If you could read Greek, you would know for an incontrovertible fact that I understand the Greek text of John 6:35-40 very well. Moreover, none of the Greek Ante-Nicene Church Fathers whose native language was Greek interpreted John 6:35-40 or any other part of the New Testament as teaching the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” Furthermore, none of the Latin Ante-Nicene Church Fathers who native Language was Latin, another highly inflected language, interpreted John 6:35-40 or any other part of the New Testament as teaching the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” Neither did any of the Post-Nicene Church Fathers interpret John 6:35-40 or any other part of the New Testament as teaching the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” Nor do we find so much as one extra-biblical document written before the 16th century that interprets John 6:35-40 or any other part of the New Testament as teaching the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” Moreover, we do not find so much as one extra-biblical document written before the 16th century that defends the biblical doctrine of conditional security against any other doctrine—absolutely proving that the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” originated from a non-biblical source sometime after the beginning of the Reformation.
Verse for "once saved always saved"?
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Philippians 1:6. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (NRSV)
Paul wrote Philippians 1:6 to a specific body of Christians—the Christians in the church at Philippi. These Christians, as Paul’s epistle to them reveals, were everything that Christians should be. Therefore, he was confident that the one who began a good work among them would bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
However, Paul did not feel that confidence about the Christians in the church at Corinth. Indeed, he had so little confidence about them that he warned them about the possibility that they could lose their salvation and find themselves in hell!
1. For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea;
2. and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3. and all ate the same spiritual food;
4. and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.
5. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
6. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
7. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.”
8. Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
9. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.
10. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (NASB, 1995)
Paul wrote Philippians 1:6 to a specific body of Christians—the Christians in the church at Philippi. These Christians, as Paul’s epistle to them reveals, were everything that Christians should be. Therefore, he was confident that the one who began a good work among them would bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
However, Paul did not feel that confidence about the Christians in the church at Corinth. Indeed, he had so little confidence about them that he warned them about the possibility that they could lose their salvation and find themselves in hell!
1. For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea;
2. and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3. and all ate the same spiritual food;
4. and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.
5. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
6. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
7. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.”
8. Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
9. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.
10. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (NASB, 1995)
Matthew 27:3-4 "Then when Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priest and the elders, saying "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood."
Most Christians would see this as an act of repentance. Some on this very thread consider repentance as an act of faith.
Do not be so quick to condemn Judas as a betrayer, we have all betrayed our Lord in one way or another.
And Peter said emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you". And all the others vowed the same". Mark 14:33
They all betrayed Him. All of them.
Most Christians would see this as an act of repentance. Some on this very thread consider repentance as an act of faith.
Do not be so quick to condemn Judas as a betrayer, we have all betrayed our Lord in one way or another.
And Peter said emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you". And all the others vowed the same". Mark 14:33
They all betrayed Him. All of them.
Once again, you have brutishly ripped a verse out of its Biblical context to make it appear to support a non-biblical doctrine that tickles the ear of many wayward Christens on their way to the fires of hell!
The first Epistle of John of John was written to a body of believers that, as we can see from the first chapter, were very immature and confused believers that did not believe that Jesus had come in the flesh because they believed that all flesh is sinful. In the very first verse of the Epistle, John writes,
“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—“
He writes this to assure these believers that Jesus had indeed come in the flesh. He then proceeds to instruct further these believers in some of the rudimentary tenets of the Christian faith. In 1 John 2:19 he writes,
“They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.
The pronoun “us” refers to the body of believes to whom John is writing. Some individuals who had been fellowshipping with that body of believers had subsequently left the body, and John assures those who had remained faithful that those who left were not really a part of the body because, if they had been, they would not have left. This has absolutely nothing to do with the unbiblical doctrine of “once saved, always saved;” and we know that is has absolutely nothing to do with that doctrine because the Bible expressly teaches that Christians who apostacize from the Christian faith lose their salvation and end up in the fires of hell.
Heb. 6:4. For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5. and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6. and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.
7. For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God;
8. but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.
9. But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. (NASB, 1995)
Up until the 16[SUP]th[/SUP] century, this passage was universally interpreted as teaching that a Christian could lose his salvation, and the large majority of Bible scholars today still hold to that position. Indeed, this passage of Scripture gives us the most detailed description of what it means to be saved that we find anywhere in the Bible, and the end of these saved persons who subsequently fall away from the Christian faith is eternal damnation in the fires of hell. This was also the doctrine of our earliest Baptist forefathers before some Baptists heard a brand new doctrine that had been recently conceived by some men in Europe, and spread this new doctrine among their Baptist brothers causing it to take over like a firestorm.
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews wrote his Epistle using the terminology and phraseology of the very early Church. Therefore, in order to accurately interpret the Epistle to the Hebrews, it is essential to have a solid background in the writings of the very early Church and the terminology and phraseology that they used.
The phrase in verse 4, “those who have once been enlightened,” is a reference to water baptism. Indeed, Justin Martyr (died in 165 A.D.) wrote that the term “enlightenment” was used as a synonym for water baptism of converts to Christianity and he uses the term “the enlightened one” for a person who has been baptized. And the Peshitta, an ancient Syriac translation of the Greek New Testament, renders (when translated into English) the phrase in verse 4, “who have gone down into baptism.”
