they returned and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel . . . because that this people transgressed my covenant, and have not hearkened unto my voice" (Judge 2:1-23; 3:1-4). This sinning and repenting went on for more than 450 years.
During that time Israel experienced eight servitudes to other nations of from 8 to 40 years each, while in a backslidden state; and between times they served God and were in His grace and favor.
As in the period of the judges, Israel "did evil in the sight of the Lord" many times during the period of the kings, and God destroyed them (1 Ki. 14:22; 15:26, 34; 16:7; 2 Ki. 17:1-17; 2 Chr. 36). Furthermore, the prophets speak of Israel as being cut off, consumed, destroyed, and rejected of God because of sins; and so, eternal life can be lost through sin, and by sin only (Isa. 5:24-25; 28:7-8, 13-22; 63:10; 64:5-7; Jer. 2:5-37; 3:1-25; 4:1-31; 5:1-31; 6:1-30; 7:1-34; 9:13-16; 12:14-17; 14:7-16; Jer. 15:1-7; 16:11-18; 17:4-13; 18:7-17; 19:4-7; 21:8-14; 22:9; 23:1-40; 25:5-9; 26:3-6; 29:19-23, 32; 32:26-36; 35:15-17; 26:7; Lam. 1:8-9; 2:7; 5:22; Ezek. 13:1-23; 14:6-11; 20:7-13; 22:28-31).
18. "Let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them and that I may consume them" (Ex. 32:10, 12; 33:3, 5; Num. 16:21, 45; Dt. 7:16, 22; Jer. 8:13). God did consume many of the elect of Israel because of sin (Num. 11:1; 14:35; 16:26, 35; 32:13; Dt. 2:15-16; Josh. 5:6).
God vowed that He would consume all who would forsake Him and live in sin (Isa. 1:28; 64:7; Jer. 5:3, 9:16; 14:15; Ezek. 5:12, 22:31). Paul said that we must "have grace to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:28-29).
19. "Is it a light thing for Judah to commit these abominations . . . to provoke me to anger . . . I also will deal with them in fury; my eye will not spare, neither will I have pity" (Ezek. 8:17-18).
20. "If ye forget my commandments . . . then I will pluck them up by the roots" (2 Chr. 7:19-20); "if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy"
(Jer. 12:14-17; 18:7-17; 22:24-26; 31:28-30; 45:4; Ezek. 17:9). In the N. T. we learn that God will not pluck up the one who "hears the voice of Christ and follows Him." See Jn. 10:27-29.
21. "When a righteous man [Jew or Gentile, under law or under grace] doth turn from righteousness, and commit iniquity . . . he shall die . . . Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live . . . When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity . . . All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die . . . for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die" (Ezek. 3:20, 21; 18:24-32).
22. "The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth . . . he shall die for it . . . When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby" (Ezek. 33:12-20). Such simple language does not need interpretation. These passages are God's own words and they prove a righteous man dies again when he sins and he will be lost if he dies in has sins.
1. "Whosoever bath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book" (Ex. 32:30-35).God said this and He means it. Again we read, "Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous" (Ps. 69:28). This is a prophecy of Judas, as proved by a comparison of Acts 1:20 and Ps. 69:25-29. In Revelation we read, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life" (Rev. 3:5). This passage teaches that if men did not overcome, their names would be blotted out.
24. "Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 7:21). If one ceases to do the will of God he loses eternal life and will not enter the kingdom of God unless he comes back to repentance and godliness again.
25. "He that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Mt. 10:22). It is possible not to endure to the end, or this Scripture is meaningless.
26. "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold"
(Mt. 24:12). When love waxes cold one has lost Christ and eternal life and will be spued out (Rev. 2:4-5; 3:15-16) One who has lost love has lost God, and if one has lost God he has lost grace as stated in 1 Jn. 4:8, 12, 16, 21; Gal. 1:6-8; 5:4; Heb. 12:15.
