Once Saved Always Saved as a doctrine offers a sense of security. Assuring believers that their salvation is eternally guaranteed upon their initial acceptance of Christ.
However, an alternative perspective rooted in scripture challenges this assurance, prompting us to reevaluate the steadfastness of their salvation.
I commend you for seeking the truth as I was also drawn to explore these scriptures. Not to dismantle your faith, but to deepen your comprehension of salvation’s intricacies.
It is necessary to navigate through theological complexities and seek clarity in your spiritual journey.
In this article, I will show you 10 scriptures against once saved always saved. Each scripture is interwoven with relatable experiences, offering tangible illustrations of the dynamic interplay between faith and salvation.
In these trying times, it is crucial to confront assumptions in the face of uncertainties. Embark on a quest for deeper spiritual insight.
Discover biblical arguments against the ‘once saved, always saved’ doctrine. Explore challenging scriptures and gain new insights
Scripture #1: Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. But only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name. And in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Meet Sarah, a dedicated church member actively involved in various ministries. Yet, Sarah grapples with hidden sins, reluctant to confront and repent from them.
Despite Sarah’s dedication to church activities, her struggle with hidden sins raises a crucial question. Can outward religious performance alone guarantee salvation, challenging the assumption of ‘Once Saved Always Saved’?
This scripture unequivocally warns against the assumption that mere outward religious performance guarantees salvation.
It emphasizes the importance of doing the will of the Father. Highlighting that even those who engage in notable religious activities may not enter the kingdom of heaven. Suppose they lack a genuine relationship with Christ.
Thus, it refutes the heretical notion of Once Saved Always Saved, which suggests eternal security irrespective of one’s actions and faithfulness.
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Scripture #2: Hebrews 6:4-6
“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift. Who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.
To their loss, they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”
Let’s consider John, once passionate about his faith but now entangled in worldly indulgence.
John’s entanglement in worldly indulgence prompts us to ponder if someone can fall away from their faith. What does it say about the notion of eternal security advocated by Once Saved Always Saved?
This passage presents a sobering reality by asserting that those who have tasted the heavenly gift. And shared in the Holy Spirit can fall away and be beyond repentance.
It emphasizes the severity of apostasy and the impossibility of restoration, for those who have willfully turned away from the faith.
Such a concept directly challenges the belief in eternal security. It acknowledges believers’ potential to reject their salvation through deliberate disobedience.
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Scripture #3: 2 Peter 2:20-22
“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it. And then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
Of them the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.'”
Look at Emily, initially zealous in her newfound faith but gradually drawn back into her old lifestyle.
Emily’s gradual return to her old lifestyle after initially embracing Christianity leads us to ask. Does the possibility of backsliding challenge the idea of once saved, always saved, where salvation is viewed as irrevocable?
This scripture portrays the dire consequences of falling away from the faith after experiencing the transformative power of knowing Christ.
It suggests that those who turn their backs on the truth are in a worse state than before their conversion. Likening them to dogs returning to their vomit.
By highlighting the possibility of regression in spiritual growth and commitment. It undermines the notion of eternal security by emphasizing the need for enduring faith and obedience.
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Scripture #4: Galatians 5:4 (NIV)
“You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.”
We have Mark, a devout Christian who becomes fixated on following religious laws and rituals to earn salvation. In doing so, he neglects the grace offered through Christ and falls into legalism, leading to a spiritual decline.
Mark’s fixation on religious laws and rituals, which caused him to fall away from grace, begs the question: Can reliance on legalistic practices jeopardize the assurance of salvation under the Once Saved Always Saved doctrine?
The apostle Paul admonishes the Galatians for seeking justification through the law, thereby alienating themselves from Christ and falling away from grace.
This verse underscores the danger of legalism and self-righteousness, which can lead believers astray from the gospel of grace.
It contradicts the idea of Once Saved Always Saved by suggesting that reliance on legalistic practices can result in spiritual apostasy and separation from Christ.
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Scripture #5: 1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
Consider Rachel, who grows up in a Christian household but later succumbs to worldly influences and false teachings, gradually abandoning her faith in pursuit of worldly desires.
Rachel’s abandonment of her faith under the influence of false teachings forces us to confront: If some believers can be led astray, does it call into question the eternal security promised by Once Saved Always Saved?
This scripture warns of a future apostasy where some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and false teachings.
It acknowledges the potential for believers to be led astray by demonic influences, resulting in a departure from the truth of the gospel.
