Is once saved always saved?

[Eric Hancock]

I had a conversation in the congregation and want to hear your view,,is Once saved always saved? Now remember the story of the Prodigal Son,,he walk away from his fathers house and we walk away from the presence of GOD
ONCE saved, always saved. That is the cry so often heard from many of the pulpits today. "I can do whatever I want, as long as I have accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour. Why I could go out and mow down a crowd of people with a machine gun and if I were to die at that very moment, I would be saved." Many people believe this teaching today, but is it true? Once we have accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour, can we go on living like the world in open, rebellious sin and still be saved. Most people who believe this teaching will quote the following Bible verse as proof: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38, 39.

Now this is a wonderful Bible promise that God has given us and it should inspire us all. But does it say once a person is born again, it is impossible for him to lose his way and be lost? In fact, is this verse talking about salvation or eternal life at all? No, this verse is clearly talking about God's unconditional love towards man, not unconditional salvation. Salvation is conditional! You might also notice that the word "sin" was not included in the list of things which are unable to separate us from the love of God.

If we continue in sin, after we have asked Jesus to be our personal Saviour, are we really in a saved relationship, are we converted? "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Hebrews 10:26.

[PASTOR CHARLES E BELL JR]

GOOD POINT ERIC . ALSO REMBER GOD DID NOT SAVE US INTO SIN BUT FORM SIN .AND AGAIN WE CANT JUST TAKE THE WORD OUT OF CONTENT AND APPLIED IT TO OUR STANDARDENT BUT IT IS TO GOD . WE HAVE AN INPORTANT ROLE IN THIS AND IT TO BE SUBMISIVE TO THE WORD OF GOD . THIS IS WHY JOHN AND JESUS PREACHED TO REPENT. A PERSON CAN TAKE GOD WORD AND TURN IT AROUND TO MAKE SIN OK WHEN IT IS WRONG. WHY WOULD JESUS DIE FOR US TO BE DELIVERED FORM SOMETHING AND WE STAY IN IT AND TO GOD PEOPLE ITS OK TO SIN .JESUS GAVE US GRACE AND MERCY BUT HIS GRACE IS IF WE SIN WHEN HAVE A WAY BACK TO THE FATHER WHICH IS REPENT.THOU THE BLOOD OF JESUS WE ARE FORGIVEN AND THAT IS MERCY .THE BIBLE TEACH IF WE FIND A BRO IN SIN OR FAULT GO TO HIM AND TELL HIM ABOUT OUT OF GODLY LOVE TO RESTORE HIM BACK TO THE FAMILY OF CHIRST .IF WE CONT IN OUR SIN WE ARE GOING TO HELL. SUGER COATED SERMON OR RELIGION IS NOT GOING TO GET ANYONE IN TO HAVEN IF YOU ARE IN SIN COMEOUT OF IT.BUT IF APERSON CONT IN SIN AND THINK IT OK HIS FATHER IS NO JESUS BUT SATAN AND WOE TO THE PREACHERS WHO TEACHES ITS OKAY TO LIVE IN SIN.REMBER WHEN HE COMES BACK HE IS COMEING BACK AS A JUDGE.REPENT MEAN TO BE GODLY SORRY FOR WANT YOU HAVE DONE AND TURN AWAY FROM THAT SIN AND LIVE UNDER THE SEAL OF SALVATION BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS . SIN WILL NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD .THAT WHY ACT 20;32 GOD WORD WILL BUILD YOU UP SO YOU HAVE TO STUDY,FAST AND PRAY FOR GOD WORD TO CONVITED YOU WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO SIN. YES HE WILL KEEP YOU BUT I GOT TO HAVE THE HOLYSPIRIT INSIDE OF YOU.GOD DONT DEWELL IN AN UN CLEAN TEMPLE .THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I LEARN FROM A SCHOOL OR SOMEONE ELSE BUT FROM MY RELATIOSHIP WITH GOD. I KNOW THAT THE HOLYSPIRITE WILL WARN YOU WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO SIN THEN IT BECOME MY CHOSE TO DO RIGHT OR WRONG AND IF I HAVE DONE WRONG TO REPENTOF MY SIN. I GOING TO GET TO HAVEN AND NOT GOING TO ALLOW THE ONLY THING THAT CAN TO STOP ME THAT IS SIN.

