Do you believe in once saved always saved?

Question

Please explain.

Answer 1

That's a very good question, please forgive me if the answer is a little long winded but it is worth considering all of the facts.

Does the Bible actually say, “Once saved, always saved”? No, it does not use those words in any specific text, but many sincere people believe that this is what the Bible teaches. And it is true that a number of Bible texts indicate that the basis for salvation is not one’s works, but, rather, faith in Jesus Christ, together with God’s “grace” and mercy. (Eph. 2:8, 9; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:4, 5) Additionally, Jesus himself said that “he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”—John 3:36, Authorized Version (AV); 1 John 5:13.

From such references it is often reasoned that if one ‘has everlasting life,’ he actually possesses it permanently; it cannot be lost, or, as many would have it: “Once saved, always saved.” However, does this understanding fully express the Scriptural view of gaining everlasting life?

Well, Christians concerned about their salvation may also wish to consider Jesus’ declaration that “he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matt. 10:22; 24:12, 13; Mark 13:13, AV) And the apostle Paul comments similarly: “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.”—Heb. 3:14, AV.

How are we to reconcile these seeming disparities? Surely these servants of God were not contradicting themselves. Rather, were they not merely expressing the same understanding from different viewpoints? The apostle Paul provides the key to harmonizing these viewpoints.

Time and again Paul likens the Christian’s course to a “race” that must be run to the finish. “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” he urged the Hebrews. (12:1, AV) To enter the race, sinners must take the steps necessary for salvation: hearing and accepting the Word of God, believing in Jesus Christ and his ransom sacrifice, repenting of their sins and being baptized. In this way, they get saved “from this crooked generation,” as Peter exhorted those gathered at Pentecost. Unbelievers are outside the race, having failed to enter by getting “saved.”—Acts 2:37-40, Revised Standard Version (RSV); 16:31-33; Rom. 10:13, 14.

Once entered in the race by being “saved,” a Christian takes “hold of the life which is life indeed.” But is it possible to lose that grip on life? Paul answers with this question: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize?” In the Christian race, Paul indicates the “one” who receives the prize is anyone who finishes the race. Therefore, Paul urges, “So run that you may obtain it.” Then, using himself as an example to make the point of his illustration, he continues: “I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”—1 Tim. 6:19; 1 Cor. 9:24-27, RSV.

Evidently the apostle, who surely was a “saved” Christian, believed that even he could be “disqualified” from the race. Yet as long as he continued to ‘run that he might obtain’ the prize, thus remaining in the race, salvation was assured. This is why Christians who remain in the race can be said to ‘have everlasting life.’ But if they should ever quit the race, they are “disqualified,” losing their hold on everlasting life.

Hence, Paul follows up his remarks on the Christian’s race by cautioning about the danger of overconfidence. Using the example of the Israelites who were saved through the Red Sea, yet fell to wrongdoing in the wilderness, he warned: “We [“saved” Christians] must not put the Lord to the test.” Then, driving his point home, he declared: “Let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Yes, it could happen, even to “saved” ones!—1 Cor. 10:1-12, RSV.

This is why, throughout his writings, Paul consistently emphasized his own need to stay in the race. For example, of his hoped-for reward of the resurrection, he said: “I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” It was only after Paul neared the end of his life that he wrote: “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” At this point in his life, he could finally say with confidence: “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that Day.”—Phil. 3:11-14; 2 Tim. 4:6-8, RSV.

Paul’s view of his own salvation, then, is consistent with Jesus’ comments mentioned earlier about ‘enduring to the end’ to be saved.—See also Revelation 2:10; 3:11, 12, AV.

The foregoing helps us to see why Paul repeatedly entreated “saved” Christians to be on guard. Their everlasting salvation was still at stake. Addressing the obviously “saved” Hebrew Christians who had been “illuminated” and who had “endured a great fight of afflictions,” he warns: “If we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” The sacrificial benefits that “saved” such persons, then, can be lost. Why? Because such a person “hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto [outraged, RSV] the Spirit of grace.”—Heb. 10:26-32, AV.

