Can Salvation be lost

Are there verses that support that eternal salvation can be lost? The phrase itself is an oxymoron when you carefully consider it. Let’s take a look and carefully breakdown one of these verses of scripture.

II PETER 2:1-2 SUPPORTS THOSE THAT JESUS BOUGHT WITH HIS BLOOD CAN SUBSEQUENTLY BE DAMNED RIGHT?

Now that’s a controversial question, but it’s worth exploring. Here are the verses in question: 1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

2 Peter 2:1-2 (KJV)

The most troubling phrase of this verse is “denying the Lord that bought them”. Who’s “them” in this verse? Is it the false teachers or is “them” making reference to someone else? When you look at the verse at face value, it appears that the Apostle is making reference to Jesus paying the price for the sins of these false teachers, but they still are doomed to destruction; meaning that at one point they were saved, but they denied the Lord that bought them (i.e. the false teachers) and are doomed to hell. Simply put, they were once heaven bound, and now they’re hell bound due to persistent, habitual sin in their lives. That is a fair and popular assessment of this verse. That is what a lot of people believe. We must remember, we can’t build a theology on one verse without reading the context that preceded this thought. Now, let’s define some terms.

Bought in the Greek language is the word agorazo. It means initially to buy in the market place. To purchase. Spiritually it means those whom Jesus came to redeem by shedding his blood to save them from their sins. The same word bought is used in I Corinthians 6:20, For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Also I Corinthians 7:23 says we’re bought with a price; be not servants of men. In Revelation 5:9 it says, And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. The word redeemed is the same Greek word as bought agorazo. And one more scripture, and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Rev 14:3 (KJV)

The word Lord in II Peter 2:1 is the word despotes where we get the English word despot; which means a master, a ruler of slaves. Speaks of ownership and servitude primarily. In the N.T., this is used of the Father God.  The Greek word used for the Lord Jesus Christ is kurios which means one having supreme power and also one that has concern for those entrusted in his care. This describes Jesus perfectly. Both terms for Lord are used in Jude 1:4, For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God (Depostes), and our Lord (Kurios) Jesus Christ.

I’ve read several articles on what the phrase may mean, “denying the Lord that bought them”, and some have been compelling. I’ll share with you some of what I read:

There is a view that teaches that when the term bought is used in II Peter 2:1, it’s analogous to Old Testament Israel being bought by God when he delivered them from Egyptian bondage; and not Jesus redeeming or saving these false teachers. We’ll take a look at the following verses of scripture:

16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased

Ex 15:16 (KJV)

6 Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

Deut 32:6 (KJV)

The point of those that hold this view is saying although Israel as a nation was purchased and delivered by God the Father, not all of them were saved individually. Which is true; they were indeed purchased out of the slave market by God nationally but not all in the nation were saved or justified by faith. Why? Because of their unbelief. Unbelief is denial of the Lord.You can read this in Numbers 13-14;Psalm 78;Psalm 95.

Going back to II Peter 2:1, those that were bought are like those that were bought in Israel, but not unto salvation because of their denial of the Lord. These false teachers were bought by the Lord (Depostes) in the since that they owed their Master (not they’re Savior) obedience and denied him. They were definitely to be blamed because they dwelt amongst the faithful, true Saints God and knew his word. Let’s get the whole flow of Peter’s thought by going to the end of the first chapter of second Peter: We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you who will secretly bring in destructive/damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 1:19-21- 2:1 (KJV)

So we see that Peter is making a contrast between holy men of God and the end of chapter one and false teachers at the beginning of chapter two. That’s the import of chapter two, false teachers not the loss of salvation. Also if you notice in verse one of chapter two the writer never says specifically why they were bought as the writers clearly indicated in I Corinthians 6:20; I Corinthians 7:23; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3. These verses indicate they (the redeemed) were bought with a price; the purchasing agent being Christ’s on blood. This reference isn’t made to the false teachers in II Peter 2:1 now is it?

