GRADUATE-5

ETERNAL SECURITY EXAMINED

I.

THE DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL SECURITY IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT TEACHINGS OF THE HOLY BIBLE FOR CHRISTIANS IN THE PRESENT CHURCH AGE. A. Eternal Security Is Defined as, After a Person Receives the Lord Jesus Christ as His personal Savior in the present Church Age, He Is Saved for all Eternity and Cannot Lose His Salvation. B. Many People Reject the Teaching of Eternal Security when Reading or Studying the Bible for the following Reasons: 1. They do not rightly divide the Bible into dispensations (2 Tim 2:15).They take verses of the Bible that deal with losing salvation from another dispensation and misapply them for salvation to a Church Age Christian. 2. They take verses out of context and misapply them for salvation to a Church Age Christian. 3. They do not realize that there is a difference between a Church Age Christians relationship to God (his standing) and a Christians condition of fellowship with God (his state). 4. They believe that the teaching of Eternal Security gives a Church Age Christian permission to sin.

II.

CHRISTIANS IN THE PRESENT CHURCH AGE CANNOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: A. A Christian Is Elected by God the Father when He Receives Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior (2 Thes 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2). B. A Christian Is United with Jesus when He Receives Christ as His Savior (1 Cor 12:13-14, 27). C. Jesus Christ Intercedes for (prays for) a Christian when He Sins (Rom 8:34; 1 John 2:1). D. A Christians Soul Is Being Kept by the Power of God (2 Tim 1:12; 1 Pet 1:3-5; Jude vs.1, 24). E. A Christians Salvation Is Based on Christs Righteousness that He Receives from God (Rom 4:5-8, 20-24).

Page 1 of 45

08-05-11

GRADUATE-5

F. A Christians Sins of the Flesh (body) Cannot Touch His Soul because His Body Is Cut away from His Soul by the Operation of God (Col 2:9-13). The Holy Spirit Seals a Christians Soul at Salvation until Jesus Returns to Give Him a new Body (Eph 1:13; 4:30; 1 Cor 15:48-54). G. A Christian Cannot Be Separated from Gods Love (Rom 8:35-39).

III.

SPECIFIC VERSES FROM THE FOUR GOSPELS (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) THAT ARE OFTEN USED BY SOME GROUPS TO CONTRADICT THE CLEAR BIBLE TEACHING OF ETERNAL SECURITY IN THE PRESENT CHURCH AGE: A. The Gospels Apply doctrinally to the Jews and Are Written mainly about the Setting up of a literal, physical, earthly Kingdom Age. However, They also Contain Prophecies about the present Church Age, the future Tribulation Period, the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Millennium B. The Keeping of the Law for Salvation Was necessary until after the Death of Jesus Christ (contr. Mat 19:16-19 with Gal 2:16). Christs Death Was necessary before the New Testament Could Begin (Heb 9:14-17).
C.

The Setting up of the Kingdom Age Was Put off until the Millennium, after the Jews Rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the King of the Jews (John 19:14-15, 19). The present Church Age Was Set up after Christs Death (Mat 27:50; Heb 9:17) and final Rejection (Acts 7:54-59; Luke 23:34).

A. MATTHEW 5:22 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian can lose his salvation by calling someone a fool. 2. The Bibles Answer: This verse applies to the time of Christs earthly ministry and will also apply in the Millennium and does not apply to the present Church Age. 3. If this verse applied to the present Church Age, both the Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul would be in danger of hell fire for calling people fools (Luke 24:15, 25; 1 Cor 1:1-2; 15:36). B. MATTHEW 7:21 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian can confess the Lord Jesus Christ and then lose his salvation by not doing Gods will until death. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is Matthew 7:21-23.

Page 2 of 45

GRADUATE-5 b. Not everyone that uses the Lords name is a child of God (Mat 7:22-23; Acts 19:13). c. Only those who believe on (Acts 16:30-31) and receive Jesus Christ by confessing him as their Savior (Rom 10:9-10, 13) are truly saved. C. MATTHEW 8:11-12 1. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christian can be cast out of the Kingdom of Heaven, thereby losing his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The Kingdom of Heaven is a reference to the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ over the Jews (Luke 1:30-33; Rev 20:1-7). a. The Kingdom of Heaven is a literal (actual, real), physical, earthly and visible kingdom (Due 28:64; 30:3-5; Neh 1:8-9; Mat 24:30-31; Mark 11:10). b. The Jews will be judged by Jesus Christ (Ezek 20:33-38; Psa 50:1-7; Mal 3:2-5) after the Tribulation Period (Mat 24:29-30), at the beginning of Christs rule and reign over the Kingdom of Heaven (2 Tim 4:1; John 5:22, 26-27). c. Christians are judged at Calvary for their sins (Isa 53:1-12; Acts 8:26-35; 2 Cor 5:21) and at the Judgment Seat of Christ for their works (2 Cor 5:10; 1 Cor 3:11-15). d. A Christian in the present Church Age cannot be cast out of the kingdom into outer darkness because his sins are judged and taken away at Calvary (John 1:29; 1 Cor 15:3). D. MATTHEW 10:22 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian can lose his salvation by no longer having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ or not continuing in good works. 2. The Bibles Answer: This verse took place during Christs life and ministry on earth and is aimed at Jews under the Old Testament (covenant). Therefore, this verse is not aimed at Christians in the present Church Age who are under the New Testament (Heb 9:14-17). E. MATTHEW 12:43-45 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian cannot have an unclean spirit. However, after sinning and losing his salvation, unclean spirits can re-enter a fallen Christian. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this passage is Matthew 12:38-45. b. The Lord Jesus Christ is speaking here to the Jewish Scribes and Pharisees (v.38) who rejected Him as their Messiah (Savior), and for that reason were not saved (John 8:21-24). c. There is no mention in these verses of anyone being saved or getting saved.

Page 3 of 45

GRADUATE-5 F. MATTHEW 13:6 and 21 1. Some Groups Claim: These verses prove that when a Christian loses his faith (his root dries up), he then loses his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. This is a parable concerning entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven (vs.10-11), and not concerning New Testament salvation. b. The hearer in verses 6 and 21 is not saved because he had no root (the Lord Jesus Christ) (Isa 11:10; Rev 22:16). He heard the word but did not believe unto salvation (contrast Luke 8:13 with Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9-10; Eph 1:13). G. MATTHEW 16:24-28 1. Some Groups Claim: a. One group says that this passage proves a Christian must confess the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior and then continue in good works to keep his salvation. b. Another group claims that a Christian must confess Christ and continue in good works until death in order to be saved. 2. The Bibles Answer: A Christian is not saved by his works (Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5; 2 Tim 1:9), but is rewarded for his works at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Eph 2:10; 1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:10). H. MATTHEW 18:12-13 1. Some Groups Claim: These verses prove that a Christian (sheep) can lose his salvation by going astray (departing from the requirements of salvation). 2. The Bibles Answer: The sheep that the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking to in these verses are the lost sheep of the House of Israel (Jews) (Mat 10:5-6; 15:21-24), and not to Christians in the present Church Age. I. MATTHEW 18:21-35 Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a loving and forgiving spirit is necessary as a required condition of forgiveness and salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: The context of this passage is the millennial Kingdom of Heaven (v.23). There is no mention of personal salvation anywhere in the passage.
1.

J. MATTHEW 24:12-14 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must keep his faith in (love for) the Lord Jesus Christ and continue doing good works until death in order to keep his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this passage is Matthew 24:1-31.

Page 4 of 45

GRADUATE-5 b. This passage is written to the Jews who must endure to the end of the future Tribulation Period (Mat 24:3, 29), just before Christs Second Coming (Mat 24:30) and the setting up of the millennial kingdom (Luke 1:30-33). N. MATTHEW 24:48-51 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who returns to a sinful life will lose his salvation and be cast into hell when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this passage is Matthew 24:1-51. b. This passage was written to the Jews during the future Tribulation Period (Mat 24:3, 29-30) who were not expecting Jesus to return (2 Pet 3:3-4). O. MATTHEW 25:1-13 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that Christians (virgins) can lose their salvation by either not having enough good works (oil) or not having the Holy Spirit (oil) when Jesus returns. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context (background) of this passage is the Children of Israel (Jews) in the future Tribulation Period, who are called virgins (Rev 7:4; 14:1-4), and not Christians in the present Church Age. b. The Body of Christ (all Christians as a group) is called a virgin (singular) in 2nd Corinthians 11:2, but is never referred to as virgins (plural). c. The virgins in this passage go out to meet the Bridegroom (Jesus Christ) and not to marry Him. d. According to Acts 8:18-20, the Holy Spirit cannot be bought (Mat 25:8-10). P. MATTHEW 25:24-30 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian can lose his salvation by not continuing to do good works until he dies or the Lord returns. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context (background) of this passage is the Children of Israel in the future Tribulation Period (Mat 25:14-30). b. The Jews will be judged and rewarded at the beginning of the Millennium (the Kingdom of Heaven) (v.14) for their works during the Tribulation Period (Rev 7:4; 14:1, 12-13). Q. MATTHEW 25:40-41, 45-46 1. Some Groups Claim: These verses prove that a Christian can lose his salvation by not doing good works for his fellow man.

Page 5 of 45

GRADUATE-5 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of these verses is Matthew 25:31-46, which is the Judgment of the Nations after the Second Coming of Christ (Joel 3:2, 11-12). b. Each nation (Mat 25:32) will be judged according to their treatment of the Jews (Christs brethren) during the future Tribulation Period. R. MARK 4:13-20 (See notes above on I.) (Mat 13:6, 21). S. MARK 7:14-23 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that the sins of a Christian cancel out his good works and righteousness, which causes him to lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this passage is Mark 7:1-23. b. This passage is a parable (v.17) aimed at the Law abiding Jewish Scribes and Pharisees (v.1) and not at Christians in the present Church Age. c. This passage concerns spiritual defilement and tradition (v.9), not New Testament salvation. T. LUKE 8:9-13 (See notes above on I.) (Mat 13:6, 21). U. LUKE 9:23-27 (See notes above on J.) (Mat 16:24-28). V. LUKE 9:57-62 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian can lose his salvation by returning to a sinful life (backsliding). 2. The Bibles Answer: a. This passage is talking about Jewish discipleship and not Christian salvation (v.59; Luke 14:25-27). b. This passage is aimed at Jews under the Old Testament and not at Christians under the New Testament (Heb 9:14-17; Mat 26:26-28). W. LUKE 11:24-26 (See notes above on H.) (Mat 12:43-45). X. LUKE 12:42-46 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that one who is a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has a responsibility to both treat others right and live a Christian life until death or Christ returns. A Christian who departs from treating others right and living the Christian life will lose his salvation (backslide) if he does not repent. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this passage is Luke 12:41-48.

