CAN A CHILD OF GOD BE LOST ETERNALLY?

by A.G. HOBBS
This question has occasioned much discussion, both in private conversation and in public debates. It, therefore, merits a careful study.

As we begin, there are a few clear-cut facts blazoned across the pages of the Bible that should make it easy to answer. Before we go into a more detailed study, let us notice these broad outlines of the subject First: Followers of Christ are exhorted to be faithful unto death if they are to receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). And also, “Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21). It is essential that we overcome in order that our names not be blotted out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5)

Second: We are told that if we add the things outlined by Peter
(2 Peter 1:5-11) we “shall never fall.” This certainly teaches that one can and may fall, and that entrance into the “everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” is conditional.

Third: We have teaching and prophecies where some would fall away. (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:13)

Fourth: We are admonished to restore the fallen (Galatians 6: 1; James. 5:19-20); and we are told what to do in order to be restored back into God’s favor. (Acts 8:22; James 5:16). If one can not fall, there would be none to restore; and those who depart from the truth are certainly in a lost condition.

“My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know. that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20).

(1) This is spoken to saved persons, “brethren.” Therefore, “brethren” redeemed by the blood of Christ may err from the truth.

(2) No one can err from or depart from a position he has never held, or truth he has never embraced.

(3) Those who err from the truth are lost unless they are converted from the error of their way.

Hence, it is evident that children of God can be lost. How can one face these facts and not see it?

WHY THEN THE CONFUSION?

1. A failure to consider ALL THE BIBLE REVEALS ON THE SUBJECT.
Some give undue emphasis to passages that set forth God’s love and concern for His people. With these only before them, they exclaim, “Surely God’s people can never be lost.” However, there are many passages setting forth the fact that man’s salvation is conditional upon his part. We must accept all the Bible teaches on the subject in order to ascertain the truth upon it. God loves and cares for all men. If salvation is unconditional upon man’s part, then all men will be saved. Man cannot save himself apart from Christ; neither has Christ promised to save the disobedient. (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9).

2. Because of not understanding WHEN and WHERE one receives eternal life. Often in language the prophetic future or future present—a present tense with a future meaning is used. For instance, seven centuries before the birth of Christ, Isaiah said: “unto us a child IS BORN, unto us a son IS GIVEN “ (Isaiah 9:6). Before Gideon put the camp of the Midianites to flight, God said to him, “I have delivered it into thy hand” (Judges 7:9). One has spiritual life if he has Christ, but he must be faithful unto the end to come into actual possession of eternal life where he cannot lose it.
a. Jesus said that they who forsake all and follow Him shall receive “in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:30).
b. Paul said God would “render to every man according to his works: to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life.” (Romans 2:6-7); and that Christians labor “in hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:2; 3:7).
c. Eternal life is something we reap AFTER sowing to the Spirit (Galatians 6:6-7).
d. “But now being made free from sin and become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification and the END ETERNAL LIFE” (Romans 6:22).
e. Paul told Timothy to “lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12) Would it be sensible to tell a man to lay hold of the plow handles, if he already had hold of them?
Any application of John 3:36 and 5:24 that contradicts all these other passages must of necessity be false. To the faithful and obedient believer, eternal life is held out as a promise and hope. But man may nullify everything by which he is and can be saved.

We are saved by faith — but:

(1) One may deny the faith and become worse than an infidel
(1 Timothy 5:8).
(2) Make shipwreck concerning the faith (1 Timothy 1:19-20)
(3) Depart from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1).

We are saved by the gospel — but one may be moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23).

We are saved by grace — but we may fail or fall short of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15), and fall from grace (Galatians 5:4)

We are saved by love — but we MUST KEEP OURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD (Jude 21). nothing can separate us from the love of God BUT OURSELVES.“For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3).

We are saved by the blood of Jesus --- but AFTER one has been saved “once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift” and “made partaker of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come”; he may count the “blood of the covenant where with he was sanctified an unholy thing” and so despite to the Spirit of grace and be lost (Hebrews 6:4-5; 10:29).