27. "When ye (disciples) stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any . . . But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses" (Mk. 11:25-26; Mt. 18:21-35). Even this then, will cut off eternal life.
28. "If any man defile the temple of God (the body), him shall God destroy" (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; Heb. 12:15). Regarding things that defile we read: "Out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, deceit, lasciviousness, a evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man" (Mk. 7:21-23).
29. "They hear, receive the word with joy . . . which for a while believe, and in the time of temptation fall away" (Lk. 8:13).
30. "The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him . . . and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers" (Lk. 12:46; Rev. 21:8; 22:15).
31. "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (Jn. 6:66).
32. "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" (Jn. 8:31). If you do not continue, the opposite is true: you are not His disciple and do not have eternal life.
33. "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not for ever (does not have eternal life): but the Son (who does not commit sin) abideth for ever (has eternal life). If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (Jn. 8:34-36).
34. "If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death" (Jn. 8:31; 14:15, 21-24; 15:9-14). If one does not keep His saying, the result of course, will be death.
35. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them (that follow me) eternal life; and they (that follow me) shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them (that follow me) out of my hands. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them (that follow me) out of my Father's hand" (Jn. 10:27-29).
This gives eternal security and eternal life to all who follow Christ, and nothing to them that do not follow Him and do not hear His voice (that is, obey it, and heed what He says). To claim the benefits promised means nothing if we do not literally and daily hear His voice and follow Him. Note that the passage simply states that no "man," (that is, no other human) can pluck a person out of the hand of God; However, if a person sins, He himself separates himself from God and God Himself has the right to pluck such a sinning person out of His own hand, for He is Holy and cannot tolerate sin.
36. "Every branch in me (being in Christ makes one a new creature and a holy branch, 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 11:16) that beareth not fruit he taketh away (not taketh to Heaven or be laid on the shelf).... he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (Jn. 15:1, 2, 6). To teach from this passage that all men are "in Christ" is to teach that all men are "clean," for to the same men He said, "ye are the branches . . . Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (Jn. 15:3, 5). The same men who were "branches" and were "in Christ" also had Christ in them (Jn. 15:4-7). This statement could never be made of sinners, for Paul said, "Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates" (2 Cor. 13:5) and "if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness" (Rom. 8:9-10).
To teach, as "ultra-graceists" do, that "in me" means the universal sense of being in Christ and "taketh away" means taken to Heaven, is to teach that all men are saved, that God is pruning all men, that all men are "clean" by the Word, that God is the "Father" and "husbandman" of all men, and that all men will be taken to Heaven.
If these things are true then these teachers ought to quit worrying about eternal security, for all are saved, and if all are saved and no saved man can be lost, then all have eternal life and will go to Heaven. If this is true, then we do not need churches or preachers and we should get rid of both.The more these men twist and deny Scripture to prove some unscriptural doctrine, the more they become inconsistent with themselves and the Bible. If John 15 does refer only to saved men, then it is certain that they can get out of Christ, be cut off and be burned, and if this does not mean the loss of the soul it means nothing.
If the branches can be cut off, then it proves holy people can be cut off and be burned, for Rom. 11:16 says, "If the root be holy, so are the branches." If holy men can be lost through sin then saved men can be lost.
37. "If any man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (Jn. 15:6). This much is certain: the branches that wither and become fruitless were once in the vine, otherwise they would not be branches of the vine. The responsibility of staying in the vine (Christ), lies with the branches who can bear more or less fruit as they obey God and yield to Him to bring forth fruit. Thus, one can become "out of Christ" by a refusal to obey God and bring forth fruit.
38. "Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them (that thou hast given me, and that I have given eternal life to) is lost, but the son of perdition" (Jn. 17:2, 12).