Page 6 of 45

GRADUATE-5

b. This parable (v.41) is about the end of the future Tribulation Period (Mat 24:29-31) when the Lord (Jesus Christ) returns from His wedding (v.36), His marriage to the Body of Christ (Rev 19:7), to gather the faithful Jewish Tribulation Period Saints (stewards). Y. LUKE 16:13 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian who continues in sin is serving mammon (riches) and loses his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: This verse is talking about either serving God or serving riches. The context is that of works (service) and not salvation (1 Cor 3:11-15). Z. LUKE 17:22-32 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who stops serving God (Bible reading, praying, attending Church, etc) and goes back to his worldly ways (not necessarily to a sinful life) will lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this passage is Luke 17:22-37. This same account is also given in more detail in Matthew 24:3-41. b. This passage (Luke 17:22-32) is written to Jews (Mat 24:16) who must endure to the end of the future Tribulation Period (Mat 24:3, 29) and not to Christians in the present Church Age. c. The events of this passage will occur just before the Second Coming of Christ (Mat 24:30) and the setting up of the millennial kingdom (Luke 1:30-33). AA. JOHN 5:14 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian who sins willfully will lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is John 5:1-16. b. There is no mention of anyone losing his salvation in the context of this verse. c. When Jesus said, sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee, Christ was warning Him that if he sinned again, he might bring a worse physical disability on himself than not being able to walk. BB. JOHN 6:66-68 1. Some Groups Claim: These three verses prove that a Christian who is offended by a Church teaching and leaves the Church is in danger of losing his eternal life (salvation).

Page 7 of 45

GRADUATE-5
2.

The Bibles Answer: a. This passage takes place on Old Testament grounds and not in the present Church Age, on New Testament grounds (Heb 9:14-17). b. There is no mention of anyone losing his salvation in this passage. c. Before the crucifixion, following Jesus was not necessary for salvation (Mark 9:38-40).

CC.

JOHN 8:31-36 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who does not continue in Christs word (commandments) will lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: The context of this passage is that of Jewish discipleship before the crucifixion, not New Testament salvation (Heb 9:14-17). JOHN 10:27-28 1. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christian must follow the Lord Jesus Christ (continue believing in Him) until he dies in order to receive eternal life. 2. The Bibles Answer: The context of these verses is that of receiving Jesus as the Jewish Messiah by faith (vs.24-26), not New Testament salvation. JOHN 15:1-8 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian that does not continue to believe in (abide in) the Lord Jesus Christ will backslide (be cast forth and wither) and then lose his salvation (be cast into fire v.6). 2. The Bibles Answer: This passage is aimed at pre-crucifixion (Old Testament) (Heb 9:14-17) Jewish disciples, not Christians in the present Church Age.

DD.

EE.

IV.

SPECIFIC VERSES THAT ARE OFTEN USED BY SOME GROUPS FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS TO CONTRADICT THE BIBLE TEACHING OF ETERNAL SECURITY IN THE PRESENT CHURCH AGE. A. The Book of Acts Is a Transitional (changing from one condition to another) Book. The Transition Is from the Jewish Church to the Christian Church. 1. Christs ministry and the early ministry of the Apostles were almost totally limited to the Jews (Mat 15:21-24; 10:5-6; Acts 10:28; 11:1-18). 2. The Apostles and the early Christian Church leaders, at a council in Jerusalem, determined that both the Jews (called circumcision) and the Gentiles (called uncircumcision or Greeks) were made a part of the same Church by faith (Acts 15:1-21; Eph 3:1-6). 3. By the end of the Book of Acts (about A.D. 62), the Church is no longer a Jewish Church, but a Christian Church where the believers are neither Jew nor Gentile (Gal 2:11-16; 3:28; Col 3:10-11).

Page 8 of 45

GRADUATE-5
B.

ACTS 10:35 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian must continue in good works to be saved or to keep his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The he in this verse is Cornelius (Acts 10:1-4). b. Cornelius fear of God and his works (alms) showed his sincerity, but those things did not save him. Therefore, God sent the Apostle Peter to preach the gospel to him. ACTS 3:43 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian must continue in the grace of God (continue to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and do good works) to insure that he keeps his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The Apostle Paul and Barnabas are talking to Jews and proselytes (Gentile converts to Judaism Acts 13:42) in this verse. b. The context of this verse is that of Acts 13:38-48, where Paul is trying to convince Jewish believers not to go back to the Law of Moses and works for their forgiveness of sins and justification (vs.38-39). ACTS 14:22 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian must continue believing in the Lord Jesus Christ through times of tribulation, or the Great Tribulation Period, to either be saved or to stay saved. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The faith spoken of in this verse is a reference to the Christian way of life (Eph 4:11-16) and not to salvation. b. The tribulation mentioned in this verse is a reference to Christian suffering during the present Church Age (Rom 5:1-5; 1 Thes 3:4) and not to the Great Tribulation Period, which is a specific future period of time (Mat 24:29).

C.

D.

V.

SPECIFIC VERSES THAT ARE USED BY SOME GROUPS FROM THE WRITINGS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL (Romans through Philemon) TO CONTRADICT THE BIBLE TEACHING OF ETERNAL SECURITY IN THE PRESENT CHURCH AGE. A. ROMANS 1:18-22 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian can lose his salvation by giving up his faith in God and returning to a life of sin. 2. The Bibles Answer: There is no mention in these verses of anyone being a Christian or of anyone being saved in the New Testament sense.

Page 9 of 45

GRADUATE-5 B. ROMANS 6:14-23 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that if a believer chooses to sin, he then loses the righteousness he has been working for to either keep or earn his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: The context of this passage is Romans 6:1-23 and mainly deals with a Christians relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and service, not salvation. b. Verse 23 deals with the gift of salvation and not serving to earn it. A Christian does not work (serve) to keep his own righteousness (Isa 64:6; Tit 3:5) because God gives a believer His righteousness when he believes in Jesus Christ as his savior (Rom 3:22; 2 Cor 5:21). C. ROMANS 8:1-13 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must continuously walk in the Spirit (try to live a sinless life) to insure that he has eternal life. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. There are two types of Christians. There is the Carnal Christian who walks after the flesh (1 Cor 3:1-3; 5:9-11), and there is the Godly Christian who walks after the Spirit (Rom 8:4; Tit 2:12-13). b. A Carnal Christian can lose his physical life by walking after the flesh (1 Cor 5:1-5), but cannot lose his eternal life (salvation) (1 Cor 11:30-32). D. ROMANS 11:7-22 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian will lose his salvation, as Israel (the Jews) did, if he does not continue in faith (believing in the Lord Jesus Christ) (vs.20-22). 2. The Bibles Answer: The context of this passage is not that of individual salvation, but that of a contrast between the Gentiles as a whole and Israel (the Jews) as a whole (v.32). There is no mention of Christian salvation in this passage (1 Cor 15:1-4; John 1:12; Rom 10:9-10). E. ROMANS 14:15-23 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who believes that the eating of meat sacrificed to idols is a sin, and then eats it, will go against his conscience before God and thereby lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this passage is Romans 14:1-23. This chapter is not dealing with salvation but with ones personal relationships with other Christians (v.15).

Page 10 of

GRADUATE-5 b. The use of the word damned in verse 23 is not a reference to being condemned to hell, but rather a reference to physical judgment by the Lord as in 1st Corinthians 11:28-32. F. 1st CORINTHIANS 3:16-17 1. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a believer who defiles (pollutes) his body (the temple of God) with sin will be destroyed spiritually (lose his salvation). 2. The Bibles Answer: God will destroy the physical body (the flesh) and not the spiritual body (the soul) of a believer in the Church Age (1 Cor 5:1-5). G. 1st CORINTHIANS 6:9-11 1. Some Groups Claim: These three verses prove that a Christian who commits any of these sins will lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. A Christian does not inherit eternal life (salvation), but receives it as a free gift through the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9). b. A Christian who commits these sins and does not repent may lose his physical life but not his salvation (1 Cor 5:1-5, 9-11; 11:30-32). H. 1st CORINTHIANS 9:27 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian or a preacher must live a holy life (trying to live sinless) or he will lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is that of rewards for faithfully preaching the gospel (1 Cor 9:16-27), and salvation is not found anywhere in it. b. A preacher must keep his body under subjection (control) or he will lose his ministry (be a castaway). I. 1st CORINTHIANS 10:1-12 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who commits these sins will lose his salvation like the Old Testament examples that are given here. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The Christian who commits these sins can be destroyed (killed) (1 Cor 5:5) as the people in the Old Testament were killed, but he will not lose his salvation (1 Cor 11:30-32). b. This passage is an admonition (warning) against committing sin unto death and salvation is not the issue. The fall in verse 12 refers to falling into sin and not to falling out of salvation.

Page 11 of

GRADUATE-5 J. 1st CORINTHIANS 11:29-32 1. Some Groups Claim: These four verses prove that when a believer sins and neglects to judge himself for that sin, there are two possible results: (1) he will accept the chastening of the Lord and repent or (2) he will reject the chastening and be condemned with the world, thereby losing his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: The context of these verses is 1st Corinthians 11:20-34. It is not dealing with personal salvation but with Christians who improperly partake of the Lords Supper (v.20). The sin of a Christian improperly partaking of the Lords Supper without judging himself (vs.29-31) will result in the Lord chastening him so that he will not be condemned with the world (v.32).

K. 1st CORINTHIANS 15:1-2 1. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christian will remain saved only if he continues to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of these verses is 1st Corinthians 15:1-8, which describes the gospel in detail. b. In verse 2, when the Apostle Paul states that if one keeps in memory what he preached, he is talking about believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for ones sins, stated in verses 3 and 4, which is what saves one. Otherwise, if he believes any other gospel (Gal 1:8-9), it is in vain (worthless). L. 2nd CORINTHIANS 1:24 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian remains saved only as long as he continues to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is 2nd Corinthians 1:21-24. b. A believers faith puts him in right standing with God, but the sealing of the Holy Spirit (v.22) keeps him from losing his salvation (Eph 1:13; 4:30). c. Even if a Christians faith fails, God will remain faithful and keep him from falling (2 Tim 2:13; Jude vs.1, 24-25). M. 2nd CORINTHIANS 13:1-5 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who sins should examine himself to see if he is still saved, or if he has become a reprobate (lost). 2. The Bibles Answer: This passage is a warning to a person who claims to be a Christian, but continues in sin. The professing Christian is advised to examine himself and his beliefs to determine whether he is saved (Christ is in him) or is lost (he is a reprobate) (Heb 12:5-8).

Page 12 of

GRADUATE-5

N. GALATIANS 1:6-8 1. Some Groups Claim: These three verses prove that a believer who preaches another gospel is accursed (damned) and loses his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The word accursed as used here, for not preaching the right gospel (Gal 1:8-9; 1 Cor 15:1-4), does not mean a Christian is damned to hell. b. A believer who preaches another gospel, or continues in sin, may be damned to physical death without losing his spiritual life (salvation) (1 Cor 5:1-5; 11:30-32). O. GALATIANS 4:9 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian who chooses to return to a life of sin loses his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: The context of this verse is found in Galatians 4:1-10, and deals with a saved person being in bondage to (enslavement to) observing days, months, times and years (contr. v.10 with Col 2:16 and Acts 15:10), and is not dealing with salvation. P. GALATIANS 5:4 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a believer can fall from grace, thereby losing his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is Galatians 5:1-6, a comparison of being justified by the Law to being justified by faith. b. Those who fell from grace in verse 4 were trying to be justified by keeping the Old Testament Law and were not justified by faith as New Testament believers are (Rom 5:1, 9; Gal 2:16). Q. GALATIANS 5:19-21 1. Some Groups Claim: These verses prove that a Christian who commits any of these sins, without repenting and confessing them, loses his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of these three verses is Galatians 5:16-26, a comparison of the results of a Christian who walks (lives) after the flesh to the results of a Christian who walks after the Spirit. There is no mention of gaining or losing salvation in this passage. b. A Christian who commits any of the sins mentioned in verses 19-21, without repenting and confessing them, will lose his inheritance (rewards for service Col 3:23-24) in the Kingdom Age (Eph 5:3-5), but not lose his salvation (1 Cor 6:9-12). c. Salvation is a free gift in the present Church Age and not an inheritance (Rom 4:2-6; 5:15-18; 6:23b).