Another view is that the “them” in II Peter 2:1-2 is making reference to the believers and not the false teachers at all. So one could read it like this: But there were false prophets also among the people (Old Testament Israel), even as there shall be false teachers among you (Christians) who privily (covertly, unnoticed, secretly) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them (Christians), and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

This view is “Calvinistic is scope because it upholds the doctrine of limited atonement and perseverance of the saints. It supposes that these false teachers are not the “bought”, only the redeemed that some will be lead away with damnable heresies – Greek is hairesis. Literally means destructive choices. These false teachers will choose to spread lies about the truth and many will follow them. This is how false doctrines and cults are established; by destructive lies! The result is that they’ll be bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Another view I’ll present is the “Arminian” view which argues the false teachers were indeed saved, or “bought” but fell from a state of saving grace based on denying the Lord that bought them (i.e. the false teachers). I reject this view due to the fact that these false teachers were never born again. This is the unlimited atonement theory that suggest that Jesus Christ died for every person that has or will ever live. This has disturbing implications. I’ll do my best to explain why a little later.

The last view I’ll present is the logical view. Since scripture clearly teaches that salvation is eternal, it’s only logical to believe that these false teachers are not saved and that this word bought in II Peter 2 can’t mean these people are born again if they’re obviously ungodly men. When you read further down in the chapter it says this:  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.  For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

2 Peter 2:3-6 (KJV)

And further more:  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.  For if after they have escaped the polutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 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 2:17-22 (KJV)

So you see, these are men who claim to be righteous but Peter warns his readers against and be on the lookout for them because they teach falsehood and will be doomed. Similar language is in the book of Jude:  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.  And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.  Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.  Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.  But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;  Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,  To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.  These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.  But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Jude 1:4-19 (KJV)

The logical view is someone who does not have the Spirit of God dwelling on the inside does not belong to the Lord. It’s the Holy Spirit that seals and places a pledge or earnest on the believer (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13).

                                                         Who did Christ die for

Now back to the idea of Jesus dying for all men without exception; meaning Jesus died for every man that will ever live. That’s what most Christians believe right? That is called unlimited atonement. If one holds to the unlimited atonement view or universal salvation, then you believe that Jesus Christ died for people he knew would never believe in him and go to hell. The verses they’ll sight are John 1:29; John 3:16; 1 John 2:2. Now I know what someone will say, “Of course Jesus died for every man, the one that believes in him are saved, and the ones who do not believe are lost.” “Why wouldn’t Jesus die for all men without exception? Everyone needs to be saved right?” Yes, that much is true. But as I stated in my previous article, to espouse that Jesus died on the cross just to make men savable is not why he came; he came to actually save men (the elect) from every tribe, tongue and nation. This is what he accomplished on Calvary’s cross and that is what the bible teaches.

The unlimited atonement view has Jesus dying for all men, but saving no one. Why? Because it’s incumbent upon the sinner to activate the salvation that’s been made available. That’s only a potential atonement and not an actual one. That view is unbiblical. Limited atonement or particular redemption as some call it argues that Jesus died only for the elect, those chosen before the foundation of the world, those whom the Father gave to the Son to come and save (See John 6:37; John 10:27-30; John 17). Jesus gave his life for his sheep. These elect are the ones that were appointed to eternal life, and they’re the ones that will believe (Acts 13:48). Unlike the Pharisees in John 10. He specifically told them, “But you believe me not because you are not of my sheep as I said unto you.” (John 10:26). Those that are unbelieving and die in that unbelief will never be saved; not in this life or in the life to come.

Another problem I see with unlimited atonement is the fact there were countless millions of people already in hell being justly punished for their sins before Jesus was even born! So are the proponents of unlimited atonement (Arminianism) going to say that Jesus died and shed his blood for the sins of those that were already in hell being punished for their own sins when they have no hope of redemption? That’s absurd! Even Arminians can’t believe some nonsense like that! The only way that were possible is that Jesus after dying on the cross would have had to go to hell and preach the gospel to the wicked dead which is nowhere in scripture. Once again that line of reasoning is called reductio ad absurdum.

Everyone believes in a limited atonement; whether you’re an Arminian or a Calvinist. You either believe Jesus died for all men without exception but secured the salvation of no one because you have men dying and going to hell for whom Christ died, or you believe he secured the salvation of the elect from every tribe, tongue and nation (I John 2:2). This is what it means when the apostle John said he died for the sins of the whole world. The atonement is limited in that it effects the elect of God, but it’s unlimited in it’s power to save those for whom it was intended for.

