The Elon Challenger
ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST
New Hope, Alabama
Seeking to challenge your interest in things spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18).
Volume XIII Number 9
May, 2016
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Table of Contents
The Possibility of Apostasy (3)———-Mike Johnson
Points to Ponder———- Unknown
No Problem!———-Irvin Himmel
Seven Things That Will Help You Grow Spiritually———-Grover Stevens
“Almost” Is Not Enough———-Barney L. Keith
Did You Know———- Unknown
Are We Complacent About Sin?———-Mike Johnson
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The Possibility of Apostasy (3)
Mike Johnson
This article is a continuation of a study of the doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved.” We have been looking at various passages which make it clear that a child of God can fall from grace. In the first study, we noticed Galatians 5:4, 2 Peter 2:20-22, 2 Peter 1:4-11, John 15:1-6, Acts 8:5-25. Last month we examined 1 Corinthians 10:12, 9:27; 1 & 2 Timothy; Hebrews 3:4-13, 6:4-6, 10:26-31. This is third and final article on the doctrine also called “The Perseverance of the Saints.”
James 5:19-20
James 5:19-20 says, “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.”
It is clear he is talking about Christians in these verses. He is addressing “brethren” in these verses, and he says “if any of you” do err from the truth. Thus, those who are brethren can “err from the truth.” Further, how can a person err from that which he does not have?
If this brother errs, he can be “converted” (v. 19b.) What if this sinner is converted from the error of his way? Verse 20 tells us the one who converts him, “shall save a soul from death,” and “shall hide a multitude of sins.” It is very clear that the person who errs (a Christian) is in a lost state.
What is the “death” spoken of that the erring one is saved from? It is obviously spiritual death (1:15; 1:21), i.e. the second death (Rev. 20:6). Physical death will occur whether a person sins or not. Spiritual death, which involves a separation from God, comes about as a result of sin!
Not only would the person who converts the sinner from the error of his way save a soul from death, but he would also “hide a multitude of sins.” Some translations says “cover.” To hide, or cover, sins means to have them forgiven. Note the parallelism of Psalms 85:2 which says, “Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sins.” Nehemiah employs this same figure when he prayed (Neh. 4:5) concerning his enemies, “And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee . . . . ” (Note also I Peter 4:8 & Proverbs 10:12.)
Sometimes it is argued the term “brother” refers to a brother in the sense of a Jewish brother. Thus, he is not speaking of the possibility of a Christian falling. From James 2:1, it is clear those addressed as “brethren” had faith. The NASB says, “My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.” He is speaking to brethren whose faith was being tried (1:2-3), and, in the same context of verses 5:19-20, of those who could pray (5:13-16). There is no reason to think verses 19-20 refer to “brethren” in the sense of “Jewish brethren.” Instead, Christians are addressed, and it is clear if they erred from the truth, they would fall from grace.
Who Really Has Security?
People who believe the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” usually place much emphasis on, and take great comfort in, their doctrine. In fact, to many who hold this view, it is viewed as one of their most important doctrines. They also have a tendency to view any group who does not hold this position as greatly inferior. They may ask someone who holds a different view, “Where is your security?”
The Bible does teach “security” for Christians (note Jn. 10:27-29, Rom. 8:31-39, I Pet. 1:3-5). It does not teach, however, that we have “unconditional” security.