Here Christ acknowledges that power had been given Him to give eternal life to every man whom God had given Him, and Judas is recognized among those who had been given Him; therefore, Judas as well as the others had been given eternal life. It just so happened that Judas was the only one among this particular group whom Christ did not keep, and who was lost. Judas, at one time, had an apostleship but lost it, and by transgression fell (Acts 1:20, 25) If he fell from the ministry and the apostleship by transgression, then it should be clear that he was a truly saved man before this transgression.
39. "When they knew God, they glorified him not as God . . . their foolish heart was darkened . . . they became fools . . . God gave them up to uncleanness . . . God gave them up unto vile affections . . . God gave them up to a reprobate mind . . . Being filled with all unrighteousness . . . they are worthy of death" (Rom. 1:21-32; 2:1-5).
40. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness . . . the end of those things [committing sins] is death . . . For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:16-23).
41. "Through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles . . . if the fall of them be the riches of the world . . . how much more their fulness? . . . For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead ? . . . because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith.
42. Be not high-minded, but fear. For if God spared not the natural branches (elect Israel when they sinned), take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity, but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shall be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again . . . so all Israel shall be saved" again (Rom. 11:11-32).
43. "The gospel . . . by which ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain" (1 Cor. 15:1-8).
44. "I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Cor. 11:1-3; Col. 2:8-19).
45. "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him (Christ) that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel" (Gal. 1:6-7).
46. "If I build again the things which I destroyed (gave up for Christ), I make myself a transgressor," that is, I will revert back to the old life of sin and be lost again (Gal. 2:18).
47. "I do not frustrate (set aside, render useless) the grace of God" for the law; for, "then Christ is dead in vain" (Gal. 2:21).
48. "My little children of whom I travail in birth again (as I did once before) until Christ be formed in you" (Gal. 4:19).
49. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).
50. "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; Ye are fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:4). For a person to be "fallen from grace" by any means or for any cause, he would need to be in grace first, in order to fall from it.
51. "If a man be overtaken in a fault (sin), ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1)—and go back in sin.
52. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). Some argue that these words are interpolated and they try to prove there is no condition to meet in order to be free from condemnation. Suppose they are not in the original in this verse, nevertheless they are not interpolated in Rom. 8:4, thus proving the same condition of no condemnation in Christ Jesus as in Rom. 8.1. What benefit is such an argument, since Paul says in 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:10, 20 that anyone living after the flesh cannot inherit the Kingdom of God? If one has to walk after the Spirit to be saved, as in Gal. 5:16-26, he has to do this to be free from condemnation. Paul continued in Rom. 8 by saying, "Therefore, brethren [saved men], we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom. 8:12-13). Saved men then will die again spiritually and eternally if they go back into sin (Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 1:29-32).
53. "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself be a castaway" (1 Cor. 9:27).
One writer says of this verse, "castaway means a cracked pot put on the shelf." So Paul says in effect, "I do not want to be a cracked pot!"
We have often wondered what to call backsliders and now we know what to call them. We can call them cracked pots! However, the Paul's meaning goes beyond being a mere cracked pot laid aside. He says, "if ye live after the flesh YE SHALL DIE" and that ye "shall not inherit the kingdom of God," so why argue that God will take such men to Heaven when God said He would not? (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Ezek. 18:4, 24-26; 33:16-20; etc.).
The Greek word adokimos, translated "castaway" in 1 Cor. 9:27, might have been lost to some men for centuries, but it has been in the Bible all this time. Its meaning is made very clear in the passages where it is used. It is used and translated "reprobate" in Rom. 1:28; 2 Cor. 13:5-7 (three times); 2 Tim. 3:8; Titus 1:16 and "rejected" in Heb. 6:8. It can be seen by these passages that the word has a deeper meaning than merely being disapproved in the sense of losing a crown as one writer says, or being a cracked pot laid on the shelf as another one says.
Paul did not say that "I am afraid that my works should be 'castaway'" but that "I myself be a castaway." Suppose we make mere cracked pots of all the people in these passages, or interpret the word "castaway" to mean that works were going to be unrewarded.
