What is your best answer to counter the "Once Saved, Always Saved" argument? The strongest statement I have seen in the Bible to support the idea of eternal security is in John 10:28-29. -- Gerry Yurko (New Hampshire)

Let me answer by updating a paper I wrote on the subject in 1986. I hope this will meet your needs. If you require more, there is more material in the chapter "Advanced Guard the Gospel" in Shining Like Stars (2006 edition).

Once Saved, Always Saved?
Douglas Jacoby, London, 1986

There are literally hundreds of scriptures which demolish the position of those who claim that it is impossible, once one has come to know Jesus Christ, to lose one's salvation. But the answer to the question, "Once saved, always saved?" is a useful study in its own right, not just a response to common false doctrine.

Pilot studies
How many of us have experienced heartache after heartache because we thought the person we were studying the scriptures with was receptive to the gospel, maybe even "progressing," yet in the home stretch they started rationalizing, refusing to see the light? The heartache can largely be avoided if we develop the perception and wisdom not to start sharing the whole counsel of God with those who are not really open. A "pilot study" is undertaken to ascertain whether someone is open to the gospel or not. The general idea is that if someone is unwilling to change his mind on a small matter, he is even less likely to change it on a more challenging one. Thus, one's response to a pilot study may be a good indicator of one's openness to becoming a Christian. The point is to avoid wasting time with people who are not serious about following Christ'a practical implementation of the Matthew 7:6 principle. Jesus encourages us to focus on the most open people (Matthew 10:11ff.), in order to win as many as possible.

The following is a pilot study (though it also stands on its own).

Hebrews 10:26-31
It is possible, through deliberately rejecting the sacrifice of Christ, to lose one's salvation. Though the passage is emphatically clear, some insist it applies only to non-Christians, or to unsaved churchgoers! But verse 29 ('the blood of the covenant that sanctified him') and verse 30 ("The Lord will judge his people") show that the writer has in mind the covenant people -- people already saved.

Hebrews 6:4-6
It is impossible to bring certain people back to repentance: those who have passed the point of no return, or "fallen away." The phrase "crucifying the Son of God all over again" strongly implies that they have already shared in Jesus' death and resurrection. (Hebrews 6:8-9 continues the thought.)

Other verses in Hebrews to consider: 2:1-3, 3:12-14, 4:1, 4:11, 6:11-12, 10:36, 12:14-15, and 13:4.

Romans 8:28-39
Nothing can separate us from the love of God, but it is our responsibility to "keep ourselves in God's love" (Jude 21). We have free will; many advocates of "Once saved, always saved" deny this.

John 10:28-29
Although this passage is often cited as proof of the impossibility of apostasy, it does not rule out turning one's back on God. (See Luke 9:62, e.g.) It is only impossible for external powers to drag away a disciple against his will.

2 Peter 2:20-22
This passage clinches the argument. These people have "escaped the corruption of the world," which is possible only by participating in the divine nature (1:4). The corruption of the world is vividly symbolized by vomit and mud. It is tortuous to argue that the "washing" applies to a non-Christian. Although at first glance the topic of Falling Away appears simply a doctrinal subject, in fact it strikes directly at the heart of the issue: commitment. Properly conducted, this is quite a challenging study! If someone responds poorly to this study, chances are he is not open. Of course, this study is better suited to a religious person than to a worldly non-religious type.

There are other studies you can use:
* Seeking God, for someone considering God for the first time
* Original Sin, a more doctrinal approach
* Hot-Cold-Lukewarm (Revelation 3:14ff.), for anyone who claims to be a Christian but is not zealous for Christ.

Pitfalls
A pilot study is not like a blood test, a twenty-minute exercise to decide whether to continue reaching out to someone or to write him off for eternity! All the study shows is whether at the present time the person is open to changing his mind about eternal issues. Often, through events God allows to take place in their lives, friendship with Christians, or as a result of your prayers, some closed today may be open a year from now; so never write anyone off completely. Pilot studies are intended to streamline our evangelism, not offer a short-cut to personal fruitfulness.

Finally, we should never judge our brothers and sisters by their positions on matters of opinion (Romans 14:1). The shibboleth (Judges 12:6) stance many believers have assumed is offensive to the Lord, as well as to man.

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