The phrase in verse 4, “have tasted of the heavenly gift,” was variously interpreted during the first 1500 years, but it was ALWAYS interpreted as describing a born-again Christian. Some, for example, saw it to be a reference to the Eucharist; others saw it to be a reference to the teaching of Christ in John 6:31-58. Still others saw it to be a reference to the forgiveness of sins; others saw it to be a reference to the blessings conferred upon the Christian believer.
The phrase in verse 4, “and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,” is an obvious reference to receiving the Holy Spirit, something that, in the New Testament, happens EXCLUSIVELY to those who have been saved.
The phrase in verse 5, “and have tasted the good word of God,” is a clear reference to the Christian’s experience of hearing the word of God preached and taught and the consequential experience of it in his life as a believer.
The phrase in verse 5, “and the powers of the age to come,” is a reference to the miracles that were performed by the Apostles and other Christians as a foreshadowing of the kingdom to come, and to the other blessings that Christians experience now in part but shall experience in their fullness in the future kingdom.
The phrase in verse 6, “and then have fallen away,” can be properly interpreted only to be speaking of falling from grace and the Christian faith, something that can NOT happen until AFTER a person is saved.
The phrases in verse 6, “it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame,” tell us of the absolutely horrendous consequence of a Christian falling from grace, making the death of Christ on the cross for his sins to be of no effect. This passage expressly speaks of a person who has heard the Gospel, believed it, was saved and baptized, repented of his sins, and enjoyed the blessing of being a born-again Christian—but who subsequently chose to reject Christ and return to his sins. And the fate of such a person could not possibly be any worse—it is “impossible to renew them again to repentance.” Most obviously it is not impossible to renew an unsaved person to repentance if they have repented but not been born again and then fall back into sin. Therefore, the person spoken of has necessarily been born again but has fallen away from the Christian faith. And the born-again Christian who, of his own free will, chooses to reject the Christ who redeemed him is beyond redemption and damned to the fires of hell for eternity.
Verses 7 & 8 are an analogy used to support the author’s statements. Just as the ground which once brought forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled received a blessing from God, and the ground that now yields thorns and thistles is worthless and ends up being burned, so the Christian which once brought forth good fruit unto God but who now brings forth bad fruit ends up being burned in the fires of hell.
Verse 9 tells us that the author has been warning his Christian readers about things that do not accompany salvation, things that happen to Christians who fall away from the faith. Nonetheless, he is reassuring them that that he does not expect them to fall away, as some others had done, but is convinced of better things concerning them, and things that, in their case, accompany salvation, even though he felt that he needed to warn them of the horrendous consequences of apostasy from the Christian faith.
Because of the severity of the Greek word translated “impossible” in verse 6, some very early Christians rejected the Epistle to the Hebrews as not being a part of the New Testament Canon, but its place in the New Testament Canon is now well established and its warning is stern.
Christians who fight tooth and nail to detract from the warning of this passage shall have the blood upon their hands of those who lose their salvation because they were told the warning did not apply to them and they got careless as a result.
Moreover, 1 John actually teaches the conditional security of the believer,
1 John 2:17. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
This verse is not about the body of believers to whom John is writing; it is about who lives forever—those persons (whatever local body they may fellowship with) who do the will of God. It is very important to note here that the Greek word (ποιων) translated as “do” is in the present active participle of the Greek verb ποιέω and thus denotes continuous action in present time. In other words, those Christians who are actively doing the will of God live forever. That is, living forever is conditional upon the Christian actively doing the will of God!
The first Epistle of John of John was written to a body of believers that, as we can see from the first chapter, were very immature and confused believers that did not believe that Jesus had come in the flesh because they believed that all flesh is sinful. In the very first verse of the Epistle, John writes,
“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—“
He writes this to assure these believers that Jesus had indeed come in the flesh. He then proceeds to instruct further these believers in some of the rudimentary tenets of the Christian faith. In 1 John 2:19 he writes,
“They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.
The pronoun “us” refers to the body of believes to whom John is writing. Some individuals who had been fellowshipping with that body of believers had subsequently left the body, and John assures those who had remained faithful that those who left were not really a part of the body because, if they had been, they would not have left. This has absolutely nothing to do with the unbiblical doctrine of “once saved, always saved;” and we know that is has absolutely nothing to do with that doctrine because the Bible expressly teaches that Christians who apostacize from the Christian faith lose their salvation and end up in the fires of hell.
Heb. 6:4. For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5. and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6. and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.
7. For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God;
8. but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.
9. But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. (NASB, 1995)
Up until the 16[SUP]th[/SUP] century, this passage was universally interpreted as teaching that a Christian could lose his salvation, and the large majority of Bible scholars today still hold to that position. Indeed, this passage of Scripture gives us the most detailed description of what it means to be saved that we find anywhere in the Bible, and the end of these saved persons who subsequently fall away from the Christian faith is eternal damnation in the fires of hell. This was also the doctrine of our earliest Baptist forefathers before some Baptists heard a brand new doctrine that had been recently conceived by some men in Europe, and spread this new doctrine among their Baptist brothers causing it to take over like a firestorm.
