In Part One we saw that the train of thought in Ephesians, regarding being sealed with the Holy Spirit has nothing to do with the promise of eternal security for those who forsake God and live ungodly. The train of thought is to live a life of  godliness, in righteousness and true holiness BECAUSE we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

The scriptures do not say we are sealed with eternal security, but rather sealed with the Holy Spirit. It is a twisted way of thinking to claim that a person can live in adultery, or be a child molester, or a sex trafficker, or a murderer and have eternal life because they were once sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Remember it is the Holy Spirit with whom we are sealed and our life should reflect His influence and not be lived according to the old person we were before we were saved.

In 1 Timothy 2:19, we read the following:

Nevertheless THE FOUNDATION OF GOD standeth sure, HAVING THIS SEAL, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ DEPART FROM INIQUITY.

Consider also 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8:

7 For God hath not called us unto UNCLEANNESS, but unto HOLINESS.

8 HE THEREFORE THAT DESPISETH, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us His Holy Spirit.

Notice, according to 1 Thessalonians 4: 7-8, we are not to despise the call of God unto holiness. Paul says emphatically that God HAS NOT called us to uncleanness but to holiness instead, and if anyone despises this, they are despising God who has given us His Holy Spirit.

In view of such statements, and the context of Ephesians, wherein we read of being sealed with the Holy Spirit, we can conclude that nowhere is Paul, or any New Testament writer promoting that anyone will be saved if they live in a way that despises God’s call to live holy.

Now consider Hebrews 10:28-31:

28 He that DESPISED Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, WHEREIN HE WAS SANCTIFIED, an unholy thing, and hath done DESPITE unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Notice that in Hebrews 10:28-31 (above) those referenced are Christians who turn away from the Lord, for they had been at one time sanctified by the blood of the covenant, but had despised the Spirit of grace.

This does not mean that all backslidden people are beyond the reach of God’s mercy and grace because James tells us; “BRETHREN, IF ANY OF YOU DO ERR FROM THE TRUTH, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

The warnings in Hebrews reveal that a person can turn away from the faith completely if they so chose. Consider Hebrews 6:4-6:

For it is IMPOSSIBLE for those who were once ENLIGHTENED, and have TASTED of the heavenly gift, and were MADE PARTAKERS of the Holy Ghost, And have TASTED the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY, TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4:-6)

There are those who are backslidden, who come to repentance and there are some who knowingly turn away completely. Notice qualificaiotn concerning these as mentioned in Hebrews 6:

1. They were enlightened (they heard the gospel and were convicted).

2. They tasted the heavenly gift (this is salvation, for Jesus is the heavenly gift).

3. They were partakers of the Holy Spirit (they walked in the fullness of the Spirit).

4. They had tasted the good word of God (they were spiritually mature having gone beyond the milk of the word).

5. They had tasted the powers of the world to come (Hebrews 2:4-5 refers to “signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost” as that which has to do with the world to come. So God’s power was evident in their lives).

Nowhere in scripture is the ideology taught that a person who choses to live unholy and ungodly by despising God’s call to holiness, has eternal security simply because of a “one time believing experience.”

In closing, consider Romans 6:17- 23:

¹⁷ But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but YE HAVE OBEYED FROM THE HEART that form of DOCTRINE which was delivered you.

¹⁸ Being then made FREE FROM SIN, ye became the SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

¹⁹ I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

²⁰ For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

²¹ What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

²² But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, YE HAVE YOUR FRUIT UNTO HOLINESS, AND THE END EVERLASTING LIFE. 

²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

To read Part 1 of this teaching follow the link below:

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/answering-osas-part-4-sealed-with-the-holy-spirit-part-1/

A wonderful promise given to believers in Jesus Christ is the promise of being sealed with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).

In Ephesians 1:7-13 we read the following:

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:  in whom also after that ye believed, YE WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.

Does being sealed with the Holy Spirit mean that after a person has a “one time believing experience,” eternal security is unequivocally promised, even if a person chooses to abandon his faith and live an egregiously sinful life?

