Greetings folks, I just thought that it would be helpful for the brethren on here that I share a response which I posted to Aniohevtorah's thread about Once Saved Always Saved, because I know how important this issue is. And I am aware of some of the problems and serious doctrinal issues that come about when a Christian denies the Biblical and Scriptural Doctrine of Eternal Security of the Born again Believer.
So directly below is Aniohevtorah's original post about once saved always saved. And of course below his highlighted post is my direct response to him. Including my answer to his question.
Hello there Aniohevtorah,
I see that from your post you do not understand that Christians in this dispensation (the Church Age) are sealed with the Holy Spirit (See Ephesians 1:13 and Ephesians 4:30) and therefore are Eternally Secure. Every true Christian in this dispensation known as the church age, has eternal security. So, no a Christian cannot lose his or her salvation or be "Un-Born Again." Once a person gets saved, he becomes a part of the Body of Christ and he is now bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh (See Ephesians 5:30).
And those verses which you gave in your thread on Hebrews 6 do not apply doctrinally to a Born Again Christian in the Church Age. Hebrews 6:4-6 applies doctrinally to a saved Jew (Tribulation Saint) in the time of Jacob's trouble. You see Aniohevtorah, Hebrews is not written to a Christian in the Church Age, but it is written to the Jews. That's why you need to rightly divide the word of truth (See 2 Timothy 2:15). If you are to understand Sound Bible Doctrine, then you must study the Bible dispensationally. There are several divisions and dispensations in the Scriptures and when you do not rightly divide the word, you make a big mess of the Bible. Hebrews (the title alone) should be a hint to you that this book is written to and addresses the Hebrews. Not Gentile Christians.
Now understand that you can learn and profit from the book of Hebrews especially for instruction in righteousness, there is a lot in the book of Hebrews that can be applied to the Church Age for instruction in rigorousness. But when you start trying to apply the book of Hebrews Doctrinally to the Church Age, then you will start to see apparent contradictions. Notice I said "apparent contradictions." Not contradictions but apparent contradictions. Why is that? Because the truth of the matter is that there are different viewpoints in the Scriptures that do appear and look as if they are contradictions but that's only if you do not rightly divide the word of truth( Again, read 2 Timothy 2:15).
Here is an excellent example of an apparent contradiction:
[SUP]8 [/SUP]For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[SUP]9 [/SUP]Not of works, lest any man should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9 (King James Bible)
From reading this passage in Ephesians, we can clearly see here that the Apostle Paul is telling us that we are saved not by our works but by grace through faith. So salvation is given to us without works.
Now let's see what James concluded in his epistle:
14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. - James 2:14-17 (King James Bible)
[SUP]So Aniohevtorah, which one is it? I mean are we saved by our works and faith? Or are we saved by faith alone and not by our works?
Do you see the apparent contradiction there? Again it is not a contradiction, it just appears to be. There are absolutely no contradictions in the King James Holy Bible, which is God's pure and perfect and infallible word.
[/SUP]
[SUB]And do you ever wonder why so many people say the Bible has contradictions in it? It is because they see stuff like I just showed you with the passage from James and also the passage from Ephesians. They see the differing viewpoints and they see that you cannot reconcile them. Of course, the only way to reconcile this quote on quote "issue" of an apparent contradiction is by simply obeying the command given in 2 Timothy 2:15:
[/SUB]
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
That is why when Christians do not rightly divide the word of truth, they cause contradictions to show up in the Scriptures and they make a mess of the Bible. You basically cause the Bible to contradict; that is when you do not rightly divide the word of truth.
For every apparent contradiction, there is a Scriptural solution. After all God cannot lie (See Titus 1:2) and the Scripture cannot be broken. (See John 10:35).
Having said that, it is obvious that the reason that the book of James emphasizes and teaches both faith and works is because the book of James is written to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad (See James 1:1) And also the book of James is doctrinally for the Jew (Tribulation Saint) in the Time of Jacob's Trouble. In the Time of Jacob's Trouble, the only Jews which have Eternal Security are the 144,000 sealed Jews (See Revelation 7:1-8).
Other than that, for the rest of the tribulation saints, they must endure unto the end (See Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13, Hebrews 3:6; 3:14; & 6:11) because they do not have eternal security. They must endure to the end by not taking the mark of the beast and by keeping the faith of Jesus and the commandments of God (Rev. 14:9-12).