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews wrote his Epistle using the terminology and phraseology of the very early Church. Therefore, in order to accurately interpret the Epistle to the Hebrews, it is essential to have a solid background in the writings of the very early Church and the terminology and phraseology that they used.
The phrase in verse 4, “those who have once been enlightened,” is a reference to water baptism. Indeed, Justin Martyr (died in 165 A.D.) wrote that the term “enlightenment” was used as a synonym for water baptism of converts to Christianity and he uses the term “the enlightened one” for a person who has been baptized. And the Peshitta, an ancient Syriac translation of the Greek New Testament, renders (when translated into English) the phrase in verse 4, “who have gone down into baptism.”
The phrase in verse 4, “have tasted of the heavenly gift,” was variously interpreted during the first 1500 years, but it was ALWAYS interpreted as describing a born-again Christian. Some, for example, saw it to be a reference to the Eucharist; others saw it to be a reference to the teaching of Christ in John 6:31-58. Still others saw it to be a reference to the forgiveness of sins; others saw it to be a reference to the blessings conferred upon the Christian believer.
The phrase in verse 4, “and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,” is an obvious reference to receiving the Holy Spirit, something that, in the New Testament, happens EXCLUSIVELY to those who have been saved.
The phrase in verse 5, “and have tasted the good word of God,” is a clear reference to the Christian’s experience of hearing the word of God preached and taught and the consequential experience of it in his life as a believer.
The phrase in verse 5, “and the powers of the age to come,” is a reference to the miracles that were performed by the Apostles and other Christians as a foreshadowing of the kingdom to come, and to the other blessings that Christians experience now in part but shall experience in their fullness in the future kingdom.
The phrase in verse 6, “and then have fallen away,” can be properly interpreted only to be speaking of falling from grace and the Christian faith, something that can NOT happen until AFTER a person is saved.
The phrases in verse 6, “it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame,” tell us of the absolutely horrendous consequence of a Christian falling from grace, making the death of Christ on the cross for his sins to be of no effect. This passage expressly speaks of a person who has heard the Gospel, believed it, was saved and baptized, repented of his sins, and enjoyed the blessing of being a born-again Christian—but who subsequently chose to reject Christ and return to his sins. And the fate of such a person could not possibly be any worse—it is “impossible to renew them again to repentance.” Most obviously it is not impossible to renew an unsaved person to repentance if they have repented but not been born again and then fall back into sin. Therefore, the person spoken of has necessarily been born again but has fallen away from the Christian faith. And the born-again Christian who, of his own free will, chooses to reject the Christ who redeemed him is beyond redemption and damned to the fires of hell for eternity.
Verses 7 & 8 are an analogy used to support the author’s statements. Just as the ground which once brought forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled received a blessing from God, and the ground that now yields thorns and thistles is worthless and ends up being burned, so the Christian which once brought forth good fruit unto God but who now brings forth bad fruit ends up being burned in the fires of hell.
Verse 9 tells us that the author has been warning his Christian readers about things that do not accompany salvation, things that happen to Christians who fall away from the faith. Nonetheless, he is reassuring them that that he does not expect them to fall away, as some others had done, but is convinced of better things concerning them, and things that, in their case, accompany salvation, even though he felt that he needed to warn them of the horrendous consequences of apostasy from the Christian faith.
Because of the severity of the Greek word translated “impossible” in verse 6, some very early Christians rejected the Epistle to the Hebrews as not being a part of the New Testament Canon, but its place in the New Testament Canon is now well established and its warning is stern.
Christians who fight tooth and nail to detract from the warning of this passage shall have the blood upon their hands of those who lose their salvation because they were told the warning did not apply to them and they got careless as a result.
Moreover, 1 John actually teaches the conditional security of the believer,
1 John 2:17. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
This verse is not about the body of believers to whom John is writing; it is about who lives forever—those persons (whatever local body they may fellowship with) who do the will of God. It is very important to note here that the Greek word (ποιων) translated as “do” is in the present active participle of the Greek verb ποιέω and thus denotes continuous action in present time. In other words, those Christians who are actively doing the will of God live forever. That is, living forever is conditional upon the Christian actively doing the will of God!
John 6:[SUP]39 [/SUP]And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.[SUP] 40 [/SUP]And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Ephesians 4:[SUP]30 [/SUP]And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
So if a believer si found in iniquity or had his faith overthrown that he no longer believes in Him, He still abides, but to avoid that consequence of being left behind at the pre trib rapture event, even former believers are called to go before that throne of grace for help in discerning the lies so they can lean on Him for help to depart from iniquity and be found abiding in Him as well as praying for His help to be willing to leave this life and their loved ones behind when the Bridegroom comes.
To depart from iniquity to be received as a vessel unto honor in His House at the re trib rapture event is the eternal glory that comes with our salvation.
2 Timothy 2:[SUP]10 [/SUP]Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.[SUP] 11 [/SUP]It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:[SUP] 12 [/SUP]If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:[SUP]13 [/SUP]If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself....[SUP] 18 [/SUP]Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.[SUP] 19 [/SUP]Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.[SUP] 20 [/SUP]But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.[SUP] 21 [/SUP]If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.[SUP]22 [/SUP]Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Once saved is always saved, but not every believer will be found abiding in Him unless they go before that throne of grace for help in discerning good & evil by the KJV to expose the works of darkness to depart from them as well as leaning on Him to help them be free of the snares of the cares of this life that they may escape the fire that is coming on the earth.
