Can I lose my Salvation?

Question

please help me....I am in trouble because I go to a church of christ church and I go to a baptist church.......baptists believe that you can not lose your salvation and church of christ believes you can lose your salvation so please help me so that I might choose which church to go to instead of going to both....thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Yes.
From the Reasoning Book;

Once a person is saved, is he always saved?

Jude 5, RS: “I desire to remind you, though you were once for all fully informed, that he who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.” (Italics added.)

Matt. 24:13, RS: “He who endures to the end will be saved.” (So a person’s final salvation is not determined at the moment that he begins to put faith in Jesus.)

Phil. 2:12, RS: “As you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (This was addressed to “the saints,” or holy ones, at Philippi, as stated in Philippians 1:1. Paul urged them not to be overly confident but to realize that their final salvation was not yet assured.)

Heb. 10:26, 27, RS: “If we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries.” (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.)

Answer 2

No, you cannot lose your salvation. The Bible is quite clear on this. I have noticed some here pull out verses here and there to try to prove otherwise, that is bad exegesis. What does Paul teach?

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to flesh, but according to Spirit.

If we could lose our salvation, this verse would be untrue. If we are in Christ, saved, then we can never be condemned. The second part, and often what is misunderstood, is descriptive, not prescriptive. Those who are in Christ will walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. Those who pull out verses about standing fast or persevering to the end as a determining factor for salvation, misunderstand this concept. We will perservere, we will stand fast, not based on our flesh or will, but based upon the working of the Spirit within us. It is descriptive, not prescriptive.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Rom 8:36 Even as it has been written, "For Your sake we are killed all the day; we are counted as sheep of slaughter." Psa. 44:22
Rom 8:37 But in all these things we more than conquer through Him loving us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Do you see anyway in this passage you could fall away from God's love? Read Ephesians 1 and 2, it is quite clear, the Holy Spirit is the preserving factor, He will make sure we endure to the end, He is the seal of our redemption, the down payment on our salvation.
If you are called of God, indwelt with the Spirit, redeemed, justified and being sanctified, you will not lose your salvation, ever. Salvation is not a process, sanctification is.

Answer 3

There is no once saved always saved in the bible. Salvation must be worked on daily. No God will never take the gift of salvation from us, but we can reject it and walk away from it. Salvation is not just a one time thing of saying we accept Christ. When we accept Christ and seek forgiveness of our sins our past and present sins are forgiven at that time and we must be sincere and must repent. If we sin again (which most of us will) we must seek forgiveness and repent. Baptism is also part of our salvation, Jesus commanded we be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.


"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)."

Answer 4

Security of the Christian is a biblical doctrine, but that security is conditional. The "once saved"
heresy appears to be an itching ears false teaching. (2 Timothy 4:1-4) The Roman church was
given a warning that Israel was broken off because of unbelief. And this warning was given
to the spirit-sealed (see Ephesians) Roman church. Romans 11:20-22. This warning is often
ignored by Calvinistic and Baptist groups. Gal 5:24 (those who belong to Jesus Christ have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires) He denies Jesus will be denied, (conditions, etc.)
2 Timothy 2

Answer 5

If Baptist believe you cannot lose your salvation then they must be denying the existance of Hell but as they do believe in Hell then they too also believe that you can lose your salvation.

Answer 6

JC
My first question would be whether or not you are saved. Because you have to have salvation in the first place in order to lose it if one can lose it. I know that the two churches teach differently on how one is saved. Go to www.wecaretoday.net and click on the icon in the lower left corner and watch a 40 minute video that talks about the gospel and salvation. I believe the teaching on salvation should be your first selection process.

Second, The NT is full of warnings about how important it is to walk the Christian life. Paul describes it as a race that we must complete to get the crown. He says he fought the fight and therefore he had a crown of righteousness to wear. I noticed the comments above that quoted verses about nothing can separate us from God's or Christ's love for us. The key to those verses is that the Bible says in fact that God and His Son will always love us but just because we are loved does not mean we will be saved. We know this because the scripture says that while we were yet sinners Christ loved us and gave His life for us. God loved the world and gave His Son for us. But that does not mean that the whole world will be saved.

Please notice the following phrases concerning Christians and salvation
Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

II Peter2:20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.
21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.22Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,”[6] and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Also notice the letters to the churches in Revelation

Jesus warns the church at Ephesus(church=saved)Revelation 2:5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

To the church at Laodicea Rev3:14
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.
15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!16So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Does this sound like once saved always saved)

To the church at Smyrna Rev 2:8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.9I know your afflictions and your poverty–yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. (notice the condition is being faithful until death)

I hope this helps you to understand the Lord's view about eternal salvation. The key is that in order to get to heaven we have to be sin-free. After we become a Christian this is accomplished by the blood of Jesus continually cleansing us. John tells us this happens as long as we walk in the Light
I John 1:7
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[1] sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

So to summarize
A. Make sure you are saved God's Way
B. Make sure you finish the Race by walking in the light
C. You will get to heaven by Jesus blood continually cleansing your sins

Answer 7

I am afraid you will have to decide that for yourself. Salvation is a gift from God to be accepted or rejected but we must also prove that we love God by loving others. Jesus made it quite clear that acts of mercy are necessary. Sin robs us of grace and that lack of grace places our souls in jeopardy. Only repentance can restore us to grace.