Finally, I do not believe for one minute that Jesus spilled his blood for those who would never believe. Logically, it does not make any sense. What good is an atonement that can save no one? That’s why God in his foreknowledge decided to choose those he wanted to save, but in order to make his plan work, he didn’t leave it up to the sinner to choose Jesus first and God would then choose the sinner before time began; that would mean the faith of man dictates election and not election dictating faith. That wasn’t the plan of God. Man is depraved and can and will not choose God on his own because he’s dead in his trespasses and sins (Romans 3:11;Romans 8:7; Ephesians 2:1). Salvation is all of God. God is the one that has to draw men to Christ. God is the one that grants the repentance and the faith (Acts 11:18;Ephesians 2:8,9) to believe and offers the salvation which the elect of God chosen before the foundation of the world will receive at the precise time God appoints, not against our will, but according to his will (John 1:12-13). When a chosen sinner believes, God gives him a heart of flesh so that he recognizes his depravity and desires forgiveness of his sins. It will be sole pursuit and desire of his very heart and life. As I stated before, God knows who will be saved, he chooses who will be saved, and we have to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. The human finite mind can not fully comprehend this blessed reality, but that’s how it all works.

The Eternality of Salvation

I will start my analysis with the most common objection to the security of the believer which is found in Hebrews 6;4-6. These are the most difficult passages dealing with many who believe is the Apostasy of the believer; the result being is lost of salvation.

To believe this has huge and very disturbing ramifications to those who espouse the eternal security of the believer. Isolating these verses in light of their complexity from the rest of scripture will definitely bring about a vulgar meaning. These must be interpreted in light of relatable passages.

First strategy is when dealing with unclear passages we must compare them in light of clear meaning passages. This helps define the unclear.

The second strategy we need to remember is scripture interprets scripture. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. In other words, the N.T illuminates the O.T. They’re intertwined and interdependent. Why? Because there is one ultimate author, the Holy Spirit.

We know that scripture teaches us that salvation is eternal so Hebrews 6:4-6 can not be referencing Christians losing salvation. There are a host of scriptures that affirm this truth (Luke 23:43;John 3:16,36; John 10:27-30; Ephesians 1:1-11;Romans 6:23; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1;4-5).

With that being said, let’s break down Hebrews 6:4-6.

For is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame.

Now, we have to explore the five participles that are in this text:

1. Enlightened – Greek word is photizo. Means in relation to the text spiritual light, the light of the gospel. God gives all men light; saved and unsaved alike (John 1:9).
2. Tasted – Greek word is geuo. Means having tasted. This is in relation the heavenly gift. It would be assumed that’s Jesus Christ. The text doesn’t specifically tell us.
3. Partakers – Greek word is metochos. Means sharing in, partaking of; in this text the Holy Ghost. This would assume this means that this is in reference to believers for only believers can partake or benefits from God’s Holy Spirit when they’re born again. Not true. Judas, the betrayer of Jesus shared in the benefits of the Holy Ghost by performing miracles yet he was a devil (Matthew 10:1)
4. Fall away – Greek word is parapipto. Means to fall away from adherence to the realities and facts of the faith. This is apostasy.
5. To renew – Greek word is anakainizio. Dealing with the impossibility of renewing those to repentance who abandon the gospel and return to the dead works of Judaism proving they’re not born again.

To get better understand of why Hebrews 6:4-6 came about we need to read the text prior. Let’s begin at Hebrews 5:11, Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing .

12 For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. 14 But solid food is for full grown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. 1 Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit .

Heb 5:12-14 (ASV).

Heb 6:1-3 (ASV)

The end of chapter 5 and Chapter 6 flow together. That’s why it’s so important to not isolate Hebrews 6:4-6 on an island by themselves and build a theology without the preceding facts.

The writer of Hebrews is rebuking them for their immaturity in the things of God. They should be further along in their knowledge of spiritual things. The writer is also warning them against their apathy lest they revert to the dead works of the law. Keep in mind this church was most likely primarily Jewish so being justified in the Spirit as supposed to trying to earn their salvation through dead works (i.e. the law) was something foreign to them. For those who fell away, they apostatized not from salvation for they never obtained it, but from the truth they were exposed to so they never exercised saving faith to obtain salvation. So in essence they were crucifying Jesus again by their unbelief and their return to their old traditions which can never save them. It would have been better for them to not have heard the truth than to hear the truth, embrace it on some intellectual level and turn from God’s command (II Peter 2:21).