Page 13 of

GRADUATE-5 R. GALATIANS 6:7-8 1. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a believer who sows to the Spirit (does good works) will reap life everlasting (has to earn his salvation). 2. The Bibles Answer: a. These two verses are speaking about a Christian either living a carnal life (sowing to the flesh) (1 Cor 3:1-3; Gal 5:19-21) or living a spiritual life (sowing to the Spirit Rom 6:8-18; Gal 5:22-25), not about salvation. b. A true believer already has life everlasting (salvation) (1 John 5:9-13). Salvation is a free gift and cannot be earned (Rom 4:2-6; Tit 3:5). c. There are rewards connected with life everlasting that can be either earned or lost (1 Cor 3:11-15). S. PHILIPPIANS 2:12-16 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must continue to work for his salvation in cooperation with God or he will lose it. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. Christian cannot work for his salvation (2 Tim 1:9; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 4:2-6) because it is a free gift (Rom 6:23; 5:15-18). The Christian works out (develops) the salvation he already has, in cooperation with God (Phil 2:12-13) by doing good works (Eph 2:10). God can only accomplish in a Christian what he allows God to do (Eph 3:20; 1 Cor 3:9; Rom 12:1). b. The working out of ones own salvation results in either gaining or losing rewards (crowns) at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10; 1 Cor 3:11-15), which will determine ones millennial inheritance. T. PHILIPPIANS 3:7-21 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage is dealing with two types of believers: (1) those that have not yet completed their salvation and (2) those that have lost their salvation and become enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. In verses 8 to 16 of this passage, the Apostle Paul is not dealing with personal salvation because a believer is already a Child of God (1 John 3:2). However, Paul is dealing with a believers being conformed to the image of Christ (Gal 4:19; Rom 8:29) by his daily way of living (Luke 9:23), thereby becoming more and more like Christ (1 Pet 2:21-24). b. In verses 17 to 19 of this passage, Paul is instructing believers in how to tell the difference between true and false teachers (Rom 16:17, 18). U. COLOSSIANS 1:23 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian must continue believing in the Lord Jesus Christ to keep his salvation.

Page 14 of

GRADUATE-5 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is Colossians 1:19-29 and there is no mention of anyone losing their salvation. b. AChristian who does not continue in the faith, does not continue to believe the real gospel (1 Cor 15:1-4) and is drawn away (Gal 1:6-9), will appear unholy, blamable and even reprovable (Col 1:21-22) at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10), but will not lose his salvation. V. 1st THESSALONIANS 3:1-10 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a believer is responsible (answerable) for standing fast in the Lord (continuing in good works) (v.8) and in the faith (continuing to believe in Jesus Christ) (vs.7, 10) or he will lose his salvation (v.5). 2. The Bibles Answer: The context of this passage is 1st Thessalonians 3:1-13 and has nothing to do with personal salvation: a. The labor of verse five is referring to the spiritual growth of the Apostle Pauls converts in Thessalonica (1 Cor 3:1-10; 2 Cor 12:20, 21; Gal 4:11) and not to the loss of their salvation. b. The standing fast of verse 8 is a reference to a Christian maintaining his fellowship with the Lord (1 John 1:7) and not to the loss of his salvation. c. The faith of verses 7 and 10 is not a reference to the faith that results in salvation. Rather, this is a reference to the growing faith (trusting in God) that a Christian should have in order to deal with everyday situations (Heb 11:6-13; Pro 3:5-6). W. 1st TIMOTHY 1:19 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian whose faith is shipwrecked (lost his belief in Christ) has lost his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is 1st Timothy 1:18-20, where the subject is that of ministry and not salvation. b. The ministries of Hymenaeus and Alexander were shipwrecked because they were teaching false doctrine (2 Tim 2:16-18), but their salvation was not lost (1 Cor 5:1-5). X. 1st TIMOTHY 2:15 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian must continue in faith (belief), charity (a giving love), holiness (sinlessness) and sobriety (seriousness) in order to stay saved. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is 1st Timothy 2:11-15 and concerns a man and his wife. b. There is no mention of being saved from hell. The word saved in the Bible does not always mean being saved from hell (Luke 1:71; Acts 27:19-20).

Page 15 of

GRADUATE-5 c. Because the woman is the weaker vessel (1 Pet 3:7), she will be saved from being spiritually deceived (fooled or tricked) by Satan (2 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 5:14-15) during childbearing (pregnancy) and hormonal (mood) swings if the man and his wife continue in faith, charity and holiness with sobriety. Y. 1st TIMOTHY 4:1 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian can depart from the faith by no longer believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and no longer living a Christian life, thereby losing his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is 1st Timothy 4:1-7. This passage is about believers turning away from good doctrine and turning to false doctrine. b. The word faith in this verse is a reference to the teachings that one believes (denominational beliefs) (1 Tim 5:8; 4:6-7) and not to a personal faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (2 Tim 2:13). Z. 1st TIMOTHY 4:16 1. Some Groups Claim: a. One group believes that this verse proves that a believer must continually be careful in what he does and what he believes or he will lose his salvation. b. Another group believes that a Christian must continually be careful in what he does and what he believes to insure that he will be saved at death. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is 1st Timothy 4:6-16. b. In this verse, the word save does not mean being saved from hell (Luke 1:71; Acts 27:19-20), but is a reference to the saving of Timothys ministry (Gal 4:11) and the saving of those that hear him from false doctrine (teaching) (1 Tim 4:6-7, 11-13, 15). AA. 1st TIMOTHY 5:8 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian who denies the faith, stops believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, is worse than an infidel (a non-believer) and loses his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is 1st Timothy 5:1-25, there is no mention of anyone being saved or losing his salvation in the whole chapter. b. The use of the word faith here has the same meaning as it does in 1st Timothy 4:1, doctrines of the Bible (Jude v.3). c. Denying the faith here does not mean to stop believing in Jesus Christ, but does mean denying ones responsibilities to his family.

Page 16 of

GRADUATE-5 BB. 1st TIMOTHY 5:11-12 1. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a believer who is a widow that stops believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is damned (loses her salvation). 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of these verses is 1st Timothy 5:9-16, there is no mention of anyone being saved or losing his salvation. b. Damnation does not always mean losing ones salvation. The word damnation also means, to be judged worthy of punishment; to condemn to a punishment as in 1st Corinthians 11:29-32. c. In 1st Timothy 5:12 the widow is judged to be worthy of punishment for casting off her first faith. The first faith of this verse is a reference to the faith mentioned in 1st Timothy 4:1 and 5:8 (doctrines of the Bible), and is not a reference to personal faith (belief) in Jesus Christ for salvation. 1st TIMOTHY 5:15 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian who turns aside (stops believing in the Lord Jesus Christ) and then turns to Satan, or the World, will lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is 1st Timothy 5:9-16, there is no mention of anyone being saved or losing his salvation. b. A Christian can turn aside after Satan without losing his salvation (Mat 16:13-23). c. A Christian can even be turned over to Satan without losing his salvation (1 Cor 5:1-5; 1 Tim 1:20). 1st TIMOTHY 6:12 and 19 1. Some Groups Claim: These verses prove that a believer must do good works to deserve (earn) his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. There is no mention of anyone being saved or losing his salvation in the whole chapter. b. The context of verse 12 is 1st Timothy 6:9-12. The laying hold of eternal life in verse 12 is the keeping in mind of eternal life that is to come, to encourage Christians to do good works (Eph 2:10). c. The context of verse 19 is 1st Timothy 6:17-19. The laying hold of eternal life in verse 19 is a reference to the quality of a Christians eternal life which is determined by what he does during his earthly life (1 Cor 3:10-15; 2:9). d. Jesus Christ alone lays the foundation for salvation (1 Cor 3:11), but the foundation for rewards in verse 19 is laid by each Christian himself (1 Cor 3:12; Mat 6:19-21).

CC.

DD.

Page 17 of

GRADUATE-5 EE. 2nd TIMOTHY 2:12 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian who says that he no longer believes that Jesus Christ is his savior will lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is 2nd Timothy 2:11-13 and there is no mention of anyone being saved or losing his salvation in the whole chapter. b. Verse 12 is about reigning with Jesus Christ during the Kingdom Age (the Millennium) (Rev 20:6). If a Christian denies Christ during his earthly life, he will not be allowed to reign (rule) with Christ during the Millennium (Luke 19:22-27; 12:8-9). c. Verse 13 shows that even if a Christian loses his faith in Christ, Jesus remains faithful and cannot deny the Christian because he is part of Christs Body (Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27). 2nd TIMOTHY 2:24-26 1. Some Groups Claim: These three verses prove that a believer who learns and teaches false doctrine, causing other believers to lose their faith, will lose his own salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of these verses is 2nd Timothy 2:17-26 and there is no mention of anyone being saved or losing his salvation. b. Hymenaeus and Alexander taught false doctrine that destroyed (made shipwreck of) their ministries (1 Tim 1:18-20). These two men did not lose their salvation, but were delivered to Satan so that they might learn not to blaspheme. Hymenaeus and Alexander could have lost their physical life without losing their salvation, just like the Christian in 1st Corinthians 5:1-5. c. A believer may lose his possessions (Job 1:7-12), his health (Job 2:1-7) and even his life (1 Cor 5:5) without losing his salvation. 2nd TIMOTHY 3:13-15 1. Some Groups Claim: The evil men and seducers of this passage are Christians who have given up their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ (gone into apostasy). They, being deceived and then deceiving others, lose their salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this passage is 2nd Timothy 3:1-15, and there is no mention of anyone losing his salvation in this passage. b. This passage is a prophecy of the last days (v.1), which will have lost men (reprobate concerning salvation) in local churches who will oppose and deceive believers (vs.8, 13).

FF.

GG.

Page 18 of

GRADUATE-5 HH. 2nd TIMOTHY 4:1-4 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a believer who departs from sound (correct) doctrine will turn to false teachings and lose his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: The context (subject) of this passage is that of believers falling away from sound doctrine (right teaching). There is no mention of anyone being saved or losing his personal salvation in this passage. TITUS 3:10-11 1. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a believer who is a heretic (a person who has beliefs that go against correct Bible teachings), and refuses to give up his wrong beliefs when shown the truth, condemns himself and loses his salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. A heretic is a believer who teaches false doctrine (heresy) (1 Cor 11:19; 2 Pet 2:1). b. A heretic who is condemned may become weak, sick and even die without losing his salvation (1 Cor 11:19, 30-32). c. The word condemn does not always mean, damned to hell. In Titus 3:10-11 the word condemn means, being guilty of wrong doing, just as it does in Luke 23:32-33 and 39-41.