Consider a person (viewed as faithful) who has been associated with a group who hold this doctrine for many years and suddenly turns to a life of sin. His sinful activities may include such sins as fornication, drinking, and gambling How would this be explained? Has this person fallen from grace? “No,” it would be said, “the man was never really saved to begin with.” (This would typically be said even though the man might have been very active in the denomination for many years, even though he might have been a “Sunday School” teacher, and even though he might have claimed a “salvation experience.”) They seem to be saying this, “If you’ve got it, you can’t lose it; if you lose it you never really had it.” Consider Ironside on this subject:
I do not know how many times I have had individuals come to me with a hypothetical case like this: “Suppose a man who joined the church, who professed to be saved, who for a number of years was a very active Christian worker, perhaps a Sunday School teacher, perhaps an elder or a deacon in the church, maybe a minister; but after some years of apparent consistent Christian living and helpfulness in testimony he turns his back on it all, returns to the world, and utterly repudiates Christianity and now denies in toto the gospel he once professed. How does that square with your doctrine of the eternal security of the believer?” That does not touch the matter at all. The apostle John tells us how we are to understand a case like that. He says in the second chapter and the nineteenth verse of his first Epistle, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not of us,” or literally, “that they were not altogether of us.” That is, it is possible to do all the things that I have spoken of and yet never be regenerated. It is quite possible to join a church, to make a Christian profession; it is quite possible to observe the Christian ordinances, to teach and to preach, and yet never be born again. If one teaches and preaches the truth, it will produce good results, and will do men good whether the teacher or the preacher be real or not, for it is the truth that God uses. 17
This seems to be a very convenient explanation. But I wonder, how many thousands have throughout the years ended up, as they would say, being only “pretenders.” In fact, what kind of security does a faith only advocate really have? How does a person today know whether or not he is one of the mere “professors?” The man described above who went astray (and who is labeled as never having been saved) may have had the same claim of a “salvation experience,” as the active member. He may have seemed sincere; he may have appeared to be very devoted to the Lord. So, how does the active member know whether or not that someday the same thing will happen to him? Is it being said that the many thousands “who went astray but were never really of us” were all dishonest, i.e. they knew the whole time they were just pretending? How much security do the proponents of this position really have?
Often, those who hold this doctrine will claim they are saved based on some past “salvation experience.” If this person begins to doubt his salvation, his experience cannot be repeated. He memory may certainly grow dim in time. Yet, those who have complied with the plan of salvation as taught in God’s Word (Rom. 10:17; Jn. 3:16; Acts 2:38, 17:30-31; Rom. 10:10; Mk. 16:16) can, at any time, read what they did to be saved, and be assured of that they have done what it takes to be a child of God.
Conclusion
An examination of these passages make it very clear the doctrine that a child of God cannot fall from grace is false. Paul said that we must take heed lest we fall (I Cor. 10:12), and Peter points out we must do certain things to keep from falling (II Pet. 1:6-10). I Corinthians 15:58 tells us we are to be, “… steadfast, unmovable, always abound in the work of the Lord….” A belief in the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, can cause us to fail to “take heed,” to fail to add to our faith, and fail to endeavor to be steadfast as the Bible commands. This doctrine has many serious consequences. (end of series)
End Notes: (Part 3)
- Ironside, page 8
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Points to Ponder
- The man who does as he pleases, seldom pleases the Lord.
- The future is “purchased” by the present.
- Always tell the truth and you do not have to remember what you say.
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No Problem!
- When a person is eager to learn the way of salvation and is willing to accept the word of God as the final authority, there is no problem in teaching him what to do to be saved.
- When differences arise among brethren and all have a humble attitude, and there is a sincere desire for peace and unity, and all parties want to follow God’s word, the settlement is no problem.
- When a person genuinely believes that Jesus is the Son of God and wants to yield in submission to Christ, once he is shown the Lord commands baptism for the remission of sins, because he is honest and longs to go to heaven, there is no problem getting him to be baptized.
- When a worshiper comes into the assembly with the right attitude of heart, there is no problem if the song leader misses the pitch on one of the hymns or if the building is too warm, or if the janitor has missed some cobwebs over the pulpit.
- Many of the problems that arise are the bitter fruit of improper thinking.
– by Irvin Himmel
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That which is viewed as “politically incorrect” will eventually be viewed as “religiously” incorrect.
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Seven Things That Will Help You Grow Spiritually
Grover Stevens
- LIVE and WORK to reach others each day as if you knew the world was going to come to an end next Sunday night. Think of that feeling of urgency and priority! (Read 2 Peter 3:1-12)
- BE AS ENTHUSIASTIC about the church and its services as you would be if there were an overflowing crowd each time. Think of the interest, anticipation, and excitement of an overflow crowd!
- COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. Make a list of the things you are thankful to God for and thank Him for them one by one as you pray in your closet. This will help you to be grateful (Philippians 4:6). It will also help you to realize your dependence on God (Acts 17:24-25,28; John 15:5).
- MAKE & MAINTAIN A LIST OF YOUR FAULTS. Pray for forgiveness and help to overcome them as you truly strive to overcome them. This will help us see that we are really not as good as we think we are and how very much we really do need Christ for Savior. It will also help you to sympathize with the faults of others (James 5:16; Galatians 6:1).
- KEEP A QUIET TIME. Set aside 30 minutes every day to spend with God in prayer, Bible study, and meditation. If you really love someone or a game you want to spend some time with them. Just so, if you truly love God you want to spend some time alone with Him. (Psalm 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1). First century Christians kept an “hour of prayer” (Acts 13:1).
- VISIT SOMEONE FOR CHRIST EACH WEEK. Visit some member you do not know very well; or a sick person; or a visitor to our services; or a weak member who needs encouragement; or someone who needs to become a Christian.
- REACH ANOTHER PERSON. Conduct a Bible class in your home once a month and invite your relatives, friends and neighbors to attend. The preacher or elders will assist you if you want them to. Matthew 5:12-15; James 5:20; Daniel 12:3. There are 168 hours in a week. If you were to attend Bible Study, morning and evening worship on Sundays, Bible study on Wednesday, 30 minutes 6 days a week in Bible reading, prayer, and meditation, and conduct an hour long study once a month, you would be giving God less than 10 hours a week, leaving you 158.
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“Almost” Is Not Enough!
Barney L. Keith
It is sometimes said of an individual who has not yet obeyed the gospel, “I believe he is almost ready to be baptized,” or that “she is close to becoming a Christian!”
- Friend, are you one of those people? Can we not somehow impress upon you:
- That “almost” is not sufficient to make one a Christian;
- That being “close” is not the same thing as being “in Christ”;
- That you are still in a LOST condition;
- That Christ is coming in judgment one day?
It is essential for you to note the words of Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 where he states that those “who do not obey the gospel … will pay the penalty of eternal destruction.” We URGE you to take a serious look at your life, your need of salvation, and the hope that can be found only “in Christ.” Obey the gospel TODAY!
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“Did You Know?”
That many people who plan to be saved from their sins the eleventh hour die at 10:30!
The apostle Paul wrote: “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Don’t wait to put on Jesus in Baptism and have your sins washed away (Gal 3:27; Acts 22:16). This may be the only chance you’ll get.
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Are We Complacent About Sin?
Mike Johnson
Many years ago my wife and I moved into a house that was very close to a well-traveled train track. Trains traveled on the tracks throughout the night. At first, the whistles from the trains woke us up. Before long, however, our sleep was rarely disturbed by the passing trains as we grew accustomed to the noise. Similarly, many people, to their detriment, become complacent about sin.
Actually, the Bible teaches that we are to hate sin. Romans 12:9 says we are to “abhor” (hate) that which is evil, and we are to “cleave” to that which is good. Hating evil, we are disturbed by it and should not want to have any part in it. I Peter 3:10-11 says that we are to “eschew” (avoid) evil, and I Thessalonians 5:17 says that we are to abstain from every form of evil.
Sin is commonly practiced around us. Songs with unwholesome themes play on the radio. Television is filled with bad language, sex, and various forms of immorality, and these kinds of activities are portrayed as acceptable and normal. When Christians choose these forms of entertainment, they may (at first) be disturbed by what they see. However, in time, we can grow complacent toward the sin and before long begin to engage in it. It has been said that at first we oppose, then we tolerate, and finally, we endorse or embrace. We must keep away from this digressive process, and never lose our hatred and disgust of sin.
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Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson
Phone -256-776-2223
www.seekingthingsabove.org
www.elonchurchofchrist.com