I believe that once a person is saved, it is for ever (eternal life). However, my friend believes that a person has a free will to reject salvation after he is saved, and be lost again. He also believes that a person will only be saved, if he continues in the faith. I would love to know your input on how to explain it to him.
2007-07-11 15:30:45 · 9 answers · asked by Ruthie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ephesians 4:5 is a good verse to use. read the whole chapter so you can put it into the correct context. You may also try and tell him that Jesus keeps His promises and even though we have freewill to change our minds, His will always stays the same. :) However, it could be no matter what you say he still won't be convinced. So, if words don't help, just pray for him and lead your life by example so he can see what Jesus really means when He says One faith, One Lord, One baptism. Thanks for the question and good luck with your friend. :)
2007-07-11 15:38:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What your friend says is true. One can turn their back on God after being saved and go back to their life of sin compromising their salvation. Yes God say's no one will be able to pluck us from His hand, but we do have the choice of letting go of His hand. Salvation is an ongoing process,not a onetime statement of believeing in Jesus.. Our salvation must be worked on daily, because we all sin daily.
"As the Bible says, I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5–8), but I’m also being saved (1 Cor. 1:8, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12), and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9–10, 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Like the apostle Paul I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11–13)."
2007-07-11 15:40:32 · answer #2 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
John 10:28-32 says it perfectly - we are in Christs hand, and no one can pluck us out of his hand.
Ephesians ch1 says we are 'sealed til the day of redemption'.
The problem is that many churches have the false doctrine of 'easy-believism'.... that everyone who says a certain prayer is 'saved'....which is nowhere in scripture...
Jesus said unless you pick up your cross and follow him above all else, you are not worthy to be called His disciple
He also says that 'not everyone who says Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but He who does the will of the Father".
No obedience?, no salvation to begin with. So it's not that they lost it, they just never really had it.
Pray first, share scripture, not opinion and do it in love, not to win an argument....
God bless
2007-07-11 15:39:44 · answer #3 · answered by Dulos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't know of the free will Baptist doctrine. I believe as he does. But on Following The Way group, a friend of mine posted a paper that would answer your question. It is a Yahoo group.
2007-07-11 15:34:47 · answer #4 · answered by RB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
>>He also believes that a person will only be saved, if he continues in the faith.<<
Jesus says your friend is right: "he who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22)
2007-07-11 15:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible adequately shows what the truth is, study it! There is much more of the same kind of scriptures.
1 Corinthians 9:27, "but I chastise my body, and bring it into servitude, lest by any means, having preached to others--I myself may become disapproved." (YLT)
Matthew 24:13, "but he who did endure to the end, he shall be saved." (YLT)
Philippians 2:12, "So that, my beloved, as ye always obey, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, with fear and trembling your own salvation work out." (YLT)
James 5:19-20, "My brethren, if any of you err from the truth, and one convert him: 20He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins." (DRC)
Check this subject on my HP from my profile:
Once Saved, Always Saved?
2007-07-11 15:39:46 · answer #6 · answered by Fuzzy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the thing that bothers me is not the two different interpretations but that we spend more time debating about these differences instead of teaching the simple truth in Romans 10:9 we need to stopped being side tracked and stick to what is most important
2014-04-10 15:05:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hebrews 6: 4,5,6 is the Unpardonable Sin.
Yes, you can become Lost AGAIN, but very few Children of GOD ever do.
Basically, your Saved.
Ditto.............
2007-07-11 15:36:34 · answer #8 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he is right and you are wrong.
Was Satan eternally secure?
2007-07-11 15:44:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