Security of the Believer

Question: To blaspheme God seems to be the only thing to deny salvation. After accepting Christ Jesus as your savior and never blaspheming God, can any sin from that point on deny your salvation?

Answer: This question of sin in a Christian’s life and the unpardonable sin is basically a question of the perseverance of the saints, security of the believer, or “once saved, always saved.” Can one who has been converted, or saved, lose this position before God? There are two different camps concerning this subject.

One position advocated originally by Jacob Arminius the possibility of a Christian losing his salvation. If a Christian commits some heinous sin and dies before confessing and asking for forgiveness for that sin, he is eternally lost.

On the other hand is that of John Calvin. Once a person is saved there is nothing that a person can do which would cause the forfeiture of his eternal soul to damnation. (II Tim 1:12)

There are three distinctions, which are important to understanding the Biblical doctrine of security of the believer.

1. There is a distinction between salvation and rewards. “We are saved by what Christ has done for us; we are rewarded for what we do for Christ.” It is a doctrine of salvation for the lost and rewards for the saved. Salvation is a free gift (Eph 2:8-9). Rewards are earned by work (II Tim 4:7-8). Salvation is a present possession (Rom 8:1). Rewards are a future attainment (Matt 16:27)
2. There is a distinction between true believers and mere professors.
3. A Christian cannot lose his salvation. But, there are three things that can be lost. He can lose his rewards (I Cor 3:15). He can lose the peace of God in his life. He can lose the joy of his salvation (Psalm 51:12).

* The Bible teaches this doctrine by direct statement (Phil 1:6; Rom 8:35-39).
* Eternal life is a present possession, not obtained after death (John 5:24).
* The Christian is born into the family of God, not stillborn (Gal 3:26; John 3:5-8).
* The believer’s life is hid in Christ (Col 3:3; Psalm 97:10).
* The believer has been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:12-14).
* The believer has the Blood Atonement of Christ (Heb 9:11-14).
* Eternal security is based upon the honesty of God. Salvation is a gift (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9)
* Eternal security has its basis in the prayers of Jesus (John 14:16-17; Luke 22:31-32; John 17; Hebrews 7:25).

The Unpardonable Sin (Matt 12:31)

This fatal sin is the denial of the Holy Spirit’s testimony to Jesus as Savior and Lord. This ultimately results in the rejection of the Son of God.


A good source is "A Layman's Guide to Baptist Beliefs" by Harold L. Fickett Jr.

The Galloping Theologian

Faith and Regeneration

Question: Which comes first, Faith or Regeneration?

Answer: Paul said, in Titus 3:5, we are saved by His mercy through the washing of regeneration and by the renewing of the Holy Spirit. When a person repents toward God by placing his Faith in Christ Jesus, he is born again (John 3:3). At the very moment of this turning in Faith, God Regenerates and renews.
The Galloping Theologian