II.

VI.

SPECIFIC VERSES THAT ARE USED BY SOME GROUPS FROM THE GENERAL EPISTLES TO CONTRADICT THE BIBLE TEACHING OF ETERNAL SECURITY IN THE PRESENT CHURCH AGE. A. As the Gospel of Matthew Is a Transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament and the Book of Acts Is a Transition from the Jewish Church to the Christian Church (made up of both Jews and Gentiles), so the General Epistles (beginning with Hebrews and ending with Jude) Are a Transition from the Church Age to the Tribulation Period. 1. There are three separate groups of people dealt with in the Bible: (1) the Jews, (2) the Gentiles and (3) the Church of God (Christians) (1 Cor 10:32). 2. All Scripture was written for Christians, but not all to Christians, nor all about Christians (1 Cor 10:11; Rom 15:4). 3. Just as the Christian uses the Old Testament for practical application in the present Church Age, he can also use passages about the Tribulation Period and the Millennium for practical (spiritual) application. 4. The General Epistles are written mainly to believers during the Tribulation Period, where salvation will be by grace through faith and works (maintaining their testimony unto the end death) (Rev 14:12-13).

Page 19 of

GRADUATE-5 B. Even though the Epistle of Hebrews Was Written to the Jews Living during the Early Church Age, It mainly Applies to the Believers Who Will Be Living During the Tribulation Period (called these last days in Heb 1:2 and the end of the world in Heb 9:26). Hebrews Is not Addressed to Christians Living in the present Church Age, therefore, the Book of Hebrews Cannot Be Applied Doctrinally for Salvation to the Christian Living in the present Church Age. 1. HEBREWS 2:1-14 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who neglects his salvation (does not continue in faith or good works) will lose it. b. The Bibles Answer: The word we of verse 1 in this passage refers to Jews and not Gentile Christians (notice the signs and wonders of Heb 2:4 and compare 1 Cor 1:22). 2. HEBREWS 3:6-19 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage is a warning to believers about being hardened through the deceitfulness (dishonesty) of sin (v.13), falling into unbelief, and departing from God and Jesus Christ, thereby losing their salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is Hebrews 3:1-19. Verses 7 to 10 and verses 15 to 19 are clearly directed at Hebrews (Jews). 2) The references to holding fast and being steadfast unto the end in verses 6 and 14 are clearly referring to those Jews who must endure unto the end of the Tribulation Period at the Second Coming of Christ (Mat 24:3, 13-14, 29). 3) A believer can lose his salvation during the Tribulation Period by worshipping the beast and his image, by receiving the beasts mark in his forehead or hand and by not keeping the commandments or his faith in Jesus Christ (Rev 14:9-12; 20:4). 4) Hebrews 3:6 and 3:14 cannot apply to a Christian in the present Church Age because he is sealed, confirmed, kept and preserved faultless (blameless) until Jesus Christ returns for him (Eph 4:30; 1 Cor 1:7, 8; 2 Tim 1:12; Jude v.24). 3. HEBREWS 4:1-16 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must continue in good works and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ to either earn his salvation or to keep his salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of Hebrews chapter four is Jewish because the gospel spoken of in verse 2 is that of the Kingdom Age (Mat 24:13-14), which follows the Tribulation Period (Mat 24:21, 29-30). 2) Therefore, believers living during the Great Tribulation (not Church Age Christians) must continue keeping the commandments and believing in Jesus Christ to either earn or keep their salvation (Rev 14:12).

Page 20 of

GRADUATE-5 3) A Christian during the present Church Age does not require works for his salvation (Eph 2:8-9; 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 3:5). 4. HEBREWS 5:8-9 a. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that only those who obey Jesus Christs commandments will be saved. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of these verses is Hebrews 5:1-14, and there is no mention in this passage of keeping Christs commandments. 2) The references to gifts (Heb 5:1; Exo 28:38), sacrifices (Heb 5:1; Exo 10:25) and oracles of God (Heb 5:12; Rom 3:1-2) clearly show that this chapter is directed at the Jews. 3) The Jews will have to obey the Commandments during the future Tribulation Period in order to be saved (Rev 14:12). 4) Christians in the present Church Age obey Christs commands because they are already saved (John 14:15; Acts 15:8-11; Rom 16:25-26). 5. HEBREWS 6:10-20 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must do four things until the end of his earthly life in order to inherit the promises, which includes eternal life: (1) hold fast the confession of his hope, (2) not be ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ, (3) continue in good works and (4) keep his faith in Christ. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is Hebrews 6:1-20, which is directed at Jews and not Christians (vs.11-14). 2) The promises of verse 12 are referring to the promises that were made to the Jews in the Old Testament (Jer 33:14; Rom 9:4), that will be fulfilled after the future Tribulation Period (Mat 24:3, 13, 29; Heb 11:13). 3) A Jew must hold fast his confession of Jesus Christ (Rev 6:9; 14:12) to the end of the Tribulation Period (Mat 24:13-14), continue in good works (Rev 14:13), and keep believing in Christ (Rev 20:4) in order to inherit the promises, including eternal life. 6. HEBREWS 9:28 a. Some Groups Claim: 1) One group claims that this verse proves a believer must continue to look for the Lord Jesus Christ, maintain his faith in Christ and do good works until Christs Second Coming (or the believers death) to keep his salvation. 2) Another group claims that one is not saved unless he has maintained both his faith and his good works until death or until Christ returns. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this verse is Hebrews 9:1-28, which is clearly directed at Jews and not Christians (vs.1-9, 19-25).

Page 21 of

GRADUATE-5 2) Those looking for Christs appearing is a reference to believers during the future Tribulation Period, just before Christs Second Coming (Mat 24:29-31, 42-44; Rev 1:7). 3) Jewish believers will be required to keep their faith in Christ and keep Gods commandments to be saved during the Tribulation Period (Rev 14:9-14). 4) Christians during the present Church Age who are not looking for Christs appearing when He returns, at the rapture, will lose a crown of reward, but not their salvation (2 Tim 4:8; 1 Cor 3:13-15). 7. HEBREWS 10:19-31 a. Some Groups Claim: 1) One group claims the following: (1) in verse 23 of this passage, there is a warning to the Christian to hold fast (keep) his profession of faith or he will lose his salvation, (2) Gods faithfulness in this passage only applies to those who remain faithful to Him and (3) in verse 26 of this passage, the Christian that willfully sins (goes into apostasy) and continues to sin, refusing Gods reproof (strong warning), cannot be forgiven and loses his salvation. 2) Another group claims the following: (1) if a Christian willfully sins after salvation and loses it, there is no way to regain his salvation and (2) verse 29 proves that remaining in apostasy is the same as rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ, His payment for sin and the work of the Holy Spirit. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is Hebrews 10:1-31, which is directed at Jews and not Christians (v.1 mentions the Law, v.3 mentions sacrifices, v.11 mentions a priest and v.28 mentions Moses). 2) The covenant referred to in verse 16 is the one God will make in the future with the Jews (Jer 31:31-34), after the Tribulation Period (Heb 8:7-13; Rom 11:25-28; Mat 24:29-31). 3) The profession of faith in verse 23 is not a reference to a Christian professing (confessing) his faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, but a reference to the public profession of the Jewish faith required during the Tribulation Period (Rev 14:9-12), which includes professing Jesus Christ and the keeping of the Commandments (including the statutes, judgments and ordinances) (Deu 7:11; Lev 18:4). 4) Gods faithfulness (v.23) is not affected by a Christians unfaithfulness to Him (2 Tim 2:11-13; Col 1:18-20; Psa 89:27-33). The Lord will chasten a Christian who willfully sins (Heb 10:26; 1 Cor 11:32; Heb 12:6-8; Rev 3:19). However, if he continues to sin, God will turn the Christian over to Satan to kill his body, but his soul and spirit will still be saved (1 Cor 5:1-5).

Page 22 of

GRADUATE-5 5) Verse 29 is not a reference to Church Age Christians but to Jews in the Tribulation Period who willfully reject Jesus Christ as their Messiah after they hear the gospel, like the Jews did in Acts 6:8 to 7:60. 8. HEBREWS 10:38-39 a. Some Groups Claim: The just man (a Christian) of verse 38 is accepted by God and lives by faith. If he loses his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and draws back from doing good works, he is no longer accepted by God and loses his salvation. Those in verse 39 who draw back from (leave) the Christian faith and stop confessing Jesus Christ will also lose their salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of these two verses is Hebrews 10:26-39, which is written by a Jew to the Hebrews (Jews). 2) The writer of Hebrews uses the collective we in verse 39 in the same way that the Old Testament prophets did when referring to themselves and their people, the Jews (Isa 53:1-6; Dan 9:3-11). Therefore, the we in verse 39 are the Jews of verse 26. 3) The just man of verse 38 and those who draw back in verse 39 are Jews in the future Tribulation Period who can lose their salvation by not keeping the commandments (doing good works) or by losing their faith in Jesus Christ (Rev 14:12-13). 4) A Christian in the present Church Age is assured of salvation (1 John 5:13) and of being kept by the Lord until the end (1 Cor 1:6-8; 2 Tim 1:12; Jude v.1, 24-25). 9. HEBREWS 11:13-16 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that the earthly life of a Christian is a test of patient endurance of his faith until death, and any Christian who returns to his old way of life can lose all of the believers promises, including salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is Hebrews 11:1-40. 2) The word these in verse 13 is a reference to Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Sara (vs.4-11), who were all Old Testament believers that lived before the New Testament was in force (came into effect Heb 9:16-17). These Old Testament believers were not saved by grace through faith alone as New Testament believers are saved (Gal 3:5-18). 3) The people mentioned in the rest of chapter 11 (vs.17-40) are also all Old Testament believers. 10. HEBREWS 12:1-11 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian in the race for salvation must continue living the Christian life and keep his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ without despising (hating) Gods chastening (punishments) in order to keep, or win, his salvation.

