Once Saved, Always Saved?

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Titus

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I debated this topic many times before on another Christian Forum.
Check out my biblical write up here on the issue.

I can already tell you, you are in error.
Consult one of the most respected Greek scholars,
Thayer.
Then contact living Greek scholars as many of my brethren have.
It is a consensus that these passages are water immersion
 

Bible Highlighter

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Sanctification is cleansing to be made Holy immediately, Hebrews 10:10.

Faithfulness is required to remain holy, sanctified,

John 17:17
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Is this not talking about a sanctification or cleansing here via by God's Word (Scripture)?

Ephesians 5:25-27 says that Christ gave Himself for the church so that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water of the Word.

Is this passage not talking about a sanctification by God's Word (Scripture)?

Psalms 119:9
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?
by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Romans 8:13 says,
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Is this not a different kind of working by the Spirit to be sanctified then what happened when a believer was first sanctified to receive a new heart spiritually after they received God's grace? Or do they sound exactly like the same sanctifications described in the Bible?
 

Bible Highlighter

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I can already tell you, you are in error.
Consult one of the most respected Greek scholars,
Thayer.
Then contact living Greek scholars as many of my brethren have.
It is a consensus that these passages are water immersion

But you did not even carefully examine the verses I presented.
 

Eternally Grateful

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Ok,
Mark 1:4-5
Now is this Holy Spirit baptism?
What element did they immerse themselves in for the forgiveness of sins?

What did the Eunch and Philip go down into in Acts 8:37-38?

Since there is one baptism in Jesus gospel, Ephesians 4:5,

Which baptism did the Eunch do?

They did not receive remission of sin because they were baptized,

They were baptized as a result of receiving remission of sin.
 

Eternally Grateful

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I addressed this point within this thread here (and in my following subsequent posts that follow it).
so no answer.

You have not changed a bit my friend..

I am not going to a posted link.. You can give me the common courtesy of answering me

Sadly. Your pride is still to deep. You have actually answered my question
 

mailmandan

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Wrong I believe in Jesus and His gospel.
You believe "mental assent" in Jesus yet you trust in water baptism for salvation. That's not believing in Jesus. (John 3:15,16,18) That's believing in baptism. Whatever you have put your faith, belief, trust, confidence in for salvation, that's what you believe (trust, rely) in.

You reject His gospel and expect Him to save you based on faith and no obedience.
I accept His gospel (John 3:15,16,18) which is in harmony with Peter and Paul's gospel. (Acts 10:43-47; 13:39; 16:31; Romans 1:16; etc..)

Danthemailman be honest with the scriptures,
Did Jesus say,
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved?
Yes, that's exactly what He preached.
Of course He did. He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) DON'T STOP THERE AND KEEP READING - but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief, not on a lack of baptism. So salvation rests on belief. *NOWHERE does the Bible say "baptized or condemned."

You would have to have something really wrong with you to not understand Jesus includes baptism to be saved.
No, Jesus did not say whoever is not baptized will not be saved and Jesus stated 9 other times that those who BELIEVE will be saved WITH NO MENTION OF BAPTISM. (John 3:15,16,18, 5:24; 6:40,47; 11:25,26) Something is wrong with people who do not properly harmonize scripture with scripture before reaching their conclusion on doctrine. Such people are more concerned with accommodating their biased church doctrine then they are with accepting the truth. It's devastating to man's pride to admit he is wrong and his church is wrong.

Be honest are you not saying,
He that believes only and does not obey the commandment to be baptized shall be saved.
What's the only word you see in (John 3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:40,47; 11:25,26?) So what is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these passages of scripture? BELIEVES - "apart from additions or modifications." Who did Jesus say would be condemned in Mark 16:16? Those who DO NOT BELIEVE and not those who are not baptized.