Those who defend the OSAS viewpoint will sometimes take the phrase “sealed with the Holy Spirit “ and argue that the seal cannot be broken, even though the text itself does not make this argument.

The words in Ephesians 1:7-13 say absolutely nothing regarding eternal security as advocated by those who teach once saved always saved theology. How then should we interpret the meaning of being sealed with the Holy Spirit?

To begin, it would behoove us to read other scriptures which speak of being sealed with the Holy Spirit, especially any others that would appear in the same letter. Do we have any such verse? Yes we do.

Ephesians 4 warns us to “GRIEVE NOT the Holy Spirit whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). The questions we must ask then are these: (1) What grieves the Holy Spirit? (2) What are the consequences of grieving the Holy Spirit?

Let’s begin with the question, “What grieves the Holy Spirit?”

Obviously forsaking Christ and living in sin would grieve Gods Spirit, and with this in view let’s consider the wider context of Ephesians 4:30 beginning with verse 17 through the end of the chapter:

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, IN THE VANITY OF THEIR MIND,

18 Having THE UNDERSTANDING DARKENED, being ALIENATED from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto LASCIVIOUSNESS, TO WORK ALL UNCLEANNESS WITH GREEDINESS.

20 But YE HAVE NOT SO LEARNED CHRIST;

21 If so be that ye have HEARD HIM, and have been TAUGHT BY HIM, as THE TRUTH IS IN JESUS: 

22 That ye PUT OFF concerning the former conversation THE OLD MAN, which is CORRUPT ACCORDING TO DECEITFUL LUSTS;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye PUT ON THE NEW MAN, which after God is CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS.

25 Wherefore PUTTING AWAY lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, whereby ye are SEALED unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

At this point it would be profitable to recognize that the conduct of the old man grieves the Holy Spirit with whom we are sealed. Therefore we are told to put off the old man and put on the new which “after God, is crearted in righteousness and true holiness.”

At the very least we can conclude at this point that Paul is not relaying the message that a person can live in a way that grieves the Holy Spirit with no worries regarding his salvation. There is absolutely nothing in Ephesians which communicates this belief.

Now let’s go on an consider what Paul says on the other side of the Ephesians 4:30 as we read into chapter 5. Keep in mind that the instruction to “GRIEVE NOT the Holy Spirit whereby you are SEALED unto the day of redemption” is within the context of what we just read and what we are about to read.  Consider verse 1-17:

1 Be ye therefore FOLLWERS OF GOD, as dear children;

2 And WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, LET IT NOT BE ONCE NAMED AMONG YOU, AS BECOMETH SAINTS;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that NO whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, HATH ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST AND OF GOD.

6 LET NO MAN DECIEVE YOU WITH VAIN WORDS: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 BE YE NOT PARTAKERS WITH THEM.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT:

9 (For THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 PROVING WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD.

11 And have NO FELLOWSHIP with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather REPROVE THEM.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 SEE THAT YE WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, NOT AS FOOLS, BUT AS WISE,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore BE NOT UNWISE, BUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS.

If nothing else, the honest reader ought to be able to come to the conclusion that Paul is in NO WAY advocating that a person can live ungodly because the seal whereby they were sealed cannot be broken. There is absolutely nothing within the book of Ephesians which supports such a conclusion. The flow of thought is quite the opposite.

To read Part 2 of this teaching follow the link below:

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/answering-osas-part-4-sealed-with-the-holy-spirit-part-2/

Many view the book of Hebrews as a doctrinal book and it does contain many very helpful doctrinal truths but in the mind of its author, it was a letter of exhortation to believers. In 13:22 he says, “I beseech YOU, BRETHREN, suffer THE WORD OF EXHORTATION: for I have written a letter unto YOU in few words.”

Notice that the author of Hebrews addresses his exhortation to the brethren.

He does not say exhortations (plural) but exhortation (singular). Why is this important? It is important because some who chose to hold to the theology know as “once saved always saved” (OSAS) dismiss the warnings given in Hebrews, claiming that Hebrews was written to a mixture of saved and unsaved Hebrew people.

