Tag: eternal security

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Soteriology Theology

Soteriology: The Assurance of Eternal Security

A guy was wrestling with a question that had troubled him for years.

“Can a person lose his salvation?”

The question came up when I was recently visiting his men’s Bible study. He explained a scenario to me:

“Christopher, right now you are saved and you are a Christian. You serve the Lord faithfully and are a man of God. However, let’s say that something drastic happens in your life and you walk away from God and your faith. Furthermore, you not only walk away from God but you become an active worshipper of Satan. If you start to worship Satan and have walked away from God, are you still saved?“

The men’s group shared that they often struggle with that same question. If I am saved can I lose my salvation? How do I know I’m saved?

And to be honest, as a pastor I also struggle with this question.

In this post I want to explain two main topics: eternal security and assurance. First, let’s define those terms briefly and then, second look at what Scripture says.

Soteriology - The Assurance of Eternal Security

Photo Credit: Finn Terman

SOTERIOLOGY
The Assurance of Eternal Security

I. DEFINITIONS OF “ETERNAL SECURITY” AND “ASSURANCE”

Eternal security is the biblical fact that once you are saved you cannot lose your salvation. Assurance is the feeling of comfort you experience because you are certain you cannot lose your salvation. 

II. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY

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Categories
Bible Philippians

A Thankful Assurance (Phil 1:1-11)

I started playing golf at the age of eleven by hitting golf balls on our 82 acre land in Valley Springs. We had a large open field where I would hit the golf balls out into the field and my grandpa who was a retired army war veteran would ride our four-wheeler out there and pick up the golf balls. Both of us had too much free time and this gave us each something to do. I started to really enjoy the game of golf and started playing every day. Several years went by and when I entered High School I was eager and excited to play on the golf team for Calaveras High School.

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

I. GREETINGS FROM PAUL (Phil 1:1-4)

A. Grace and Peace from Paul and Timothy (vv. 1-2)

1. Paul and Timothy to the Saints at Philippi (v. 1)

“From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi with the supervisors and assistants.” (Phil 1:1)

Take notice of the use of “supervisors” and “assistants.” These are common ways to address all the believers while looking at a few with special responsibilities and authority.

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Categories
Bible Hebrews

3 Views of Hebrews 6:1-8 and Which I Prefer

Hebrews 6:1-8 is a passage most theologians either love or struggle with. Some theologians go to it repeatedly to explain their soteriological position while others attempt to avoid it because it does not match their theological method. This blog post will examine three views and how each of these views interprets Hebrews 6:1-8. The final section contains a brief exposition of the passage along with the view I prefer.

3 Views of Hebrews 6Photo Credit: Sander van der Wel

I.    3 SOTERIOLOGICAL VIEWS OF HEBREWS 6:1-8[ref]People refer to the views by different labels. For the sake of simplicity and continuity within this blog post I use the titles contained in the book, The Cross and Salvation, by Bruce DeMarest.[/ref]

A.   Arminian – “Grace Lost by Walking in the Flesh”

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