You already know there are commandments to be saved, that must be obeyed, 1 John 3:23-24.
You cannot tell Jesus no I do not need to be baptized.
Your list of commandments (check list of works) exceed salvation through faith. I never told Jesus that I do not need to be baptized. I could not wait to receive water baptism AFTER I believed the gospel and was saved. (Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:13)

The gospel teaches baptism in order to be saved,
Acts 2:38-39.
When do we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit Dan?
Before baptism and repentance or after? Read Acts 2:38-39.
On the surface, that's only what these verses appear to teach. Yet in Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism (Acts 10:47).

In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.

*So the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing Scripture with Scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*

Only way to get in Christ is by baptism,
Galatians 3:26-27.
Only the Holy Spirit can place believers into the body of Christ and that is through Spirit baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13) and not water baptism. Plain ordinary H20 has no power to place us into the body of Christ. The only sense we would be water baptized "into Christ" would be in the same sense that the Israelites were baptized "into Moses" (1 Corinthians 10:2). Not literally water baptized into the body of Moses here and being "baptized into Moses" signified allegiance and public identification of the Israelites with Moses just as water baptism signifies our allegiance and public identification with Jesus Christ as our Savior.

You do not get in Christ by faith alone.
We get into the body of Christ the moment that we BELIEVE THE GOSPEL/PLACE OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE FOR SALVATION. (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17; 15:8,9; Ephesians 1:13) Let me know when you are ready to BELIEVE.
 
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mailmandan

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One baptism

Holy Spirit baptism

I would recommend you repent from blasphemy of the spirit.
There is only one baptism that places us into the body of Christ and that is Spirit baptism, not water baptism.

Ephesians 4:5 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
 
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Bible Highlighter

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so no answer.

You have not changed a bit my friend..

I am not going to a posted link..

It’s my own written words that are within this very thread discussion called “Once Saved Always Saved?” here at ChristianityBoard.com.
It’s not some outside link that is not my own writing.

If you are not sure what a thread is: A thread is a topic of discussion on a forum like this one we are in.
So the post writing of my own words on the answer you seek was within this very thread we are currently talking in.

You said:
You can give me the common courtesy of answering me

Well, I will simply repost my own words here for you (if that makes you feel any better).

I believe the Bible teaches that many sins can condemn us if they are not confessed and or forsaken (See: 1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 1:7, Proverbs 28:13). But there are sins that do not lead unto spiritual death, though. So I see Sinless Perfection as putting away sins such as sins that do not lead unto death (and not just sins unto death alone). So Sinless Perfection is not exactly a salvation issue (because it would include putting away sins NOT unto death). But believers do need to in time overcome “sins unto death” in this life time or they are not going to make it into God’s Kingdom. But only God can determine this for each believer and in knowing their heart and at what point in their life they need to achieve this. It also takes time to mature in the Lord and to overcome sin for most believers. This is what I believe God’s grace is for (See: Ephesians 5:25-27, and Titus 2:14).


Sins Not Unto Death:

Important Note:

Please keep in mind that I am not trying to trivialize sin. I believe after we are saved by God's grace that we must live holy as a part of God's plan of salvation. For without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. Believers cannot justify sin that leads to spiritual death, condemnation, or hellfire. For I believe we should obey the Lord in all things. For I want to stress that there are grievous sins (or death sins) like murder, hate, adultery, lying, etc. that can lead even a believer to being condemned in the Lake of Fire if such sins are not repented of (i.e. if these sins are not confessed or forsaken). I am not Catholic or Orthodox. I just believe the Bible and the Bible alone as my final Word of authority.

Anyways,...

Here is my biblical case for sins that do not lead unto death:
#1. 1 John 5:17 mentions the "sin not unto death."

In context to 1 John 5: This would be talking about confessed grievous sin that one is striving to overcome with the Lord's help (1 John 2:1) (1 John 1:9) (Romans 13:14). In 1 John 5, the brethren are praying for this believer to have victory (life) over their sin as this believer confesses their sin (Note: Grievous sin are sins the Bible warns with punishment by hellfire, or spiritual death, etc.; These would be sins like murder, hate, adultery, theft, idolatry, etc.). If these sins are confessed with the intention of forsaking them (so as to overcome them), the individual is not abiding in spiritual death.