And as for Ephesians; Faith without works is taught for New Testament Salvation in the Church Age. That is why Ephesians teaches Eternal Security for the Believer.
I really hope this helped you Aniohevtorah. And I hope this has helped other Born Again Christians on here who are still struggling with this issue of eternal security vs. losing salvation. Those that are still unsure about their Salvation and the Eternal Security that comes with Salvation.
Now to address and answer your question more specifically. I believe a true Born again Christian has received most if not all those things listed in Hebrews 6 when you apply Hebrews 6 for instruction in righteousness. Think about it for a minute. Are Christians partakers of the Holy Ghost? Well yes, don't Christians have the Holy Ghost dwelling inside of them? After all, having the Spirit of Christ living in you is what makes you a Christian. It's what makes you born again. Because you are born of the Spirit.
And as for tasting the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, don't true Born again Christians have and receive that as part of their salvation?
As a child of God, God will show you neat things which are in His word. At times He will reveal to you the special phenomenons and the beautiful patters, numerical patterns and that are in His word. When you believe and love God's Book, He will show you how the Scriptures flow beautifully together and how to rightly divide the Scriptures. That way you can really understand Bible prophecy. So again, my answer to your question is I believe Christians have these things. And if a Christian has tasted of the good word of God, then he has also tasted the powers of the world to come. Why? Because the Bible tells us of the world that is coming. The Bible is a prophetic Book. It gives us specific details of what the new heaven and new earth will look like in the future. For example : New Jerusalem. We know from reading Revelation 21, that New Jerusalem has 12 gates, and that it has a great and high wall and also that it has an Angel standing at each of the gates. And that each of the gates has a name written upon it, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. So we clearly see from the Scriptures what the world to come will be like. And of course if the Holy Scriptures have been open to us, then that right there would be considered biblical enlightenment. Wouldn't it? Notice I said biblical enlightenment.
I say that because a lot of times when people hear the word enlightenment, they think new age. Indeed, new age gurus do use that term a lot. But the bottom line is that while the word "enlightenment" may not be a Bible word, the words "enlightened," "enlighten," and "enlightening" are Bible words. The word "enlightened is found 6 times in the King James Bible, "enlighten" is found 1 time in the King James Bible and "enlightening" is also found only 1 time in the King James Bible.
So if our eyes have been opened to the word of God, and God has blessed our efforts in studying the word of God and our labour in Sound Bible Doctrine and has given us the understanding of His word in general. Then yes, I do believe a Christian at this point has been enlightened. Because one of the primary meanings of enlightenment is simply spiritual insight. So I hope you can see that even though Hebrews is not doctrianlly for the Church Age, you can still apply a lot of what's in Hebrews to the Church Age for the benefit of instruction in righteousness. Let me repeat that again: while Hebrews is not doctrinally for the Church Age or Christians, but for the Jews in the time of Jacob's Trouble. Even though that is, there are still lots of things in Hebrews which can be applied to the Christian in the Church Age for instruction in righteousness.
And that example which I just gave to you in answering your question clearly illustrates that. It clearly emphasizes that point. But still. Doctrinally, Hebrews is still for the Tribulation Saint in the time of Jacob's trouble. We must always keep that in mind. And in the time of Jacob's trouble, eternal security is not given to the Jews or Gentiles EXCEPT for the 144,000 sealed Jews which I mentioned earlier. That's why Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:26-27 teach that a person can lose their salvation. That is, a person in the time of Jacob's trouble. Not a Christian in the Church Age. In the Church Age, the Christian has Eternal Security (Eph. 1:13 and 4:30).
But in the time of Jacob's trouble, a Tribulation Saint (Jew or Gentile) does not have Eternal Security and can lose their salvation (Heb. 6:4-6 & 10:26-27).
Again, that is, except for the 144,000 Jews from the twelve tribes of the children of Israel which are sealed with the seal of God in their foreheads. (Rev. 7:1-8). The 144,000 sealed Jews are the only people who have eternal security in the time of Jacob's trouble.
I hope this has cleared up the confusion over the important matter and issue of Once Saved Always Saved (Eternal Security) vs. Losing Salvation.
Well folks, I prayed that this will help you in becoming confident of your eternal salvation and security in Christ Jesus. And for those of you who constantly worry about losing your salvation, I hope and pray that you will start to rightly divide the word of truth as 2 Timothy 2:15 commands us to. And just trust God and His ability to preserve and keep you blameless and your soul secure unto the day of Redemption.