But notice how the writer switches his audience and commends and encourages the true believers in the same Hebrew church. He says:

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak: 10 for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fullness of hope even to the end: 12 that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself, 14 saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16

Heb 6:9-16 (ASV)

You’ll notice a key word in the two scenarios, in Hebrews 5:11 and in chapter 6:12; that word is dull and sluggish. The same Greek word accompanies both terms. That word is nothros. The writer rebukes the chapter 5:11 camp for being dull of hearing and encourages the chapter 6:12 camp to not become sluggish but to imitate the saints of old like Abraham. That’s true faith. There you see the difference between the apostate and the true believer. The believer has a faith that saves. The non believer has a “demon” faith that condemns (James 2:19). The reader is encouraged to read the parable of the soils in Matthew 13.

The objection to this reasoning is, “how can one commit apostasy if they were never saved? Don’t you have to be saved in order to depart from the faith?” The answer is no. Unbelievers and believers can and are exposed to the same revelation and power of God in their lives. Those that are saved are those who believe. Those that are condemned already are those who refuse to believe the gospel.

I believe an even more vivid description of Hebrews 6:4-6 is found through the lens of O.T. Israel; particularly the 10 plagues, deliverance from Egypt, the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 13-14) and the provocation in the wilderness. If one studies these accounts carefully, you’ll discover the blessings that are mentioned in Hebrews 6:4-6 were prevalent to some extent with the old testament covenant people. Enlightenment, tasted heavenly gift (could make reference to the manna that fell from heaven), partakers of the Holy Spirit (Numbers 11:17), the good word of God (Exodus 20), and the powers of the world to come.

Unfortunately, the results were that the children of Israel did not believe the Lord could get them to the land of promise so they died in the wilderness due to unbelief in God’s word; they were apostates, they had fallen away from the faith they knew. Scripture bears this out. Although they were a chosen nation, and God demonstrated his miracles, provision and power before them, not all them were saved or justified by faith. For more information on Israel’s history and demise, read:

(Nehemiah 9, Psalm 78, Psalm 95:7-8;11). Hebrews 6:4-6 is the N.T. parallel to their ancestral counterparts. They had all the benefits of the Lord at their grasp but was willing to reject it with full knowledge. They stand at the narrow gate they’re commanded to enter into but never go in. True believers will not fall away finally. Why? Let’s explore some texts to prove this point.

36 He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him

John 3:36 (ASV)

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.

John 10:27-30 (ASV)

42 And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. 43 And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

Luke 23:42-43 (ASV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: 5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: 7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him 10 unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say, 11 in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will; 12 to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: 13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-- in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Eph 1:1-14 (ASV)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:1-5 (ASV)

Summarizing, our salvation is secure because of the Lord not us. He sovereignly chose us before the foundation of the world because it pleased him to do so (Ephesians 1:4-5). God chose us outside of time and effectually called and saved us in real time at the precise moment he wanted us to believe unto salvation. God gave to the Son a love gift. That gift was a redeemed humanity from every tongue, tribe and nation. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). The inheritance we have according to I Peter 1 is incorruptible and undefiled which doesn’t fade away, and if those things weren’t enough it’s reserved in the safest place in all the universe, heaven.

Our salvation is secure because it’s not predicated on us to keep it. God keeps it. Our job is to develop or work out our salvation so that we mature (Philippians 2:12). We’re to conform to the image of Jesus Christ on a daily basis. We’re to develop the virtues; that is the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Bearing fruit or good works is a natural byproduct of the true child of God. This is how one proves his faith is genuine (James 3). Failure to have a living active faith filled life may be because there is disobedience in one’s life. Confess your sins according to I John 1:9. Will we fall away ultimately? No because we’re protected, sealed by the Holy Spirit. Yes we’ll sin. Sometimes terribly due to our sinful unredeemed flesh where no good thing dwells. Remember, we’re saved within, but still corrupt without until we’re glorified bodily (I Thessalonians 4:16; I Corinthians 15:51). However the true child of God can not practice sin because God’s seed is in him/Greek is sperma (I John 3:9). Because we’re preserved by God, we’ll persevere until the end. He that began a good work in you will complete until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Contrary to popular belief, the phrase “Once saved stay saved” doctrine is a man centered salvation because the onus of the maintenance to keep one saved is squarely on the sinner. This is not living by faith and will surely lead to doubt in salvation which is sin. God knew that he would have to save man and keep us saved in order for us to live this life in confidence and burden free. Paul in Galatians said it perfectly, “I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me. And the life I now in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Living the Christian life is a life of faith which pleases God (Habakkuk 2:4;Romans 1:17;Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38;Hebrews 11:6). But don’t think for a moment you can or have to do it alone; I’m glad to say we can’t! We must rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Foolishly doing it on your own is blasphemous because it glorifies the creature rather than the creator.