[Eric Hancock]

You can do what you want I am not going to Hell by trying to figure out a way to sin and dont get judged for it

[Eric Hancock]

Bible Teaching About Hell
The Bible teaching about hell is heart wrenching, painful, and downright depressing. Heaven causes one to emotionally soar, but the malignancy of that other place drives one to their knees in prayer and dismay. At least it does me.

It is impossible to be upbeat when describing that horrific place – which out does the most masterfully produced slimy grotesque monsters slithering through the horror movies created by Hollywood. Fair warning. It’s bad.

But, to be honest, consistent, and fair in teaching the Bible, I must venture into this ugly terrain and explain what is there. Bear with me, and don’t shy away. Several awful factors we examine.

Please remember, I am not making this stuff up to scare you. Actually, I don’t know if there is a hell or not. I have not been there. I don’t even like to talk about it. I am only, with compassion, reporting to you what Jesus and the Bible says. You decide.


Hell Exists

That’s right. Hell is a real place. In the New Testament Hades is referred to as a definite place 10 times (Matthew 13:42; 16:18; Revelation 1:18; 6:8; 20:13, 14; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31). Hades is probably a temporary holding jail for those awaiting final judgment (Revelation 20:13, 14).

The final place of torment is variously described as “furnace of fire...lake of fire…prison…abyss…tartarus” (Matthew 13:42; Revelation 20:14, 15; 1 Peter 3:19; Luke 8:31; 2 Peter 2:4).

Another word Jesus used to describe the final prison for the Satan, his angels, and all unsaved people is Gehenna. It is used 12 times in the NT. He called it a place of eternal fire, and a fiery hell (Matthew 18:8, 9).

Taken together, all these references indicate a localized place. Hell exists. But, what are the conditions of that wretched place – according to the Bible?


Eternal Fire and Punishment

Jesus made a very somber declaration regarding who would inhabit Hell, the length, and nature of their existence. Jesus said, “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels…And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life’” (Matthew 25:41, 46).


The Bottomless Pit

Literally, the word is “abyss” which is something of immeasurable depth (cf. Revelation 9:1, 2, 11; 20:1, 3; 11:17; 17:8; Luke 8:31). In Revelation 9:1 the inhabitants are described as “locusts,” which probably refer to demonic beings, and the place belches dark smoke. The picture points to fire, danger, destruction, loss, and heat.


Place of Torment

John describes the experience of many, “and he (they) will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and night” (Revelation 14:10, 11; cf. 20:10).


Wrath of God

How could a loving God get this angry? I don’t know, but I know He is God, and He can do whatever he wants. I guess another way to look at it is how can a just God not punish sin? Paul said, “You are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath” (Romans 2:5). John echoes the theme, “but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).


Hell is a Prison

We are told that, “Satan will be released from his prison” (Revelation 20:7; cf. 20:1-3). In no way can a prison conjure up pleasant images.


Second Death

John writes, “And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14). It gets worse.


Eternal Destruction

Paul writes, “And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Punishment is not temporary, nor annihilation, but eternal and conscious. The impact of destruction, or ruin, could not be eternal if the penalty was merely annihilation. Destruction, in this context, means punishment. The nature of the destruction is defined as being away from the presence of Christ and His power.


Eternal Sin

Mark wrote, “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” (Mark 3:29). This speaks of the hopelessness of the place. Never will there be forgiveness. Once there, it is too late.


Outer Darkness

The Bible states, “but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12; cf. 2 Peter 2:17). Sorrow and pain are pictured here.


Unquenchable Fire

Mark records Jesus’ words regarding the denizens who, “go into hell, into the unquenchable fire…where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. For everyone will be salted with fire” (Mark 9:43, 48, 49). The thought of salt is this: just as salt preserves, so the sinner will be preserved eternally in their punishment.