See Luke 12:40-49 & Luke 21:33-36 at the link for further details, asking the Lord for wisdom in reading His words.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12:40-49;21:33-36&version=KJV
Ephesians 4:[SUP]30 [/SUP]And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
So if a believer si found in iniquity or had his faith overthrown that he no longer believes in Him, He still abides, but to avoid that consequence of being left behind at the pre trib rapture event, even former believers are called to go before that throne of grace for help in discerning the lies so they can lean on Him for help to depart from iniquity and be found abiding in Him as well as praying for His help to be willing to leave this life and their loved ones behind when the Bridegroom comes.
To depart from iniquity to be received as a vessel unto honor in His House at the re trib rapture event is the eternal glory that comes with our salvation.
2 Timothy 2:[SUP]10 [/SUP]Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.[SUP] 11 [/SUP]It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:[SUP] 12 [/SUP]If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:[SUP]13 [/SUP]If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself....[SUP] 18 [/SUP]Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.[SUP] 19 [/SUP]Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.[SUP] 20 [/SUP]But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.[SUP] 21 [/SUP]If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.[SUP]22 [/SUP]Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Once saved is always saved, but not every believer will be found abiding in Him unless they go before that throne of grace for help in discerning good & evil by the KJV to expose the works of darkness to depart from them as well as leaning on Him to help them be free of the snares of the cares of this life that they may escape the fire that is coming on the earth.
See Luke 12:40-49 & Luke 21:33-36 at the link for further details, asking the Lord for wisdom in reading His words.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12:40-49;21:33-36&version=KJV
That is a promise for the apostates, those who are saved believers that had departed from faith that gets left behind at the pre trib rapture event when God shall judge His House first ( 1 Peter 4:17 ) as we can entrust the keeping of their souls to our faithful Creator in well doing while the suffer the fire coming on the earth and the subsequent great tribulation as a result ( 1 Peter 4:18-19 ).
Unfortunately, scripture paints a different picture as some had to have faith in order to depart from that faith to become apostate.
1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;[SUP]2 [/SUP]Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Paul spoke of this falling away in 2 Thessalonians 2nd chapter, and he reminded believers of our faith as to when they had received the sanctification of the Spirit & the belief of the truth at the calling of the gospel in verse 13-15. He goes on to the next chapter in proving that those wicked unreasonable men that have not faith; that no longer follow after the tradition taught of us and are disorderly ( slain in the spirit; holy laughter movement; seeking tongues by receiving the "Spirit" apart from salvation where believers fall backwards and unto the floor ) he gives the commandment from the Lord to withdraw from them ( 2 Thessalonians 3:1-7 ), but not to treat them as the enemy, but admonish them as brothers still ( 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 )
So those that were not of us; the first fold that followed His voice; but they are of the second fold that followed the stranger's voice, they will be left behind ( unless they repent before the Bridegroom comes ) but they will be made to hear His voice and be of the one fold and one shepherd. Read John 10:1-16 at the link below for details with His wisdom.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10:1-16&version=KJV
Unfortunately, scripture paints a different picture as some had to have faith in order to depart from that faith to become apostate.
1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;[SUP]2 [/SUP]Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Paul spoke of this falling away in 2 Thessalonians 2nd chapter, and he reminded believers of our faith as to when they had received the sanctification of the Spirit & the belief of the truth at the calling of the gospel in verse 13-15. He goes on to the next chapter in proving that those wicked unreasonable men that have not faith; that no longer follow after the tradition taught of us and are disorderly ( slain in the spirit; holy laughter movement; seeking tongues by receiving the "Spirit" apart from salvation where believers fall backwards and unto the floor ) he gives the commandment from the Lord to withdraw from them ( 2 Thessalonians 3:1-7 ), but not to treat them as the enemy, but admonish them as brothers still ( 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 )
So those that were not of us; the first fold that followed His voice; but they are of the second fold that followed the stranger's voice, they will be left behind ( unless they repent before the Bridegroom comes ) but they will be made to hear His voice and be of the one fold and one shepherd. Read John 10:1-16 at the link below for details with His wisdom.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10:1-16&version=KJV
In Matthew 10:1, we see that Jesus gave His 12 disciples power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and disease. This includes Judas Iscariot, yet Jesus referred to Judas Iscariot as an unbelieving, unclean devil who would betray Him! (John 6:71; 13:10-11). Judas may have believed the name of Jesus has the power to cast out demons but he did not truly believe in His name (John 1:12) and did not become a child of God and instead was the son of perdition (John 17:12).
Another mystery, needs to be solved.
One side says that 1 John 2:19 is about those saved, who have lost their faith, and fall away from something they had.
The other side says that 1 John 2:19 is about those who joined believers but fall away from something they never had ever.
At the end of the day, could both arguments be void, because in both scenarios the people are not saved.
So where do we go from here?
One side says that 1 John 2:19 is about those saved, who have lost their faith, and fall away from something they had.