They claim that as a fellow Hebrew, the author refers to the saved and unsaved as brethren and therefore we must determine to whom the writer is speaking in a particular verse based on its content.  Therefore if it’s a warning, the conclusion is that verse pertains to unbelievers. If it is encouraging, that verse belongs to believers.

Quite honestly this is not only a strange way to interpret scripture, it is very telling of the how far those who embrace OSAS ideology will go to make the words of scripture  fit into their way of believing.

First, those who take such a position make the assumption that the book of Hebrews was absolutely written by a believing Hebrew Christian such as Paul. While I personally believe that Hebrews was most likely written by Paul, and if not by Paul, certainly a believing Hebrew, there is no definitive evidence because, historically, the author is unknown.

Those who claim that the writer of Hebrews uses the term brethren as a description of his fellow Hebrews (saved and unsaved) eliminate any possibility that Hebrews could have been written by a Gentile believer. There is no hard evidence which supports this.

Secondly, the belief that the author uses the term brethren to refer to saved and unsaved Hebrews alike simply does not work with the letter itself. No good communicator would ever craft a letter wherein the recipients had to break it apart to figure out who he is talking to based on what he’s saying in a particular sentence as he goes back and forth from one group to another. The entire reasoning is flawed.

When we consider the content of Hebrews we can conclude that it was written before the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D., because the writer of Hebrews makes reference to the temple service, the priests, and the sacrifices in the present tense. In the present tense, he makes a comparison between the superiority of Jesus’ ministry in the heavens (in the greater and more perfect tabernacle) to that which was on earth (which only served as a shadow and an example) to point men to Christ.

Many who continued in the old Jewish system rejected the Christian faith and persecuted the Jewish Christians. We see this play out in Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts. In Hebrews 10:32-34 the writer of Hebrews addresses it as well.

32 Think back on those early days WHEN YOU FIRST LEANRED ABOUT CHRIST. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.

33 Sometimes you were exposed to PUBLIC RIDICULE and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.

34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. (TNLT)

According to the author, his audience had suffered for their faith in Christ.

In chapter 2, he tells them that they are sanctified by Jesus as BRETHREN TO CHRIST and as  THE CHURCH. He goes on to say that Jesus is a faithful high priest FOR THEM: HIS BRETHREN.

In 3:1, the author of Hebrews addresses his audience as HOLY BRETHREN and PARTAKERS OF THE HEAVENLY CALLING. He tells them that Jesus is the apostle and high priest of THEIR PROFESSION OF FAITH. This would no doubt be believers and not unbelievers.

Nowhere in the entire letter is he talking to unbelievers. He calls them brethren throughout the letter (2:11, 12, 17; 3:1, 12; 7:5; 10:19; 13:22). He also includes himself by using the pronouns we (51 times) us (31 times) and our (16 times). He also refers to his audience as “beloved” in 6:9.

The author of Hebrews tells them they are partakers of Christ’s house if the hold fast to the faith (3:6,14). In chapter 5 and 6 he admonishes them to move on from the elementary stages of the Christian faith to maturity.

¹² For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

¹³ For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

¹⁴ But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

According to the author of Hebrews his audience was still living as babes in Christ in their spiritual growth and unable to teach others because they were not yet skillful in the word of righteousness. In chapter 6, he urges them to move on to perfection (i.e., spiritual maturity).

He admonished them regarding those who turn back (6:4-5) and declares that he is persuaded differently about them:

⁷ For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

⁸ But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

⁹ But, BELOEVED, WE ARE PERSUADED better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. (Hebrews 6:7-9)

Verse 9 (above) speaks volumes of the author’s view of those to whom he is writing. Though he gives them repeated warnings concerning the danger of apostasy, he constantly affirms them as believers and admonishes them to continue going forward. Notice verses 10-12 which follows the previous verses of Hebrews 6:7-9 above:

¹⁰ For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

¹¹ And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

¹² That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Again, notice how the author of Hebrews mixes admonition with encouragement; encouragement that God has not forgotten, and admonishment not to give up but to preserver until the end.

Exhortation mixed with admonition is weaved all throughout the letter to the Hebrews as he repeatedly explains and admonishes them concerning the importance of perseverance in the faith.

