Compiled by Dave Armstrong, c. 2000. Bible Verses: RSV.
1 Corinthians 9:27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
Philippians 3:11-14 that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own . . . I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.
Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God, and the powers of the age to come, if they then commit apostasy . . .
2 Peter 2:15,20-21 Forsaking the right way they have gone astray; they have followed the way of Balaam, . . . For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
{See also 1 Samuel 11:6, 18:11-12, Ezekiel 18:24, 33:12-13,18, Galatians 4:9, Colossians 1:23, Hebrews 6:11-12, 10:23,26,29,36,39, 12:15, Revelation 2:4-5}

Hello Dave, peace of the Lord be with you. Recently, I had a few discussions with an ex-Catholic. He used [Hebrews 6:4-6] to claim that Salvation cannot be lost and regained again. He further mentioned that it is impossible to receive the Gift of Eternal Salvation, to fall away, and to then renew again unto repentance because Christ was crucified once and for all. After reading through your writings entitled ‘"Certainty" of Eternal Life?’ (1 John 5:13 & John 5:24)’ and ‘Assurance of Instant Salvation / Salvation as a Process’, I’m sure that his claim of Salvation cannot be lost is totally absurd. And I agree with him that Christ was crucified once and for all. What is still vague for me is, is it really impossible to restore again to repentance as indicated in [Hebrews 6:4-6]? As far as I’m concern, the Church as well as the Bible (elsewhere) taught that Jesus will accept and welcome all repentance of sinners (including those who fall into sin again after repentance) as long as they have a contrite heart. May I have your views on this. Thanks a lot. God bless you abundantly.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, yes; we can be restored. Unless we utterly reject God and decide to spurn His mercy, and harden our hearts beyond repair, the door is always open for us.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean even for someone who commits apostasy and then repents again? If yes, then what is St Paul trying to convey in [Hebrews 6:4-6] as it is impossible to restore again to repentance if someone commits apostasy because it would be like crucifying the Son of God again?
ReplyDeleteAs I said, if we "utterly reject God" then we will be lost, as it says in Heb 6:6, that such a person "holds [Jesus] up to contempt."
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