#2. Paul ignores the warnings of the Spirit and Psalms 19:12.
Psalms 19:12 says, "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." I believe these would be faults of character or minor errors that a person might make with people. Example: A person may not be a great listener, and they do not allow others to speak like they should. By not listening to others may come off a little like they do not care (even though they care in their own way or a different way). Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem. The Spirit warned Paul not to go. He was still determined to go because he loved His fellow Jews and wanted them to know the love of Jesus. The Spirit told the brethren that Paul will be imprisoned by his going to Jerusalem. The brethren warned Paul not to go. They were in tears and loved him and begged him not to go. But Paul did not listen. He would not hear them. He did not want to hear it. Fault of character. Hidden fault. Minor error of his character. It is not something that condemned him (See Acts of the Apostles 21, and read this article here by Ray Stedman; Note: There is even a better write up than this one by Bible commentator James Boice here; Please keep in mind I do not share their views on Soteriology, though; I merely agree with their view on what happened with Paul in Acts of the Apostles 21).


#3. The Command to Be Baptized.
Paul says Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17). If it was essential to salvation, then why would Paul say something like this? In 1 Peter 3:21: Peter says baptism is not for the putting away of the filth of the flesh. If you were to turn to 2 Corinthians 7:1, you would see that it uses similar wording ("filthiness of the flesh") that is clearly in reference to sin. So Peter is saying that baptism is not for the putting away of "sin" [i.e. filth of the flesh]. In other words, baptism is not a command that if disobeyed, leads to spiritual death.


#4. The Least of These Commands in Matthew 5:19.
We know that 1 John 5:16-17 declares that there is a sin not unto death. So if this is the case, we should expect to see other testimonies of this kind of thing in God's Word.


“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19).
This was said by the Lord Jesus at the sermon on the mount. Jesus was not referring to the 613 Torah laws but He was referring to the New Commands He was giving at the sermon on the mount, etc.; Granted, I am not encouraging anyone to break the Lord's commands (even the commands that do not appear to be a major violation of loving God and others), but our Lord's words have to still hold true in Matthew 5:19. Meaning, there are going to be believers who are in the Kingdom and they taught others that they could break the least of Jesus' commandments. How can they be in the kingdom?

What could be a possible least command that Jesus is referring to? Well, one possible example would be the command to Rejoice when men persecute you or falsely accuse you of evil in Matthew 5:11-12. For it does not seem like a major violation of loving God and others if we fail to obey this instruction.

(Continued in next post):
 

Bible Highlighter

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@Eternally Grateful

(Continued from previous post):


#5. Punishment of sins in earthly courts vs. a sin that leads to hellfire (Matthew 5:22). Jesus described to us the difference between death-sins vs. non-death sins in Matthew 5:22.

“But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, ‘Raca (You empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:22) (AMP).
The words in blue above are “non-death sins” because they are punishment in earthly courts. The words in red above is a “death sin” because it is punishment in hellfire in the afterlife.

#6. Accidental manslaughter and being able to flee to cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 19:1-13); Contrast this with intentional murder which results in capital punishment (See: Deuteronomy 19:21, Numbers 35:31).