Later in his letter (in chapter 11) he speaks of many of the old testament saints who persevered in faith, referring to them as “a great cloud of witnesses” as he urges his audience to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets them. He tells them run with patience the race set before them as they look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

He admonishes them concerning the chastisement of the Lord which comes through in the stern warnings given in his letter as he reminds them to whom they belong:

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 YE ARE COME UNTO MOUNT ZION, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the GENERAL ASSEMBLY and CHURCH of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22-24)

He exhorts them to not refuse him who speaks from heaven but rather to have grace so that they will serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. (12:25-29)

As he begins to close his letter (chapter 13) he tells them to do the following:

• continue in brotherly love
• entertain strangers
• remember those who are in prison
• remember those who are being mistreated
• be faithful in marriage
• do not love money
• remember God’s promise to never fail or leave them
• remember those who have taught them the word of God and follow their faith
• do not be carried away by various and strange doctrines
• establish your hearts in grace
• bear the Lord’s reproach (i.e., suffer for his name)
• offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually in the name of Jesus
• don’t neglect doing good to the needy
• submit to those who are their leaders in the Lord
• continue praying for him (the writer) and those with him.

Finally, he closes his letter with the following words:

²⁰ Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

²¹ Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

²² And I beseech you, BRETHREN, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

²³ Know ye that OUR BROTHER TIMOTHY  is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

²⁴ Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. THEY OF ITALY SALUTE YOU. 

²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen.

One reading the book of Hebrews on its own merit would never come away with the notion that Hebrews was written to a mixture of saved and unsaved Hebrews. The letter speaks for itself.

To read about the warnings in Hebrews follow the link below:

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/the-warnings-in-hebrews/

 

In Romans 7 Paul is speaking from the vantage point of one who is under the Law. Paul’s statements are not about his lack of power to deal with sin now that he has come to Christ. Instead, these words are a part of his expounding on the Law and grace and the effects the Law has on a person in the flesh without the grace of Christ.

In Romans 8, Paul says “the law was weak through the flesh.” The Law can only bring the sinner under condemnation, but grace gives us victory over sin and condemnation.

Throughout the entirely of Romans 6 Paul shows how the one who has received saving grace is dead to sin through Jesus Christ, and therefore sin is not to reign over them.

In Titus 2:11-15 Paul says that saving grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts by living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Saving grace does not teach us that we cannot overcome sin. Saving grace teaches us how to overcome sin.

In 2 Timothy 2:19 Paul tells us the following:

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 

In 1 Thessalonians 4:2-7 Paul says:

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

In Romans 7 Paul, as a skillful teacher, speaks figuratively from the vantage point of one who is under the Law, to explain the influence that the Law has on the one who is under the bondage of sin. The Law had no power to give life to the one entrapped in his sins. Only Christ Jesus can set a person free from sin.

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The law was weak through the flesh and therefore could not deliver man from his sins, and this is exactly what Paul in explaining in Romans 7:7-25, as he speaks from the vantage point of the effects of the law on those who are under it’s condemnation.

Here is  the opening comment of another persons’s teaching, addressing the question of whether or not a saved person has to give up their sin.

“The answer is no! You do NOT have to stop sinning to be saved. No one can stop sinning (Romans 3:23)! No one can live above sin-no one (Isaiah 64:6). Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. You do NOT have to give up anything to be saved except your UNBELIEF. However, you DO need to realize your sinful condition and “confess” (or admit) to God that you are a sinner, deserving to hell. This is Biblical repentance, i.e. “a change of mind.”

There is so much wrong in this one paragraph. The author of this article is actually perpetrating that Biblical salvation brings no real effective change into a person’s life. You would literally have to ignore thousands of scriptures throughout the Bible to believe such nonsense.

Allow me to begin with his opening comment; “you do not have to stop sinning to be saved”. Compare this comment with the following text of Romans 6:1-3:

1 What shall we say then? SHALL WE CONTINUE IN SIN, that grace may abound?

2 GOD FORBID. HOW SHALL WE, THAT ARE DEAD TO SIN, LIVE ANY LONGER THEREIN

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Biblical salvation is a call to live a holy life (see Titus 2:11-15: 1 Peter 1:13-18).