Page 23 of

GRADUATE-5 b. The Bibles Answer: 1) A Christian is not in a race to win (earn) salvation (Eph 2:8-9), but he is in a race to win a reward for faithful service to God (1 Cor 9:16-27). 2) A Christian who despises Gods chastening may be killed, but he is not eternally condemned (1 Cor 5:1-5; 11:30-32). 11. HEBREWS 12:12-17 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must continue to live a sinless life and be at peace with others to be saved. Esau is an example of a Christian who went so far into sin that he failed of (lost) the grace of God and was defiled (v.15) but when he tried to repent, God would not accept it and he lost his promises, including salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is Hebrews 12:1-29. 2) Remembering that the whole Book of Hebrews mainly applies doctrinally to the nation of Israel (the Jews) living during the future Tribulation Period (see VI. A. and B. above), this passage (Heb 12:12-17) is mainly dealing with Christs appearing at the end of the Tribulation Period (Hag 2:6-7; Mat 24:29-30; Rev 1:5-7; 6:12-17). 12. HEBREWS 12:25-29 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage is a warning to disobedient Christians who forsake the serving of the Lord that they will lose their salvation and be consumed by Gods fire after Judgment Day (the White Throne Judgment) (Rev 20:11-15). b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is Hebrews 12:1-29. 2) Verses 25 and 26 are clearly a reference to God speaking to the nation of Israel (the Jews) from Mount Sinai in Exodus 19:16-20 and 20:18-22, and not to Christians. 3) The word now in verse 26 is a reference to the Lord speaking at His Second Coming (Eze 38:19-22; Hag 2:6-7), after the future Tribulation Period. 4) The word serve in verse 28 is a reference to serving the Lord Jesus Christ acceptably on earth during the future Kingdom Age (the Millennium) and not to a Christian serving Christ reasonably during the present Church Age (Rom 12:1). 5) The Christian in the Church Age serves God with reverence and Godly fear to receive a reward during the Millennium and not to earn his salvation (Col 3:24-25). 6) A Christians works (service) may be consumed by fire, but not the Christian himself (1 Cor 3:11-15).

Page 24 of

GRADUATE-5 C. The Epistle of James Was Written to the Jews Living during the Early Church Age, and mainly Applies Doctrinally to the Believers Who Will Be Living during the Tribulation Period. 1. James Is not addressed to Christians living during the present Church Age, but to the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Jas 1:1). 2. The Jews in both the Old Testament (Jas 2:20-26) and the Tribulation Period (Rev 14:1-13) are justified and earn their salvation by both faith and works. However, in the present Church Age, Christians cannot earn their salvation, but are justified and saved by faith alone in the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1, 9; Eph 2:8-9). 3. The Book of James cannot be applied doctrinally for salvation to Christians living in the present Church Age, but it can be applied practically, or devotionally by Christians (Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 10:11). 4. JAMES 1:12-16 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage is a warning to a Christian of the danger of taking for granted that he is still saved while deliberately continuing in sin. If he continues to give in to temptation, the result will be the loss of the crown of life, which is salvation. However, the Christian who endures temptation to the end will be saved (receive the crown of eternal life). b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is James 1:1-27, which is addressed to the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Jews v.1; Rev 7:1-8). 2) Those who endure temptation during the future Tribulation Period will receive a crown of life (v.12; Rev 2:10). This crown of life is not salvation (eternal life), but one of five crowns of reward, which are either earned or lost (1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 John v.8). 5. JAMES 1:21-24 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must not only hear and believe Gods commandments, but he must also keep them to be saved. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of the Book of James is the future Tribulation Period. 2) The Jews (the Twelve Tribes of Israel) living during the Tribulation Period will be judged for keeping their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and for keeping Gods commandments (Rev 14:1-13; Mat 24:3, 13-14, 21, 29-31). 3) This passage is not a reference to Christians. A Christians work during the present Church Age will be judged to determine his rewards and not to determine his salvation (1 Cor 3:11-15). 6. JAMES 2:14-26 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must have the kind of faith that produces works of righteousness to be justified (saved).

Page 25 of

GRADUATE-5 b. The Bibles Answer: 1) This passage is addressed to the brethren, Jews in the future Tribulation Period (Jas 1:1-2; 2:1, 14), and not to Christians in the present Church Age. 2) Abraham in Genesis 15:5-6 was made righteous by believing that God would give him children (seed), as many as the stars that he saw in heaven (sky). Abraham was not made righteous by his faith in what the Lord Jesus Christ would do on the cross at Calvary. 3) Abraham was not justified until 17 years after he was declared righteous (Jas 2:21) when he offered up Isaac in Genesis 22:9-12. 4) A Christian in the present Church Age is made righteous by faith (Rom 3:21-22) and justified by faith, apart from the law (Gal 2:16). He is also justified by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ without works (Rom 5:1, 9) at the moment of salvation (Eph 2:8-9), when he receives Jesus as his personal savior (John 1:12; Rom 4:3-5; 10:9-10). 7. JAMES 4:4-10 a. Some Groups Claim: 1) One group claims that this passage proves a Christian cannot be saved and stay saved by simply accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior. He must not participate in (join in) the sins of the world, but must continue to resist temptation and the Devil to remain saved. 2) Another group claims that a Christian must do the above until death to be saved. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is James 4:1-17, which is directed at Jews under the Law (vs.11-12). The mention of brethren in verse 11 is a reference to the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Jas 1:1-2) and not to Christians. 2) This passage is aimed at double-minded Jews during the future Tribulation Period who are unable to decide whether or not to humble themselves and receive Jesus Christ as their savior (v.8). 3) A Christian in the present Church Age who participates in the sins of the world and does not resist temptation and the Devil will lose his reward and inheritance (1 Cor 3:11-15), and may even lose his life, without losing his salvation (1 Cor 5:5; 11:30-32). 8. JAMES 5:19-20 a. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christian who strays from the truth will lose his salvation. However, he can be reconverted and saved once again. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of these two verses is James 5:1-20.

Page 26 of

GRADUATE-5 2) Notice the reference to the brethren and to the prophets in verses 10 and 19, which are clearly directed at the Jews (Jas 1:1-2) in the future Tribulation Period. These Jews are saved by maintaining their faith and works (Rev 14:12-13), unless they commit the unpardonable sin (Rev 14:9-11). 3) A Christian in the present Church Age who sins, repents and is renewed to full fellowship with God is saved from possible weakness, sickness and death (1 Cor 11:30-32) without ever losing his salvation (1 Cor 3:15; 5:5). D. The First and Second Epistles (letters) of Peter Were Written during the Early Church Age to both Jews and Gentiles. These Books Have a double doctrinal Application for Salvation, and each Verse must Be Taken within Its immediate Context to Determine whether the Doctrinal Application Is to the Church Age or to the Tribulation Period. These Letters Were Written after Acts Chapter 15 (A.D. 52), where Salvation for both the Jews and the Gentiles Was Determined to Be by Faith alone (Acts 15:1, 5-11; Eph 2:8-9). 1. 1st PETER 1:5-13 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian is saved and maintains his salvation by Gods power through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, he has the responsibility of continually maintaining that faith to remain saved. Therefore, salvation is a present, constant believing in Jesus Christ and the faith on which the Christians continual union with Christ depends is not a single act of receiving Jesus by faith. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is 1st Peter 1:1-25, and is aimed doctrinally at Church Age Christians (vs.1-2), who are kept saved by Gods power (vs.3-5) and not their own power (2 Tim 1:9-12). 2) Salvation in the present Church Age is a single act of receiving Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Rom 10:9-10, 13) by faith alone (Eph 2:8-9) and believing in the gospel (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Cor 15:1-4) for the forgiveness of ones sins (Col 1:13-14). nd 2. 2 PETER 1:4-11 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must continue in works that result in spiritual fruit (vs.5-7) (making his calling and election sure), to gain an entrance into Christs everlasting kingdom (eternal life). However, a Christian who does not continue in works that result in spiritual fruit, will lose his salvation, which is the same as those not abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:4-6). b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is 2nd Peter 1:1-21, which is not personal salvation. 2) The items mentioned in (vs.5-7) are the works (fruits) of a saved person (Gal 5:22-23; Eph 2:8-10).

Page 27 of

GRADUATE-5 3) A Christian may end up unfruitful (having no works) and still be saved (1 Cor 3:11-15). He is to get assurance of both his election (salvation 1 Thes 1:4; John 1:12) and his calling (ministry Rom 1:1) so as to not fall into the sin of unfruitfulness. 4) A Christian is assured of his election (salvation, eternal life 1 John 5:9-13) because he is sealed with the Holy Spirit at salvation and is kept until Jesus Christ returns for him (Eph 1:13; 4:30). 3. 2nd PETER 2:1-22 a. Some Groups Claim: The false teachers in this chapter are those who lead Christians astray by damnable heresies. Both the teachers and the Christians condemn themselves (lose their salvation) by falsely believing that they can continue in sin (the promised liberty of v.19), escape Gods wrath (anger) at the Day of Judgment and still have an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ (salvation). b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this chapter is the future Tribulation Period, just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 2) Second Peter chapter 2 is about the false teachers who will arise during the future Tribulation Period to deceive believers, not about Christians in the present Church Age being deceived (vs.1, 18-20) who are condemned, and those who are deceived by them (vs.1, 20). 3) The references to Noah and Lot in verses 4 to 9 are the same references used by the Lord Jesus Christ for the period just before He returns (the Tribulation Period) (Mat 24:3, 29-30, 36-44; Luke 17:26-30). 4) The deceived in verse 20 are those who are saved in the Tribulation Period and lose their salvation (Mat 24:3-14). The dogs and sows of verse 22 are the false teachers of verse 1 and not Church Age Christians. In the Bible, Church Age Christians are never referred to as either dogs or sows. 5) The judgment found in verse 9 is a reference to the Great White Throne Judgment, after the Millennium (Rev 20:11-15), not the Judgment Seat of Christ after the Church Age (Rom 14:10; 1 Cor 3:11-15). nd 4. 2 PETER 3:15-17 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who is led astray by false doctrine (the error of the wicked) will fall from his steadfastness (maintaining his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and living a holy life) and lose his salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is 2nd Peter 3:1-18.

Page 28 of

GRADUATE-5 2) In verse 3, the term, the last days is a reference to the future Tribulation Period just before the Second Coming of Christ (2 Pet 3:3, 4; Mat 24:3, 29-30), not a reference to the present Church Age. 3) Believers in the Tribulation Period who fall from their steadfastness (do not hold out to the end) will lose their salvation (Mat 24:13; Rev 14:9-11). 4) Church Age believers who fall from their steadfastness may lose their millennial inheritance (1 Cor 6:9-10), their health (1 Cor 11:30-32), their rewards (1 Cor 3:11-15) and even their physical life (1 Cor 5:5), without losing their salvation. E. The First, Second and Third Epistles of John Were Written during the Early Church Age to both Jews and Gentiles. These Letters Have a double doctrinal Application for Salvation, and each Verse must Be Taken within Its immediate Context to Determine whether the doctrinal Application Is to the present Church Age or to the future Tribulation Period. 1. 1st JOHN 2:1-11 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian must keep the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ as an essential (necessary) part of his salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The two words these things in verse 1 show that this passage is a continuation of chapter 1. 2) The context of this passage is neither salvation nor eternal damnation, but brotherly love (1 John 2:8-11). 3) The keeping of commandments (1 John 2:4) is not necessary for salvation in the present Church Age (Eph 2:8-10, 13-15; Acts 16:30-31; Rom 10:9-10), but is necessary for fellowship (1 John 1:3, 6-7). 5) During the future Tribulation Period, the keeping of commandments will be necessary to be saved for Christs brethren, the Jews (Rev 14:1-12; Mat 25:31-46). 6) During the Tribulation Period, those Jews who do not love one another (1 John 3:22-24) will lose their salvation (Mat 24:3-21). st 2. 1 JOHN 2:15-17 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who does not maintain his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and loves the World (the non-Christian life) loses his salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is 1st John 2:12-20. Verse 18 clearly shows that these verses are a reference to the last time (Mat 24:3, 29-30) and to the Antichrist, who will be revealed during the future Tribulation Period (2 Thes 2:1-10). 2) Those in the Tribulation Period must maintain their good works (commandments) and their faith in Jesus Christ to remain saved (Rev 7:14; 14:12).