The other side says that 1 John 2:19 is about those who joined believers but fall away from something they never had ever.
At the end of the day, could both arguments be void, because in both scenarios the people are not saved.
So where do we go from here?
We have already looked at these verses and learned the following:
Moreover, as the linguist and biblical scholar Adam Clarke observed in his commentary on the Bible,
John 6:35. Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.
36. "But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.
37. "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
38. "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
39. "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
40. "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." (NASB, 1995)
In John 6:35 Jesus uses the Greek present tense when saying that He is the bread of life. When He says, however, “he who comes to Me” he shifts from the Greek present tense to the Greek present participle describing the action of being in the process of coming to Him. Therefore, those who are in the process of coming to Him will never thirst. The Greek word translated here “thirst” is in the Greek subjunctive mood meaning that this is a conditional statement; that is, those persons who are in the process of coming to Jesus will never thirst. This promise, therefore, does NOT apply to anyone who turns from Jesus and begins walking away, that is backslides. When He says, “who believes in Me” He again uses the Greek present participle describing the action of being in the process of believing in Him. Therefore, those who are in the process of believing in Him will never thirst. Therefore, never thirsting and salvation itself is CONDITIONAL upon our continuing in our faith. Compare Col. 1:21-23,
21. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
22. yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach--
23. if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. (NASB, 1995)
In John 6:37 Jesus uses the Greek future tense in the indicative mood when saying that “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me” meaning that this is not a conditional statement but a statement of fact. When He says, however, “the one who comes to Me” He shifts from the Greek future tense to the Greek present participle describing again the action of being in the process of coming to Him. Therefore, those who are in the process of coming to Him He will not cast out.
The Greek word translated “cast” in verse 37 is in the Greek subjunctive mood meaning that this is a conditional statement; that is, those persons who are in the process of coming to Jesus He will not cast out. This promise, therefore, does NOT apply to anyone who turns from Jesus and begins walking away. The Greek word translated “lose” in verse 39 is also in the Greek subjunctive mood meaning that this is also a conditional statement; that is, it is the will of His Father that He lose nothing, but the actual outcome is conditional upon their continuing to come and their continuing to believe.
When He says in verse 40, “everyone who beholds the Son and believes” He again uses the Greek present participle describing the actions of being in the process of beholding the Son and believing in Him. Therefore, those who are in the process of beholding the Son and believing in Him will have eternal life. Therefore, having eternal life is CONDITIONAL upon our continuing in our faith. The Greek word translated “will have” (eternal life) in verse 40 is in the Greek subjunctive mood meaning that this is a conditional statement; that is, those persons who are in the process of beholding the Son and believing in Him will have eternal life.
Therefore, the Greek text of John 6:3 5-40 does NOT support the doctrine of eternal security (once saved, always saved). Indeed, it EXPRESSLY TEACHES that our having eternal life is CONDITIONAL upon our continuing to do three things,
1. come to Him
2. believe in Him
3 behold Him
This is why the doctrine of CONDITIONAL security is the Biblical doctrine and the doctrine of eternal security (once saved, always saved) is a non-Biblical doctrine, a doctrine that is expressly contradicted in the Bible.
36. "But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.
37. "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
38. "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
39. "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
40. "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." (NASB, 1995)
In John 6:35 Jesus uses the Greek present tense when saying that He is the bread of life. When He says, however, “he who comes to Me” he shifts from the Greek present tense to the Greek present participle describing the action of being in the process of coming to Him. Therefore, those who are in the process of coming to Him will never thirst. The Greek word translated here “thirst” is in the Greek subjunctive mood meaning that this is a conditional statement; that is, those persons who are in the process of coming to Jesus will never thirst. This promise, therefore, does NOT apply to anyone who turns from Jesus and begins walking away, that is backslides. When He says, “who believes in Me” He again uses the Greek present participle describing the action of being in the process of believing in Him. Therefore, those who are in the process of believing in Him will never thirst. Therefore, never thirsting and salvation itself is CONDITIONAL upon our continuing in our faith. Compare Col. 1:21-23,
21. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
22. yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach--
23. if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. (NASB, 1995)
In John 6:37 Jesus uses the Greek future tense in the indicative mood when saying that “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me” meaning that this is not a conditional statement but a statement of fact. When He says, however, “the one who comes to Me” He shifts from the Greek future tense to the Greek present participle describing again the action of being in the process of coming to Him. Therefore, those who are in the process of coming to Him He will not cast out.
The Greek word translated “cast” in verse 37 is in the Greek subjunctive mood meaning that this is a conditional statement; that is, those persons who are in the process of coming to Jesus He will not cast out. This promise, therefore, does NOT apply to anyone who turns from Jesus and begins walking away. The Greek word translated “lose” in verse 39 is also in the Greek subjunctive mood meaning that this is also a conditional statement; that is, it is the will of His Father that He lose nothing, but the actual outcome is conditional upon their continuing to come and their continuing to believe.
When He says in verse 40, “everyone who beholds the Son and believes” He again uses the Greek present participle describing the actions of being in the process of beholding the Son and believing in Him. Therefore, those who are in the process of beholding the Son and believing in Him will have eternal life. Therefore, having eternal life is CONDITIONAL upon our continuing in our faith. The Greek word translated “will have” (eternal life) in verse 40 is in the Greek subjunctive mood meaning that this is a conditional statement; that is, those persons who are in the process of beholding the Son and believing in Him will have eternal life.