Eternal Worms

Vivid imagery. Jesus describes hell as a place, “where their worm does not die” (Mark 9:48). We have before us the scene of Gehenna, the city dump of Jerusalem, with maggots eating the dead bodies of animals and filthy garbage.


Lake of Fire and Brimstone

Let the Bible speak, “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone…and if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10, 15cf. 21:8, 27; 22:11).


Conscious Activity

According to Jesus (Luke 16:23-31), people will see, hear, talk, understand, feel, and remember. However, the activities will be awful. This is where the character of Satan, demons and the unsaved will be confirmed (Revelation 22:11, 15).

We must know that sinners would be miserable in heaven. In heaven there is no lying, robbery, torture, and raping – bad things. However, this is the constant activity of hell. Killers will still be killers, liars will still lie. Wickedness will reign. The neighbors will be folks like Hitler, Stalin, Satan, and demons. Not a nice neighborhood to live in.

I have used several terms to describe the nature of hell. Question: are these words figures of speech, or, are we to take them literal? It is uncertain. I hope it is literal. Why? Because figurative language is a miniature symbol of what cannot be fully expressed in normal words.

A symbol is less, not greater than the reality pictured. In other words, if these words are only symbols, then the actual reality is far greater.

With these words and I urge you to take seriously the biblical teaching of Hell. Take comfort in your position in Christ and its guarantee of Heaven. If you are not a Christian, then please go to the study on salvation (link) and make your decision now.

[Eric Hancock]

BY WHO"S DEFINITION???
Lack of knowledge Please on who's behalf??I did not write the Bible I only try to follow it...
Christians do sin and again that is not the topic,,if God would start killing people as he did in the OT then we would not even be having this discussion...sometimes I stop looking at what people say and focus on what did JESUS say!! he said in Revalation 22:11,Revelation 22:11 - 15 "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie...Jesus is talking not me

[Eric Hancock]

it is not about fear ,,,BUT,,,Obedience

[Eric Hancock]

I dont think that it is FEAR,,if it was then we would not have any problems,,,that is the problem it is NO fear at all WHY because God is not killing people like he use to in the old testament..this is why we have the problems that we have!!!! we are having a discussion on OSAS not fear because the church dont fear him,,,do you remember 911?? every hooker,drug dealer,fornicator,pimp ,murderer,backslider,prodigal son and daughter ran to the church ,,and when they saw that Jesus did not come back,,,,they went back into there sins..what do that tell you alone about OSAS,,it cant be that is a prime example...WHERE WAS THE FEAR?????

[Eric Hancock]

Amen
I agree

[PASTOR CHARLES E BELL JR]

AMEN BRO ERIC THAT WHY ITS INPORTANT NOT TO TAKE GOD NOR HIS SALVATION FOR GRANTED FOR IT IS A GIFT. THAT WHY WE NEED TO BECALFUL WHAT WE TEACH PEOPLE .FOR THOSE WHO CHOSE TO LIVE IN SIN IS AN E OF GOD FOR THERE FATHER IS SATAN . AND REMBER THE YOUNG RULER WHO CONT GIVE UP THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD

[Eric Hancock]

This was written by Graham Pockett

Jesus understood that when people heard the Word of God they would react in different ways – from total rejection to total acceptance. He explained it in ‘The Parable Of The Sower’. I have quoted the Matthew 13:3-23 Scripture here, but the same parable can also be found in Mark 4:1-20 and Luke 8:4-15.

Matthew 13:3-9:
3 Then [Jesus] told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
9 He who has ears, let him hear.” [NIV]

The Disciples wanted to know what this parable meant and Jesus explained.

Matthew 13:18-23
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” [NIV]

For people who believe that “once saved, always saved” I rhetorically ask: how do you relate your beliefs to Matthew 13: 20-21? If a man cannot lose his salvation then why would Jesus say: “When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away

[Eric Hancock]

I fully agree and that is why I used the Prodigal son as a example,,but to think that since I am saved I can do whatever I want is not true at all,,God's presence cannot be in the mist of sin unless he is dealing with it