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Question #430

Please explain your position on Eternal Security.

Could you please be so kind as to explain Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21 and Luke 8:6, 13 in relation to your suggested theology on ‘Eternal Security’? Likewise, with respect to St. John 6:67, did Jesus require His twelve disciples to exercise their individual ‘free will(s)’ and make a choice regarding their continued discipleship?

The Answer:

Questions of this nature are difficult to answer. First, it does not define any understanding what he calls “your suggested theology on ‘Eternal Security.” Second, it does not define the manner in which he believes Matt. 13:5-6, 20-21 and Luke 8:6, 13 related to “your suggested theology on ‘Eternal Security.” The second question is no clearer. “Likewise” (in the same manner) seems to indicate that the second question is related to the first question, but no connection is apparent. The first question is related to eternal security and the second is related to free will. There is no clear relationship between the two.

Because of lack of clarity the only thing that could be done would be to guess at what he meant and that we are not inclined to do. Questions should be asked with clarity, terms should be defined, and relationships should be fully described. This is especially true when the question comes from another internet ministry, as this one does.

This is not intended to be critical. It is intended to ask that questions be clear as to meaning and intent. Additionally, an inquirer who disagrees with what is taught on ThyWordIsTruth should have the courtesy to state why and upon what basis, including scriptures, that disagreement is based. For example, some who disagree with what is written concerning the necessity of immersion for the remission of sins in order to be saved, seek to respond by quoting verses that don’t even mention baptism. That is like trying to learn about Democrats by reading about Republicans – it can’t be done.

An arrow shot aimlessly into the air has no purpose. An answer based on guesses about an ill defined and unsupported question has no real target and thus is just as purposeless. If the inquirer wishes to rework the question to meet these criteria, we will do our best to answer it.

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God's Plan of Salvation

You must hear the gospel and then understand and recognize that you are lost without Jesus Christ no matter who you are and no matter what your background is. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Before you can be saved, you must understand that you are lost and that the only way to be saved is by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

You must believe and have faith in God because "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) But neither belief alone nor faith alone is sufficient to save. (James 2:19; James 2:24; Matthew 7:21)

You must repent of your sins. (Acts 3:19) But repentance alone is not enough. The so-called "Sinner's Prayer" that you hear so much about today from denominational preachers does not appear anywhere in the Bible. Indeed, nowhere in the Bible was anyone ever told to pray the "Sinner's Prayer" to be saved. By contrast, there are numerous examples showing that prayer alone does not save. Saul, for example, prayed following his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:11), but Saul was still in his sins when Ananias met him three days later (Acts 22:16). Cornelius prayed to God always, and yet there was something else he needed to do to be saved (Acts 10:2, 6, 33, 48). If prayer alone did not save Saul or Cornelius, prayer alone will not save you. You must obey the gospel. (2 Thess. 1:8)

You must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Romans 10:9-10) Note that you do NOT need to make Jesus "Lord of your life." Why? Because Jesus is already Lord of your life whether or not you have obeyed his gospel. Indeed, we obey him, not to make him Lord, but because he already is Lord. (Acts 2:36) Also, no one in the Bible was ever told to just "accept Jesus as your personal savior." We must confess that Jesus is the Son of God, but, as with faith and repentance, confession alone does not save. (Matthew 7:21)

Having believed, repented, and confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins. (Acts 2:38) It is at this point (and not before) that your sins are forgiven. (Acts 22:16) It is impossible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without teaching the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation. (Acts 8:35-36; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21) Anyone who responds to the question in Acts 2:37 with an answer that contradicts Acts 2:38 is NOT proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Once you are saved, God adds you to his church and writes your name in the Book of Life. (Acts 2:47; Philippians 4:3) To continue in God's grace, you must continue to serve God faithfully until death. Unless they remain faithful, those who are in God's grace will fall from grace, and those whose names are in the Book of Life will have their names blotted out of that book. (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:5; Galatians 5:4)