Therefore, the Greek text of John 6:3 5-40 does NOT support the doctrine of eternal security (once saved, always saved). Indeed, it EXPRESSLY TEACHES that our having eternal life is CONDITIONAL upon our continuing to do three things,
1. come to Him
2. believe in Him
3 behold Him
This is why the doctrine of CONDITIONAL security is the Biblical doctrine and the doctrine of eternal security (once saved, always saved) is a non-Biblical doctrine, a doctrine that is expressly contradicted in the Bible.
Moreover, as the linguist and biblical scholar Adam Clarke observed in his commentary on the Bible,
It is the will of God that every soul who believes should continue in the faith, and have a resurrection unto life eternal. But he wills this continuance in salvation, without purposing to force the persons so to continue. God may will a thing to be, without willing that it shall be. Judas was given to Christ by the Father, Joh_17:12. The Father willed that this Judas should continue in the faith, and have a resurrection unto life eternal: but Judas sinned and perished. Now it is evident that God willed that Judas might be saved, without willing that he must be saved infallibly and unconditionally. When a man is a worker together with the grace of God, he is saved; when he receives that grace of God in vain, he is lost - not through a lack of will or mercy in God, but through lack of his co-operation with Divine grace. God saves no man as a stock or a stone, but as a reasonable being and free agent.
The seal spoken of in this context is the seal of ownership, guaranteeing the owner of the seal the right to keep, sell, exchange, or give away the property or goods bearing his seal. Therefore, to suggest that being sealed with the Holy Spirit is like being sealed in a Mason jar is biblically incorrect. The only thing that the seal does is guarantee that we who are in the process of believing in Christ as our Lord and our Savior belong to the King. We do NOT own the King; the King owns us—and as our owner, He is free to do with us as He pleases. Therefore, for any Christian to claim that the King is obligated to keep us if we fall into disbelief and willful disobedience is not only to make an audaciously insubordinate claim, it is to outright deny of the holiness and majesty of God!
If this were the only verse in scripture I would believe and accept its Truth. John 3:16. Of course, there are many other verses in scripture which show salvation is a gift and not by works nor by "hanging on."
Praise God He gave the gift of eternal life to dying and lost mankind.
Not one single human being can possibly do enough "works" to earn nor to keep their salvation.
Praise God He gave the gift of eternal life to dying and lost mankind.
Not one single human being can possibly do enough "works" to earn nor to keep their salvation.
Philippians 1:6. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (NRSV)
There is no promise to anyone in Philippians 1:6.
Philippians 1:6. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (NRSV)
Paul wrote Philippians 1:6 to a specific body of Christians—the Christians in the church at Philippi. These Christians, as Paul’s epistle to them reveals, were everything that Christians should be. Therefore, he was confident that the one who began a good work among them would bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
However, Paul did not feel that confidence about the Christians in the church at Corinth. Indeed, he had so little confidence about them that he warned them about the possibility that they could lose their salvation and find themselves in hell!
1. For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea;
2. and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3. and all ate the same spiritual food;
4. and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.
5. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
6. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
7. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.”
8. Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
9. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.
10. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (NASB, 1995)
Hilary Clinton, along with millions of other people, was confident, even sure, that she would win the United States Presidential election in 2016, but she did NOT win the election. Confidence and sureness of mind are NOT promises—they are states of mind that may, or may not, accurately reflect reality.
There is no promise to anyone in Philippians 1:6.
Philippians 1:6. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (NRSV)
Paul wrote Philippians 1:6 to a specific body of Christians—the Christians in the church at Philippi. These Christians, as Paul’s epistle to them reveals, were everything that Christians should be. Therefore, he was confident that the one who began a good work among them would bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
However, Paul did not feel that confidence about the Christians in the church at Corinth. Indeed, he had so little confidence about them that he warned them about the possibility that they could lose their salvation and find themselves in hell!
1. For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea;
2. and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3. and all ate the same spiritual food;
4. and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.
5. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.
6. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
7. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.”
8. Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
9. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.
10. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (NASB, 1995)
Hilary Clinton, along with millions of other people, was confident, even sure, that she would win the United States Presidential election in 2016, but she did NOT win the election. Confidence and sureness of mind are NOT promises—they are states of mind that may, or may not, accurately reflect reality.
You forget that Jesus is laying down the promises for salvation when He has been crucified, died, buried, risen and has ascended to God the Father above before one can truly be born again of the Spirit and thus saved.
So after He has ascended, those who come to and believe in Him are saved. It is those who do not believe in Him that are condemned.
John 3:[SUP]18 [/SUP]He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Feel free to read 2 Timothy 2nd chapter as it opposes plainly what you teach.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2&version=KJV
Knowing Greek and rightly dividing the word of truth has to fall under His guidance.
The fact that the Holy Spirit is in you is a testimony that you are saved; not in the process of being saved.
Otherwise, being born again of the Spirit has not happened yet in according to your misapplication of His words.