Secondly, the author peddles an ideology which is very pervasive among some Christians and that is the concept that no one can stop sinning. He references Romans 3:23 to support this notion. Yet Romans 3:23 has nothing to do with whether or not a believer in Jesus Christ can stop sinning or not. Romans 3:23 is a reference regarding Jews and Gentiles alike – as sinners – in need of salvation. It is a reference to the unsaved, not those who have been born again.

We see from Paul’s comments (Romans 6:1-3 above) that we are not to continue in sin once we have experienced the grace of God.

The author of the aforementioned article continues by saying, “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. You do NOT have to give up anything to be saved except your UNBELIEF.”

He is, in essence, peddling the idea that Biblical salvation brings no real change into a person’s life. According to his doctrine, a person could go on living as an adulterer, an ax-murderer, or a blasphemer . There is no end to how far someone might take such unholy teachings.

In view of this author’s comments, notice what Paul continues to say throughout Romans 6:

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, that the body of sin might be destroyed, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN.

7 For he that is dead is FREED FROM SIN.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also LIVE WITH HIM:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11 LIKEWISE RECKON YE YOURSELVES TO BE DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 LET NOT SIN REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODY, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 NEITHER YIELD YOUR MEMBERS as instruments of unrighteousness UNTO SIN: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 FOR SIN SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? SHALL WE SIN, because we are not under the law, but under grace? GOD FORBID.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, HIS SERVANTS YE ARE TO WHOM YE OBEY; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked, that ye WERE the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18 Being then made FREE FROM SIN, ye became the SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now YIELD YOUR MEMBERS SERVANTS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO HOLINESS.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made FREE FROM SIN, and become servants to God, YE HAVE YOUR FRUIT UNTO HOLINESS, AND THE END EVERLASTING LIFE.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Finally the concept that repentance means to “change your mind” is misleading within the context of the way it is used by the author whose teaching is being refuted. He is not teaching Biblical repentance, but mental assent which brings about no fruit unto holiness. True Biblical repentance brings a change of heart, resulting in a holy lifestyle.

Notice Romans 6:17 again:

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have OBEYED FROM THE HEART that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight… (Colossians 1:20-22)

The cross of Christ was foreshadowed throughout the old testament by the altars upon which the sacrifices offered to God were presented. These sacrificial altars  give a progressive revelation of the cross of Christ.

Before the law was given by Moses and before there was ever a tabernacle or a temple, the altar of sacrifice served as the place where the Patriarchs worshipped God.

• Noah built an altar (Genesis 8:20)
• Abraham built an altar (Genesis 12:7, 8; 13:4, 22:9)
• Isaac built an altar (Genesis 26:25)
• Jacob built an altar (Genesis 33:20; 35:1,3,7)

When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle so that he could dwell among his people, he commanded that an altar be made with acacia wood and overlaid brass. This altar was known as:

• the Brazen altar
• the altar for burnt offering
• the altar of the Lord

The purpose for the brazen altar was for the sacrifices and offerings which were to be offered as a sweet savor to the Lord. These offerings were as follows:

• the burnt offering
• the meat offering
• the peace offering
• the sin offering
• the trespass offering

Under the Law of Moses, the offering of these sacrifices foreshadowed Christ, and the brazen altar on which they were offered to God foreshadowed the cross. They were to be offered as a sweet fragrance to God and were accepted by him to make atonement.

Throughout the old testament, the offerings which foreshadowed Jesus were accepted and not rejected. Those offerings which were rejected did not make atonement.

And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him (Leviticus 1:4).

And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall NOT be accepted , neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity (Leviticus 7:18).

Rejected sacrifices and offerings did not make atonement. Those which were accepted as a sweet savor did!

The Bible teaches that Jesus gave himself for us as a sweet savor, or sweet fragrance, to God.

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. (Ephesians 5:2)

All the sacrifice which were offered on the brazen alter for atonement were to be a sweet savor to foreshadow Christ who God would accept for us as the offering for our sins.