Yes, Christians who truly appreciate the salvation provided through Christ and God’s grace will not be overconfident. They will strive to remain in the race like Paul and the other early Christians, whom he encouraged to “work out [their] own salvation with fear and trembling.”—Phil. 2:12, AV.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

No... I believe that Salvation is an ongoing process. Jesus told the parabel of the seeds, those that grew but got tangled in the weeds and died, those that had shallow roots and grew too quickly and got dried up by the sun. These are types of believers... and those types all died and were thrown into the fire... their once belief was not enough. 2 Peter 2:20-22 tells us that if we have overcome sin through Christ and return to it , we are WORSE off in the end than if we never believed in the first place. Jesus also warns that those who become lukewarm will be vomitted from His mouth. And one specific verse of the Bible really should eliminate any question about being once saved and always saved which is this:

Rev 22:19 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

For someone to BE in the book of life in the first place, they must be saved... but we see here that God can and WILL remove people from the book of life... even for just removing words from Prophecy.

So I think we should never see our salvation as a sure thing and look at it the way Paul told the Philipians--Phil 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Answer 3

No, and these Scriptures explain why:
Matthew 7:13,14: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Matt. 24:13: "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Heb. 10:26: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."____
Thus the Bible does not go along with the idea that no matter what sins a person may commit after he is “saved” he will not lose his salvation. It encourages faithfulness. See also Hebrews 6:4-6, where it is shown that even a person anointed with holy spirit can lose his hope of salvation.)
Jas. 2:14, 20: " What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Being saved alone will not mean salvation or eternal life if you have not endured to the end or shown complete faithfulness to God. No one can continue practicing sin and expect God to overlook it. Those who practice sin will not inherit God's Kingdom
whether they were saved or not.

Answer 4

Yes. God gave his only begotton Son so all those who believe shal have everlasting life. All who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior shal have everlasting life.

If you truely believe you will not sin right? Not necesairly. For all have fallen short of the glory of God. That is why we need Jesus.

If we are truely filled with the Holy Spirit it will guide us away from sin but when we do we would repent immedately. We are not perfect and never will be.

Anyone who uses "I am saved so I can sin and still go to Heaven" excuse I would have to really question if they are truely saved. Truely saved people don't have that attitude.

Many claim to be Christian and saved but the reality is very few are.

Answer 5

I believe in being responsible for one's actions and the concept of being saved is directly contrary to that concept. Effectively being saved says that if and when I do something wrong I meerly have to ask forgiveness do some penance and I'll be forgiven. Ex: I murder someone...while I am waiting on Death Row I accept Jesus and ask forgiveness...He forgives me and I am still executed. After my execution I am rewarded with Heaven because I repented, LOL!!! What hypocracy...I have to take responsiblity for my actions in the present and make a decision NOT to commit that crime to begin with...Unfortunately many folks that realize that absolution is just a prayer away will commit the crime anyway than look for the forgivenenss later. NOT RIGHT. PEACE!

Answer 6

Yes! if you are truly saved that means you have eternal life and that is forever. God Grants salvation to those who believe and He cannot take it away. Read Romans Chapter 8, especially the last 10 verses, in The Holy Bible to find out more.

Answer 7

NO i don't. I believe you can f---- up even after you have been saved. I've been saved before and believe I should get saved again. You know just to be on the safe side!! lol :)

Answer 8

no, if i was to go out and kill someone, do you think i wouldm go to Heaven ?no, not unless, i asked forgivenss of that sin. that is also one of the ten commandements, thou shalt not kill. but if i know i was wrong and asked forgivenss, then yes, as longs as i did what i was supposed to i would go to heaven. Killing is no bigger sin ,then a lie,even tho us humans are alway rate on the level of how bad it was. if you took a knife inot school you would get into a lot more trouble , then smart mouthing. but no , i don't believe in once saved always saved.

Answer 9

I consider so however you ought to preserve the perception as good. If you get stored and sin simply to sin then that's no longer well however sure everyone sins due to the fact it's human. You cannot move into figuring out that you simply plan to sin at all times due to the fact you consider you'll be able to pray and be forgiven, whilst you ask forgiveness you ought to be honest. I do feel as soon as stored constantly stored.

Answer 10

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Joh 10:28 And I give eternal life to them, and they shall not perish to the age, never! And not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all, and no one is able to pluck out of My Father's hand.
Joh 10:30 I and the Father are One!

God saved us through faith in Christ, once we are His, nothing nor anyone can remove our salvation. If it could happen, it was based on works, that is, someone taking an action to remove our salvation indicates it is an action on our part to bring about salvation. Once God has sealed as one of His own, it is forever. What God has brought about, nothing in this world can void it.

Answer 11

No. If I am saved now, I still have to opportunity to deny my faith later - thus making me "un-saved"

There is also the thought that no one knows with any certainty that they are going to heaven, so no one is Saved until they are in Heaven - only then do you know for certain.