Page 29 of

GRADUATE-5 3) In the present Church Age, a Christian who does not maintain his works or faith in Jesus Christ can lose his millennial inheritance (1 Cor 6:9-10), his health (1 Cor 11:30-32), his rewards (1 Cor 3:11-15), and even his physical life (1 Cor 5:5), but he will not lose his salvation. st 3. 1 JOHN 2:18-19 a. Some Groups Claim: 1) One group claims these two verses prove that a Christian that is persuaded by false teachers (antichrists) to depart from (go out from) those who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ gives up his belief in Christ and loses his salvation. 2) Another group claims that this may also refer to a professing Christian who was never saved. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of these two verses is 1st John 2:12-19. Verse 18 clearly shows that these verses are a reference to the last time (Mat 24:3, 29-30) and the Antichrist, who will be revealed during the future Tribulation Period (2 Thes 2:1-10). 2) A Believer in the Tribulation Period who departs from his faith in Jesus Christ will lose his salvation (Rev 14:1-11). 3) A Christian in the present Church Age who is persuaded to depart from his faith in Jesus Christ does not lose his salvation, because Jesus is sealed inside him (Eph 1:13; Gal 2:20) and the Christian cannot be denied by Christ (2 Tim 2:13). 4. 1st JOHN 2:22-23 a. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christian who denies his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ withdraws from a saving relationship with Jesus and sacrifices (loses) his eternal life. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of these two verses is 1st John 2:12-29. Verses 18 and 22 clearly show that these two verses (vs.22-23) are references to the last time (Mat 24:3, 29-30) and to the Antichrist, who will be revealed during the future Tribulation Period (2 Thes 2:1-10). 2) Anyone in the Tribulation Period who worships the Antichrist (the Beast) and receives his mark (Rev 14:9-11) will be denying God the Father and Jesus Christ (2 Thes 2:4), thereby making him an antichrist (1 John 4:2-3) and losing his eternal life. 3) A Christian in the present Church Age who denies Jesus Christ will not be allowed to reign (rule) with Him during the Millennium (Rev 20:6; Luke 19:22-26; 2 Tim 2:11-13). 5. 1st JOHN 2:24-28 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who does not keep his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (abide in Him) and does not make a conscious effort to do well and avoid evil will lose his salvation.

Page 30 of

GRADUATE-5 b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is 1st John 2:12-29. Verses 18 and 22 clearly show that this passage is a reference to the last time (Mat 24:3, 29-30) and to the Antichrist, who will be revealed during the future Tribulation Period (2 Thes 2:1-10). 2) A believer in the future Tribulation Period who does not keep his faith in Jesus Christ and does not make a conscious effort to do good and avoid evil will lose his salvation (Rev 14:9-13). 3) A Christian in the present Church Age who does not keep his faith in Jesus and does not make a conscious effort to do good and avoid evil will lose his fellowship with God and Christ (1 John 1:3-4, 7), but not his salvation because Jesus is sealed in the believer and He cannot deny Himself (Eph 1:13; Gal 2:20; 2 Tim 2:11-13). st 6. 1 JOHN 2:29 to 3:10 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who is born of God must keep a right relationship with Him by not willfully sinning and by continually confessing his sins, thereby remaining a child of God. The Christian will have eternal life only if he keeps this relationship (abiding in God). Those who willfully sin will no longer abide in God and thereby lose their salvation (their right relationship with God). b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is 1st John 2:29 to 3:24, which has a double application, to the Tribulation Period and to the present Church Age. 2) This passage applies doctrinally to the believer in the Tribulation Period who must not only see the Lord Jesus (1 John 3:6; Zec 12:10), but must also believe on Him (John 6:40; 1 John 3:23-24) and keep His commandments to be saved (Rev 14:9-13). 3) The believer in the present Church Age cannot sin and lose his salvation because his soul is cut away (spiritually circumcised) from his physical body and sins (Col 2:8-14). 4) If a Christian sins after this spiritual circumcision, that sin will affect his body and rewards, but not the eternal destiny of his soul (1 Cor 3:11-15; 5:1-5; 11:30-32). 5) A Christians soul is redeemed and sealed the moment he is saved (Eph 1:13; 1 Pet 1:18-19), but his body awaits redemption at the rapture (Eph 4:30; Rom 8:23; 1 Cor 15:50-54). 7. 1st JOHN 5:4-5 Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christian overcomes the World, the Devil and the Flesh (sin) by his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If he gives up his faith in Christ, he fails to continue to overcome and thereby loses his salvation. The Bibles Answer:

Page 31 of

GRADUATE-5 1) The context of this passage is 1st John 5:1-5. 2) his passage is clearly a reference to the future Tribulation Period because, during that time, one must believe on Jesus Christ (1 John 5:1, 5) and keep the commandments of Christ (1 John 5:2, 3) to overcome, and thereby be saved (Rev 14:9-13). c. In the present Church Age, a Christian does not have to both believe on Christ and keep His commandments to overcome and be saved (Eph 2:8-16), he only has to believe on Jesus Christ to be saved (Acts 16:30-31; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Rom 10:9-10). 8. 1st JOHN 5:16 a. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian can commit a sin that results in the loss of his salvation (sin unto death). Other believers are not to pray about that sin for him. This sin may be his falling into apostasy, committing the unpardonable sin or denying that the Lord Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this verse is 1st John 5:1-21 and there is no mention of anyone losing his salvation in the whole chapter, but there is mention of someone losing his physical life (v.16). 2) There are sins that result in God killing a Christian physically (1 Cor 3:15-17; 5:1-5; 11:30-32; Acts 5:1-5). These sins only result in physical death and have no effect on a Church Age Christians eternal life. nd 9. 2 JOHN vs.6-9 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who stops living the Christian life, not keeping Christs commandments and loses his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will lose his salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is the whole Letter of 2nd John. 2) The context is about doing something (vs.4-6) to get a full (complete) reward (v.8) and not about salvation (1 Cor 3:11-15). 3) The keeping of commandments mentioned in verses 4 through 6 is not a reference to salvation but to the loving of fellow-believers (v.5). E. The Epistle of Jude Was Written in the Early Church Age and Is Primarily Aimed at Jews (Hebrews) since It States Old Testament Facts and Traditions without any Explanation (Jude vs.5, 7, 11, 14). Jude clearly Applies doctrinally to the Tribulation Period. This Is Evident by the References to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in verse 14 and the last time mentioned in verse 18. The Context of this whole Letter Is that of Preparation for the Second Advent (coming) of Christ.

Page 32 of

GRADUATE-5

1. JUDE vs.5-12 a. Some Groups Claim: This passage proves that a Christian who was once saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ must continue to believe in Him to keep his salvation. If he turns back to his old life of sin, he will lose his salvation, becoming twice dead and headed for the eternal lake of fire found in Revelation 21:8. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of this passage is the whole Epistle of Jude. This Letter is doctrinally directed at believers in the future Tribulation Period (Mat 24:3, 29-30), who can lose their salvation (Rev 7:14; 14:9-12), and not to Church Age believers. 2) Notice the reference to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in Jude 14 and the reference to the Tribulation Period (last time) in Jude verse18. 3) This passage does apply practically to the present Church Age Christian who turns back to a life of sin. He may lose his millennial inheritance (1 Cor 6:9-10), his rewards (1 Cor 3:11-15) and even his physical life (1 Cor 5:5), but not his salvation. 2. JUDE vs.20-21 a. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christian must keep his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, continue in good works (build himself up), obey God (by keeping His commandments and loving others), and look for Christs appearing until he dies, or until Jesus comes, in order to be saved. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of these two verses is the whole Epistle of Jude. This Letter is doctrinally directed for salvation to believers in the future Tribulation Period, who can lose their salvation (Mat 24:29-30), and not to Church Age Believers. 2) During the Tribulation Period, those who do not keep their faith in Jesus Christ, continue in good works, obey God, and look for Christs coming will lose their salvation (Rev 7:14; 14:9-12; Mat 24:42-44; Heb 9:28). 3) A Christian in the present Church Age who does not keep his faith in Jesus Christ, does not continue in good works, does not obey God, or is not looking for Christs appearing (at the rapture) will lose crowns of reward (2 Tim 4:8). A Christian will not lose his salvation (1 Cor 3:11-15) because Jesus Christ remains faithful even if he does not (2 Tim 2:13). 3. JUDE vs.22-23 a. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christian who strays from the truth and departs from the faith (apostatizes) loses his salvation. b. The Bibles Answer: 1) The context of these verses is the whole Epistle of Jude.

Page 33 of

GRADUATE-5

2) This Letter is doctrinally directed for salvation to believers in the future Tribulation Period, who can lose their salvation (Mat 24:29-30) and not to Church Age believers. 3) A Christian in the present Church Age who strays from the truth and departs from the faith will spot his garment (fine linen), his personal righteousness (Rev 19:7-8; Eph 5:22-27), but will not lose his salvation because he has the spiritual righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). 4) A Christians personal righteousness is dealt with at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). This is where Jesus will cleanse His Church (Christians) from their personal sins (Eph 5:24, 26-27).

VII.

SPECIFIC VERSES FROM THE BOOK OF REVELATION THAT ARE OFTEN USED BY SOME GROUPS TO CONTRADICT THE BIBLE TEACHING OF ETERNAL SECURITY IN THE PRESENT CHURCH AGE. A. Just as the Book of Daniel Is the Guiding Light from the Close of the Old Testament to the First Coming of Christ, so the Book of Revelation Is the Guiding Light from the Close of the New Testament to the Second Coming of Christ. B. Even though the Book of Revelation Was Written during the Early Church Age (about A.D. 90), It mainly Applies doctrinally to the Jewish Believers who Will Be Living during the future Tribulation Period (Rev 2:9-10) and the Millennium. C. Just as the Christian Can Use the Old Testament for Practical Application in the present Church Age, so also the future Tribulation and Millennial Passages Can Be Applied Practically by the Church Age Christian. D. The Book of Revelation Was Written to seven local Churches in the Early Church Age in Asia Minor. The first three Chapters Have a double Application to both the present Church Age and the future Tribulation Period. Each Verse of these three Chapters must Be Taken within Its immediate Context to Determine whether the Doctrinal Application Is to either the Church Age or to the Tribulation Period. After Chapter 3, there Is no longer any Mention of the Church (the Body of Christ, Church Age Christians) until Chapter 22. E. The Book of Revelation Was Written after Acts 15 (about A.D. 52) where Salvation for both Jews and Gentiles Was Determined to Be by Faith alone (Acts 15:1-21; Eph 2:8-9).

