"Once Saved, Always Saved"

Once saved, always saved (OSAS) is one way of referring to the doctrine of "eternal security"; that is if a person has been genuinely saved (having the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit), then that person cannot "lose" that salvation.

There are many passages used to support the doctrine.

John 10:27-30 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; (28) and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (30)I and the Father are one."

The problem arises, IMHO, is trying to determine who has a genuine salvation. We should avoid declaring someone to be saved, or unsaved, based on what they have done (or not done) in the past (i.e. walked the isle and said "the sinner's prayer").

Salvation is spoken of in scripture as posessing a transformed life. If you are not living a transformed life after your "profession" of faith, you should have no assurance of your salvation and Christians should not give you assurance of your salvation based on the "sinner's prayer".

It could be that the person was genuinely saved, but has strayed. In that case, God disciplines those He loves and will bring that person back.

It could be that the person was never genuinely saved, merely saying words without an inner transformation. In that case, it could be inappropriate;and perhaps contradict the work of Holy Spirit in bringing the person to conviction for sins; by giving them assurance of their salvation when they should not have any.

good luck with the bible study

peace to youraying:

 

Samuel, welcome to the Baptist Board. I am going to request that the moderator move this thread to the "Other Christian Denominations" category, since only Baptists are allowed to post in this one.

You are welcome here, and will have plenty of opportunity to discuss almost any subject that you'd like in the non-Baptist categories.

 

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time

 

I agree with both canadyjd and Revmitchell.

The phrase "Once Saved Always Saved" is a theological view that has been simplified to one sentence rendering concerning the doctrine of Eternal Security.

However it would more accurately convey the truth of the doctrine, so as not to cause confusion, to state it more thusly:
"Once Saved Always Changed".

Thus denoting a one time salvation that brings about a permenent change to the person saved.

This does not address the entirety of the doctrine but gives a much more concise and simplistic understanding for those who don't know or understand the doctrine of Eternal Security. The OSAS phrase is misunderstood due primarily to the phrase itself and therefore many incorrect o rmisleading conclusions are jumped to by those with little or no understanding of doctrine of Eternal Security.

Example: So you mean a person who is saved can live in a total sin depraved lifestyle, never repent, and still be saved?

No. If that person is saved they are so changed that they will not desire to live a sin depraved lifestyle but will run in repentence to their Saviour and Lord when they would sin against Him.

 

If the moderators say you can post here, it's just fine with me. We'll let them sort it out.

 

I know some who make such a statement but not with the meaning or intent that that comes from what they are 'actaully' saying.

Most often what they mean is that if a person sins and dies without repenting that does not negate or affect their salvation however it does affect their relationship with the Father due to disobedience. OR they might be trying to give and extreme example to show savlation isn't dependant upon what we do but what Christ did for us.

This however is a VERY POOR and misleading argument and one I do not use because the statement is a contradiction to what the doctrine describes.

 

Samuel,
The Baptist Board is based on trust and honesty. We expect that the profiles that are filled out, are filled out honestly which we believe you did. With that in mind, you stated that you had no home church and were non-denominational. This forum is for those who are Baptists only.

Since you are not, at this present time a Baptist, I request that you post in those forums that are for Other Denominations.

This thread will be moved into the Other Christian Denominations Forum for that reason.

 

In Matt 18 we see the Bible doctrine on "Forgiveness revoked" explained clearly by Christ in the same way that Ezek 18 states this principle without doubt.

In John 15:1-11 Christ clearly points to the fact that branchins "IN HIM" are removed and cast into the fire if they do not continue to bear fruit.

In Gal 5:4 we see clearly that those in Christ can be later "Severed from Christ" and "Fallen from Grace".

In 1Cor 9 at the end of the chapter Paul argues "I buffet my body and make it my slave LEST after preaching the Gospel to others I MYSELF should be disqualified"

These are just "some" of the examples of the Bible texts that must be ignored to cling to the man-made tradition of OSAS.

in Christ,

Bob

 

I apologize, Samuel Owen. I thought you were asking a question about something you had not yet formed an opinion on, otherwise I wouldn't have wasted my time and yours.

peace to youraying:

 

Brother Samuel,

I am a believer of OSAS, not because I fellowship in a Baptist church. I fellowship in this denomination because I feel that is where the Lord has placed me. I have always held to the doctrine of Eternal Security because that is what I find in scripture.
We can pull scriptures from one place or another and prove all kinds of things. What I find concerning this doctrine is not from different verses (although we do quote them because in many instances they are relevant), but the message as a whole teaches me this.

John 15 is a common text that many use as being able to lose salvation or being able to fall from grace. It doesn't teach me that. It does teach me that there are many people that profess Christianity but their works find them out. There are many that appear to be abiding in the vine, but if the vine is abiding in the branch, it will produce fruit. The fruit is produced by the vine, not the branch. When a person is born again, he is a new creature.

We are not saved by our works, so why would we be "unsaved" by them (Or the lack of them). Here is what scripture teaches me:

God demands payment for my sin.
I have nothing to pay with.
Christ paid the price, in full, for my sin.
He paid it for me.
He paid it to God.
It is God that justified me, because of the payment from Christ on my behalf.
At no time could I "Lose it". My salvation is in the hands of God.

I have faith and trust in Christ that He will deliver me.
I have assurance of the promise by the giving of the Holy Spirit.
Because of this I have become His workmanship unto good works.
Many people quote Ephesians 2:8-9, but verse 10 teaches me where my work is.

I hope this helps. I hope all is well and may God bless you and yours!

 

A person that puts their denomination ahead of Christ was born into that denomination and not in the body of Christ.
It is evident, in every situation, that God does not turn His back on those He has born with His Spirit.

 

I will have to refer to my former post when I said:

Salvation is of the Lord. It is all His. If He has declaired me righteous and justified me, then how can I lose it?

I find that no matter where I go or where I turn, the Lord is there.

My love for my children is all mine. I love them no matter what. No matter where they go, no matter what they do, I love them. If they do things that are displeasing to me, I still love them. No matter what.... they are still my children.

The love God has for His children is all His. No matter what... we are still His children.