The brazen altar was a type of the cross of Christ and had to be consecrated by the blood of the sin offering before it had any power for service. It had no power to sanctify without the blood. Therefore, it was consecrated to God by the blood of the sin offering before it placed into service.

At the consecration of the priests, Moses killed the sin offering and applied the blood to the horns of the altar to purify it (Exodus 29:12, 36-37; Leviticus 8:15). In scripture, horns are symbolic of power (Habakkuk 3:4). The blood of the sin offering applied to the horns at the time of it’s consecration, was a type of the blood of Christ as the power of the cross.

After the blood was applied to the horns, the remainder of the blood was then poured out at the bottom of the altar to sanctify it so that reconciliation could be made upon it. The blood sanctified the altar making it a a most holy altar. 

Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy. (Exodus 29:37)

Most holy is the same language used to describe the inner most part of the tabernacle where the glory of God rested on the mercy seat.

When Jesus died on the cross, the cross was set apart as most holy to God for every man, for it was there that Jesus died as a sacrifice to redeem us with his precious blood.

WE HAVE AN ALTAR, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (Hebrews 13:10-12)

Because of his blood that was shed upon cross, the cross has the powere to make us holy, unblameable, and unreprovable in God’s sight.

 

Jesus came in the flesh and redeemed us with his precious blood through the offering of his body for our sins. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and said, Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.  ~ Luke 24:39

The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus took on flesh and blood to redeem us.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.  ~ Hebrews 2:14-16

Notice in contrast to the nature of angels, the author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus took on the seed of Abraham. What is the nature of angels? The answer is found in chapter 1, where the writer of Hebrews says: And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. ~ verse 7

Angels are spirits. In contrast, Jesus came in the flesh as the seed of Abraham.

And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  ~ John 1:14

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.  ~ 1 Timothy 3:16

The words, justified in the spirit, in 1 Timothy 3:16 actually mean vindicated in the spirit, or declared righteous. Jesus was condemned unjustly in the flesh when he suffered at the hands of sinful men. Yet, he was vindicated in the spirit through his resurrection from the dead exaltation at the right hand of God.

The vindication of Jesus through his resurrection and exaltation comes through strongly in Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:14-36. It is from the context of this sermon that the words “thou wilt not leave my soul in hell” and “his soul was not left in hell” is sometimes extracted and used to advocate that Jesus suffered in hell. However, the context to which these words belong is the death, burial, resurrection, & exaltation of Jesus Christ. In Acts 2, the apostle Peter is quoting from the book of Psalms and proving to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. ~ Psalm 16: 8-11

In Psalm 16:10, the Hebrew word sheol is translated as hell.  Throughout the Old Testament, sheol is translated  as the grave, hell, and pit. Both the wicked and the righteous go to sheol (the grave) when they die:

For I will go down into sheol (the grave) unto my son in mourning. ~ Genesis 37:35. 

If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. ~ Job 17:13

In the New Testament hell is translated from three Greek words: (1) Tartaroo, (translated once) the place of the wicked dead, the place of outer darkness.  (2) Gehenna, (translated 12 times) the place of future torment, the lake of fire, i.e. hell fire. (3)Hades (translated 10 times) the grave, or the abode of the dead, the place of departed souls.

The apostle Paul uses the word hades in reference to the grave, over which believers will have victory at the coming of the Lord: O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? ~ 1 Corinthians 15:22

Paul’s word’s above also support the truth of a physical resurrection of the righteous at the coming of Jesus and not a spiritual (mystical) resurrection in 70 AD as taught within full preterism.

In Acts 2:27 & 31 the Greek word hades is used as a reference to the grave and not a reference to suffering torment in the regions of the damned.

Consider the following:

1. There is no mention of suffering in hell (i.e., in the place of torment) in Psalm 16 or Acts 2.

2. The sentence structure infers hope and victory:

• Therefore did My heart rejoice ~ Acts 2:26 
• My tongue was glad ~ Acts 2:26
• Moreover also My flesh shall rest in hope ~ Acts 2:26
• Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,  ~ Acts 2:27
• Neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption  ~ Acts 2:27 
• Thou hast made known to me The ways of life  ~ Acts 2:28 
• Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance ~ Acts 2:28

The sentence structure in Acts 2:26-27 and 2:30-31 infers victory over death by means of the resurrection. Jesus was dead and his soul was not left in the abode of the dead because God raised him up again. Literally, the scripture is saying:  “My flesh shall rest in hope, because you will not leave (abandon) my soul in hell (to the power of the grave).”

