Friday, March 19, 2010
Eternal Security of the Elect
J.A. Matteson
HEBREWS 6:4-12
Does this passage teach that Christians can loose their salvation?
Are Christians secure in their salvation, or is it possible for them to become apostate and suffer eternal damnation? What does the Scripture mean when it states that salvation is by grace through faith? Who does what in salvation—what is God’s role and what is the sinner’s role? These types of questions are of utmost seriousness because how we answer the questions will inform our ministry in how we communicate and live out our Gospel calling.
Upon close examination of Hebrews 6:4-12 it is evident that the author is responding in classical rhetorical fashion to a question posed by the Hebrew Christians who, as with Christians today, were grappling with seeking to understand how it was that some in their midst were forsaking the apostolic Gospel of grace and returning to a Jewish system of Law and works. These confessors of the faith had heard the Gospel of grace and even exhibited outward faith for a while by participating in the life of the church, only sometime latter to deny what they earlier had confessed when persecution arose against the church.
The author responds to their question by setting up a rhetorical situation for the purpose of demonstrating the impossibility of their concern—can true born again believers loose their salvation? The key to rightly interpreting this passage is to: 1) exegete it in the context of the entire book of Hebrews and, 2) endeavoring to inform the Hebrews passage in light of the balance of the New Testament teaching on the topic salvation.
Hebrews 6:4-12 NAS
“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. 10. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 11. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so 12. that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Reading the passage in isolation (out of its context) it may suggest a dire warning to the born again, that their salvation may hang in the balance day-by-day and is ultimately dependent upon their actions. But is that what is really being communicated in the passage? No. A fundamental interpretive practice of Bible study is referred to as the “analogy of faith” which underscores two key truths regarding Scripture: it is inspired by God thus inerrant. One attribute of God is His omniscience (He is all-knowing). Therefore, God cannot contradict Himself in Scripture because what is written was given in the form of divine revelation by the One who possesses perfect knowledge of all things. The analogy of faith recognizes Scripture as the inspired and inerrant Word of God free from actual contradictions and errors of redemptive truth. What this means practically is that as we read the Bible if there are two passages that appear to be in contradiction, both conclusions cannot be correct (law of non-contradiction), our interpretation of one of the passages then must be in error. The analogy of faith instructs the interpreter to understand vague or foggy passages of Scripture in light other passages which are quite clear on the topic under study. It is for this reason that the interpreter of this passage must take into account the remainder of the book of Hebrews and the other books of the New Testament in order to arrive at a correct application of the passage.
The book to the Hebrews was written to believers who were Jewish converts to the faith. One theme in the book is salvation by grace through faith in contrast to works (attempting to perfectly keep the Mosaic Law).
Greek Text
6:4 αδυνατον γαρ τους απαξ φωτισθεντας γευσαμενους τε της δωρεας της επουρανιου και μετοχους γενηθεντας πνευματος αγιου
The author refers to the apostate as “those” (τους). It is curious that these people are not directly identified as believers, those who are saved, or as believers.
The author classifies “those” (τους) as having once been “enlightened” (φωτισθεντας). To be enlightened is to be exposed to the saving knowledge of the gospel, to have been instructed as to its truth, to be informed, to have been taught in order to gain understanding. The word “enlightened” may also be rendered to give light or make known. We see this same word used of believers in other passages but not specifically pertaining to the event of being born again.
In the above passage the apostle uses the term in reference the believer gaining a deeper understanding of spiritual truth. To taste (γεύομαι) of the heavenly Gift is to experience His presence. Those referenced in the chapter 6 passage are described as “partakers” (μετοχους) in the Holy Spirit. The rendering is an individual who is a companion with or comrade with or one who shares with the Spirit. The word used for gift is δωρεας which simply means without cost, without cause or for no reason.
Examples:
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift (δωρεαν) of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 NAS
The source of the gift referenced is heaven (επουρανιου) which is suggestive of the Spirit.
6:5 και καλον γευσαμενους θεου ρημα δυναμεις τε μελλοντος αιωνος
The author describes those who have become apostate as those who have tasted (γευσαμενους) or experienced first hand the Word of God and witnessed supernatural deeds of the Spirit having participated in the fellowship of the church.
