Once a Sheep Always a Sheep, or Salvation Deficit Disorder?

[Sea Shelly]

The way I read it, only blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. I am unclear on what that is but God assures me I'm OK.

And taking the Mark of the Beast.

[LightOfMyLife]

Taking the mark of the beast is in the tribulation period, but you are right they will not be the tribulation saints if they take the mark. Rejecting Jesus is the unforgivable sin. :hug :hat

[plottman33]

There are so many verses which show us how secure our salvation is...wish I could link something from my blog, but I'll throw something out, sorry this is a bit long:

Ephesians 1:11-14 We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory. When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.
Look at the word inheritance in verse 11, root word is inherit. Greek: kleroo which means to allot, – obtain an inheritance. Looking in the dictionary we see:
transitive verb
1: to come into possession of or receive especially as a right or divine portion
2 a : to receive from an ancestor as a right or title descendible by law at the ancestor’s death
b : to receive as a devise or legacy
That’s a pretty strong statement of what we receive spiritually, and right or title by law at the ancestor’s death….something that once it is given, upon the ancestor’s death will not be taken away by the ancestor. Only sinful, greedy and proud mankind have the reputation for denying someone their inheritance after taking their heirs to court. Our God is perfect, period. Remember, rights cannot be taken away, only privileges.

Now let’s take a look at the word sealed, in that we were sealed with that holy spirit of promise: Greek: sphragizo to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest: – (set a, set to) seal up, stop.
transitive verb
1 a : to confirm or make secure by or as if by a seal
b : to solemnize for eternity
2 a : to set or affix an authenticating seal to; also : authenticate, ratify
b : to mark with a stamp or seal usually as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, weight, or capacity, or merchantable quality
3 a : to fasten with or as if with a seal to prevent tampering
b : to close or make secure against access, leakage, or passage by a fastening or coating
c : to fix in position or close breaks in with a filling (as of plaster)
4: to determine irrevocably or indisputably
All the definitions of “seal” apply here. Look at the words; confirm/make secure, solemnize for eternity, seal to prevent tampering, make secure, and most importantly, to determine irrevocably or indisputably. That says it all concerning the final status of our salvation without any doubt. In ancient times including the time period this was written, seals were often made of clay with the symbol of an individual to authenticate (prove) whose document it was, and that the information inside was not tampered with. The only way to read the contents or access the material was to break the seal. Our God does not break his seal of promise, he is perfect and good, and a proven keeper of promises.

also 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.

[Poppycat]

Had I been asked whether I could backslide and as a result lose my salvation, even just 10 years ago, I probably would have said yes. The reason being I was in a church from a baby that taught the gospel well, but stopped there. Never once did I hear of OSAS until in my teens when it was dismissed as being 'Baptist' and heretical. I then moved on to a Pentecostal church which btw was a missionary outreach from the US :scratch and once again OSAS was never preached. So maybe some posting on that forum have had similar experiences.

When I did finally hear well balanced teaching from the bible on this it still took me some time to dare to believe it :rolleyes so I can identify with
JoyJoyJoy's yippees.

It is also possible that the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit is attributing His work to the enemy (as happened to Jesus in the NT) and even claiming He is doing things today that is not true. Quite a bit of that happening in the whacky-do movements around. Just check under the Apostacy title in this thread.

[LightOfMyLife]

This link explains the unpardonable sin. http://www.gotquestions.org/unpardonable-sin.html

[lcolem]

Hi everyone,

I was reading some Christian articles earlier today and came across one talking about losing one's salvation. Although the author believes in OSAS, he stated that someone can give it back. I don't believe this but as I continued on with reading the article he made an interesting point. He States:


In other words you can not walk in the darkness unrepentant and still hold onto your salvation. Keep in mind that repentance is much more than stopping the very act of committing those sins that you are asking forgiveness for. Repentance is actually the act of turning away from doing those sins,of not committing them anymore, of changing your life in such a way as you no longer want or desire to commit those sins. You are the one who decides whether to walk in the light or the darkness. God gave you the free will to make your own choices. If you decide to walk in the darkness then your salvation will not be taken away from you, nor will you lose your salvation. No, what you will do is give up your salvation. You will be telling God that your salvation "is not worth the effort it takes to walk in the light". That you do not wish to have his gift of eternal salvation. That you want to make it through this life on your own without any help from God. That you will follow the ways of the world rather than the ways of our Lord. So your own free will determines whether you are going to keep your salvation or give it up. God allows your eternal future to be in your own hands.

What do all think about this? I have never heard of this before. The Bible doesn't say that we can give it back. Here's a link to the article, http://robertwells.tripod.com/losingsalvation.html

I came here to ask this question and then I saw Foche's thread and was going to mention this but felt it was inappropriate so I started my own thread.

[iSong6:3]

It's covered in this thread. :hehee

Bottom line, how strong is God's grip? Jesus said no one that the Father gives Him would He lose.

He also said no man could take them out of His hand.

He didn't qualify either by saying that the person in question could be the one to cause Jesus to lose them or that the man in question was the one taking themself out of His hand.

[Proclaim]

On the topic of eternal security I read the following verse, which seems to indicate a person can lose salvation after being born again (sanctified). The verse is Hebrews 10:29 says, “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”

My question addresses the second “he” in the verse. Is the second “he” referring to Christ (anointed of God in Acts 10:38) or to the person anointed of God when born again? My understanding is a person who is born again has the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20). If the second he is in reference to a man, then is not the verse teaching a born again believer can lose salvation? What am I not understanding?

Your biblical insight would help me to better understand the truth regarding the topic of eternal security.
In Christ!

[Steve53]

On the topic of eternal security I read the following verse, which seems to indicate a person can lose salvation after being born again (sanctified). The verse is Hebrews 10:29 says, “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”

My question addresses the second “he” in the verse. Is the second “he” referring to Christ (anointed of God in Acts 10:38) or to the person anointed of God when born again? My understanding is a person who is born again has the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20). If the second he is in reference to a man, then is not the verse teaching a born again believer can lose salvation? What am I not understanding?

Your biblical insight would help me to better understand the truth regarding the topic of eternal security.
In Christ!


The verse in your question is speaking to one who has rejected Christ's atoning sacrifice and was never born again to begin with. As for any other questions we've merged your OP with a huge thread covering OSAS in all possible aspects.

[acrotinger]

Once SAVED, always saved.
:apostasy