When one needs to make spiritual decisions like this, it is wise to invoke the Holy Spirit. You will then be guided in the right direction.

VB8

Answer 8

The Church of Christ.... Denomination.... is Wrong in their Approach to the WORD!

Matter of Fact.... they Believe that ONE IS NOT SAVED.... TILL.... they are Water Baptized!

Here is the Correct Doctrine....

(Ephesians 1:12-13) That we should be to the praise of His Glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Eph 1:13) In WHOM ye also trusted, AFTER THAT YOU HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, the gospel of your salvation: IN WHOM also after that ye Believed, YOU WERE SEALED WITH THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE!

(1Corinthians 12:13-14) For By One SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1Cor 12:14) For the body is not one member, but many.

(Ephesians 1:7) IN WHOM [Jesus] we have redemption THROUGH HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins, According To The RICHES OF HIS GRACE;

(Ephesians 1:14) WHO is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS GLORY!

(Ephesians 4:30) And [YOU] Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, WHEREBY YOU WREE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION.

(Romans 8:9-10) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the SPIRIT, if so be that the SPIRIT OF GOD DWELL IN YOU. = = NOW if any man Have Not the Spirit of Christ, = = he is none of His. (Rom 8:10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

NOW- ONCE SEALED AND SPIRIT BAPTIZED – ALWAYS SEALED AND SPIRIT BAPTIZED!

Proper BIBLE DOCTRINE can thus be stated! NOT: once saved – always saved! SALVATION IS THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD – WHICH WE – who Believe as the Scripture says... Jn 7:38-39 - CAN NEVER LOOSE! “BECAUSE – GOD SAID SO!”

Thanks for Asking! RR

Answer 9

If “eternal” in “eternal salvation” means “once saved, always saved”, then “once lost, always lost” is also valid. A person who is lost is in an “eternally lost” condition.
All who are “eternally saved” were in a state of being “eternally lost” before they were saved.
If either “eternal” state can be altered, then both can.

A person can be “eternally saved”. It is accurate to refer to a saved person as an “eternally saved” person. It is just as accurate to call a lost person an “eternally lost” person.

We need not stoop to changing the scope of the word “eternal” to fit our own desires.
A person who is “eternally lost” has the OPTION to become “eternally saved”. (Mark 16:15-16, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel, He that… shall be saved.”) (Revelation 22:17 “Whosoever will…”) (2 Peter 3:9 God does not wish for any to perish… all come to repentance)

A person who is “eternally saved” must, therefore, have the OPTION to change his mind also.

Otherwise why all of the verses that warn Christians about growing weary (Hebrews 12:1-5), being deceived (1 John 2:26), the influence of bad company (1 Corinthians 15:33), about deceiving yourself (1 John 1:8, 1 Corinthians 3:18), about growing faint (Luke 18:1, Gal. 6:9), about wolves that enter the flock to draw away disciples (Acts 20:28-30), about being “spoil(ed)” by false philosophy (Col. 2:8), and about being “puffed up with pride” (1 Tim. 3:6)

If this is not true: an unsaved person has free will (the option to come to Christ), but a saved person does not have free will (the option to change his mind).

Both the saved and unsaved states are eternal in destination, but we can determine which “eternal” path we wish to travel as long as we live on earth (and as long as we have the mental ability to make choices).

We are on one of only two possible paths. (Matt 7:13-14) Each “way” has an everlasting destination.

We can be sure of our salvation: (1 John 5:13)
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

We can know our condition, by an examination of “these things… written” in the scriptures.


(1 John 1:7)
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

We can know our condition, by knowing where we are walking.

It says, “If”. But what if we don’t?

The word “if” implies there is another option.

If we walk in the light (as long as we walk in the light), we have fellowship and cleansing.

If we stop walking in the light, we have stepped out of fellowship with other believers and we have stepped away from the cleansing blood.

Of those in favor of the “once saved, always saved” doctrine, most argue that no one or nothing can take us away from God and His love and that God will never forsake us.

This argument focuses on the idea of something (someone) else taking us away from God, but it does not address the idea that we can choose whom we will serve. We can choose the path we take. God will never forsake us, but man often forsakes God and, therefore, man forsakes the only source of eternal salvation.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the son was the child of the father. The son left the protection and benefits of being a son to follow his own way. The father did not leave the son, but the son left the father. The father continued to love the son, but this did not prevent them from being separated. When we follow our own way, we can separate ourselves from God.

While the son was gone, the father considered his condition to be “lost” and “dead” (Luke 15: 32). His being a son did not prevent him from being “lost” and “dead”, but this was caused by his own decision to leave the father.

This condition remained until “he came to himself” and decided to return. If we are separated from the Father, it is because we choose to follow someone or something else. It is not because we were forced away. God asks for our love, but God allows us to choose.

We cannot be separated from God’s love. God loves the whole world (John 3:16)! But even though God loves all, all will not be saved. Those who will be saved must come to him in faith and obedience.

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve"! (Joshua 24:15)

If a "saved" person goes back to a state where he is being lost, it is not because he lost his salvation, it will be because he abandoned it!

Notice how Peter described it, "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:22)

Paul said, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Answer 10

Get the hell away from both of them! The only sure way to save yourself!