“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
— Hebrews 3:12
Introduction
The question of whether salvation, once received, is eternally secure, or whether it can be forfeited through unbelief and disobedience, is one of the defining debates of Christian theology. The stakes are eternal. Scripture presents promises of divine preservation and warnings of human responsibility—both expressed with unmistakable weight. This paper examines both sides of the question with extensive use of the Holy Scripture, seeking to form a complete doctrinal picture.
Part I: The Case for Eternal Security
Those who affirm Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) argue that salvation, as a work of God, is unbreakable, irreversible, and entirely sustained by His power.
1. Salvation Is a Divine Work, Not a Human Achievement
Since God is the author of salvation, He is also the finisher of it.
God Finishes What He Begins
Philippians 1:6
“He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 12:2
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”
Salvation Is Not Maintained by Human Merit
Titus 3:5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…”
If works did not secure salvation initially, proponents argue, they cannot sustain it.
2. Believers Are Kept by the Power of God
Kept by God’s Power
1 Peter 1:5
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation…”
None Can Pluck Them from God’s Hand
John 10:28–29
“Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand… no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
Jesus places the believer’s security on the Father’s omnipotence, not human strength.
3. The Sealing and Guarantee of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s seal is viewed as God’s pledge that salvation will be completed.
The Seal
Ephesians 1:13
“Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”
The Duration of the Seal
Ephesians 4:30
“…ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
The Earnest (Guarantee)
2 Corinthians 1:22
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
The term earnest means a down payment guaranteeing the final completion.
4. Eternal Life Is Described as Permanent
Present Possession
John 5:24
“Hath everlasting life…”
Irreversible Gift
Romans 11:29
“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
If eternal life is truly eternal, OSAS supporters argue it cannot be temporary or conditional.
5. The Perseverance of the Saints as Evidence of True Salvation
Those Who Fall Away Were Never Truly Saved
1 John 2:19
“They went out from us, but they were not of us…”
Their departure is interpreted as evidence that their faith was never genuine.
Part II: The Case Against Eternal Security
Those who reject OSAS argue that Scripture repeatedly warns believers of the real danger of falling away, departing from the faith, and forfeiting salvation.
1. Salvation Is Conditional on Continuing in Faith
A Conditional “If”
Colossians 1:22–23
“…to present you holy and unblameable… if ye continue in the faith…”
Standing by Faith
Romans 11:20–22
“Thou standest by faith… Continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
This passage is directed to Gentile believers, not unbelievers.
2. Scripture Warns of Departing from the Faith
Clear Prophetic Warning
1 Timothy 4:1
“Some shall depart from the faith…”
Departing from the Living God
Hebrews 3:12
“Take heed… lest… in departing from the living God.”
Receiving Grace in Vain
2 Corinthians 6:1
“That ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”
One cannot depart or receive in vain something one never possessed.
3. The Reality of Apostasy
Falling Away
Hebrews 6:4–6
“…it is impossible… if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance…”
The people described:
- were once enlightened,
- tasted of the heavenly gift,
- were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
- tasted the good Word of God.
These are not false believers.
Willful Sin After Receiving Knowledge
Hebrews 10:26–29
“…after that we have received the knowledge of the truth…”
Such a person is said to “draw back unto perdition” (Hebrews 10:39).
4. Salvation Can Be Lost Through Spiritual Neglect
Neglect
Hebrews 2:1–3
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…?”
Being a Castaway
1 Corinthians 9:27
“…lest… I myself should be a castaway.”
5. Jesus’ Teachings Warn of Conditional Security
Abiding in Christ
John 15:5–6
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch… and burned.”
Branches were in the vine before being severed.
The Narrow Way Requires Endurance
Matthew 24:13
“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Not Everyone Who Once Knew Him Finishes Well
Luke 12:45–46
The unfaithful servant once belonged to the household but is “cut in sunder.”
Part III: Harmonizing the Full Counsel of God
Scripture affirms two parallel truths:
- God powerfully keeps those who trust in Him.
- Man must continue in faith, obedience, and perseverance.
These are not contradictions—but complementary realities.
1. God’s Keeping Power Works Through Human Perseverance
God keeps His people through faith (1 Peter 1:5).
Not without it.
Perseverance is not human self-effort alone; it is God-empowered endurance.
2. Assurance Must Be Continual, Not Merely Historical
Present Tense Faith
Hebrews 3:14
“We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.”
Assurance is ongoing because salvation is relational.
3. Salvation Is Secure in Christ—But Not in Sin or Apostasy
Scripture never promises security to:
– those who return to sin (2 Peter 2:20–22),
– those who deny the faith (2 Timothy 2:12),
– those who refuse to abide (John 15:6).
Security is in Christ, not outside of Him.
4. True Faith Produces Endurance, But Believers Are Warned Because Falling Is Possible
The warnings of Scripture are not hypothetical—they are real guardrails.
God preserves.
Man perseveres.
Both are true.
But God’s preservation never eliminates human responsibility.
Conclusion
The question of Once Saved Always Saved cannot be answered by quoting one set of verses while ignoring another.
Scripture presents a two-sided truth:
- God is faithful to keep His people, and no external force can sever them from His hand.
- Yet believers are repeatedly warned that salvation can be abandoned through unbelief, refusal to abide, and hardened apostasy.
Salvation is eternally secure—in Christ, not apart from Him.
The safest place is not in theological arguments, but in daily obedience, living faith, and abiding fellowship with Jesus Christ.
As He Himself commanded:
“Abide in me.”
This is the believer’s security, confidence, and hope until the day of redemption.
My Personal Belief About “Once Saved, Always Saved”
When I was saved through faith in Jesus Christ, I became a child of God, adopted into His family. I believe that once I am His child, I will always be His child. However, being His child does not exempt me from accountability. Scripture reminds us that we will all stand before God and be judged.
Revelation 2:4–5 says:
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
And Revelation 3:5 declares:
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
These verses lead me to believe that even though I belong to God, if I persist in sin and turn away from Him, there is still the sobering possibility of being judged and having my name blotted out of the Book of Life. Therefore, I strive to walk faithfully in repentance, obedience, and love, abiding in Christ until the end.