Page 34 of

GRADUATE-5

F. There Are Four Keys Needed to Understand the Book of Revelation. 1. The First Key is to realize that Revelation is not written in chronological order. The reader is carried through the Tribulation Period four separate times: (1) Chapters 4 to 7, (2) Chapters 8, 9 and 11, (3) Chapters 12 to 14 and (4) Chapters 15, 16 and 19. 2. The Second Key is to realize that the term the Lords day of Revelation 1:10 is not a reference to Sunday but a reference to the period of time from the end of the Tribulation Period to the beginning of the Millennium. a. The two terms the Lords day and the day of the Lord are a reference to the same day, just as the two terms the Lords house and the house of the Lord in Jeremiah 26:10 are a reference to the same house. b. The Lords day is a reference to the day of the Lord, which is found in both the Old and New Testaments (Zep 1:14-18; 1 Thes 5:1-4). 3. The Third Key is to realize that in Revelation 1:19 the Apostle John was writing from the standpoint of the Second Advent (coming) of Jesus Christ and unfolds (shows step by step) the past (Church Age and Tribulation Period), the present (the Second Advent) and the future (the Millennium and Eternity Future). 4. The Fourth Key is to realize that the Book of Revelation was written about A.D. 100, after the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70). G. REVELATION 2:1-7 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage is addressed to saved people (the Church of Ephesus) and not to the unsaved. A Christian who does not continue in good works is in danger of being removed (lose his salvation). However, if he repents and goes back to doing good works, he will once again gain eternal life by overcoming. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. This passage is addressed to the Church in Ephesus as a group and not to individuals. Therefore, this passage is not a reference to losing ones salvation. b. If the Church of Ephesus as a group does not continue in good works, its candlestick (the power and influence of the church) will be removed, if they do not repent (Rev 1:20; 2:5). c. A Christian in the present Church Age who does not continue in good works will not lose his salvation because he has already overcome (Rev 2:7; 1 John 4:4; 5:4). However, he may lose his rewards (1 Cor 3:11-15) among other things. d. This passage is not doctrinally applicable to a Church Age Christian since there is a reference to the tree of life. A Christian does not need access to the tree of life to get eternal life because eternal life in the Church Age is a gift which is received when he receives Jesus Christ as his personal savior (Rom 6:23b; John 1:12; 1 John 5:10-13).

Page 35 of

GRADUATE-5 e. A believer in both the future Tribulation Period and Millennium must keep Christs commandments to have access to the tree of life, which will result in gaining eternal life (Rev 14:9-12; 22:2, 13-15). H. REVELATION 2:8-11 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage is addressed to saved people (the Church of Smyrna) and not to the unsaved. A Christian who is faithful at death (has continued in good works) will receive eternal life (a crown of life), will overcome and will not be affected by the second death. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. This passage is addressed to the Church in Smyrna as a group and not to individuals. Therefore, this passage is not a reference to losing ones salvation. The crown mentioned in this passage is not eternal life but an earned reward for faithful service (Rev 2:10; 1 Cor 3:11-15; Col 3:23-24). If a believer of this church is persecuted and remains faithful unto death, he will receive a Crown of Life (Jas 1:12) at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). b. This passage clearly applies doctrinally to the future Tribulation Period because of the references to the tribulation, Jews and synagogue in verses 9 and 10. In the present Church Age, Christians are neither Jews nor Gentiles (Greeks) but members of the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28). c. The Church Age Christian has already overcome by his faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:4; 5:4) and is in no danger of the second death because he already has eternal life (1 John 5:9-13) and his name is written in the Book of Life (Phil 4:3). I. REVELATION 2:12-17 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage is addressed to saved people (the Church of Pergamos), and not to the unsaved. A Christian who does not continue to confess the Lord Jesus Christ and falls into false doctrine will lose his salvation. However, if he repents and maintains his faith in Christ to the end (overcoming sin), he will once again have eternal life. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. This passage is addressed to the church in Pergamos as a group and not to individuals. Therefore, this passage is not a reference to losing ones salvation. b. A Christian in the present Church Age who does not continue to confess Jesus Christ and falls into false doctrine (teaching) will be chastened by the Lord (Heb 12:6-8). He may lose his millennial inheritance (1 Cor 6:9-10), his rewards (1 Cor 3:11-15), and even his physical life (1 Cor 11:30-32), without losing his salvation (1 Cor 5:5). c. A Church Age Christian has already overcome sin (1 John 4:4; 5:4) and only needs to repent of his sins to restore his fellowship with the Lord (1 John 1:6-7), and does not need to restore his eternal life (salvation).

Page 36 of

GRADUATE-5

J. REVELATION 2:18-26 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage is addressed to saved people (the Church in Thyatira), and not to the unsaved. A Christian who does not continue in good works and does not overcome sin until death will lose both his rewards and salvation. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. This passage is addressed to the Church in Thyatira as a group and not to individuals. Therefore, this passage is not a reference to losing ones salvation. b. A Christian in the present Church Age who does not continue in good works and fails to overcome sin may lose his millennial inheritance (1 Cor 6:9-10), his rewards (2 John v.8), his health (1 Cor 11:30-32), and even his physical life (1 Cor 5:5), but not his salvation. K. REVELATION 3:1-6 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage is addressed to saved people (the Church in Sardis), and not to the unsaved. There are four requirements for salvation: (1) overcome sin, (2) be worthy to be dressed in white by continuing in good works, (3) look for the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ and (4) remain faithful unto death. These requirements will insure that a believers name is not blotted out of the Book of Life, thereby receiving eternal life. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. This passage is addressed to the Church in Sardis as a group and not to individuals. Therefore, this passage is not a reference to losing ones salvation. b. This passage clearly applies doctrinally to the future Tribulation Period and not to the present Church Age. Believers in the Tribulation Period (v.3) must be watching for the Second Coming of Christ to be saved (Mat 24:3, 29-30, 42-44; Heb 9:28). c. A Christian in the present Church Age has already overcome sin by his faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5). d. A Christian will receive white raiment (fine linen; robes) as a reward for his good works (Eph 2:8-10; 1 Cor 3:11-15) and not as a requirement to make him worthy to be saved (Isa 64:6; Rom 3:22; 2 Cor 5:21). A Christian will receive his white raiment in heaven (Rev 19:7-14), after the rapture and Judgment Seat of Christ, during the Tribulation Period on earth. e. A Church Age believer who looks for the appearing of Jesus Christ will receive a Crown of Righteousness as a reward and not as a requirement for salvation (2 Tim 4:8).

Page 37 of

GRADUATE-5 f. A Christian who does not remain faithful until death will not have his name blotted out of the Book of Life because Jesus Christ cannot deny him even though the Christian denies Christ (2 Tim 2:11-13). However, believers in the future Tribulation Period who do not remain faithful until death will have their names blotted out of the Book of Life, thereby losing their salvation (Rev 14:9-12; 20:1-4). L. REVELATION 3:7-13 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage is addressed to saved people (the Church in Philadelphia), and not to the unsaved. A Christian who does not maintain good works, does not overcome sin and denies the Lord Jesus Christ will lose his salvation (Crown of Life). 2. The Bibles Answer: a. This passage is addressed to the Church in Philadelphia as a group and not to individuals. Therefore, this passage is not a reference to losing ones salvation. b. A Christian in the present Church Age who does not maintain good works may lose his millennial inheritance (Rev 20:6) but not his salvation. Good works are not required for salvation (Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5) but are required to receive a full reward (Eph 2:10; Tit 3:1, 8, 14; 2 John v.8). c. A Christian in the Church Age has already overcome sin by his faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5). d. A Church Age Christian who denies Christ may be chastened (disciplined) by the Lord (Heb 12:6-8), but cannot be denied by Christ because Christ is in the Christian (Col 1:27) and Christ cannot deny Himself (2 Tim 2:11-13). e. A Christian in the present Church Age who does not maintain good works, does not overcome sin or denies Jesus Christ may lose his millennial inheritance (2 Tim 2:12; Rev 20:6), his rewards (1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 John v.8), his health (1 Cor 11:30-32) and even his physical life (1 Cor 5:5), but not his salvation. M. REVELATION 3:14-22 1. Some Groups Claim: This passage is addressed to saved people (the Church in Laodicea), and not to the unsaved. A Christian must continue in good works or he will be rejected by the Lord Jesus Christ (vs.15-16) and lose his salvation. However, if he repents and continues in good works until death (overcomes), he will be saved. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. This passage is addressed to the Church in Laodicea as a group and not to individuals. Therefore, this passage is not a reference to losing ones salvation.

Page 38 of

GRADUATE-5 b. A Christian in the present Church Age who does not continue in good works, not allowing God to work in and through him (Eph 2:10; Phil 2:13), may lose his millennial inheritance (1 Cor 6:9-10), his rewards (2 John v.8), his health (1 Cor 11:30-32) and even his physical life (1 Cor 5:5), without losing his salvation. c. A Church Age Christian has already overcome sin by his faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5). d. A Church Age Christian who repents of his sins and continues in good works does not get saved again but his fellowship with the Lord will be restored (1 John 1:6-7). N. REVELATION 12:11 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian must overcome sin by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and continually profess his belief in Christ until death to be saved. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is Revelation chapters 12 through 14, which takes place during the future Tribulation Period and not during the present Church Age. These three chapters cover the third time that the Book of Revelation goes over the Tribulation Period (see F.1. above). b. The woman in Revelation 12:1 is the nation of Israel and the twelve stars are the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Gen 37:9), which are mentioned in Revelation 14:1 and named in Revelation 7:1-8. c. The word they in Revelation 12:11 are the Twelve Tribes of Israel in the future Tribulation Period and not Christians in the present Church Age. The Twelve Tribes of Israel will overcome sin and the Devil by washing their robes (Rev 6:9-11) in the Blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:13, 14). Believers in the Tribulation Period, in order to keep their salvation, must continually overcome sin by keeping the commandments, professing their faith (belief) in Jesus Christ (Rev 14:12) and maintaining their good works (Rev 14:13). d. A Christian in the present Church Age has already overcome sin by his faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5). e. A Church Age Christian who no longer professes Jesus Christ may be denied a millennial reign with Christ (2 Tim 2:11-13). However, Jesus cannot deny the Christian his salvation because Christ is inside a Church Age Christian (Col 1:27; Gal 2:30; 1 John 3:9) and is sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13; 4:30). O. REVELATION 21:7-8 1. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christian must first overcome sin in order to inherit eternal life (salvation) and then not renounce (give up) his belief in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to keep his salvation.

