just what does " once saved always saved " mean?

Question

just what does " once saved always saved " mean? ( why do you think not every denomination believes that way? )

i personally agree that god will not turn against anyone who seeks him.. but i dont agree that if a person decides to live their life they way they want to and AGAINST god ( having already given their life to god in the past ) will go to heaven. really they are returning gods gift.. returning the maker of the universes GIFT. how is it possible that such a thing can be rewarded?

what do you think?

Answer 1

That's a denominational issue. Many Christian denominations believe just that (once saved, always saved). Some denominations believe that a person can "backslide" or even return to the ways of the world.

In my faith in the one true God, and in salvation thru His Son, Jesus, I believe in "once saved, always saved". However (before the skeptics hop on that comment), that does NOT mean I have been given license to sin, sin, sin away without asking for forgiveness and strength.

Once saved, a person is a spiritual CHILD. And, a child learns a lot by trial and error. The spiritual error is "sin". So, as we forgive a child's error, God continues to forgive our sins as we learn and grow in His love.

Good question.

Answer 2

Once Saved, Always Saved is the belief that once you get saved you can live however you want and never be punished for it. It sort of like if you were born into a non-Messianic Jewish family. You have been born into their family and they love you as long as you do what they say. However, if you accept that Jesus Christ is God's Son then you have "sinned against them". Now God isn't like that though. Once you are "born" into the family of God then you can do whatever and still be a part of His family. Well, at least that's what the "once saved, always saved" people think. Different denominations believe differently because they have actually read the bible all the way through and I don't mean they read it selectively. Christianity is a hard road. It's easy to get saved and that's about it. After Salvation you are in for a tough ride, but if you really love God with all your heart you'll do what He says no matter the cost. Jesus said, "You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you." But I really think you answered your own question with your comments.

Answer 3

What does the Bible say? God's Word is the ultimate authority on such matters correct? First we might ask how is a person saved according to the Bible. Is it by faith or by good works? Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? The Holy Spirit is given to a believer when he becomes a Christian. So how did we receive the Holy Spirit? We received the Holy Spirit when we believed the gospel. What gospel or good news was preached in that day? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2) By which also ye are saved, ... unless ye have believed in vain. (3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: The gospel that the Apostle Paul preached which saved the people in Corinth was that Christ died for their sins and that He rose again on the 3rd day. Isn't this the message that Christians preach today? Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. No one is justified by the works of the law. Why is that? The law can not save anyone. The law was not intended for that purpose. Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. As we see if the law could have given life then surely righteousness would have come by law keeping. Yet it is impossible since no one is good. Instead God says through the Apostle Paul that the law was to bring us to Christ. The law shows us how sinful we are and how we are in need of a savior. What about sin? Does that mean we are free to sin? What does the Bible say? Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. The answer to both questions is God forbid! It is unthinkable that a person who was saved from an eternity in the lake of fire would then turn around and use that grace as an excuse to sin. Sadly it does happen though, but that doesn't mean that it is right. So if we were saved by faith and not because of works then how could we lose our salvation by our works?

Answer 4

It means, once your saved, you can do most anything you desire, and your still saved. But that is not what Paul said:

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.

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.

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.

Answer 5

I don't believe once saved always saved. Here are my main two reasons:
1. if you take this attitude then there is no consquences to action on part of the sinner and free will no longer prevails since you no longer decide to be saved or not(give your life to Jesus)
2. King Solomon was visited by God twice and given the gift of great knowledge. With all that he had done and all that he was given he turned away from God and followed after his wives idols. Many believe that documents and teachings of Solomon has been handed down to modern day witchcraft from the godess Ashtoreth and god of Molech, which were two of his wives idols. Then God turned away from him(old testament). Doesn't sound like once saved always saved to me

Answer 6

Once saved always saved is true. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord not us. You will find many people in the bible who followed God and Jesus and no once did they lose salvation.
King David- Was a man after God's own heart and yet he sinned and even denied when confronted by a messenger of God. When King David realised what he had done he prayed. He asked God to return unto him the joy of thy salvation. He didn't ask God to resave him.
Peter- Jesus told Peter he would deny him but Peter said he would never do that. So Peter did deny Jesus three times, and yet he never had to get resaved. I am sure he had to ask forgivness.

We don't lose our salvation cause it isn't ours. We do lose fellowship when we sin and keep sinning. Ephesians 1:13 says I am sealed with the Holy Spirit till the day of redemption. Jesus paid the price for my sin and I accepted that free gift and now I am sealed.

Answer 7

I dont agree with the "once saved always saved" logic. Because you can turn against God and all of your believes. So, if you are saved and go kill someone you still get to go to Heaven and when you get there God is going to say "well, you are a murderer but you got saved so your good, come on in". Doubt it.

Answer 8

I can't believe OSAS is true There are examples of the Holy Spirit leaving people like Saul who eventually committed suicide, or Samson who lost his strength for a time. You must continue to repent and mean it or you will be lost (that's the real blaspheming of the HS).

With all due respect to Iwant_U2, there are examples of people losing salvation. Paul made mention of a branch that bears no fruit being cut off.

Answer 9

What about once lost, always lost?

I do believe a person can be eternally saved, I also believe we need to be sensible regarding the usage of the word as related to biblical doctrines.

Remember, it is just as truthful to call an unsaved person as an eternally lost person.

Answer 10

That is a Baptist teaching, and you are 100% correct in you take on it.
The Baptists feel that if you are truly saved you will never turn your back on God, and if you do return to a habit of sin then you were never truly saved to begin with.