We would have to understand that the reprobates of Rom. 1:29-32 will be saved. How could such men be saved and their works only be lost who are reprobate in mind and "filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death"? The pots have too many cracks in them for a child of God even to want to be on the shelf with them, much less go to Heaven with them. Such reprobates are not only cracked pots but they are "broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jer. 2:13). They are clouds without water and trees, twice dead, plucked up try the roots (Jude 12-13). How could the "reprobates" (cracked pots or castaways) of 2 Cor. 13:5-7 be saved and go to Heaven when Paul said, "Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates"? If Christ is not in cracked pots or a person castaway, then it is clear that Paul feared losing his own soul, and in this respect he would not make a good modern ultra-grace man at all. How could the "reprobates" or cracked pots of 2 Tim. 3:8 and Titus 1:16 be saved and go to Heaven when Paul said they 'resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the truth . . . They profess to know God; but in works deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate"? Paul said of them, "But they will proceed no further." Did Paul mean by the word "reprobate" that it was time for them to be laid on the shelf until God took them to Heaven? How could they be saved and go to Heaven when Paul classed them as "rejected" in Heb. 6:8? He spoke of them as bearing thorns and briers and whose end is to be burned. Is God going to burn all cracked pots and all who are laid on the shelf and take them to Heaven also? That voice from the silent centuries does not speak the truth, so we had better reject it and believe the present thundering voice of God which says, "if ye live after the flesh, YE SHALL DIE," (Rom. 8:12-13).When Paul was afraid of being a "castaway" he literally meant he was afraid of losing his soul in Hell with all other reprobates and rejected men. When he told us what he had to do lest he should lose his soul, he wanted us to know that true security is in bringing the body under subjection as in Rom. 8:13 and in living right instead of living in sin every day, as advocated by those who preach unconditional security
(Gal. 5:16-24; Rom. 8:1-13; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 5:17; 7:1; 10:4, 5; Gal. 2:20; 6:14; Phil. 3:7-14; 2 Tim. 4:7,8; Heb. 12:14). Note in these passages that Paul not only lived a holy life, but he showed the way that all others should live in the same manner. He taught conditional security, which is the only true security in Scripture.
54. "For now we [Christians] live, IF [on condition that] ye stand fast in the Lord" (1 Thess. 3:8). This clearly states the condition of continued eternal life.
55. Do not choose a new convert as a deacon, "lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil," that is, fall by pride as Satan did (1 Tim. 3:6; Ezek. 28:11-17). Beyond doubt: if deacons are saved men, then saved men can fall as Satan did and be lost.
56. "Many shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1).
57. "He has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Tim. 5:8).
58. "They have erred from the faith" (1 Tim. 6:9-10, 21; Jas. 5:19-20).
59. "Who concerning the truth have erred . . . and overthrow the faith of some" (2 Tim. 2:17-18).
60. "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil" (2 Tim. 2:25-26).
61. "Give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip . . . How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation" (Heb. 2:1-4).
62. "But with whom was he grieved . . . whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom he sware that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief" (Heb. 3:17-19). "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Heb. 4:1-2). "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (Heb. 4:11).
63. "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God (fall from the grace of God); lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled" (Heb. 12:15). Thus, not only can man fall from grace and fail of grace so that he does not have it, but he can be destroyed because he is defiled (1 Cor. 3:16-17).
64. "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sins and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (Jas. 1:13-16).
65. "If ye have respect of persons ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law and offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (Jas. 2:9-13) Can a saved man ever fail in one point? Then he is guilty of all and must confess or be lost.
66. "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (Jas. 5:19-20). This is written to saved men, to brethren, who can err from the truth, become sinners again, and die spiritually (lose eternal life), because of sin.
67. If one does this he needs conversion again; and if he is so converted again, then he is saved from the error of his way, he is saved again from death, and his sins are hidden again by being blotted out and forgiven. These facts truly make the possibility of backsliding and having a new birth again very clear.