#7. Adam’s Inherited Sin (Involving babies that die).
I believe Adam’s Inherited Sin Leads all mankind to physically die. Adam’s sin also opened the door for all men and women to fall into spiritual death and condemnation. But we know according to Scripture and the goodness of God that if a baby dies in this world, they are saved. For King David knew that he would see his unborn child again (2 Samuel 12:23), and Jesus says that children are of the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:16). So how are they saved if Adam brought death? Well, Jesus reversed the curse of spiritual death involving the sin of Adam. The Promised Messiah was the promise of God of salvation to men. So if a baby dies, they will be saved. God is not willing that any should perish. Jesus died for our sins because God loves us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. But the point here is that if babies are saved, and they are doomed to die physically at some point in their life (either as a baby or an adult) by Adam’s sin, we should realize that the stain of spiritual death from Adam did not take hold onto the lives of babies because of the Messiah. So the sin of Adam passing down spiritual death does not harm a baby. It’s a sin not unto death. Now, the fallen nature was passed down, and thus when that baby grows up, they will sin when they are faced with the knowledge of good and evil. But this is why Jesus came. To set the captives free from sin and death. For Jesus not only came to forgive our sins, but He came to give us a new heart, and new desires to live a new life in Him. A life that is not enslaved to grievous sin that brings spiritual death. Side Note: Now, did spiritual death take hold upon Adam? I believe it did because God said that he would die in the day he would eat of the tree (he was commanded to not eat). Did Adam drop dead physically when he ate of the wrong tree? Surely not. So this means Adam died spiritually. Also, I believe the promise of the Messiah Jesus reversed the curse of Adam. For Jesus took on our sins in the Garden and died in our place for our sins. This was spiritual. So if Jesus never died for our sins, all of mankind would be doomed spiritually (including babies that die). Jesus is the Savior. Jesus deserves all the glory.
 
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Titus

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But you did not even carefully examine the verses I presented.
I did not read them.
All these verses are water immersion,
According to Biblical Greek scholars,

Galatians 3:26-27
Acts 2:38
Acts 8:37-38
Acts 9:18
Acts 10:47-48
Acts 16:33
Romans 6:1-7
Colossians 2:12
1Peter 3:20-21
Mark 16:16
Matthew 28:19

There are more but these prove enough.
Holy Spirit baptism was never given for the purpose of salvation.
The gift that the Holy Spirit gives is the promise ie eternal life,
1John 2:25.

The apostles received the power from on high, Luke 24:49
This Holy Spirit power was given them in Acts 2:1-4.
Before the apostles were given this miraculous power from God.
They had already had their sins forgiven in the baptism of John's baptism,
Mark 1:4-5
The power of the Holy Spirit was not to save them.
That never was the purpose of "Holy Spirit baptism ".
It was for remembrance of all that Jesus had taught them,
And for the ability to know future revelation that would be given miraculously not through study.

It gave them many miraculous gifts.
These miracles were mainly for the purpose of CONFIRMING that they in fact were the spokepiece for Jesus,
Mark 16:20
At this time no one had Bibles, so the apostles proved they were sent from God by miraculous signs and wonders.

The only baptism for the purpose of forgiveness of sins, is water immersion.
Cessation of miraculous gifts given to first century Christians has ended, 1Corinthians 13:1-13.

Bible Highlighter, I will read your scriptures later and get back to you.
 

Bible Highlighter

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I can already tell you, you are in error.
Consult one of the most respected Greek scholars,
Thayer.
Then contact living Greek scholars as many of my brethren have.
It is a consensus that these passages are water immersion

Also, friend: Greek Lexicons or scholars are not my authority. While I may look up the occasional Greek word, it is a last resort for me and the Greek has to align with what that word says in English and what the surrounding context says (and the whole of the Bible). I believe my Bible in the English. God’s Word is my authority (i.e. the King James Bible). I consult God and I compare Scripture with Scripture to get the meaning. My teaching on this topic is not from men. This is a complicated subject that is not so easily understood. Different churches come into this text of the Bible with their theological biases and or preferences (But it is at the expense of ignoring other verses).
 

Bible Highlighter

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There is only one baptism that places us into the body of Christ and that is Spirit baptism, not water baptism.

Ephesians 4:5 - one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

On this… we agree.

Praise God.
 
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Titus

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When Jesus told all that if we believe in Him and are baptized He will save us.
Did you believe Jesus?
I did.

My faith is in His promise that if I will obey His voice, He will save me by how He has chiosen to save me.
The way Jesus chose to save the world is *though His gospel, Romans 1:16.

You either believe Him or you don't.
Show me where Jesus taught His gospel was to believe only in Him and not to obey His commandments?