I. The Possibility Of Apostasy Is Evident From The Word “IF”

1. “IF that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye shall abide in the Son, and in the Father” (1 John 2:24)

2. “IF ye live after the flesh, ye shall die ... “(Romans 8:13). This cannot refer to physical death for it is appointed unto all men to die a physical death (Hebrews 9:27-28).

3. “But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

4. “IF ye abide in My word, then are you truly My disciples” (John 8:31).

5. “IF we faint not— we shall reap ...” (Galatians 6:9).

6. “IF ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:8-11).

7. “IF we hold fast” — we become partakers with Christ (Hebrews 3:14).

8. “IF he shrink back, My soul hath no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38).

Certainly these passages teach the possibility of apostasy. The final entrance of the child of God into that everlasting kingdom is conditional. If not, how can all these “if” passages be explained to teach otherwise?

In reality, we could even now write, PROPOSITION PROVED!

In addition to all the “if” passages, there are many in which Christians are warned and admonished to “take heed” and “beware” lest we depart, fall away, and miss the final reward.

II. Some Parables Of Jesus Teach That The Saved Can Be Lost.

1. The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:13).
“And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who FOR AWHILE BELIEVE, and in time of temptation FALL AWAY”

2. The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
The kingdom of heaven is likened unto TEN virgins, not just five. They were all in the kingdom, had all been saved; but they failed to keep their lamps burning, and missed the feast. Many in the kingdom are going to miss heaven.

3. Parable of the Net. (Matthew 13:47-50).
As the bad were gathered out of the net, the wicked will be gathered out of the kingdom and lost “in the end of the world.”

4. The Vine and Branches. (John 15:1-8)
Here again Jesus definitely teaches that a saved person can be lost. The branches represent individuals, saved persons “in Christ.” “Every branch IN ME ...”. “ To them He said, “Already ye are clean...” But they were urged to abide in him or else they would be cut off as a branch, wither, die, and be lost.

5. Parable of the Talents. (Matthew 25:14-30).
The man called “his own servants.” The one who hid his talents was cast out as an “unprofitable servant.” A servant of the Lord lost? Yes. How could language be plainer?

6. Parable of the Unfaithful Servant. (Luke 12:41-48).
The unfaithful servant was “cut asunder” and had his portion appointed “with the unfaithful,” “the unbelievers.” What is the portion of unbelievers? It certainly is not heaven!

III. APOSTASY WAS PROPHESIED.

1. To Timothy, Paul wrote:
“But the Spirit saith expressly that in the latter times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

One cannot fall away from a place he has never been, or a position he has never occupied, or a faith he has never believed. If it is impossible for one once saved by the faith of the gospel to fall away, THEN this prophecy never has been fulfilled and NEVER CAN BE FULFILLED.

2. To the Ephesian elders:

“I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you not sparing the flock: and from among yourselves shall men arises speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30).

Does this sound as if it is impossible or possible for the saved to be lost? Just as sure as the prophecies of inspiration are true, that sure it is that the saved can apostatize and be lost.

IV. EXAMPLES OF APOSTASY PROVE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE.

1. Israelites in the wilderness an example to us. (1 Corinthians 10:1-12).

To save space, we shall not quote this passage; but ask the readers to read it, and study the chart on page 6. Certainly children of God can sin, fall, and be lost. Jesus said if one dies in his sin he will be lost forever an never go to heaven. (John 8:21).

(Continued after the chart)


ISRAELITES AN EXAMPLE AND WARNING TO CHRISTIANS
(First Corinthians 10:1-12)

ISRAELITES

1.THEY BELIEVED
(Exodus 14:31; Psalms 106:12)

2.ALL BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES
(1 Corinthians 10:2)

3.ALL WERE SAVED
(Exodus 14:30)

4.WERE CHILDREN OF GOD
(Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:1)

5.ALL ATE SPIRITUAL FOOD
(1 Corinthians 10:3)

6.ALL DRANK SPIRITUAL DRINK
(1 Corinthians 10:4)

7.MANY COMMITTED FORNICATION, AND
FELL, (1 Corinthians 10:8)

8.SOME COMMITTED OTHER SINS AND PERISHED
(1 Corinthians 10:9-10)