In Peter’s sermon, his emphasis is that the body of Jesus did not decay because God raised him from the dead. This is why Peter makes it clear that when David said these words he wasn’t referring to himself but to Jesus.

Men and brethren let me speak freely unto you of the patriarch David that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption… For David is not ascended into the heavens, but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made this same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. ~ Acts 2:29-36

Notice that Peter interprets the words regarding the soul of Christ not being left in hell as victory over the grave, rather than torture in the regions of the damned.

Peter tells the people that these words were not referring to David but to Jesus. Now think about it. Do you think that those who were acquainted with this prophecy of scripture and thought it referred to David viewed David as suffering in the torments of Hell? Certainly not!

Why then, should we think this of Christ?

Peter interprets the phrase “thou wilt not leave my soul in hell” as the fulfillment of God’s promise to David that from among his descendants, according to the flesh, God would raise up Christ (the Messiah) to set on his throne forever.

In Paul’s sermon in Acts 13, we find similar language.

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption . ~ Acts 13:34-36

The phrase “Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell” belongs to the promise that the Messiah’s body would not decay in the grave. This is the sure mercies which God promised to David concerning Christ, whom he raised from the dead. It was not God’s promise that Jesus would need to suffer the torments of eternal damnation to redeem us.

Those who teach that Jesus suffered in hell will sometimes teach that Jesus died two deaths; a physical death and a spiritual death. Yet the Bible expounds only on the physical death of Jesus. The new testament gives no clear indisputable evidence that Christ suffered in hell or died twice, physically and spiritually.

If Jesus would have died in his spirit and suffered in hell, the New Testament writers would have laid it out in plain view for all to see, and there would be no need piece-mill a couple of random scriptures together to prove such a doctrine.

The new testament gives indisputable evidence of the physical sufferings of Christ on the cross and redemption by his blood. The physical sufferings of Christ on the Cross and the purpose for his shed blood are clearly stated throughout the New Testament.

His Body was broken for us:

1 Peter 2:24; John 6:51-57; Ephesians 2:13-18; Colossians 1:20-22; Luke 24:36-40; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 2:9-17; Hebrews 10:5-10, 18-22; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 4:1; Matthew 26:7-13; 14:8; Luke 22:19-20; John 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-27).

His Blood was shed for us:

Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; 1 Pet 1:19; Col 1:20; Hebrews 9:22; 10:18-22; Romans 5:9

Jesus died on the cross for our sins!

The theology known a “once saved always saved” is founded on human logic rather than on Biblical truth, especially when addressing what it means to be born again. One such argument, based solely on human logic by the OSAS’ers, is that you cannot be “unborn” once you have been “reborn,” therefore you cannot lose out in your relationship with God.

The twin sister to this argument, is the argument that salvation is a gift freely given with no strings attach. Therefore, those who receive this gift are under no obligation to live a set apart life for God. Therefore the gift of salvation is offered entirely as a free gift apart from sanctification.

This is not so according to the apostle Peter.

22 Seeing ye have PURIFIED YOUR SOULS IN OBEYING THE TRUTH THROUGH THE SPIRIT unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

23 BEING BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The purifying of your soul through obedience in verse 22 and being born again in verse 23 are two descriptions of the same thing. Thus salvation is not a separate issue from sanctification but the beginning of a life of sanctification.

Those who claim that a person can be saved without sanctification at work in a person’s life are teaching Biblical error and promoting false conversions.

The language “born again” and “born of God” is employed by the apostle John more than any other writer in the New Testament. In fact, the other New Testament writers use this language very little in reference to salvation. Therefore if we wish to get a handle of what it means to be born again we need to examine the writings John in the New Testament.