67. "If these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (2 Pet. 1:4-10). And only, "If ye do these things, ye shall never fall"—not to do these things can result in a fall.
68. "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam" (2 Pet. 2:15-18).
69. "If we deny him, he also will deny us" (2 Tim. 2:12). This is a plain lie if God will not damn saved men should they sin and deny Him.
70. "Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:17-18).
71. "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 Jn. 2:1-2). Saved men can sin and be lost if, when they sin, they do not use their advocate.
72. "When they [saved women] have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; having damnation, because they cast off their first faith" (1 Tim. 5:11-12, 15; 6:19, 20, 2l; 2 Tim. 2:17, 18; 4:10). These Scriptures are also lies if they do not mean what they say. They say that saved people can be damned if they destroy their faith.
73. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and we know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him" (1 Jn. 3:15). What about these backsliders or cracked pots who hate their brothers? Do they have eternal life? Who is right, God or man?
74. "Whosoever committeth sin is of the devil," not of God, regardless of past salvation (1 Jn. 3:8).
75. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness . . . the end of those things [committing sins] is death . . . For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:16-23).
76. "He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption" and not eternal life (Gal. 6:7, 8). This means saved men can be lost if they sow to the flesh.
77. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 1:29-32).
Unconditional securityites admit that saved men, even preachers, have failed God and have gone back to a life of sin in the flesh.
Then how do they expect to see such men go to Heaven if they die in this state? They had better "be not deceived" and quit such unscriptural teaching.
These preachers and teachers of Unconditional securityites are the Jezabel of Rev. 2:20-23 (KJV) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. They teach their congregations “born again believers” to believe those lies.
21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Even though they had been told the truth they wouldn’t change.
22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Both the teacher and the one who believes the lie will be left for the tribulation or worse die in their sin and cast into the lake of fire. 23And I will kill her children with death; Because God awards us according to our righteousness and they are living in sin ,God will not hear their prayer and their children will be dammed as well and will suffer the second death the lake of fire. and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
78. "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men" (Mt. 5:13-14).
78. "We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard [the gospel], lest at any time we should let them slip.
79. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" (Heb. 2:1-3).
No person can neglect something that he does not have. Paul here warns saints that every sin will be judged by God and that it is possible to let the truth and salvation slip away. This certainly shows sinning-saints will come before God in judgment as well as sinners.
80. "Whosoever transgressed, and abided not in the doctrine of Cast, hath not God. He that abideth . . . hath both the Father and the Son" (2 Jn. 9, 10). Those that do not abide have neither the Father nor the Son, so will be lost unless they repent.
81. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God . . . If any man defile the temple of God, him shall god destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1 Cor. 3:16-18; 6:9-11, 19, 20). This passage applies only to Christians as sinners do not have the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9). This is an untruth if God would not do what He said through Paul. Some did defile themselves and they lost eternal life (Titus l:15; Heb. 12:12-15; Rev. 3:4-5; 21:27).
82. The statements of 2 Pet. 2:20, 21 prove that men can sin and be lost. One writer says, "one really not born again may follow a little while outwardly, but they are like dogs who turn to their own vomit again . . . If a dog had ever been regenerated and become a sheep, if the sow had ever been changed and become a lamb, neither would have gone back to the filth . . . A dog is always a dog, and a sow is always a sow. One saved can never be lost."
This argument is illogical and unscriptural. In the first place, the writer should know that no man is ever turned into another kind of creature, as a dog, a sheep, or a lamb by the new birth. Unsaved men are compared to sheep as well as are saved men (Isa. 53:6; Lk. 15:1-10). A literal sheep can never be a man and a man can never become a sheep by the new birth, much less a dog or a sow. The new birth does not make him either, nor does backsliding.