6:6 και παραπεσοντας παλιν ανακαινιζειν εις μετανοιαν ανασταυρουντας εαυτοις τον υιον του θεου και παραδειγματιζοντας
To fall away (παραπεσοντας) is to denounce by word and/or actions what was earlier confessed to be true. It is the Spirit who renews (ανασταυρουντας) the dead and blind soul, who brings forth life form death, who mercifully bestows the gift of repentance to the soul previously at enmity against God.
“He (Christ) is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31 NAS
“When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, ‘Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.’” Acts 11:18 NAS
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4 NAS
“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 NAS
“…with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth…” 2 Timothy 2:25 NAS
Apart from the initiative of God upon the lifeless soul no sinners would ever come to repentance on their own. Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” John 6:63
If in fact an unregenerate person (one “in the flesh”) were able to come to Christ with repentance and faith apart from the work of the Spirit and therefore become born again, the following passage would be false. “…and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:8 For if it was possible to come to Christ in an unregenerate state that would be quite pleasing to God! But such is not the case.
6:7 γη γαρ η πιουσα τον επ αυτης πολλακις ερχομενον υετον και τικτουσα βοτανην ευθετον εκεινοις δι ους και γεωργειται μεταλαμβανει ευλογιας απο του θεου
6:8 εκφερουσα δε ακανθας και τριβολους αδοκιμος και καταρας εγγυς ης το τελος εις καυσιν
6:9 πεπεισμεθα δε περι υμων αγαπητοι τα κρειττονα και εχομενα σωτηριας ει και ουτως λαλουμεν
6:10 ου γαρ αδικος ο θεος επιλαθεσθαι του εργου υμων και του κοπου της αγαπης ης ενδειξασθε εις το ονομα αυτου διακονησαντες τοις αγιοις και διακονουντες
6:11 επιθυμουμεν δε εκαστον υμων την αυτην ενδεικνυσθαι σπουδην προς την πληροφοριαν της ελπιδος αχρι τελους
6:12 ινα μη νωθροι γενησθε μιμηται δε των δια πιστεως και μακροθυμιας κληρονομουντων τας επαγγελιας
“For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end…” Hebrews 3:13 NAS
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (φωτισθεντας), so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…” Ephesians 1:18 NAS
“But remember the former days, when , after being enlightened (φωτισθεντες), you endured a great conflict of sufferings….” Hebrews 10:32 NAS
The remainder of chapter 10 outlines how the authors born again readers were in fact enlightened by the Gospel (Romans 10:17) to the extent of being radically transformed to the point of enduring great suffering from an unbelieving world, emphasizing that we are not those who shrink back to destruction of soul ending in damnation (“we” meaning the redeemed, in contrast to “those” meaning the reprobate).
Copyright (c) 2010 Immutable Word Ministries (“…the word of our God stands forever.” Isa. 40:8).
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Salvation is eternal,one can know He is saved by Grace because nothing we can do,can ever save us,as long as we remain faithful.God is always faitfull,because He cannot go against His word,but if there was no danger of christians being decieved by seducing spirits and doctrines of demons why all the warnings.Why does Paul say you have started by grace and now you want to continue in the flesh,its because we will always have our own will.God does not force you,to remain in Him.I read a story which fits this picture very well,you find youself taken by waters in a river and the only boat that could save you is full,however they throw you a rope and while you hang on to that rope you are sure you will be saved and taken to the land safely,once you deide to give up and let go of that rope you will drown.The rope and the means of salvation is there but if you no longer want it then you are a free being.God does not force anyone.This once saved always saved is going to send millions of people to hell,the bible does not say it and we are running the race, we are not saved yet.It does not depend on our works, it depends on our faithfulness.That word faith should be translated faithfulness but the english translation is very lacking.He does say that noone can snatch them out of my hand,but He does not say that they might want to shipwreck their faith as paul puts it.If we decide to jump out from His hands then our faith will be worst than that of an unbeliever.
If you have the time I recommend Bob DeWaays radio spots regarding Hebrew 6. He actually does a verse by verse taching on the subject of the possibility of Christians being apostate, but he ends the series with a 3rd option to the OSAS issue. I think it is very good and something to think about.
http://cicministry.org/radio_series.php?series=hebrews
Look for the spots that deal with Heb 6….
Thank you for your comment.
Quote:”Salvation is eternal,one can know He is saved by Grace because nothing we can do,can ever save us,as long as we remain faithful.”