The true believer does not want to frustrate the grace of God given to him since he knows he’s fashioned for heaven. Rather out of love and obedience, he endeavors to live this life with joy knowing he already has the victory in Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:57).

The child of God because he’s secure should not want to continue in sin (Romans 6:1) because he’s no longer a slave to it. He’s now free to serve God.

Although the phrase “Once saved always saved” is true, it’s used by those who cheapen the grace of God to promote a careless, non committed life to Christ. Their lack of understanding of the demands of this glorious life is foreign to them and therefore their conversion may be illegitimate. Examine yourself to see if you’re really in the faith (II Corinthians 13). Salvation is a glorious and mysterious dynamic. God chooses before the foundation of the world those who will be saved and at the same time, we have a human responsibility to respond to the effectual call of salvation which we will do by faith (John 15:16). Trust me, I don’t completely understand it all, but that’s what the Bible teaches.

In closing, Woven in the fabric of Salvation is eternality. Jesus didn’t die to make men savable, he died and shed his blood to save men from their sins which he successfully accomplished. To advocate that Jesus died for you, and you believe unto salvation and can somehow lose that salvation is double jeopardy. In order to restore salvation, Jesus would have to be crucified again which is lunacy. He died once for sin, that’s it! It also makes the Word of God untrue. Jesus died for your sins so you wouldn’t have to be punished for them. But if you can lose salvation and still die in your sins after Jesus already was put to death for them, He died in vain and his death was not an effectual atonement. None of us would have any hope. This type of reasoning is reductio ad absurdum. Basically a statement based on a false premise that’s drawn out to it’s illogical conclusion.

My friend, if you’re truly born again, rejoice and walk in the newness of life God has given you in Jesus Christ. He’s with you and promised to keep you until the end (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).

SOME IMPORTANT THOUGHTS

1. An older gentleman asked a young boy, "Son have you found Jesus yet? The boy replied, sir I didn't know he was lost. I was lost and he found me!"

2. The time to receive Jesus is now! For all will have to face him; either you'll face him as your saviour or your judge.

Speaking in tongues Part II

There are a few more things I needed to include regarding speaking in tongues. Here they are:

Praying with the Spirit and the Understanding

In I Corinthians 14:15 Paul says, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with my understanding; I will also sing with the spirit and sing with the understanding also.”

There are those that believe this means we can pray and sing in “tongues” (i.e. gibberish), and in our native language. This is not what the text means. What Paul means here is when he prayed or sang, his spirit and mind were totally engaged in the process. He was not saying that he was praying or singing in tongues in private worship. In Paul’s time praying in the spirit could have meant in praying tongues, but I do not believe it applies to us today due to what I said in Part 1 of this article under the subtitle, Has tongues ceased?

Speaking in tongues as a means of spiritual warfare

There are also those in the Charismatic, Pentecostal movement…etc, that believe we can babble in tongues as a means of spiritual battle against principalities. Ephesians 6:18 is the primary passage for this. It reads, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplications for all saints.”

The passage is grossly misused to justify this practice. The writer was even caught up in this practice over twenty years ago. Prior to my Tuesday night bible study, we would have “prayer warrior classes”. In this class the youth pastor said our assignment was, “To bring down the principality that was presiding over the city of Santa Monica California”. You may be laughing right now but I’m very serious! In my ignorance, I was fully committed to what I now know to be a ridiculous and a unbiblical exercise. He later reported through the “prayers in the spirit” of all the prayer warriors, we had brought the “Prince of Santa Monica” down. You can see how tongues has been abused up until the present time. The man that coordinated these meetings was well intentioned but self deceived and deceived all of us. While it’s true we had these classes, the results weren’t real, it never occurred. It was a lie.

Tongues was never designed as a means to fight demonic spirits in heavenly places. This once again proves that those who are claiming to speak in tongues, are using a counterfeit. All Ephesians 6:18 is saying when we pray in the spirit, we’re praying by the Holy Spirit’s leading; that’s all.

The purpose of the gifts was to authenticate the speaker and his message. Jesus declared to the disciples before he ascended into heaven, “And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-18).

