Comments on: Hebrews 6:4-6 and Losing One’s Salvation http://blog.scottseverance.us/2008/01/24/hebrews-64-6-and-losing-one%e2%80%99s-salvation/ I seem to have a view on most topics. Here you will be subjected to some of them, along with news and some of my Bible study and ministry ideas. Feel free to join in and add comments. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:55:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Michael http://blog.scottseverance.us/2008/01/24/hebrews-64-6-and-losing-one%e2%80%99s-salvation/#comment-27449 Michael Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:42:47 +0000 http://blog.scottseverance.us/2008/01/24/hebrews-64-6-and-losing-one%e2%80%99s-salvation/#comment-27449 Whenever I am asked this question I go to John 10:27-30. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one. This provides a sort of short and direct answer: No, you cannot lose your salvation. I did not really read your response, except to see if you used this passage. It looked long and detailed, so I hope you covered the nuances of back sliding and having never been rooted in your faith. But this passage really paints a clear, reassuring and secure picture. Whenever I am asked this question I go to John 10:27-30.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.

This provides a sort of short and direct answer: No, you cannot lose your salvation. I did not really read your response, except to see if you used this passage. It looked long and detailed, so I hope you covered the nuances of back sliding and having never been rooted in your faith. But this passage really paints a clear, reassuring and secure picture.

]]> By: Scott Severance http://blog.scottseverance.us/2008/01/24/hebrews-64-6-and-losing-one%e2%80%99s-salvation/#comment-27450 Scott Severance Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:40:55 +0000 http://blog.scottseverance.us/2008/01/24/hebrews-64-6-and-losing-one%e2%80%99s-salvation/#comment-27450 You really should read the article, because I do deal with that passage. However, I disagree with your conclusion. That passage says, "No one can snatch them out of my hand," not "They'll never leave my hand." I don't think that it's possible to correctly understand John 10:27-30 without considering the rest of the passages on the subject. The clearest single passage that states that it <em>is</em> possible to lose one's salvation is 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2: <blockquote>Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.</blockquote> Notice two things: First, the people addressed are Christian believers. Second, they're urged to hold firmly to the gospel lest their belief be in vain. Ultimately, the notion of "once saved, always saved" is a doctrine of insecurity. Given that there are many apparently sincere people who backslide, the once saved, always saved doctrine undermines our confidence in our salvation. After all, since we don't know the future, how can we know we'll never backslide? And by that notion, backsliders were never saved in the first place. Again, I suggest you read my article, since I deal with these issues there in greater detail. You really should read the article, because I do deal with that passage. However, I disagree with your conclusion.

That passage says, “No one can snatch them out of my hand,” not “They’ll never leave my hand.” I don’t think that it’s possible to correctly understand John 10:27-30 without considering the rest of the passages on the subject. The clearest single passage that states that it is possible to lose one’s salvation is 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2:

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Notice two things: First, the people addressed are Christian believers. Second, they’re urged to hold firmly to the gospel lest their belief be in vain.

Ultimately, the notion of “once saved, always saved” is a doctrine of insecurity. Given that there are many apparently sincere people who backslide, the once saved, always saved doctrine undermines our confidence in our salvation. After all, since we don’t know the future, how can we know we’ll never backslide? And by that notion, backsliders were never saved in the first place.

Again, I suggest you read my article, since I deal with these issues there in greater detail.

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