I have studied both classical and koine Greek for many years You are too simplistic.
How do you know? Very few did systematic Bible study.
Have you studied Augustine of Hippo? He certainly believed in eternal security,
Nor did they teach salvation by faith alone. But they were wrong.
However you cannot possibly know what all the fathers taught. But they had not even in general understood Paul's teaching
study church history (I have), it shows a woeful lack of Pauline theology.
How do you know? Very few did systematic Bible study.
Have you studied Augustine of Hippo? He certainly believed in eternal security,
Nor did they teach salvation by faith alone. But they were wrong.
However you cannot possibly know what all the fathers taught. But they had not even in general understood Paul's teaching
study church history (I have), it shows a woeful lack of Pauline theology.
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Too simplistic? I have been studying ancient Greek for more than 25 years, and I have here in my study nearly 600 volumes of highly advanced Greek studies to help me get it right.
We know what the Church Fathers believed because we have hundreds of their writings in which they expressed their beliefs.
I have over 14 years experience teaching Augustinian theology—from both his primary works that are often read, and from his Retractationes, written in the last two or three years of his life. His Retractationes are seldom read today because most scholars of Augustinian theology believe that his Retractationes are distinctly inferior to his primary works. However, neither in his primary works nor in his Retractationes did he teach or express belief that it is impossible for Christians to lose their salvation.
Justification by faith alone was expressly taught by the following Church Fathers: Origen, Hilary, Basil, Ambrosiaster, Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexander, Bernard, Theophylact, Theodoret, and Thomas Aquinas.
The doctrine of conditional security is found throughout the writings of the Church Fathers, but NEVER defensively against any conflicting doctrine.
Are we to believe that Paul’s Epistle to the Romans was so very poorly written that no one was able to understand even the doctrine of salvation until a renegade Roman Catholic politician named Jehan Cauvin (John Calvin) and his cronies came onto the scene and interpreted it? Indeed, are we to suppose that the Bible was so very poorly written that no one was able to understand even the doctrine of salvation until John Calvin and his cronies came onto the scene? If these things are the case, the Bible cannot possibly be the word of God, but rather the works of men with ridiculously poor writing skills!
The doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved” in all of its various forms (which are many) makes a mockery of the Doctrine of Divine Inspiration; and it makes a mockery of the holiness, righteousness, and justice of God! Moreover, it makes heaven to be a den thieves, murderers, adulterers, rapists, and child molesters. Furthermore, it reduces to incompetent fools the men whom God chose to use to formalize the doctrine of the Trinity, and to establish the New Testament Canon!
My favorite aspect of church history is the history of the evolution and development of Christian theology. Apart from Jesus, the number one biblical player, by a VERY wide margin, is Paul!
Personally, I am greatly offended when “Christians” exalt Paul over the Lord Christ Jesus to such an extent that our Lord becomes irrelevant. There is absolutely nothing in any of the four gospels to so much as suggest that Jesus believed in the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Indeed, he taught that salvation and eternal life are a reward for faithful, continuous obedience to Him. His own brother, James, taught that “a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24). Even the Apostle Paul NEVER taught in any of his epistles that have come down to us that works of true righteousness are not required for salvation; he simply taught that the works of Law—especially circumcision—are not required for salvation.
Biblical faith is a faith that is inseparable from good works, which are an integral and essential part of that faith rather than a mere consequence of that faith. We find this truth aggressively taught in Hebrews 11:1 - 40 and James 2:14-26. We find it less aggressively taught in the four gospels, the epistles of Paul, and the rest of the New Testament. And, of course, in the Old Testament faith is always closely associated with works.
We know what the Church Fathers believed because we have hundreds of their writings in which they expressed their beliefs.
I have over 14 years experience teaching Augustinian theology—from both his primary works that are often read, and from his Retractationes, written in the last two or three years of his life. His Retractationes are seldom read today because most scholars of Augustinian theology believe that his Retractationes are distinctly inferior to his primary works. However, neither in his primary works nor in his Retractationes did he teach or express belief that it is impossible for Christians to lose their salvation.
Justification by faith alone was expressly taught by the following Church Fathers: Origen, Hilary, Basil, Ambrosiaster, Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexander, Bernard, Theophylact, Theodoret, and Thomas Aquinas.
The doctrine of conditional security is found throughout the writings of the Church Fathers, but NEVER defensively against any conflicting doctrine.
Are we to believe that Paul’s Epistle to the Romans was so very poorly written that no one was able to understand even the doctrine of salvation until a renegade Roman Catholic politician named Jehan Cauvin (John Calvin) and his cronies came onto the scene and interpreted it? Indeed, are we to suppose that the Bible was so very poorly written that no one was able to understand even the doctrine of salvation until John Calvin and his cronies came onto the scene? If these things are the case, the Bible cannot possibly be the word of God, but rather the works of men with ridiculously poor writing skills!
The doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved” in all of its various forms (which are many) makes a mockery of the Doctrine of Divine Inspiration; and it makes a mockery of the holiness, righteousness, and justice of God! Moreover, it makes heaven to be a den thieves, murderers, adulterers, rapists, and child molesters. Furthermore, it reduces to incompetent fools the men whom God chose to use to formalize the doctrine of the Trinity, and to establish the New Testament Canon!