Jesus himself authenticated his office with signs and wonders (John 4:48; John 10:25; John 14:12) as did the Apostles (Read at the least the first 16 chapters of Acts). You would do well to read the entire gospels.

Keep in mind that the church was a new revelation to all; particularly the Jews. The focus was now off of them and focused on the Gentiles; the nations surrounding them. This period was transitional and never happened before in history, the Lord had to show all that this was from and by him. He gave to some the supernatural ability to speak in tongues and perform other miraculous signs to prove he was truly among them. Tongues is only mentioned three times in the book of Acts and in three chapters in I Corinthians and only because there was chaos and disorder in regards to use of the gifts. Paul had to provide instruction so that all things would be decent and in order (I Corinthians 14:40) There’s not one mention of tongues in any of his other 12 books he wrote in the New Testament. Paul wrote I Corinthians in 55 A.D., one of his earlier books. The gift of tongues may have been used less frequently when he wrote his other epistles.

When it comes to the gift of tongues we do well to remember this wisdom: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

Speaking in tongues Part I

What this article will attempt to explain is what is the phenomenon of speaking in tongues according to the scripture. Who was tongues for; what was it’s purpose? Are there tongues for public and private prayer? Is what we’re hearing today the genuine gift of tongues? Does tongues verify one is filled with the Holy Spirit? This subject will always be one of huge debate amongst several denominations mainly Pentecostals, Charismatics and Apostolics.

The word tongues in the Greek is the word glōssa. The word simply means languages. Speaking in tongues was the supernatural ability to speak a foreign known language the speaker never learned yet understood by the hearers. That is why in Acts 2: 4-11 we read, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language

7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, “Behold are not all these which speak Galileans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia. 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya, about Cyrene, and strangers in Rome, Jews and Proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”

The event is Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks. Hebrews from all over the known world came to Jerusalem to celebrate this Mosaic feast. All Hebrew men were required to attend this feast which occurred in May-June on our Gregorian calendar. The other places in scriptures were tongues are mentioned are Acts 10, Acts 19, I Corinthians 12-14. Our concentration will take place in the book of I Corinthians 12-14.

All do not speak with Tongues

We read in I Corinthians 12 a list of various spiritual gifts. They are: Apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities or different kinds of tongues. Paul then asks his readers, are all Apostles? Are all teachers…do all speak with tongues? The obvious answer to these questions is no (I Corinthians 12:28-30).

The problem I’ve discovered in a lot of churches that I’ve either been a member of or have read about or listened to those who believe that all have the ability to “pray” in tongues but the text clearly tells us not all speak with tongues. So, what is it that we’re hearing people do today in church? Is it the genuine gift of tongues? Let see if we can determine this in scripture.

Speaking in tongues as a private prayer language

Many Charismatics and Pentecostals believe that there are two gifts of tongues or that tongues can be used two different ways; for corporate and private worship. In Corinthians 14 the apostle Paul is providing instructions on how the gift of tongues is to be administered in public worship. This he had to do because the Corinthians were abusing the gifts, especially the gift of tongues.

In I Corinthians 14:2 we read, he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God. For no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit, he speaks mysteries. The word unknown isn’t in the original text; the translators of scripture inserted it to help bring clarification. So it would actually read,” he that speaks in a unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God.” Some say that when the word tongue is used instead of tongue(s), it’s referring to some type of Corinthian ecstatic utterance; not the real gift of tongues. A counterfeit. While that may be plausible, the writer (of this article) doesn’t see that being the case. The word tongue is the same Greek word as tongues plural so how can one be legitimate and the other is not if the same Greek word is used? Either they’re both the real gift or they’re not [(tongue/tongue(s)].

What Paul’s argument is in this chapter is if anyone speaks in tongues in public worship, the speaker or someone with the gift of interpretation/translation should interpret what was said so that all will be edified (vs. 3,4,5,12,26,31) This is equal to prophecy which is what we ought to seek (vs.1). If the speaker speaks in a language that no one can understand unless it’s interpreted, no one is edified but the speaker. He would only be speaking to God who understands all languages. That’s not what the gifts of the Spirit are for; self edification. When the scripture says that he that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, that’s not a commendation, but rather a condemnation. For once again, the gifts are for the benefit of the body, not the one using the gift.