Without desiring to be offensive here in any way at all, because I have stood with the same opinion for many years, isn’t that statement a contradiction in terms? What you are saying in effect is that, we know that we are unable to save ourselves, but we know God is able to save us, providing we have the strength to hold on till the end.
I would suggest rather, that if you have held on until the end, it is because God has saved you, and has faithfully completed the work He has begun. This would be better in line with Scripture in places such as:
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
(Philippians 1:3-6)
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
(2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
(Ephesians 1:13-14)
If we have been saved at all, it is by the hand of God from start to finish, and if our own free will has had any part to play in that salvation at all, it is as an obstacle, and never an aid.
We are told in Ephesians that;
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
It does not suggest in any way that we have been brought to belief by grace through faith, and then it’s down to you. It says you have been saved by grace through faith, which is not of ourselves. If we are saved, it simply cannot mean we are propped up for a while, for to be saved is a completed work. Which is a gift from God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. I would suggest that if you stood before God on the Final Day, and you stood there because you were faithful in holding on, then although very faint, you would very much have a reason to boast.
Quote:”This once saved always saved is going to send millions of people to hell,the bible does not say it and we are running the race, we are not saved yet.It does not depend on our works, it depends on our faithfulness.”
I’m sorry Joyce but this is another contradiction in terms. It is no different than saying it does not depend on our works, but on our works (faithfulness). If that work (faithfulness) is anything other than the gift of God in the first place.
As for being saved, you are right, we are not saved yet, for we await the redemption of our bodies. And because that it the perspective we have here on earth, we must work out the faith we believe God has given us as a gift, with fear and trembling. Clinging to His Word, and fully relying on His Spirit, that we may know the Living God who saves us, through His own Son, Jesus Christ.
However if that is the attitude of the professing Christian, how can using the Word of God to reassure them of His strength to guard them till the end, and complete the work He has started, lead anyone to Hell?
By all means, scream at the top of your lungs for those claiming to be children of God to repent, for until we are glorified, it is that act of repentance that causes us to continue to be transformed into the likeness of His Son.
Shout and yell that the written Word of God is all the truth any believer will ever need for life and godliness, and that through His Word and the instruction of His Spirit, any one of us, no matter how pathetic, may have the mind of Christ.
Let everyone know that the blood of Christ shed at Calvary washes away the sins of all who believe, regardless of how vile they have become. And let even the most pious Christian know that vile they will remain whilst in the flesh, just as in need of the cleansing blood today, as when they first came to faith.
Do these things, and Faith Defenders is a platform for you to freely have your say, and I think I speak on behalf of everyone here. However I will not allow anyone, and I do mean anyone, to boast of anything other than the saving grace of Jesus Christ, through His completed work alone.
As much as this may sting, and to be quite honest I hope it does; your willingness to rely upon the faithfulness of the believer as opposed to the faithfulness of Christ, does not belong here. It is more at home in the Word of Faith movement.
I do not think for a moment that is where you’re coming from, but with all humility I ask that you think long and hard what you are proclaiming, for that is precisely where your theology on this matter belongs.
God bless,
John.
Coincidentally I have just been reading the post in Spurgeon Daily, which seems oh so relevant to this post. Well worth reading, and as usual, Spurgeon just seems to be so good at summing up the truth of God in a clear and concise fashion.
http://www.thedailyspurgeon.com/2010/03/he-will-sustain.html
[...] couple of days ago I was reading an excellent article written by J.A. Matteson over at Faith Defenders, addressing the subject of the eternal security of the elect of God. This [...]
[...] Eternal Security of the Elect [...]
brother as you said you are clinging to His word etc,so are you working? No you are just being faithfull.I tend to agree with Jacob Prasch view on this saved always saved,and even though many of my christian friends believe it as you do,I find no problem in fellowshipping with them,but I would never dare to tell anyone they are now sequre simply because we do not know if people are truly followers or if they might one day start believing in an apostate doctrine.All I know that if you continue in the Lord,as He is faithful He will finish what He started in you,but unless you allow Him, He does not force anyone.Why is it that some grow rapidly because they do not hinder the spirit,while others remain babies on milk,because they do not let the Spirit work in them.We have a will,which God cannot force,not before we were born again,and not after.I have seen many people get a licence to sin because of this doctrine,they think that God is now transforming them,so one day He will stop them sinning,unless you yield your will to stop doing something,you never will.If you are on drugs,God does not stop you until you decide to obey Him.Grace is granted when its desired, not forced upon us.I know people who are still struggling with some sin, is it because God is not giving them grace,no its because they want to remain there,and God cannot force them.He is long suffering indeed,but He also says,I will not contend with man forever.