The Scriptures perfectly illustrate the fact that All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
So directly below is Aniohevtorah's original post about once saved always saved. And of course below his highlighted post is my direct response to him. Including my answer to his question.
Hello there Aniohevtorah,
I see that from your post you do not understand that Christians in this dispensation (the Church Age) are sealed with the Holy Spirit (See Ephesians 1:13 and Ephesians 4:30) and therefore are Eternally Secure. Every true Christian in this dispensation known as the church age, has eternal security. So, no a Christian cannot lose his or her salvation or be "Un-Born Again." Once a person gets saved, he becomes a part of the Body of Christ and he is now bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh (See Ephesians 5:30).
And those verses which you gave in your thread on Hebrews 6 do not apply doctrinally to a Born Again Christian in the Church Age. Hebrews 6:4-6 applies doctrinally to a saved Jew (Tribulation Saint) in the time of Jacob's trouble. You see Aniohevtorah, Hebrews is not written to a Christian in the Church Age, but it is written to the Jews. That's why you need to rightly divide the word of truth (See 2 Timothy 2:15). If you are to understand Sound Bible Doctrine, then you must study the Bible dispensationally. There are several divisions and dispensations in the Scriptures and when you do not rightly divide the word, you make a big mess of the Bible. Hebrews (the title alone) should be a hint to you that this book is written to and addresses the Hebrews. Not Gentile Christians.
Now understand that you can learn and profit from the book of Hebrews especially for instruction in righteousness, there is a lot in the book of Hebrews that can be applied to the Church Age for instruction in rigorousness. But when you start trying to apply the book of Hebrews Doctrinally to the Church Age, then you will start to see apparent contradictions. Notice I said "apparent contradictions." Not contradictions but apparent contradictions. Why is that? Because the truth of the matter is that there are different viewpoints in the Scriptures that do appear and look as if they are contradictions but that's only if you do not rightly divide the word of truth( Again, read 2 Timothy 2:15).
Here is an excellent example of an apparent contradiction:
[SUP]8 [/SUP]For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[SUP]9 [/SUP]Not of works, lest any man should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9 (King James Bible)
From reading this passage in Ephesians, we can clearly see here that the Apostle Paul is telling us that we are saved not by our works but by grace through faith. So salvation is given to us without works.
Now let's see what James concluded in his epistle:
14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. - James 2:14-17 (King James Bible)
[SUP]So Aniohevtorah, which one is it? I mean are we saved by our works and faith? Or are we saved by faith alone and not by our works?
Do you see the apparent contradiction there? Again it is not a contradiction, it just appears to be. There are absolutely no contradictions in the King James Holy Bible, which is God's pure and perfect and infallible word.
[/SUP]
[SUB]And do you ever wonder why so many people say the Bible has contradictions in it? It is because they see stuff like I just showed you with the passage from James and also the passage from Ephesians. They see the differing viewpoints and they see that you cannot reconcile them. Of course, the only way to reconcile this quote on quote "issue" of an apparent contradiction is by simply obeying the command given in 2 Timothy 2:15:
[/SUB]
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
That is why when Christians do not rightly divide the word of truth, they cause contradictions to show up in the Scriptures and they make a mess of the Bible. You basically cause the Bible to contradict; that is when you do not rightly divide the word of truth.
For every apparent contradiction, there is a Scriptural solution. After all God cannot lie (See Titus 1:2) and the Scripture cannot be broken. (See John 10:35).
Having said that, it is obvious that the reason that the book of James emphasizes and teaches both faith and works is because the book of James is written to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad (See James 1:1) And also the book of James is doctrinally for the Jew (Tribulation Saint) in the Time of Jacob's Trouble. In the Time of Jacob's Trouble, the only Jews which have Eternal Security are the 144,000 sealed Jews (See Revelation 7:1-8).
Other than that, for the rest of the tribulation saints, they must endure unto the end (See Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13, Hebrews 3:6; 3:14; & 6:11) because they do not have eternal security. They must endure to the end by not taking the mark of the beast and by keeping the faith of Jesus and the commandments of God (Rev. 14:9-12).
And as for Ephesians; Faith without works is taught for New Testament Salvation in the Church Age. That is why Ephesians teaches Eternal Security for the Believer.