Jesus told Paul what he must do to be saved, Acts 9
Jesus sent Ananias to preach the gospel to Paull
What was that gospel?
Faith only?
Paul already believed.
Paul teaches when his sins were washed away,
he does not say on the road to Damascus.
Paul says he was saved in water immersion, Acts 22:16,
When Ananias sent by Jesus baptized him, Matthew 28:19.

God chose Paul to be saved by Mark 16:15-16.
Just as He chose all to be saved in this way.

True belief in Jesus is explained by Jesus in John 5:24.
You do not get eternal life from Jesus without believing in all that He said in His word.
Acts 2:38 Peter taught those Jews that repentance and immersion is for the forgiveness of sins.
That is Jesus' gospel. And you lack faith to obey it.
 

Bible Highlighter

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I did not read them.
All these verses are water immersion,
According to Biblical Greek scholars,

Galatians 3:26-27
Acts 2:38
Acts 8:37-38
Acts 9:18
Acts 10:47-48
Acts 16:33
Romans 6:1-7
Colossians 2:12
1Peter 3:20-21
Mark 16:16
Matthew 28:19

There are more but these prove enough.
Holy Spirit baptism was never given for the purpose of salvation.
The gift that the Holy Spirit gives is the promise ie eternal life,
1John 2:25.

The apostles received the power from on high, Luke 24:49
This Holy Spirit power was given them in Acts 2:1-4.
Before the apostles were given this miraculous power from God.
They had already had their sins forgiven in the baptism of John's baptism,
Mark 1:4-5
The power of the Holy Spirit was not to save them.
That never was the purpose of "Holy Spirit baptism ".
It was for remembrance of all that Jesus had taught them,
And for the ability to know future revelation that would be given miraculously not through study.

It gave them many miraculous gifts.
These miracles were mainly for the purpose of CONFIRMING that they in fact were the spokepiece for Jesus,
Mark 16:20
At this time no one had Bibles, so the apostles proved they were sent from God by miraculous signs and wonders.

The only baptism for the purpose of forgiveness of sins, is water immersion.
Cessation of miraculous gifts given to first century Christians has ended, 1Corinthians 13:1-13.

Bible Highlighter, I will read your scriptures later and get back to you.

I believe Holy Spirit baptism is simply the born again experience after a person accepts Jesus as their Savior in their Initial Salvation.
I am not Charismatic or Pentecostal (Although I do have a Pentecostal friend in Christ) and I basically label it as a mystery with him. For while I do not discount the possibility that the miraculous gifts have continued, I do lean heavily in the other direction that the miraculous SIGN gifts have ceased based on what many verses say in the Bible. I believe the safer play is to not get mixed up into tongues or the miraculous workings that go on today (for many of them are false). I do believe miracles in general by prayer can happen like God healing a person if Christians pray (but even this is limited). We do not know of any limbs or ears being reformed (like when Jesus was able to heal Malchus’ ear).
 

BloodBought 1953

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I WAS SAVED

YOU MIGHT BE SAVED

I WAS SAVED BY GRACE

YOU ARE TRYING TO BE SAVED BY WORKS

I WAS SAVED BY GOD

YOUR TRYING TO SAVE YOURSELF

Huge difference between us two

When I see God. I am going to fall on my face.. And when he asked why I deserve heaven, I am going to say I do not.. Only by your mercy.



If God ever asks me why I should enter His Heavenly Kingdom, Im gonna make a request Of Him, “ Please Show me where that Heavenly Mercy Seat is—- the One sprinkled with the Shed Blood Of your Son on it....THAT is where I put my TOTAL FAITH .....Faith in “ Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus” ......Now that we settled “that” , God —— which way to the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb?“
 
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Titus

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All one “ HAS” to do is receive a FREE GIFT ....Contrary to the Abundant Confusion in the “ religious” world, “Free” actually means Free.....

Free does not equate unconditional

A local car dealership is giving away a free car.
All you have to do is meet their conditions.
The requirements are enter name, address, phone, age,

If you do not enter this giveaway you do not qualify.

Is the car free?
Yes, so is Gods free gift as long as you meet the conditions.