Information technology is hard to imagine a doctrine more corrupt than the Calvinistic notion that a child of God can never be eternally lost.

Deniers of Apostasy

Sam Morris, a Baptist preacher of years gone past, authored a tract titled, Do A Christian's Sins Damn His Soul? Therein he wrote:

We take the position that a Christian'due south sins do not damn his soul. The way a Christian lives, what he says, his grapheme, his comport, or his attitude toward other people have nothing any to do with the salvation of his soul.

And then, he added this:

[A]ll the sins [the Christian] may commit from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in whatever more danger.

Utterly amazing!

Ben Bogard served as dean of a Missionary Baptist found in the 1930s. He was the "bulldog" of Baptist debaters.

In his fence with Freed-Hardeman College president N. B. Hardeman, one of the propositions he debated was this:

The Bible teaches that it is possible for a kid of God to apostatize and then equally to exist finally lost.

Professor Hardeman affirmed this annunciation. Bogard denied it!

John MacArthur, a popular Calvinist preacher, contends that God'south child cannot fall from grace. MacArthur wrote regarding eternal life: "It is a done deal, non a goal nosotros work toward. Eternal life is a present possession, not a time to come promise" (163).

Impossibility of Apostasy: A Strange Doctrine

How in the proper noun of biblical common sense tin any reasonably educated Bible student subscribe to the position that it is incommunicable for a Christian to autumn abroad?

This is not intended to purposefully wound whatsoever sincere soul who unwittingly has absorbed this theory. It is an expression of amazement at the acceptance of this heresy by so many misguided souls who should know improve!

In the sections to follow, we have selected several articulate manifestations of divine truth related to this theme.

Parables of the Tares

In the parable of the tares, Jesus warned that the tares (degenerate wheat) would be gathered "out of his kingdom" and burned at the terminate of the world (Mt. xiii:41).

Since Christ'southward kingdom is his church (Mt. 16:19), or the family unit of God (one Tim. 3:xv), it is apparent that these tares correspond apostate children of God who yielded to Satan's influence.

The Vine and Branches

In the apologue of the vine and the branches, the Lord alleged that every branch "in me" that does non continue to bear fruit will be taken abroad (Jn. 15:2). Indeed, Christ warned that if a man "remains not in me" he volition be bandage forth, and finally burned (v. 6).

Simon, the Wizard

When Philip proclaimed the gospel in Samaria, Simon the sorcerer believed the bulletin and was immersed (Acts 8:13). According to Marker 16:xvi, this response results in salvation.

He did precisely what the other devout Samaritans did, every bit indicated by the term "besides." Information technology cannot be alleged that he was a mere pretender.

Later, all the same, he sought to bribe the apostles into granting him the power to impart spiritual gifts. Peter informed him that he was deep in sin and that such a disposition would cause him to "perish" (vv. 21-23).

Thankfully, Simon repented and asked the apostle to pray for him so that this judgment might not come up upon him (v. 24).

Causing Weak Brethren to Perish

Under the Mosaic system, certain meats were ceremonially unclean for the Jews. Many Jewish Christians connected to struggle with their conscience long later Christ and declared all meats clean (Mk. 7:xviii).

Some Gentile Christians too struggled with eating meats. Equally they had been converted out of idolatry, the idea of eating meats that had been sacrificed to idols in the markets was offensive.

These issues could create a rift of division between brethren. So Paul cautions Christians confronting eating meat under sure circumstances. Why? Because some weak, uninformed brother might be influenced to involve himself in similar activity and so violate his conscience.

Here'south the bespeak. Even issues we may find lilliputian involved spiritual danger. Paul emphasizes how dreadful a affair it would be if the weak brother should "perish" (one Cor. viii:11) or be "destroyed" (cf. Rom. 14:15).

Forest, Hay and Stubble

In i Corinthians chapter iii, Paul discusses the work that both he and Apollos had wrought at Corinth.

These men were ministers through whom the Corinthians had come to faith (v. 5). Paul planted, Apollos watered, simply God gave the increase (v. 6). The apostle affirmed that at Corinth he had labored every bit a wise chief builder, advisedly building upon the solid foundation of Jesus Christ (vv. ten-11).

What were the "stones" of this spiritual house to which the apostle had contributed? They were Christian people. Later Paul would write: "Are not you my work in the Lord?" (one Cor. 9:1).