9.SAVED AFTERWARD DESTROYED
(Jude 5)

CHRISTIANS
1.CHRISTIANS BELIEVE
(1 Corinthians 8:6)

2.ALL BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
(Romans 6:3, 4; Galatians 3:27)

3.ALL SAVED, SANCTIFIED
(Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2)

4.ARE CHILDREN OF GOD
(1 John 3:1,2)

5.ALL EAT SPIRITUAL FOOD
(John 6:51; 1 Corinthians 3:2)

6.ALL DRINK SPIRITUAL DRINK (John 7:37; Revelation 22:17)

7.WE CAN COMMIT FORNICATION AND FALL
(1 Corinthians 10:8)

8.WE CAN COMMIT OTHER SINS AND BE LOST
(1 Corinthians 10:9-10)

9.SAVED, MAY BE DESTROYED
(Matthew 10:28; James 5:19, 20)

“Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)

“Wherefore Let Him That Thinketh He Standeth Take Heed Lest He Fall”
(1 Corinthians 10:12)

2. Judas fell “by transgression” (Acts 1:25). Judas was not a devil from the beginning. He received his apostleship along with the other Apostles, and he also could cast out devils (Matthew 10:4-5, 8). “How can Satan cast out Satan?” (Mark 3:23). Satan entered into Judas.

“And SATAN ENTERED INTO JUDAS who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve” (Luke 22:3). “And after the sop, THEN ENTERED SATAN INTO HIM” (John 13:27).

3. Ananias and Sapphira sinned and died liars and hypocrites (Acts 5:1-10). “And all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brim stone; which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

4. Simon the Sorcerer. (Acts 8:13-24).
“And Simon also himself believed . . .” It is emphasized that he had the same kind of faith, baptism, and salvation that the Samaritans had that are mentioned in v. 12. He “continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.” He later sinned by trying to buy the gift of transferring miraculous power to others as the Apostles had. (vv. 18, 19). And Peter said to him:

“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray the Lord if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:22,23)

If he did not repent and pray and was not forgiven, could he have gone to heaven in his sin, unforgiven?

5. Some of the Galatians. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4). They had obeyed the gospel of Christ, but had quickly removed from Christ to a perverted gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). They ran the Christian race well for a short time. Paul said to them:

“Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?”(Galatians 5:7).

The Greek of Galatians 5:4 is significant and forceful in sustaining the fact that children of God — can and did fall from grace. Prof. A. T. Robertson, for a long time teacher of Greek in Southern Baptist university, Louisville, Ky., says:

“Ye are severed from Christ” (katergethete apo Christou). First aorist passive of katargeo, to make null and void as in Romans 7:2,6.” (Word Pictures in the NT).

The Expositor’s Greek Testament, says:
“This verb is applied with comprehensive force to any destruction of growth and life, physical or spirituals beneficial or deleterious. Joined with APO it denotes loss of some essential element of life by the severance of previous intimate relations, e. g., annulment by death of a wife’s obligations to her husband (Romans vii.2), and emancipation from the control of the law by spiritual death (Romans vii.6). Here, in like manner, it denotes paralysis of spiritual life by severance of union with Christ.” (Vol. III, p. 184).

It cannot be successfully argued that if one falls from grace he never was saved in the first place. Note carefully the remark that this verb “Joined with apo it denotes loss of some essential element of life by severance of previous intimate relations.” How could “union with Christ” be severed UNLESS there had been such a union? On this verse, Prof. Robertson further says:

“Ye are fallen away from grace" (tes charitos exepesate). Second aorist active indicative of ekpipto (with A variable vowel of the first aorist) and followed by the ablative cage. ‘Ye did fall out of grace,’ ‘ye left the sphere of grace in Christ and took your stand in the sphere of law’ as your hope of salvation” (op. cit., p. 309).