My favorite aspect of church history is the history of the evolution and development of Christian theology. Apart from Jesus, the number one biblical player, by a VERY wide margin, is Paul!
Personally, I am greatly offended when “Christians” exalt Paul over the Lord Christ Jesus to such an extent that our Lord becomes irrelevant. There is absolutely nothing in any of the four gospels to so much as suggest that Jesus believed in the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Indeed, he taught that salvation and eternal life are a reward for faithful, continuous obedience to Him. His own brother, James, taught that “a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24). Even the Apostle Paul NEVER taught in any of his epistles that have come down to us that works of true righteousness are not required for salvation; he simply taught that the works of Law—especially circumcision—are not required for salvation.
Biblical faith is a faith that is inseparable from good works, which are an integral and essential part of that faith rather than a mere consequence of that faith. We find this truth aggressively taught in Hebrews 11:1 - 40 and James 2:14-26. We find it less aggressively taught in the four gospels, the epistles of Paul, and the rest of the New Testament. And, of course, in the Old Testament faith is always closely associated with works.
The Greek word for faith is "pistis". The Greek word for "believe" is "pisteuo". Pistis is the noun and pisteuo is the verb. Very clearly both have the same root, but only have different endings because one is a noun and one is a verb. "To believe" is to exercise faith.
I assume you are trying to say that Scripture itself defines what "faith" is: and that is also correct. But to say that the Biblical definition of "faith" is disconnected with "believe" is just not so!
I assume you are trying to say that Scripture itself defines what "faith" is: and that is also correct. But to say that the Biblical definition of "faith" is disconnected with "believe" is just not so!
Not genuine belief (John 3:18) which would have resulted in the proper action instead of no longer following Jesus (John 8:31). What did Jesus say about these co called disciples that no longer followed Him? John 6:64 - But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.
65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.
Works-salvationists cannot have it both ways. Either we are saved through faith or else we are saved by works. Either Christ did it all or else we did some of it. Salvation is through faith (rightly understood) IN CHRIST "alone" (Ephesians 2:8,9) which is not to be misunderstood with an empty profession of faith that remains "alone" -- barren of works (James 2:14). *Faith in Christ alone saves because Christ is the OBJECT of our faith and is the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation. *No supplements needed. It's not about we must produce works in order to become saved but that we will produce works (all believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful) if we truly are saved. Faith - root of salvation. Works - fruit.
There is no hole that is missing in salvation through faith, not works, there is only your faulty human logic that fails to comprehend the truth. Your error seems to stem from you believing that ALL belief is the same "expect for the lack of works" and you cannot grasp a DEEPER faith which trusts exclusively in Christ for salvation. This also explains why you have so much faith in "water and works."
The Bible clearly teaches in many passages of scripture that we are saved through belief/faith "apart from additions or modifications." (Luke 8:12; John 1:12; 3:15,16,18; 6:40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 16:31; Romans 1:16; 3:22-28; 4:5; 5:1; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 John 5:13 etc..). You don't need to add the word "alone" next to belief/faith in each of these passages to figure out that the words belief/faith "stand alone" in these many many passages of scripture in connection with receiving salvation. Do these passages say faith "plus something else?" NO! So then it's faith (rightly understood) IN CHRIST alone.
In CONTEXT, James 2:24 is referring to faith that remains "alone" -- barren of works, which is not to be confused with faith that trusts in Christ "alone" for salvation (Romans 3:24; 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9).
*James is discussing the proof/evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18), not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).*
65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.
Works-salvationists cannot have it both ways. Either we are saved through faith or else we are saved by works. Either Christ did it all or else we did some of it. Salvation is through faith (rightly understood) IN CHRIST "alone" (Ephesians 2:8,9) which is not to be misunderstood with an empty profession of faith that remains "alone" -- barren of works (James 2:14). *Faith in Christ alone saves because Christ is the OBJECT of our faith and is the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation. *No supplements needed. It's not about we must produce works in order to become saved but that we will produce works (all believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful) if we truly are saved. Faith - root of salvation. Works - fruit.
There is no hole that is missing in salvation through faith, not works, there is only your faulty human logic that fails to comprehend the truth. Your error seems to stem from you believing that ALL belief is the same "expect for the lack of works" and you cannot grasp a DEEPER faith which trusts exclusively in Christ for salvation. This also explains why you have so much faith in "water and works."
The Bible clearly teaches in many passages of scripture that we are saved through belief/faith "apart from additions or modifications." (Luke 8:12; John 1:12; 3:15,16,18; 6:40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 16:31; Romans 1:16; 3:22-28; 4:5; 5:1; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 John 5:13 etc..). You don't need to add the word "alone" next to belief/faith in each of these passages to figure out that the words belief/faith "stand alone" in these many many passages of scripture in connection with receiving salvation. Do these passages say faith "plus something else?" NO! So then it's faith (rightly understood) IN CHRIST alone.
In CONTEXT, James 2:24 is referring to faith that remains "alone" -- barren of works, which is not to be confused with faith that trusts in Christ "alone" for salvation (Romans 3:24; 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9).
*James is discussing the proof/evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18), not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3).*
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