Page 39 of

GRADUATE-5 2. The Bibles Answer: a. A Christian in the present Church Age has already overcome sin by his faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:4; 5:4-5). b. Even though a Church Age Christian renounces his belief in Christ (under torture or due to discouragement), Jesus will not deny the Christian his salvation because Christ cannot deny himself (Col 1:27; 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Tim 2:11-13). P. REVELATION 22:14 1. Some Groups Claim: This verse proves that a Christian must continue doing Christs commandments to have access to (the right to) the tree of life (to gain eternal life). 2. The Bibles Answer: a. The context of this verse is Revelation 22:1-16. The word they in verse 14 is a reference to those who have gone through the future Tribulation Period (Rev 20:4), the Millennium (Rev 20:7-9) and the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-15) without losing their salvation. b. Christians in the present Church Age already have eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 5:9-13) and do not need to have access to the tree of life in order to have eternal life. c. Church Age Christians are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8-9) and not by the keeping of commandments (Eph 2:13-16). The keeping of Christs commandments is not necessary for salvation (John 13:34-35; 14:15) but is necessary to stay in fellowship with the Lord and other Christians (1 John 1:1-3; 3:22-23). Q. REVELATION 22:18-19 1. Some Groups Claim: These two verses prove that a Christians name will be taken out of the Book of Life (he will lose his salvation) if he willfully adds to or takes away from the words of God. 2. The Bibles Answer: a. Even though the Book of Revelation was written during the Early Church Age (about A.D. 90), it mainly applies doctrinally to Jews who will be living during the future Tribulation Period (Rev 2:9-10) and the Millennium (Rev 20:1-7), and not to Christians living in the present Church Age. b. Revelation 22:18-19 applies doctrinally to the future Tribulation Period because the prophecy of the Book of Revelation mainly deals with the Great Tribulation prophesied by Jesus Christ (Rev 7:13, 14; Mat 24:3-4, 29). c. During the Tribulation Period, believers can lose their salvation and their names can be blotted out of the Book of Life (Rev 3:5). After the Tribulation Period and the Millennium, believers whose names are not found written in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire, which is the Second Death (Rev 20:1-15).

Page 40 of

GRADUATE-5 1) Church Age Believers are part of the First Resurrection (Rev 20:6), whose names are written in the Book of Life (Phil 4:3). 2) Church Age Believers are not subject to the Second Death (Rev 20:6, 14), which is the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:15; 21:8). d. Revelation 22:18-19 can also be applied practically to Christians in the present Church Age. Church Age Christians can lose their part in the Holy City (earthly Jerusalem) during the Millennium (Jas 1:12) and their rewards of inheritance (Eph 5:3-5; 2 John v.8), without having their names removed from the Book of Life (without losing their salvation 1 Cor 3:11-15; 5:1-5; 11:30-32).

VIII.

THERE ARE TEN MAIN REASONS WHY SOME PEOPLE DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE TEACHING OF ETERNAL SECURITY IN THE PRESENT CHURCH AGE: A. They Do not Understand that the Bible Is Divided into Dispensations (2 Tim 2:15). 1. A dispensation is a period of time in which God deals with Man in a certain way (Eph 1:9-10). 2. God deals differently with Man in each dispensation and what God requires in one dispensation is not necessarily required by God in another dispensation (Eph 3:1-6). 3. God sometimes gives Man the right to do something in one dispensation which He has forbidden Man to do in another dispensation. a. In the Dispensation of Law, God forbade certain foods to be eaten by the Jews (Lev 11:1-47). b. In the Dispensation of Grace (the present Church Age), God has given Man the right to eat the foods that were forbidden in the Dispensation of Law (Acts 10:9-16; 1 Tim 4:3-5). B. They Do not Understand that Salvation in the Old Testament Is not the same as Salvation in the New Testament. 1. Salvation in the Old Testament was by grace through faith (Heb 11:1-40) and by keeping the Law; which included obeying (or accepting) the testimonies, the statutes, the regulations, the commandments, the precepts and the judgments (Deu 10:12-13; Psa 119:1-8). 2. Salvation in the New Testament is by grace through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for sins (Eph 2:8-9; 1 Cor 15:1-4). C. They Do not Understand that Justification in the Old Testament Is not the same as Justification in the New Testament. 1. Justification is the act, process, or state of being judged as righteous (free from blame and punishment). 2. Justification in the Old Testament was by a mans faith and his works (Jas 2:21-24; Gen 22:1-19).

Page 41 of

GRADUATE-5 3. Justification in the New Testament is by faith alone in Jesus Christ without any works of man (Rom 4:3-5; 5:1, 9). D. They Do not Understand the New Testament Operation of God that Takes Place at Salvation, which Separates a Believers sinless Spirit and Soul from His sinful Body (flesh). This Operation Results in a Church Age Believer Having two Natures. 1. Man has a spirit, soul and body (Gen 2:7; 1 Thes 5:23) which are affected by sin (Eze 18:4; Rom 6:23). 2. At salvation, a man in the present Church Age is spiritually circumcised when his spirit and soul are cut away from his body (Col 2:8-13). 3. At salvation, a Church Age Believers spirit and soul are quickened (made alive Eph 2:1, 5), placed into Jesus Christ (1 Cor 12:13; Rom 6:3-5) and sealed by the Holy Spirit until Christ returns (Eph 1:13; 4:30). 4. At salvation, a Church Age Believers spirit and soul are also separated from the sins of his flesh (Rom 6:6; Col 2:11) and they (his soul and spirit) become sinless (1 Pet 2:21-24; 1 John 3:5, 9). 5. After a Church Age Believers spirit and soul are cut away from his body at salvation, he has two natures. a. Before salvation, a man in the present Church Age only has one nature, a desire to please self (Gal 5:19-21). b. After salvation, a Church Age Believer receives a second nature, a desire to please God (Gal 2:20; 5:22-23; 2 Cor 5:17). c. These two natures of a Church Age Believer are opposed to (against) each other until he dies (Rom 7:14-25; 1 John 1:8; 2:1-2). E. They do not Understand the Doctrine of Imputation which Results in a twofold Transfer of Righteousness and Sin. 1. Imputation is the act of transferring or charging a characteristic of one person to another person. 2. At salvation, God first transfers (imputes) His righteousness to a believer (Rom 4:6, 22-24) and second He transfers (imputes) the believers sins to Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:21-24; 2 Cor 5:17-21). F. They do not Understand that there Is a Difference between a Christians Relationship to God (his standing) and His Fellowship with God (his state). 1. His Relationship to God (his standing): a. Before salvation, an unsaved person does not have a personal relationship with God because he is a child of the Devil (John 8:42-47). b. At salvation, a Church Age Believer starts a personal relationship with God as His Son (John 1:12; Gal 3:26).

Page 42 of

GRADUATE-5 c. After Salvation, a Church Age Believers relationship with God cannot change because he is sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13) and preserved in Jesus Christ (Jude v.1) until Christ Returns (Eph 4:30; Jude v.24). 2. His Fellowship with God (his state): The condition of a Church Age Christians fellowship with God can change because of sin (1 John 1:1-7). As long as a Christian is walking in the light (doing right in thought, word and deed), he remains in fellowship with God (1 John 1:7). When a Christian no longer walks in the light, he breaks his fellowship with God (1 John 1:6). A Christian who is out of fellowship with God does not lose his salvation because Jesus Christ is his Advocate and makes intercession for him when he sins (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2). A Christian who is out of fellowship with God can restore that fellowship by confessing and forsaking his sins (1 John 1:9; Pro 28:13; Isa 55:7). G. They Do not Understand New Testament Sanctification. 1. The word sanctification means, the state of being cleansed from sin and being set apart for a specific use. 2. There are three phases of sanctification: past, present and future. a. Past Sanctification is positional (1 Cor 1:30). It changes a persons position from being a child of the Devil (John 8:44) to being a child of God (Gal 3:26). When a believer gets saved, the Lord Jesus Christ sanctifies him (cleanses him) from his sins and sets him apart for Gods use (Heb 10:10-12; Eph 2:8-10). b. Present Sanctification is experiential (participating in) (Rom 6:1-14). It depends on a believer not participating in sin but rather yielding his body to Gods will (Rom 6:12-13; 12:1-2). As a believer daily reads and yields himself to the word of God (2 Tim 2:19-22), the Holy Spirit sanctifies him (John 17:17; 2 Thes 2:13; John 14:26). c. Future Sanctification is final (Rom 8:28-34). It will be accomplished when God changes a believers body to conform to (make it identical to) the physical body of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:28-29; Phil 3:20-21). This phase of sanctification will be the final state of a believer for all eternity (Jude v.1, 24). H. They Do not Understand that there Is a Difference between Old Testament Righteousness and New Testament Righteousness. 1. Righteousness is defined as, the result of acting in a just and upright manner (doing what is right). 2. Old Testament Righteousness: a. An Old Testament believer was saved by his own righteousness, the result of his faith, good works and keeping Gods Commandments (Deu 10:12-13; Psa 119:1-9; Heb 3:15 to 4:2).

Page 43 of

GRADUATE-5 b. An Old Testament believers righteousness was cancelled when he sinned (Eze 33:11-13, 18), but his righteousness was regained when he turned away from (quit) his sins and returned to faith and good works (Eze 33:14-16, 19). 3. New Testament Righteousness: a. A New Testament believer is saved by his faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone (1 Cor 15:1-4; Rom 10:9-10; 5:1-10) and not by righteousness, faith and good works. b. A New Testament believers righteousness is acquired (gotten) by his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 3:22; 10:4) and not by a combination of his faith and good works (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 4:4-5). c. A New Testament believers righteousness cannot be cancelled if he sins because it is Gods righteousness and not his own (Phil 3:8-9; 2 Cor 5:21). I. They Do not Understand that a New Testament Believers Salvation Is Kept by God because God Is Faithful and not because the Believer Remains Faithful. 1. A New Testament believer has Jesus Christ living inside of him (Gal 2:20; Col 1:27) and God cannot Deny the believer because God cannot Deny His Seed, His Son Jesus Christ (Gal 3:16; 1 John 3:9). 2. A New Testament believer is sealed (Eph 1:13; 4:30), preserved (Jude v.1) and kept (Jude v.24; 2 Tim 1:12; 1 Pet 1:5) by God being faithful and not by the believer remaining faithful (2 Tim 2:13). They do not Understand that the New Covenant (New Testament) Was Made between God the Father and Jesus Christ and not between God and Man (Gal 3:16-17). Therefore, Man cannot Break the New Covenant and thereby Lose His Salvation. 1. The New Testament (New Covenant) is the promise of eternal life by God to Jesus Christ for completely obeying Gods will (Heb 5:5, 8-9; 10:4-12; 12:24; 13:20). 2. Man cannot completely obey Gods will because Man is weak through his sinful flesh (Gen 6:3; Rom 7:18-23). 3. Because Jesus Christ lived a sinless life in the flesh (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:21-22; Heb 4:15; 7:26) and completely obeyed Gods will (Mat 5:17; Heb 9:28; 10:5-14), Christ is able to give eternal life to anyone who receives Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12; Rom 10:9-10; 1 John 5:10-12). 4. When a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith (Gal 3:26), he is placed into Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13) and receives eternal life (Rom 6:23; 1 John 5:13). 5. Whenever a Christian sins, he cannot lose his salvation because he has Jesus Christ as his advocate, who pleads the Christians cause and reconciles him with God the Father (1 John 2:1; Heb 7:22-25).

J.

Page 44 of

GRADUATE-5 6. When a Christian sins, he breaks his fellowship with God (1 John 1:6-7). If a Christian does not confess his sin to God (1 John 1:9), he will be judged and chastened in the flesh by God (1 Cor 11:31-32). Nevertheless, he will not lose his salvation (be condemned to hell), even though he may lose his health and physical life (1 Cor 11:30; 5:5).

Page 45 of