Consider the following from 1 John:

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. (1 John 2:29)

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit (habitually practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (habitually practice) sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9)

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. (1 John 4:7)

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1)

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not (does not habitually practice sin); but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (1 John 5:18)

As you can see, every one of these scriptures speak of being born again in view of sanctification. Notice the immediate context surrounding 1 John 3:9

8 He that committeth (habitually practices) sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit (habitually practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (habitually practice) sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

The very thing that many OSAS’ers defend as having no bearing on a person’s salvation –habitually practicing sin- is the very thing that distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil.

To read Part 2 of this teaching click on the link below:

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/answering-osas-part-2-john-1027-30/

 

 

 

 

Having been raised in a church denomination which often taught once saved always saved, I became familiar with John 10:27-29

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

These verses are often used by those who teach OSAS, and  I’d dare say that these verses are the “go –to” text more than any other when defending OSAS teachings. Those who cite these verses make their case by appealing primarily to verses 28 and 29. They claim that in these verses is the promise of unconditional eternal security. Let’s look again at verses 28-29:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

The problem with citing these verses as evidence of unconditional eternal security is that those who do so actually do so in view of a “one time believing experience.” Yet the context of Jesus’ words does not apply to those who have had a “one time believing experience.” Instead, they apply to those who follow Jesus. Consider verse 27:

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they FOLLOW ME…

The eternal life promised by Jesus in John 10:27-29 is said  within the context of the Shepherd and the sheep. A sheep that follows the shepherd will be safe. A sheep who wanders away from the shepherd will not.

Those who FOLLOW Jesus have eternal life, and they are the ones who are securely held in his hand and in his Father’s hand. Jesus is the good Shepherd and he will keep us in his care if we follow him. If we do not follow him, there is no promise of eternal security.

Consider the following from John 8:30-32

30 As he spake these words, many BELIEVED ON HIM.

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which BELIEVED ON HIM, IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

One does not have the promise of eternal life through a “one time believing experience” if he refuses to become a disciple. The promise of eternal life applies ONLY to those who FOLLOW Jesus.

He that taketh not his cross, and FOLLOWETH  after me, is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:38).

To read Part 1 of this teaching click on the link below:

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/answering-osas-part-1-kept-by-the-power-of-god/

 

If “once saved always saved” were true, God would have provided a salvation through Christ which is in opposition to his holy and righteous character. Such salvation would prove to be unfaithful to the holiness and righteousness of God, for God would be obligated to permit into his eternal Kingdom, iniquity, which Jesus died to purify us from. The Kingdom of heaven would then be filled, not only with true believers in Jesus Christ, but also with those who chose to become blasphemers, murders, adulterers and the such like after their initial faith which they had since denied.

Those who advocate the “once saved always saved” doctrine will often cite 1 Peter 1:5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

From this verse, the OSAS’ers focus on the phrase “kept by the power of God.” Yet according to the context it is the obedient children of God who are kept by the power of God.

The apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:2 saved people are “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood.” (Amplified Bible)

The gift of salvation and the call to obedience to Jesus Christ are inseparable in the New Testament. God calls his people to obey him through Jesus Christ. Those who submit to Jesus and follow him receive saving grace and their sins are washed away.

God does not save anyone who refuses to obey Jesus. In view of the saving grace which comes through Jesus Christ, Peter tells us the following:

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and HOPE TO THE END for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 AS OBEDIENT CHILDREN, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is HOLY, SO BE YE HOLY in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, BE YE HOLY; FOR I AM HOLY.

17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons JUDGETH ACCORDING TO EVERY MAN’S WORK, pass the time of your sojourning here IN FEAR (the fear of the Lord):

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who BY HIM DO BELIEVE IN GOD, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

22 SEEING THAT YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOUR SOULS IN OBEYING THE TRUTH THROUGH THE SPIRIT unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Obedience to Christ does not mean that we live in such a way that we are under condemnation when we fail, because we are all going to fail from time to time. Obedience to Jesus means that we chose to follow him and we live as followers of Jesus seeking to do God’s will and to please him.

For more teaching on the topic of eternal security click on the link below:

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/what-does-saving-grace-do/