Peter is merely comparing a backslider to a dog going to his vomit again and a sow to her mire again, to show that a saved man can go back into sin again and be worse than in the beginning. He never dreamed men would ever get so illogical as to think that he taught that a dog or a sow could ever be anything else, but he did expect men to have sense enough to understand a simple illustration or comparison of a saved man going back into sin again.
To say 2 Pet. 2:20-21 refers to false teachers who have never been saved is to deny plain facts in this passage. There certainly is nothing in this passage or any other to support such an argument. Just the opposite is plainly stated here. The ones to whom Peter refers, as well as their followers, had one time had real experiences and were once saved, as proved by the following facts:
(1) "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray" (2 Pet. 2:15, 16). The Greek word for "forsaken" is kataleipo, to abandon, forsake and leave behind. It refers to leaving something of which one is a part such as a wife (Mt. 19:5; Eph. 5:31), a city (Mt. 4:13), a country (Heb. 11:27), etc. Forsaking the way of righteousness would then mean leaving something of which one had been a part.
One could not leave the right way if he had not been in the right way. This is too obvious to deny. The phrase "gone astray" further proves this.
This phrase is always used of something that has been in the right way at one time and then departed from it (Ex. 23:4; Dt. 22:1; Ps. 119:67, 176; Pr. 28:10; Ezek. 44:10-15; 48:11; Mt. 18:12-13; 2 Pet. 2:15).
(2) These false teachers mentioned by Peter had forsaken the right way, and had gone astray. They allured through the lusts of the flesh other saved men that had "clean escaped from them that live in error." (If those they allured by lusts were clean escaped from living in error, then they were once saved men.)
(3) "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them . . . Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found in him in peace, without spot, and blameless . . . Beware, lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 2:20-22; 3:14-18).
It matters not whether they were false prophets of the Jews or Gentiles, the fact remains that the ones referred to had once escaped through the knowledge of Jesus, that they had known the way of righteousness, that they had received the holy commandment and had turned away from it later, that their latter end was worse than the beginning, that it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, and that Peter used their backslidings to warn men who were still saved that they had better "be diligent," "be without spot, and blameless" and "beware" lest they also fall into sin again and be lost (2 Pet. 3:14-18; 1:5-10).
The fact that "angels" were given here as an example, showing the punishment of those who turn back into sin, is enough to prove that the ones referred to were once holy and had lived free from sin and bondage as did the angels at one time (2 Pet. 2:4). If one can prove that the angels were not at one time holy just because they sinned and are in Hell, then he can also prove that these false prophets and the ones they cause to backslide were not once holy and saved men.
If one can prove that the fallen angels could not sin and that those who did sin are still holy and fit for Heaven, then he can prove the same thing of men who were once saved and who go back into sin. If one can prove that all men were not righteous in Adam and that the fall does not make them sinners and lost men, then he can also prove that men who regain righteousness and fall into sin will not become sinners and be lost again (Rom. 5:12-21).
Peter himself proves that escape from the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Jesus means to be saved. In his first chapter of 2 Peter he said, "According as his divine power hath given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him . . . having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." Then he laid down the program for those that have escaped.
They were to give "all diligence" and "add" Christian graces to their life daily. He added, "But he that lacketh these things is blind . . . and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins . . . for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (2 Pet. 1:4-10). It is unbiblical to teach that men can escape the sins of this world and still not be saved.
The Greek word for "knowledge" in 2 Pet. 2:20 is epignoses and means to acknowledge, own, accept, profess, endorse and recognize (Eph. 1:17; 4:13; Col. 3:10). These false prophets and those who had "clean escaped" from error and went back into bondage again had once acknowledged, owned, endorsed, professed, accepted and recognized the Lord and by these means escaped the pollutions of the world.
The word "entangled" proves that men can go back into sin and be lost: "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage [referring to the sins of the flesh] . . . they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:1, 16-21, 24). Both Paul and Peter say that a man can be "entangled again") after being saved and they must become untangled again or be lost.