I submit this paper for consieration
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue49.htm
Question, Is there such a thing as “temporary eternal salvation”?
This is a quote from an article/paper by Bob DeWaay… Since the post is taken from this scripture I wanted to add a note here regarding those verses….
Most of the controversy about Hebrews 6:4-8 concerns its relationship to the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Exegetically, it is clear enough what the passage says. The problem is in reconciling it with other passages in the Bible. For example, consider John 6:37-39: “All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And 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.” Similarly, Paul taught in Romans that all whom the Father foreknew will ultimately be glorified: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30). The rest of this chapter also offers strong support for the perseverance of the saints. Some Evangelicals do not believe in perseverance and readily accept the idea of true Christians falling from the faith. However, such persons should realize that perseverance is a clear and important Biblical teaching. The thing that makes Hebrews 6:4-8 and other passages such as Hebrews 10:26 startling and disconcerting is the very fact that true Christians have such a strong hope of eternal life, one based on the promises of God and the finished work of Christ. To put Christ to open shame and trample under foot the blood of the covenant is rightly anathema to us. We believe that He who began His work in us will finish it (Philippians 1:6). Falling away is not an acceptable outcome of our faith (1Peter 1:9; see also 1Peter 1:2-5 which offers strong assurance of the perseverance of the saints).
Those who believe in losing one’s salvation should also realize that this section of Hebrews is not talking about losing and regaining faith, but renouncing it so as to never be able to regain it. It is not being saved then lost then saved again, rather saved then lost period. There would be no need to call in a traveling evangelist to seek to remedy this situation. This sober and fearful possibility is difficult for even those who have no belief in perseverance to accept. Thus it is a problem passage for all.
The teaching on perseverance is that Christians will persevere, not that they will be saved even if they do not! “We know that no one who is born of God sins [as a continuous state of affairs]; but He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him” (1John 5:18). Perseverance is a promise that was given in the Old Testament: “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me” (Jeremiah 32:40). Thus belief in perseverance can properly be distinguished from the much abused and crass “once saved always saved” credo that some substitute for it.18 Perseverance does not suggest that those who fail to persevere are saved. The promise of God is that we will persevere.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for this article.
It does seem that like many other Christian words and terms “Once Saved Always Saved” means different things to different people and therefore it tends to be abused and misrepresented. I read an article yesterday which suggested that maybe it would be better phrased “If Saved Always Saved”. That at least would help to remove some of the ambiguity.
Maybe best just to stick to Peseverance of the saints.
God bless,
Andy
Thanks all for your input. I agree, I think the term is terrible and it certainly leads to a gamut of emotions when talked about.
Again my attempt was not at all to have anyone “throw -up” in regards to this. I just wanted a discussion without being told I am a heretic or blasphemish,(that’s what happened at another forum) I want a better understanding of the topic and after listening to a few teachings on it my conclusion is to stand in the court of Bob DeWaay.
I am beginning to think maybe the difference might be more of a definition between backslider and apostate. I actually wrote Bob DeWaay a clarification question and when or if I get a response I’ll post it, if it seems prudent.
Getting down to the more nitty gritty of it. There is this problem in the church today (modernism, post-modernism) that because of the weak gospel that is preached, I still see people who say they follow Jesus Christ or say “I believe” in Jesus Christ and have not made one change in their living habits or attempts in their living habits, that being, still inbibing in the sin they have always been involved in.
So in a sense I can understand why a person would be adamate against a “once saved always saved” teaching. And that article you read, (which I read as well) IF saves always saved is a better term for this situation.
I believe that there must be that possibility of a Christian becoming apostate as Bob DeWaay teaches. But it is a person who has been “enlightened” but then denounces their faith.
His example is a Charismatic Pastor who after a long time of “serving” denounces his belief and become an athiest. He was given an article about the repentance and coming back to the church and he stated thank you but no thanks, his life has become much more peacefull now that he has left the church and in fact it is IMPOSSIBLE for him to come back. As stated in Heb 6.
So, I guess I stand on the third option on this subject, I am confident that as I “perservere” in the Lord with the help of the Holy Spirit I will have eternal life.
Blessings on all
Tim