Once saved always saved (sometimes referred to as perseverance of the saints) is one of the most dangerous doctrines being commonly taught today. Here’s three verses that completely disprove it:
“For it is impossible, 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, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.” -Hebrews 6:4-6
These people have partaken in the Holy Spirit as a heavenly gift. They repented of their sins. But it sounds as if they’ll be judged because they have fallen away and not endured to the end. This is why he later speaks about faith and endurance are what helps you obtain the promises. Faith and endurance. Not a one time calling upon Jesus and then going on with life. Not an altar call one Sunday morning and then back to the world. When pastors teach those people that they are saved, many fall away because they think they’re good to go. Very dangerous. Here’s the next one.
“You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again.” -Romans 11:19-23
Two main things here. First, some branches are broken off. So in order to be broken off, you must be part of it first. Pretty simple, right? Look at the tree as salvation. They had it. Now they’ve lost it. Why? Because of unbelief. But check this out, we see the gentiles that are being brought in being given a warning. Don’t get cocky because God can break you off just like he did to the natural ones. And he clarifies how they can stay on. They must continue in His kindness. It’s a classic “if then” statement. And when you begin to read the scriptures understanding that OSAS is completely false, you’ll see these statements everywhere. Here’s a bonus one from Colossians 1.
“And although you were previously alienated and hostile in attitude, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His body of flesh through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not shifting 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.” -Colossians 1:21-23
Back to Hebrews for one that I believe is very overlooked. I’ve saved it for last.
“Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?”
Hebrews 10:28-29
Notice this person was sanctified by the blood of the covenant, but now they’ve insulted the spirit of grace. This is lawlessness by the ways which see a lot today (that’s a whole other subject for another day). This person was sanctified but now they’ve trampled underfoot Yeshua. How can someone be sanctified but then be lost? It just doesn’t work.
Now I’ll close with this. I think it’s important to note that I believe salvation comes when we are resurrected from the dead on the day of Yeshua’s return. So when I speak of salvation in this post I am using it in the way that those who believe in OSAS would use it.
I would say we receive the deposit of the Holy Spirit through our faith and we can lose the Holy
Spirit if we freely choose to walk away. That may confuse some of you, but I wanted to do the best I could to clarify my position.
Study this out. Test everything. Don’t believe a word I say. There is peace in walking with the Most High but He does not want us to be complacent. Praying whoever is reading this will endure to the end.
The words of Yeshua:
“But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.” -Matthew 24:13
Author: Sherwood Cooke III