There is also a widely held belief that the gift of tongues can be used privately as a prayer language between the person and God to build one’s self up (i.e praying in the Spirit or praying in tongues which is a misinterpretation of I Corinthians 14:15; Jude 20). This is where the ecstatic speech or better yet gibberish comes in. This became popular at the beginning of the twentieth century particularly with the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles, CA from 1906 – 1909 with William J. Seymour. If one listens carefully to those using this modern “tongues” speaking phenomenon, you’ll notice the syllables of this gibberish sounds the same all the time. There are three major problems with this practice:

1. The scripture clearly teaches that if anyone speaks in a tongue, either the speaker or someone in the assembly must interpret what was said so that all will be edified or the speaker is to remain silent. If you’re claiming to speak at home, that means no can interpret and no one is edified. This is an abuse and unnatural use of the gift. 

2. Gibberish CAN NOT be interpreted because gibberish isn’t a language, it’s unintelligible speech. Also, I discovered when I attended a charismatic church years ago that often the “translation” of the gibberish spoken is longer than the gibberish itself and this is supposed to be the genuine gift of interpretation; it is not. 

When you’re translating from one language to another, the length of the translation will be virtually the same. You’re using different words, but the length doesn’t change. That’s how you can tell that what is transpiring isn’t authentic.

3. Several false religions use ecstatic speech – “tongues” like Tibetan Monks and some African Tribes. These are cults which obviously do not have the Holy Spirit. The modern charismatic gibberish is a similar practice. So, therefore, modern tongues speaking is not proof that one is filled with the Spirit.

Who was Tongues for

The scriptures clearly tell us that tongues were a sign to unbelievers; not for believers (I Corinthians 14:22). Why was it a sign to the unsaved? The genuine gift of tongues was exhibited in the book Acts on the day of 

Pentecost. Hebrew men and women spoke supernaturally languages they never learned to arrest the attention of the unbelieving Jews who heard them speak in their native tongue. This they obviously could not ignore. This never happened before in human history. When Peter preached to them about Jesus Christ and how they were responsible for his crucifixion, they were condemned and about three thousand souls were saved (Acts 2:41). So we see here that the sign gift of tongues was a sign for unbelievers so that they could repent and be saved. The gift of tongues was also a confirming sign to the authenticity of the gospel message the Apostles taught. It also was the fulfillment of Isaiah 28:12, “With stammering lips and another tongue will I speak to this people (i.e. unbelieving, disobedient Israel); and yet for all of that, they will not hear me, says the Lord.”

Has Tongues ceased

I Corinthians 13:8 we read, Charity or love never fails, but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. Prophecy and Knowledge will vanish away with the coming of the perfect or complete. I believe this to be the complete revelation of God’s word. The complete/perfect is the force that will eliminate the gifts of Prophecy and Knowledge. The word cease in I Corinthians 13:8 means a willing cessation, to come to an end. Tongues will stop by itself. No outside force will cause it to stop like Prophecy and Knowledge (i.e. direct revelation from God).

The million dollar question then is “When will tongues cease?” Tongues had to have the gifts of both knowledge and prophecy to authenticate its use. Biblical tongues could not work alone. Tongues were never to be used unless it was coupled with an interpretation in the form of Prophecy or Knowledge. It was an inferior gift. According to articles I have read regarding the early church fathers, they do not record any occurrence of the manifestation of tongues after the first century. This would serve as a strong indicator of its cessation. Again, tongues was a sign to unbelievers that God was supernaturally working through his messengers to authenticate their message. Once their message was complete, tongues ceased to operate. It’s function ended. Just remember, God is sovereign and could manifest the gift in anyone if he chooses at any time but I do not see the need for such a manifestation. The writer is convinced that what we hear today is not the biblical gift of tongues but a counterfeit. We hear preachers babble in tongues in the middle of messages because they get too “caught up” and we hear some gospel recording artists do it as well because the Spirit has captured them to the degree they have to babble in tongues. These are unbiblical practices. What it reveals is that some are allowing their experiences to supplant the clear teaching of scripture instead of using the scripture properly to validate their experience. This practice causes confusion and divides the body of Christ.

WHAT IS THE ANOINTING

We often hear in our worship services, “ Lord send us your anointing, or Lord we need a fresh anointing”, but what exactly is the anointing? What does it mean to be anointed? As always, the answers are in the scripture.

To Anoint means the custom of smearing or pouring oil on a person or object, in both secular and sacred contexts or situations.

