THEOLOGY X. Assurance of Salvation Assurance of salvation is important
for believers to live a secure, joyful life. Sometimes such assurance is described as the
security of the believer. We believe that Christians do not lose their salvation. When we trust in Christ,
we receive the Holy Spirit, which guarantees eternal life (
see Eph. 4:30). God’s power keeps us from falling away (
see 1 Peter 1:3-5). Jesus promised that no one can snatch us away from him (
see John 10:28). The Bible teaches that we can know we are saved (
see 1 John 5:13). Some Christians hold that we can choose to turn away from Christ and lose our salvation. They argue that no one can snatch us out of Christ’s hand, but we can choose to walkout of his hand. They cite Scripture such as
Hebrews 6:4-6 as showing that we may lose our salvation. Ryrie writes that Hebrews 6:4-6 has been understood in the following ways
1. People can lose their salvation.
If this is true, they cannot be saved again.
2. This passage in Hebrews 6:4-6 refers to people who only profess faith, but have not been saved. So they are only falling away from the knowledge of truth, not that they have committed to follow Christ. Notice that Hebrews 6:9 seems to indicate that Paul doesn’t expect the true Christians to fall away.
3. The Scripture admonishes Christians onto maturity. It is impossible to fall from salvation. These verses are similar to speaking to a group of students in this way
It is impossible fora student, once enrolled in this course, if he turns the clock back which cannot be done, to start the course over. Therefore, let all students goon to deeper knowledge.”
17We maintain fellowship with Christians who believe that one can fall from salvation. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Perhaps they are right and we are wrong.
It is important for us to recognize what is essential and what is not essential for Share with your friends: