Does the Bible teach Eternal Security

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Baptistrw

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#41
Amen Hansa. Amen. John 3:15 is a good text
As is John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath [present tense] everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
 
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onwingsaseagles

Guest
#42
Amen Hansa. Amen. John 3:15 is a good text
As is John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath [present tense] everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Neither one of those verse says that #1 we receive eternal life the moment we accept Christ or #2 that we cannot turn from our salvation if we so choose.
 
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Baptistrw

Guest
#43
John 3:36 says that he that believes on Christ has everlasting life, in the present tense not rather than will receive eternal life which would be in the future. That is perfectly clear. It say's exactly what it says. Eternal life becomes a present possession as soon as one believes.
 
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onwingsaseagles

Guest
#44
John 3:36 says that he that believes on Christ has everlasting life, in the present tense not rather than will receive eternal life which would be in the future. That is perfectly clear. It say's exactly what it says. Eternal life becomes a present possession as soon as one believes.
The believe in John 3:36 is continual present tenses. Just like commit in 1st John 3 8-9.

1st John 3:8-9
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.


This verse does not mean that a Christian never sins, it means that someone who continuously continues in sin is not a Christian, and the same goes for the believing on Christ in John 3:36 it is also a continuous present tense. It means that who ever continuously continues to believe on Christ will have eternal life.
 
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Baptistrw

Guest
#45
The believe in John 3:36 is continual present tenses. Just like commit in 1st John 3 8-9.

1st John 3:8-9
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.


This verse does not mean that a Christian never sins, it means that someone who continuously continues in sin is not a Christian, and the same goes for the believing on Christ in John 3:36 it is also a continuous present tense. It means that who ever continuously continues to believe on Christ will have eternal life.
Wrong. Simply put. Absolutely wrong. Nice job twisting a passage of scripture to fit your heretical stand.
 
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onwingsaseagles

Guest
#46
Wrong. Simply put. Absolutely wrong. Nice job twisting a passage of scripture to fit your heretical stand.
Anyone that doesn't agree with you indoctrinated incorrect view is a heretic now huh? The Bible supports my opinion not yours that is why you are angry.
 
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onwingsaseagles

Guest
#47
The difference between me and you rw, is that you believe what you have been told all your life to believe, and I believe what God's word says is true.
 
Jan 8, 2009
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#48
Despite the often misunderstood cliches "saved by faith alone, saved by grace alone", none of which are actually stated in any verses in the bible... the bible does not teach eternal security for unbelievers. It didn't in the old testament (where many fell in the desert in reaching the promised land, see Hebrews), and it doesn't in the new testament either.
 
Jan 8, 2009
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#49
PS to add.. the more biblical cliche would be " saved by faith "alone", but the faith which saves is never alone".. Because the bible explicitly says we aren't saved by faith alone, but that our faith is shown by our works..

Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.


People like Calvin brought (or I should say, those who followed him) many heretical doctrines into the church, none of which were taught in the early church (as evidenced by reading early church writings) or for 1500 years until the reformation.
 

Namaste

Junior Member
Jan 5, 2008
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#50
I love debates where people openly discuss opposing interpretations of scripture with mutual respect and a listening ear and bring their points out respectfully, gently guiding people that they feel are in error while at the same time humbly realizing that God's grace and how it works exactly is a mystery that defies human understanding even as we attempt to put it into words...

Really wish we could have one of those...
 
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EconGrad

Guest
#51
This seems a bit of an odd way to approach it.

God has predestined before the foundation of the world all those who would belong to Christ. That rules out this concept that Christ depends on human obedience to save his own sheep. His blood is sufficient to cover any sins of his elect.

To suggest Christ can save someone and then Christ can lose them, is to assume we can frustrate God's decision to save us for his glory.
 
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onwingsaseagles

Guest
#52
This seems a bit of an odd way to approach it.

God has predestined before the foundation of the world all those who would belong to Christ. That rules out this concept that Christ depends on human obedience to save his own sheep. His blood is sufficient to cover any sins of his elect.

To suggest Christ can save someone and then Christ can lose them, is to assume we can frustrate God's decision to save us for his glory.
1st off Jesus lost Judas, and 2ndly Christ blood is sufficient to save all people of all times, but not all people will be saved, because God has chosen out of His own sovereign power to give us free will.
 
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EconGrad

Guest
#53
I've not seen any the phrase "free will" in the Bible. I don't believe in that concept.

What Bible language are you describing as meaning "free will"?

All Christians have some doctrine of election and predestination since the Bible uses those words and is quite explicit about them applying to those who belong to Christ. I assume you've got a semi-Pelagian understanding of those doctrines?
 
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christiancanadian

Guest
#54
Hello.
I had this very same question. I asked a fellow Christian what he thought, and this is the email he sent me. As a new member of the Baptist Church, my Pastor stated 1. justification (getting saved) 2. sanctification (basically a lifelong process of becoming more Holy) 3.Glorification (you've arrived..he taught most of us are in the sanctification phase until we die).

HOWEVER...LISTEN TO THIS PART....He also stated that there are some people who can go to church and may not be saved. So these people CAN fall away. I asked how? He stated that because they weren't GENUINE BELIEVERS in the first place. So how do you know a GENUINE BELIEVER????? OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD!!!! Does that mean that we can't slip-up every once and a while? All of us slip up every once and a while! what's the bible state, not an exact quote but along the lines of.. anyone who claims they're not a sinner is a liar. So if we 'get saved', and then go back to living like the rest of the world, that's a pretty good indication that person may be in trouble. That's a pretty good indication that the person may not be saved. That's not 'bearing fruit' if we are back into habitual sin. I struggle with obedience!!! I struggle with obedience every single day!! In fact, I'll be blatently honest with you, and I don't care what anybody else thinks reading this, do you have any idea how hard it is for me to stay away from being on a porn site this very moment!!!!!!!!! We all struggle. But being 'saved' is not a license to sin ( Not that I'm saying that's what your saying at all). I highly doubt that they're isn't a Christian that doesn't struggle with obedience. That's just my two cents and to be honest, I'm still learning all I can...thanks and on to the email that comforted me...


The email response to my question below...

As for the lady Mary K. Baxter, I do not know of her at all (<<I had asked him what he thought of Mary K. Baxter, whether or not she was telling the truth because her story so disturbing>>). I have never come across her book or any book of her so to speak, so I can not tell you what I think of her as a person. But as her interpretation of the word, she is most certainly wrong & wrong in such a big way if she teaches that you can lose your salvation ( just one other aspect of this as well, she is a woman & according to the word, women can not teach men in any way )see 1 Timothy 2:11-12, 1 Timothy 2:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:14, Women in the church are not restricted to public praying or prophesying (1 Corinthians 11:5), only to having spiritual teaching authority over men. The Bible nowhere restricts women from exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians chapter 12). Women, just as much as men, are called to minister to others, to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and to proclaim the Gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15).

After saying this salvation can not be lost at all & anyone who claim this are teaching error & in so doing are calling God a liar, please note: Salvation is trusting or believing in, by faith, that Jesus Christ paid for your sins with His blood on the cross of Calvary.
"He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath everlasting life:. . ." John 3:36
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
The Bible makes it clear that OUR WORKS has nothing whatsoever to do with our salvation.
We don't receive it by our works - and we don't keep it by our works!
" NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,. . ." Titus 3:5
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
Salvation is the free gift of God. If we had to work to keep it - it would not be a free gift - and God would be a liar!
". . . the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
". . .by the righteousness of one THE FREE GIFT came upon all men unto justification of life." Romans 5:18
Salvation is not enduring or a process, but an event in time. Salvation is a NEW BIRTH. Just as your first birth happened on a certain time and day, so does the second birth.
"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a TIME accepted, and in THE DAY OF SALVATION have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted TIME; behold, now is THE DAY OF SALVATION.)" 2 Corinthians 6:2
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3
"Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23
Once you are born again SPIRITUALLY - you become a child of God.
"Beloved, NOW are we the SONS OF GOD, . . ." 1 John 3:2
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of ADOPTION, whereby we cry, Abba, FATHER." Romans 8:15

Just as nothing can "negate" your physical birth, nothing can "negate" your spiritual birth.
My children will always be my children. We may have troubled times. Our fellowship may be broken, but our relationship can never be broken. They will always be my children. Nothing or nobody can change that! And once you are born again spiritually - God becomes your Father - nothing or nobody can change that! Your fellowship may be broken, but your relationship can never be broken!
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38
"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." John 10:29
Jesus promised He will never leave us. Jesus could not say this if there was even a chance of losing our salvation.
". . .for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5
". . . and, lo, I am with you ALWAY, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:20
When the Bible speaks of possessing eternal life, it speaks in the present tense (hath, have, etc.) - SOMETHING WE ALREADY HAVE! If we had to work or endure to keep our salvation, this could not be true.
"He that believeth on the Son HATH EVERLASTING LIFE:.. ." John 3:36
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE,. . ." 1 John 5:13
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE,. . ." John 5:24
". . . him that cometh to me I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT." John 6:37
"And ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power:" Colossians 2:10

CONTINUED ON NEXT POST.....
 
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christiancanadian

Guest
#55
CONTINUED FROM FIRST POST...READ OTHER POST FIRST!


We are "perfected for ever" by Jesus Christ. How could the Lord say such a bold statement if we had to earn or keep our salvation?
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. . . For by one offering he hath PERFECTED FOR EVER them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:10,14
"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and PRESERVED IN JESUS CHRIST, and called:" Jude 1
"And THE LORD. . . WILL PRESERVE ME unto his heavenly kingdom:. . ." 2 Timothy 4:18
"Who are KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5
"Now unto him that is able TO KEEP YOU from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy," Jude 24
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the UTTERMOST that come unto God by him,. . ." Hebrews 7:25
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby YE ARE SEALED unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30
". . .after that ye believed, YE WERE SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise," Ephesians 1:13
What about the "backslider" or somebody that forsakes the Lord? The Bible says he will suffer loss (rewards, etc.) - but he himself shall be saved!
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
"For we are MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, of his flesh, and of his bones." Ephesians 5:30
"Now ye are the BODY OF CHRIST, and members in particular." 1 Corinthians 12:18

Our salvation is so secure - even if we BELIEVE NOT after we're saved, because we become part of Him (the body of Christ), ". . .yet he abideth faithful: HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF."
"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF." 2 Timothy 2:13
1 Corinthians 5 reports of an awful sin in the church. And even though Paul commands ". . . To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh" - Paul still speaks of that person being saved - ". . .that the spirit MAY BE SAVED. . ."
"It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. . .To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit MAY BE SAVED in the day of the Lord Jesus." 1 Corinthians 5:1,5


To lose your salvation - makes God a LIAR!


With all the PROMISES from God to KEEP you, to SAVE you, to PRESERVE you - to even suggest you could lose your salvation - is to call God a LIAR!
". . .he that BELIEVETH NOT GOD hath made him a LIAR; . . ." 1 John 5:10

I am so pleased that you realised that the teaching about being able to lose your salvation is & was wrong, as I have stated above 1 John 5:10 is clear in what it says & God never lies nor has he ever taken back a gift he has given to mankind. Salvation is such a gift & so it is impossible to lose it. Some teachers claim that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will lose your salvation & they try to put that into modern times, but this could only ever have been done at one time only & that was when Jesus walked the Earth, so even that one is wrong. I hope that the extra information I have given
 
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onwingsaseagles

Guest
#56
I've not seen any the phrase "free will" in the Bible. I don't believe in that concept.

What Bible language are you describing as meaning "free will"?

All Christians have some doctrine of election and predestination since the Bible uses those words and is quite explicit about them applying to those who belong to Christ. I assume you've got a semi-Pelagian understanding of those doctrines?
God wants all to be saved.
1st Timothy 2:3-4
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.



2nd Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.


And through His death He paid the payment of the sins of the whole world
1st John 2:1-2

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.



So to believe that God saves all whom He wants is to believe that all would be saved, that is an Universalist view not a Calvinistic one. Are you an Universalist?


God certain wants us all to be saved and draws us all to Him but we must accept His offer to receive salvation.

Scriptures that we must receive the gift of salvation.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, &#8220;Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

Acts 16:30-31
30 And he brought them out and said, &#8220;Sirs, what must I do to be saved?&#8221;
31 So they said, &#8220;Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.&#8221;

Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

1st John 2:23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

The first 3 passages show we must take a part in our own salvation the last verse shows we can deny Christ if we choose to.
 
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Baptistrw

Guest
#57
CONTINUED FROM FIRST POST...READ OTHER POST FIRST!


We are "perfected for ever" by Jesus Christ. How could the Lord say such a bold statement if we had to earn or keep our salvation?
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. . . For by one offering he hath PERFECTED FOR EVER them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:10,14
"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and PRESERVED IN JESUS CHRIST, and called:" Jude 1
"And THE LORD. . . WILL PRESERVE ME unto his heavenly kingdom:. . ." 2 Timothy 4:18
"Who are KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5
"Now unto him that is able TO KEEP YOU from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy," Jude 24
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the UTTERMOST that come unto God by him,. . ." Hebrews 7:25
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby YE ARE SEALED unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30
". . .after that ye believed, YE WERE SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise," Ephesians 1:13
What about the "backslider" or somebody that forsakes the Lord? The Bible says he will suffer loss (rewards, etc.) - but he himself shall be saved!
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
"For we are MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, of his flesh, and of his bones." Ephesians 5:30
"Now ye are the BODY OF CHRIST, and members in particular." 1 Corinthians 12:18

Our salvation is so secure - even if we BELIEVE NOT after we're saved, because we become part of Him (the body of Christ), ". . .yet he abideth faithful: HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF."
"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF." 2 Timothy 2:13
1 Corinthians 5 reports of an awful sin in the church. And even though Paul commands ". . . To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh" - Paul still speaks of that person being saved - ". . .that the spirit MAY BE SAVED. . ."
"It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. . .To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit MAY BE SAVED in the day of the Lord Jesus." 1 Corinthians 5:1,5


To lose your salvation - makes God a LIAR!


With all the PROMISES from God to KEEP you, to SAVE you, to PRESERVE you - to even suggest you could lose your salvation - is to call God a LIAR!
". . .he that BELIEVETH NOT GOD hath made him a LIAR; . . ." 1 John 5:10

I am so pleased that you realised that the teaching about being able to lose your salvation is & was wrong, as I have stated above 1 John 5:10 is clear in what it says & God never lies nor has he ever taken back a gift he has given to mankind. Salvation is such a gift & so it is impossible to lose it. Some teachers claim that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will lose your salvation & they try to put that into modern times, but this could only ever have been done at one time only & that was when Jesus walked the Earth, so even that one is wrong. I hope that the extra information I have given
Amen. People have struggles, it's all apart of having sinful flesh. Temptations are common to man. Amen.
 
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christiancanadian

Guest
#58
Amen. People have struggles, it's all apart of having sinful flesh. Temptations are common to man. Amen.
Yes, temptations are common to man. It is true, we are in the flesh. Also satan is very real. HOWEVER, this isn't an excuse to sin habitually as no different from unsaved unbelievers.

Remember, obedience to God's word is the sign of a true believer. Is one a true believer who says their saved and then goes living like the rest of the world? I don't think so.

In my opinion, I think those who sin consistenly and continuously don't believe God's watching them. They don't believe that there truly are consequences. So basically, they don't believe in God. So therefore, if they did previously claim to be saved, they really were never saved in the first place. Because how can one continually sin knowing God is watching the entire time?

If you slip up every once and a while, it happens. It's not good or acceptable, but it happens. I guess the key thing is: Does the person feel guilty? Do they confess their sin? Do they stop or are struggling to stop? Do they ask Jesus for the strength to stop?

It's certainly a good sign if you feel guilty and sincerely repent. Then...MOVE ON!!! It's so important not to dwell on a sin. MOVE ON WITH YOUR WALK WITH JESUS!!
 
Jan 8, 2009
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#59
The bible teaches God will save all those who turn to Him. The responsibility is upon us, not upon God , when it involves a persons decision or not to turn to Christ. God has already done His part by offering the once for all and open invitation to accept Christ. If a person choose to reject that it is not God's fault, or His will. Remember God's will is not always done. There's a reason why Christ taught us to pray in the Lord's prayer "thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven".. This gives us some understanding of how God and humans work together to achieve results. This concept of praying for God's will to be done has no meaning for the person who believes God's will is always done, no matter what.

The scriptures speaking of predestination are mostly talking about God's overall plan of salvation re: salvation of Jews and Gentiles in Christ. Not the particular and specific salvation of individual people. We are predestined "in Christ". To be "in Christ", we must first believe. Only then are we predestined. We are predestined in Christ because Christ was God's predetermined plan of salvation for Jew and Gentile. That is far different from an idea that God will actively choose some to save, and others not to save.
 
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NazariteNation

Guest
#60
I personally believe that the teachings of Christ clearly speaks of the process of sanctification, presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice in order to conform to the image of Christ. Personally I don't see how Sanctification and this doctrine of 'Eternal Security" can co-exist. The way I see it, Sanctification speaks of crucifying the flesh while Eternal Security in a round about way uses scripture to justify sin.

I would much rather put my trust in the biblical teachings of Christ himself than some fairly recent denominational twist on the teachings of Paul.
 
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