Acknowledging the reality of spiritual deception and apostasy challenges the doctrine of eternal security by suggesting that genuine believers can abandon their faith under the influence of false teachings.
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Scripture #6: 2 Timothy 2:12 (NIV)
“If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us.”
Think of Thomas, who faces persecution for his Christian beliefs but chooses to deny Christ in order to avoid suffering. In doing so, he disowns his faith and faces the consequences of spiritual separation from Christ.
Thomas’ denial of Christ in the face of persecution challenges us to consider: If disowning Christ can result in being disowned by Him, does it contradict the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved?
This verse presents a conditional statement regarding the relationship between endurance and salvation. It implies that those who endure in their faith will reign with Christ, while those who disown Him will be disowned.
By highlighting the consequence of disowning Christ, it suggests that salvation is contingent on faithful perseverance rather than once-for-all assurance.
Thus, it refutes the notion of eternal security by emphasizing the need for enduring faithfulness.
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Scripture #7: Revelation 3:5 (NIV)
“The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the Book of Life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.”
What about Anna, who struggles with maintaining her faith amidst societal pressures but ultimately perseveres and remains faithful to Christ?
As a result, her name is preserved in the Book of Life, and she receives acknowledgement before God and His angels.
Anna’s perseverance through trials leading to the preservation of her name in the Book of Life prompts us to inquire: If victory in faith is contingent on endurance, how does it align with the assurance of eternal security?
The promise to preserve the name of the victorious in the Book of Life affirms the assurance of salvation for those who overcome.
However, the implication is that those who fail to overcome will have their names blotted out from the Book of Life.
This verse challenges the idea of eternal security by suggesting that salvation is conditional upon victory in faith and perseverance through trials.
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Scripture #8: Revelation 22:19 (NIV)
“And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”
Consider David, who distorts the teachings of scripture for personal gain and leads others astray. His manipulation of God’s word leads to his exclusion from the blessings of eternal life and access to the Holy City.
David’s manipulation of scripture leading to his exclusion from eternal blessings raises a critical query: If one can forfeit their share in the Tree of Life, what implications does it have for the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved?
The warning against tampering with the words of prophecy underscores the seriousness of distorting scripture and leading others astray.
It implies that those who pervert the teachings of the Bible will forfeit their share in the blessings of eternal life.
This verse contradicts the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved by suggesting that salvation can be forfeited through apostasy and false teaching.
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Scripture #9: John 15:6 (NIV)
“If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
”Reflect on Sarah, who initially experiences spiritual growth and vitality through her connection to Christ.
However, as she drifts away and severs her relationship with Him, she withers spiritually and faces the consequences of spiritual separation.
Sarah’s spiritual withering upon severing her connection with Christ challenges us to reflect:
If branches can wither and be thrown into the fire, does it contradict the belief in eternal security?
Jesus’ analogy of the vine and branches illustrates the consequences of failing to remain in Him. It portrays those who do not abide in Christ as withered branches destined for destruction.
This verse challenges the belief in eternal security by suggesting that those who sever their connection with Christ face spiritual death and judgment.
Thus, it underscores the need for continual abiding in Christ to maintain salvation.
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Scripture #10: James 5:19-20 (NIV)
“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this:
Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
Consider Michael, who strays from the truth of the gospel but is lovingly confronted by a fellow believer. Through this intervention, Michael is led back to the truth, experiencing restoration and forgiveness for his sins.
Michael’s restoration after wandering from the truth prompts us to ponder. If turning a sinner back from the error of their ways leads to salvation, does it challenge the notion of Once Saved Always Saved as absolute?
James emphasizes the importance of restoring those who wander from the truth. Highlighting the potential for believers to stray and be brought back to repentance.
This passage suggests that turning a sinner back from their error leads to salvation and forgiveness of sins.
By acknowledging the possibility of restoration for those who have strayed, it challenges the idea of eternal security as absolute and irrevocable.
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Conclusion
Do these scriptures challenge your preconceived notions about salvation, urging you to reevaluate the steadfastness of your faith?
Then see this as a reminder that salvation is not merely a one-time event. But a dynamic journey marked by perseverance, repentance, and genuine faith in Christ.
While the assurance of eternal security may offer comfort, we are called to navigate our spiritual paths with humility, seeking continual alignment with God’s will.
May we continue to seek truth, grow in faith, and walk boldly in the light of God’s unfailing love. Blessings on your journey of faith. Love and light!
