Basically, the Doctrine of Once Saved, Always Saved began with the teachings of John Calvin, (1509-64) who was a pastor, church reformer, author and teacher.

For the first 1,500 years of church history, Once Saved, Always Saved was pretty much foreign within church beliefs and teachings. No well known church theologians ever taught this doctrine of unconditional eternal security prior to Calvin. There is some Scripture that may appear on the surface to support this belief, while there is much more Scripture to refute OSAS. By taking the entirety of the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation, it becomes quite clear that this teaching is false. Today, this belief is held by most Baptist denominations and Presbyterians and perhaps some other denominations.

Charles Stanley, a proponent of OSAS and pastor of First Baptist megachurch in Atlanta, falsely claims that “Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy … believers who lose or abandon their faith will retain their salvation.” Say what?

This completely defies what Scripture teaches. Stanley also teaches, “You and I are not saved because we have an enduring faith. We are saved because at a moment in time we expressed faith in our enduring Lord.”

Wow. Stanley is claiming that a one-time commitment to faith in Christ is all that’s needed, there is no need for a Christian to continue a life of enduring faith. Hebrews 10:36 teaches, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Therefore it is each of us who needs to endure or persevere; Jesus doesn’t do this on our behalf.

We read this in Colossians 1:22, 23a, “But now he (God) has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.” Folks there is such great importance in the word “if.” Notice please, … if you continue in your faith.

Charles Stanley teaches also, “That it is impossible for a Christian to out sin God’s grace.” This is false teaching that invites people to trample on God’s grace. Galatians 5:19-21 warns us, “The acts of the sinful nature (flesh) are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Friends, does this sound like we can never out sin the grace of God? Certainly not. Does this seem to you that OSAS is true or false? Ephesians 5:3-6 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 speak similarly as the above Galatians verses do.

In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, John writes seven letters to seven churches as he was instructed to do so by Jesus. There is one word that appears in each of the seven letters, the word “overcome,” or as some translations might say, “conquer.” What is it that Jesus is telling Christians to overcome? Would it not be the world, our own flesh, but especially sin?

We must overcome or conquer sin, every sin. In Revelation 3:5 Jesus states this: “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, …” Just in mentioning not blotting out someone’s name means that it is possible for Jesus to do so, which again, shoots down the false teaching of OSAS.

Jesus has promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” This, and other such promises are absolutely reliable and sure. The Lord will never initiate a separation with a believer, but it is possible for us to walk away or to stop believing for various reasons that are mentioned in Scripture.

Jesus said in Matthew 26:28, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” A covenant is a binding agreement with each party having responsibility. Jesus has already fulfilled his responsibility. Each Christian’s responsibility is to continue believing. We were justified by faith when we first believed and we must continue to believe in order to maintain our relationship with the Lord so that we can grow and persevere. True Biblical faith encompasses so very much.

OSAS is not only erroneous and a twisting of God’s written word, but it is dangerous. Dangerous because it often puts people at ease by thinking since they can’t lose their salvation, then they don’t have to overcome sin, so they can do pretty much what they want. May God bless you all by leading you into all truth.

(Snodgrass is a local evangelist)