In the Statement of Faith of a church I was trying to find out some details about, they have "Eternal Security" listed. In that section, it has three points. The first simply affirms eternal security. The second says it is not an excuse to sin. However, the third says "Those who do not understand or believe in eternal security do not understand or believe the GOSPEL. They are lost."
Haven't they taken belief in eternal security too far? Does anyone here agree with their statement and would be willing to explain? I have written to the pastor of that church, and will summarize his response here (after I receive it) if anyone is interested.
Eternal security gone to far?
Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by natters, Aug 8, 2004.
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This is obviously waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too far.
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Yes way too far., So far that they may not understand the way of salvation and be lost themselves.
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Actually, it isn't too far. It is thoroughly biblical. I would like to see StefanM and freeatlast try to defend their position exegetically. Needless to say, I will be waiting an awfully long time.
Romans 4 speaks of the kind of faith that will justify a person before God. The answer is there for those who actually read. -
Daniel David, could you explain further? No longer is it "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved", but now it's "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in eternal security, and thou shalt be saved"? No longer are we saved by grace through faith, we are saved by belief in OSAS plus grace through faith?
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Doesn't matter if you believe in it or not, or if you even are aware of it or not.
Joh 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
In Christ,
Trotter -
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To say that if you do not know the doctrine of eternal security is to not know the gospel is just wrong. I mean, how many lost people upon their profession of faith know of any doctrine save the fact that they were on their way to hell and Jesus died so that they may live and receive the joys of heaven? Not too many, not too many.
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That does go way too far. God does not expect us to be theologians in order to be saved. If being wrong on several aspects of doctrine kept one from being saved we'd have alot of lost churchmen - AND pastors. ;)
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And no matter how great an argument we suppose on this board, I bet it would take a literal act of God, ie hurricane, death of entire deacon board, rapture... to convince them to change that statement.
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If your concept of salvation specifically and proactively excludes eternal security then your salvation is not based on the finished work of Christ. If you are merely ignorant of the fact of eternal security then that is a different story. To say that you must proactively believe in eternal security in order to get saved is beyond reasonable.
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Wait a minute. I know many folks who adamently reject eternal security (as I know it) and are eternally secure - they just don't realize it and don't have the joy that I have.
To say that a person who rejects eternal security is "not saved" or "not believing the Gospel" is just wrong. -
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How can anything eternal "go too far?"
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With some folks it takes time to have the assurance of God's salvation.
1 John 19-21
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. -
It would seem that some think a person needs to graduate from bible college in order to be saved.
Thank God that He does not require anything except repentance from sin and acceptance of His death and resurrection. -
"Thank God that He does not require anything except repentance from sin and acceptance of His death and resurrection."
Yes, well said!!
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Of course, I would argue that it can't be just any Bible College. -
It was the belief of the reformers that assurance accompanied faith in Christ.
When you see Romans 4 and the example of Abraham's kind of faith, you will see that it does not waiver.
Further, a person who thinks that salvation can be lost is a person who is depending upon THEMSELVES to keep them saved by not sinning too much or whatever ridiculous idea they have.
No, saving faith embraces Christ alone "from faith to faith".
Philosophically and exegetically, every other view falls apart if it isn't just laughable to begin with.
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