He then cautions teachers that they must take heed how they build. Devout attention must be given to audio teaching, for if one'south work abides (i.e., his converts remain faithful—with the quality of gold, silverish and costly stones), they would savor a satisfying reward (cf. Lk. xvi:9).

On the other hand, if a man's piece of work does not abide, simply rather is burned (i.e., destroyed because of its woods, hay, and stubble character), the instructor will suffer loss (the satisfaction of seeing his labor come to fruition [cf. Gal. 4:11]). Nonetheless, his personal conservancy would not be jeopardized due to his student's failure.

Paul was keenly enlightened that some of his spiritual children might exist lost!

Peter Stood Condemned

Peter violated his own cognition by refusing to eat with Gentile Christians. Paul rebuked him to his face because he "stood condemned" (Gal. 2:11, ASV). "The condemnation is non the verdict of the bystanders [equally often claimed], just the verdict of the act itself" (Lightfoot, 111).

Had the apostle died in that state of condemnation, what would accept been his fate every bit one who "walked non uprightly co-ordinate to the truth of the gospel" (five. xiv)?

Severed from Christ

Paul warned the children of God at Galatia (Gal. 3:26-27) that if they continued to defect to the Mosaic regime, seeking justification through that system, Christ would "profit them nothing" (v:2).

Indeed, he warned, "you lot are severed from Christ, y'all who would be justified by the law; yous are fallen away from grace" (five. 4).

An Evil Heart of Unbelief

The volume of Hebrews contains many warnings to Christians to not forsake the organized religion in view of the eternal toll of such a decision.

For instance, if the Hebrew saints yielded to the corrupt Judaizers and reverted to Mosaic police force, it would be evidence of the fact that they had drifted away from their conservancy. In view of such, how could they escape the wrath of God? (Heb. ii:1-3).

The recipients of Hebrews were admonished not to develop an evil heart of unbelief in falling away from God (Heb. 3:12). If they did, they would exist unable to enter the rest that God had prepared (Heb. 3:13ff).

The writer spoke of those who were once enlightened, who had tasted of the heavenly souvenir, who were fabricated partakers of the Holy Spirit and and then brutal away. It would be impossible to renew them unto repentance every bit long as they continued to crucify (present participle) the Lord (Heb. six:iv-6). By illustration he so shows their stop would be devastation (Heb. 6:8).

Inspiration affirms that if these Hebrews returned to a life of willful, persistent (present participle) sin (thus expecting a new Messiah), they would exist sorely disappointed. In fact, they would take no other expectation than that of fearful judgment and a "fierceness of fire" that shall devour the adversaries (Heb. x:26-27).

Denying the Main

Peter spoke of those who deny the Principal who bought them, thus bringing upon themselves swift destruction (two Pet. 2:1; cf. Jude 4-5).

Fallen

Though the saints in Ephesus had been saved by grace (Eph. two:viii) as they obeyed God's plan of salvation (Acts 19:one-5; Eph. 5:26), they subsequently weakened. The Lord said they had "fallen." He warned that if they did not repent "before it is as well late" (Robertson, 299) and practice their original works, he would come in judgment and remove their "candlestick" out of its place (Rev. two:five).

Since the candlestick was simply a figure of speech for their identity every bit a church (one:20), Christ was threatening to disown them. The implication could non be clearer. (Notation: Robertson was a Baptist scholar.)

Conclusion

How could the sacred tape be whatever more lucid on the possibility of apostasy and the judgment to be visited upon those who abandon their Creator? Information technology is a mystery beyond reasonable comprehension! In conclusion, note:

  • Judas was one of the original twelve apostles. There is no evidence that he was corrupt at that time. He was even empowered with power to perform miracles (Mt. 10:4, 8).
  • At a certain point, even so, Satan entered into the weak apostle (Lk. 22:3-6; cf. Jn. 13:ii, 27).
    *Ultimately Judas committed suicide (Mt. 27:3ff) and was named a "son of perdition" (Jn. 17:12).
  • His activeness was one of "iniquity" (Acts 1:xviii), and he hanged himself. Luke declares that he "fell away" and "went to his own place" (Acts 1:25).

For further study, come across Judas: From Apostle to Backslider.