The ablative case is the case that shows separation The verb ekpipto is made up of pipto, to fall, and ek the preposition that shows coming from within, from the inside to the outside. The Galatians could not leave the sphere of grace unless they had previously been in it. Here, as Prof. Robertson points out, they “did fall out of grace.” Yes, some with previous intimate relations with Christ, in the sphere of grace, actually FELL OUT OF GRACE; and lost their “spiritual life by severance of union with Christ.” This settles the question. We can now write, “case closed”— proposition proved!

LAST STATE WORSE THAN FIRST
Not only is the evidence conclusive that those once saved can and. some will be lost; but we are told that the last state is worse than the first.

“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:20-22).

The force of this cannot be side-stepped by saying that the sow was still a sow.
She was dirty; she was washed and made clean; and AFTERWARDS she went back to wallowing in the mire. Man is a sinner; he can be cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus in believing and obeying the gospel; and AFTERWARDS he may return to a life of sin. If and when he does, the last state is worse than the first.

This is a nauseating but graphic picture But it is no less nauseating than the “once saved, always saved” doctrine Those who so contend say that the outer man can sin and does sin, but that the inner man cannot sin, and is not responsible for what the outer man does. Take a look at this doctrine in its true light. If the alien sinner lies, steals, murders, and commits adultery, he will be lost in hell eternally if he dies in this state of sinfulness. But if a child of God lies, steals, murders, and commits adultery, he will sweep right into heaven because merely the outer man did these things and the inner man was not responsible.

No wonder we are warned against those who would turn “the grace of God into lasciviousness.” (Jude 4).

We hasten to say that we are not charging all our friends who teach “once saved, always saved” with the consequence of this doctrine. Some do not realize the logical end of it; and others would not carry it maybe so far. But the consequences and logical end should be considered. It will help those who are honestly seeking truth to give it up.

The nauseating consequences should help all who have espoused this doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy, “once saved, always saved” to renounce it.

IF it is impossible for a child of God to so sin as to be eternally lost, THEN

1. The many warnings against such are meaningless.
2. Words do not carry and express thoughts.
3. Men need not heed God’s warnings, or obey His commands.
4. We need not pray, “lead us not into temptation.”
5. There is no need to be watchful and beware of the devices of Satan.
6. Immorality will not send anyone to hell, we can live after the flesh and not die spiritually or be lost eternally.

IT IS ABSURD
To teach that God commands men not to do things that it is impossible for them to do. Children of God are commanded:

1. Not to lie(Colossians 3:9).

2. Not to steal (Ephesians 4:28).

3. Not to get drunk (Ephesians 5:18).

4. To flee fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18).

5. Not to call his brother a fool (Matthew 5:22).

Therefore, it is possible for them to commit it. Therefore they can lie, steal, get drunk, commit fornication, and call their brother a fool.

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling . . . “ (Hebrews 3:1) are admonished (there is no doubt but that they were saved — they were “holy brethren, and partakers of a heavenly calling”).

“Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in ANY ONE OF YOU an evil heart of unbelief, IN FALLING AWAY FROM THE LIVING GOD: but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called Today; lest ANY ONE OF YOU be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: for we are become partakers of Christ, IF WE HOLD FAST the beginning of our confidence firm UNTO THE END” (Hebrews 3:12-14)

“GIVE DILIGENCE TO ENTER INTO THAT REST”
(Hebrews 4:11)
WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can accept the authority of Christ by doing what He commanded (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:10-14; Luke 6:46). Notice the pattern for becoming a Christian as revealed in the Scriptures. The Gospel was heard, resulting in faith (Romans 10:17). Repentance of (turning away from) sin (Acts 17:30) and confession of Jesus as the Son of God followed (Romans 10:10). Believers were baptized INTO Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins (See Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:20-21), and added to His church (Acts 2:47). Christians were taught to be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

WE WELCOME YOU Following the instructions of the Scriptures, members of Christ’s body assemble as congregations for worship, encouragement, and Bible study. The congregation in your community welcomes you to investigate the Bible with us. With a spirit of brotherly love we would seek to reconcile any differences by following the Bible ONLY. We recognize the Bible as God’s inspired word, the ONLY reliable standard of faith and practice. We desire the unity for which Christ prayed and which the Bible emphasizes in the expression, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Together we seek to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement. Please contact me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell) for comments or further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.