The Hebrew word for Anoint is Māšah as a verb and Māšîah as a noun where we get the English word Messiah. The term appears around 70 times in the Old Testament. One of the Greek terms for anointed is Christós where we get the English word Christ. Jesus was/is God’s Anointed, his Messiah, his Christ set apart by the Father for a holy, consecrated purpose; to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

The first time the word anointed appears in scripture is Genesis 31:13 where God speaks to Jacob, I am the God of Bethel (means house of God) where you anointed a pillar where you made a vow to me (Genesis 28:18)…God is making reference to when Jacob left Canaan and was traveling to the land of his Mother Rebekah which was a place called Haran. Jacob poured oil on the rock that he used as a pillow when sleeping. Jacob recognized the visitation of the Lord and regarded the place as holy so he consecrated the stone.

Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil when they were ordained as priests (Exodus 29:7). Verse thirty six of the same chapter makes reference to anointing the altar to consecrate (set it apart) for holy use. The tabernacle and tent of meeting where also anointed (Exodus 30:26; 40:9-10).

Kings in the bible were anointed by God because they were set apart to perform their office. I Samuel 16:12-13 says, So he brought him in. Now he (David) was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance, and the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.

David’s receiving the outpouring of the anointing oil was an outward symbol of what happens to believer’s inwardly when they’re born again by the Spirit of God. When we’re sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, we are set apart, made holy by God for a special purpose, to praise God forever and give him glory here on earth by a life of obedience (Ephesians 1:12-13).

David so respected King Saul who was trying to kill him and feared God so much that on two occasions where he had opportunity to kill Saul, he refused because Saul was the anointed of God (1 Samuel 24:6; I Samuel 26:9,11). Saul was chosen by God to serve as Israel first King but failed miserably so he was eventually replaced by David.

In Isaiah 45:1 we read that a pagan king named Cyrus the Persian was called God’s anointed. The amazing thing about this prophecy is that God revealed this through the Prophet Isaiah about 150 years before Cyrus was even born! He was the instrument God sovereignly chose to deliver national Israel from bondage (Ezra 1:1-4).

Cyrus was unaware of this distinction of being God’s anointed however. He made a decree to deliver Israel because the Lord stirred up his spirit (Ezra 1:1).

JESUS CHRIST THE ANOINTED OF GOD

In Luke’s Gospel chapter four vs. 18-19 Jesus stands in the Synagogue and reads, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he’s anointed me (i.e. the Spirit) to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To set free those that are oppressed., To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

The anointed when making reference in this text is the word Chriō which means a specific sacred anointing. Jesus wasn’t just anointed of God he was the Anointed of God. Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1 which was prophesied about him nearly seven hundred years before his incarnation. Jesus’ anointing was evident by all the things he taught and the miracles he performed. Jesus’ anointing was the most powerful ever demonstrated, ever witnessed, or ever read about.

THE BELIEVER’S ANOINTING

In I John 2:20 the Apostle John says regarding believers, “You have an anointing from the Holy One and you know all things. The Greek word for anointing in this text is different - Chrisma . This anointing is from the Spirit of God that gives the believer I believe a supernatural intuition. It keeps him from error and guides him into all truth (John 14:26; John 16:13) and because we have the Holy Spirit, we’ll be kept from falling away from the Faith. Verse twenty is in direct opposition to verse I John 2:19 where it talks about false believers that did fall away from God; they were never genuine to begin with (i.e. Judas Iscariot and Demas).

Once again in I John 2:27 the Apostle speaks of the believer’s anointing so that we can avoid error and remain in the truth. The anointing is synonymous with Spirit of God which abides in the believer and teaches and guides them in all truth.

Think about this way, would God place his Spirit in anyone and allow them to be continually deceived and teach gross error? That’s not the Spirit of Truth at all; that would be the spirit of error which is a clear indicator that person does not have any anointing from God. Avoid them!

IN CONCLUSION

We see in the Old Testament the anointing of God was symbolized by the pouring of oil; outward sign of the person or thing being consecrated by God. In the New Testament era, every true Christian has the anointing from God, the indwelling Holy Spirit. This isn’t something we pray for or need a fresh dosage of. It’s the same Holy Spirit so no one has anymore than the other. While there are diverse gifts (anointings) in the body, they’re administered by the same Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4).

One last note, while unbelievers are benefactors of the anointing of God from Teachers of the gospel, they do not possess the anointing unless they confess their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and become saved.

The anointing or to be anointed is reserved for God’s chosen, the Church alone.