I really hope this helped you Aniohevtorah. And I hope this has helped other Born Again Christians on here who are still struggling with this issue of eternal security vs. losing salvation. Those that are still unsure about their Salvation and the Eternal Security that comes with Salvation.
Now to address and answer your question more specifically. I believe a true Born again Christian has received most if not all those things listed in Hebrews 6 when you apply Hebrews 6 for instruction in righteousness. Think about it for a minute. Are Christians partakers of the Holy Ghost? Well yes, don't Christians have the Holy Ghost dwelling inside of them? After all, having the Spirit of Christ living in you is what makes you a Christian. It's what makes you born again. Because you are born of the Spirit.
And as for tasting the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, don't true Born again Christians have and receive that as part of their salvation?
As a child of God, God will show you neat things which are in His word. At times He will reveal to you the special phenomenons and the beautiful patters, numerical patterns and that are in His word. When you believe and love God's Book, He will show you how the Scriptures flow beautifully together and how to rightly divide the Scriptures. That way you can really understand Bible prophecy. So again, my answer to your question is I believe Christians have these things. And if a Christian has tasted of the good word of God, then he has also tasted the powers of the world to come. Why? Because the Bible tells us of the world that is coming. The Bible is a prophetic Book. It gives us specific details of what the new heaven and new earth will look like in the future. For example : New Jerusalem. We know from reading Revelation 21, that New Jerusalem has 12 gates, and that it has a great and high wall and also that it has an Angel standing at each of the gates. And that each of the gates has a name written upon it, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. So we clearly see from the Scriptures what the world to come will be like. And of course if the Holy Scriptures have been open to us, then that right there would be considered biblical enlightenment. Wouldn't it? Notice I said biblical enlightenment.
I say that because a lot of times when people hear the word enlightenment, they think new age. Indeed, new age gurus do use that term a lot. But the bottom line is that while the word "enlightenment" may not be a Bible word, the words "enlightened," "enlighten," and "enlightening" are Bible words. The word "enlightened is found 6 times in the King James Bible, "enlighten" is found 1 time in the King James Bible and "enlightening" is also found only 1 time in the King James Bible.
So if our eyes have been opened to the word of God, and God has blessed our efforts in studying the word of God and our labour in Sound Bible Doctrine and has given us the understanding of His word in general. Then yes, I do believe a Christian at this point has been enlightened. Because one of the primary meanings of enlightenment is simply spiritual insight. So I hope you can see that even though Hebrews is not doctrianlly for the Church Age, you can still apply a lot of what's in Hebrews to the Church Age for the benefit of instruction in righteousness. Let me repeat that again: while Hebrews is not doctrinally for the Church Age or Christians, but for the Jews in the time of Jacob's Trouble. Even though that is, there are still lots of things in Hebrews which can be applied to the Christian in the Church Age for instruction in righteousness.
And that example which I just gave to you in answering your question clearly illustrates that. It clearly emphasizes that point. But still. Doctrinally, Hebrews is still for the Tribulation Saint in the time of Jacob's trouble. We must always keep that in mind. And in the time of Jacob's trouble, eternal security is not given to the Jews or Gentiles EXCEPT for the 144,000 sealed Jews which I mentioned earlier. That's why Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:26-27 teach that a person can lose their salvation. That is, a person in the time of Jacob's trouble. Not a Christian in the Church Age. In the Church Age, the Christian has Eternal Security (Eph. 1:13 and 4:30).
But in the time of Jacob's trouble, a Tribulation Saint (Jew or Gentile) does not have Eternal Security and can lose their salvation (Heb. 6:4-6 & 10:26-27).
Again, that is, except for the 144,000 Jews from the twelve tribes of the children of Israel which are sealed with the seal of God in their foreheads. (Rev. 7:1-8). The 144,000 sealed Jews are the only people who have eternal security in the time of Jacob's trouble.
I hope this has cleared up the confusion over the important matter and issue of Once Saved Always Saved (Eternal Security) vs. Losing Salvation.
Well folks, I prayed that this will help you in becoming confident of your eternal salvation and security in Christ Jesus. And for those of you who constantly worry about losing your salvation, I hope and pray that you will start to rightly divide the word of truth as 2 Timothy 2:15 commands us to. And just trust God and His ability to preserve and keep you blameless and your soul secure unto the day of Redemption.
The Scriptures perfectly illustrate the fact that All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