The Greek word for "pollutions" is miasma and is from the root word miaino which means to dye with another color, to stain, to defile, soil and contaminate. If men escape the dye and stain of the world through the knowledge of Jesus and become "entangled again" in it, God will not take them to Heaven in such defilement. If one cannot be saved again and be cleansed from this defilement, as these false security teachers say, then he will be eternally lost.
This Greek word is translated "defile" in Titus l:15; Heb. 12:14-15; Jude 8, and "uncleanness" in 2 Pet. 2:10, so "pollutions" means the sins of the flesh. If those referred to "escaped" without Jesus and His knowledge, then there is another way to be saved from sin other than by the gospel—but this the Bible does not teach. If they did escape, as is plainly stated here, then it had to be through Jesus, thus proving they were once saved.
If they were once saved and became entangled again, they were sinners again, and it is understandable how the "latter end is worse than the beginning" and how "it had been better not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them (2 Pet. 2:20-22).
They were lost and going to Hell in the beginning (before they were saved) and their latter end in Hell will be worse for two reasons. First, they will face a harsher end because of the greater light they had received and secondly, because of their inexcusable failure in becoming entangled again when they could have been kept in salvation by the power of God which they had previously experienced.
All men are worse after they backslide than before. If not, then all men had better backslide in order to better themselves!
83. Heb. 4:4-6; 10:26-29 refer to apostates; to men who were once saved, but had become apostates and beyond redemption again. Whether they be all Jews or a mixture of Jews or Gentiles whom Paul is writing about, that is not worth arguing about. For the sake of argument, grant that they were all Jews. These passages still prove that a saved man can sin and be lost, as proved by the following:
(1) They were "once enlightened" (Heb. 6:4). This could not refer to all men as sinners being mentally enlightened with gospel truth, for they would still be enlightened. Once implies past enlightenment and refers to the saving knowledge of the gospel.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon says it refers to "those who have been made Christians." Paul wrote to saved men in other places using the same word: "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened" (Eph. 1:18), "after ye were illuminated [enlightened], ye endured a great fight of afflictions" (Heb. 10:32).
The word "enlightened" is used of conversion in Ps. 19:7, 8; Lk. 11:34-36. Sinners and lost men are spoken of as being "darkened" from gospel light (2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 4:18; 5:8; Col. 1:13; 1 Thess. 5:5; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Jn. 1:6; 2:8-11). Saints are called "children of light" (Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:12; 1 Thess. 5:5) and only saved men are spoken of as being in the light (Mt. 5:14-16; Lk. 16:8; Jn. 3:20, 21; 8:12; 12:36; Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:14; Col. 1:12; 1 Jn. 1:7; 2:9, 10). Thus it is illogical to argue that being "once enlightened" refers to men who were never saved.
(2) They had "tasted of the heavenly gift . . . the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come" (Heb. 6:4, 5). The Greek word for "tasted" is geuomai, literally, to eat food, but used here figuratively to experience. It is used in other Scriptures of the experience of "death" (Mt. 16:28; Jn. 8:52; Heb. 2:9) and to experience "the Lord" (1 Pet. 2:3). The taste "of the heavenly gift" means to experience Jesus Christ. To taste "the good word of God" is to be saved, as proved in the following passages (Mt. 13:20-23; Lk. 8:13-15: Jn. 15:3; Acts 2:41; 4:4; 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; Rom. 10:9, 10; Eph. 5:26; Jas. 1:18-25; 1 Pet. 1:18-23).
Not one Scripture ever says that an unsaved man receives the word of God and remains unsaved and continues in sin. To taste "the powers of the world to come" means to experience "eternal life." Every time such a statement is found it refers to eternal life (Mk. 10:30; Lk. 18:30; 20:35). This is proof that "those" Paul was speaking about had experienced Christ, the word of God, and eternal life. Even those who advocate eternal security admit "those" referred to are lost. So, if they had once experienced these things and will be lost, then other saved men can sin and be lost.
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