TBC Doctrinal Class - Eternal Security & Assurance (Part 11)

TBC DOCTRINAL CLASS PARAGRAPH 12: ETERNAL SECURITY THEME VERSE 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. REVISION STATEMENT 11 We believe . . . In the necessity of believers maintaining good works and purity of life and doctrine. (Ephesians 2:10; Romans 6:1-4; 12:1-2; Titus 3:8). What are the 2 major errors regarding good works? 1. Legalism (doing good works to earn my way to heaven) 2. Libertinism (living any way I want to) Photo: Masa Sakano We believe . . . In the necessity of believers maintaining good works and purity of life and doctrine. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Colossians 1:9–10 (ESV) And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; STATEMENT 12 We believe . . . In the eternal security of the believer, that it is impossible for one born into the family of God ever to be lost (John 1:12; 10:27-29; Romans 8:28-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 John 5:10-13). What are the 2 major errors regarding eternal security? 1. Eternal insecurity 2. False assurance Photo: Masa Sakano What are the 2 major varieties of eternal insecurity? 1. You can loose your salvation. 2. You can never be sure that you are saved. Photo: Masa Sakano What are the 2 major varieties of false assurance? 1. Lawlessness masked by religious service 2. Failure to persevere Photo: Masa Sakano Can you lose your salvation? We believe . . . In the eternal security of the believer, that it is impossible for one born into the family of God ever to be lost (John 1:12; 10:27-29; Romans 8:28-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 John 5:10-13). Can you lose your salvation? No!!! John 1:12–13 (ESV) But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become 13 children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Summary: Those who genuinely receive Christ are born into God’s family and never lose their status as God’s children. Their spiritual birth results from an act of God’s will (not human will). Note: The Gospel of John explains the new birth mentioned in John 1:12-13 in John 3:1-21. Can you lose your salvation? No!!! John 10:26–29 (ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of 29 my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. Summary: True sheep never stop following Jesus, who gives them eternal life. No one can kidnap Jesus’ sheep since Jesus and the Father omnipotently guard them. Can you lose your salvation? No!!! Romans 8:28–30 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Summary: Those whose hearts have been transformed to genuinely love God are now in the middle of a guaranteed chain of spiritual events. This chain for believers began with God in eternity past, has already progressed through their justification, is now in process in their sanctification, and will unstoppably continue through their glorification. Can you lose your salvation? No!!! Romans 8:31–34 (ESV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised —who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Summary: God’s putting His Son to death for our eternal salvation means that 1) He is willing to spare no expense to rescue us and that 2) He will not allow our accusers to nullify His Son’s death that justifies us. Can you lose your salvation? No!!! Romans 8:35–37 (ESV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Summary: External dangers may kill the bodies of believers, but persecution and the horrible circumstances involved in it are unable to come between Christ and those he loves. Can you lose your salvation? No!!! Philippians 1:6 (ESV)And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Summary: Your salvation is certain because your salvation is a process that God began (not you) and has promised to complete. Note: Scripture sometimes refers to our salvation as both an event and a process (or series of spiritual events). Process References Event References Philippians 1:6 (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31 (ESV) And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Romans 8:29–30 (ESV) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son . . . . 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justi ed, and those whom he justi ed he also glori ed. fi fi fi Romans 10:13 (ESV) For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Can you lose your salvation? No!!! Romans 8:38–39 (ESV) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor 39 things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Summary: Death, angelic powers, future events, and all other quantities in the created universe are unable to come between God and those whom God loves. What are the 2 major errors regarding eternal security? 1. Eternal insecurity 2. False assurance Photo: Masa Sakano Is it possible to convince yourself that you are a Christian when, in fact, you are not a Christian? Yes!!! Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your 23 name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Group Activity: 1. Identify the heart problem(s) of the people in vv. 21-23. See also Isaiah 29:13 & 1 John 3:4. 2. Explain if we need sinless perfection to have assurance of salvation? See 1 John 1:8; 5:10-13. Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ What is the heart problem(s) of those with false assurance of salvation in Matthew 7:21-23? 1. Confusing outward religious service with knowing Christ Himself. Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ What is the heart problem(s) of those with false assurance of salvation in Matthew 7:21-23? 2. A heart of lawlessness that refuses to submit to and do God’s will. Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Do we need to be sinlessly perfect to have assurance of salvation? No! Sinless perfection is impossible in this life. 1 John 1:8 (ESV) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Does God want us to have assurance of salvation in this life? Yes! 1 John 5:10–13 (ESV) Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. If I don’t have assurance of salvation, does that mean that I am not saved? No! “Assurance is not such an essential part of faith that believers always fully experience it. True believers might wait long and struggle with many difficulties before they experience full assurance (Isaiah 50:10; Psalms 88; Psalms 77:1-12). However, as they are enabled by the Spirit to know the things that are freely given to them by God, they can obtain full assurance through the right use of means without extraordinary revelation (1 John 4:13; Hebrews 6:11-12).” Does lack of assurance = loss of salvation? No! True believers can have their assurance of salvation shaken, decreased, and temporarily lost in various ways. Some causes of this may be • negligence in preserving it (Song of Solomon 5:2-3, 6) • by falling into some specific sin that wounds the conscience and grieves the Spirit (Psalms 51:8, 12, 14) • by some sudden or strong temptation (Psalms 116:11; 77:7-8, 31:22) • by God withdrawing the light of his face and allowing even those who fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light (Psalms 30:7) 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, Chapter 18. Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation https://1689londonbaptistconfession.com/18 How do we reconcile the warning passages about falling away with our statement on eternal security? STATEMENT 12 We believe . . . In the eternal security of the believer, that it is impossible for one born into the family of God ever to be lost (John 1:12; 10:27-29; Romans 8:28-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 John 5:10-13). HOW DO WE RECONCILE THE WARNING PASSAGES ABOUT FALLING AWAY WITH OUR STATEMENT ON ETERNAL SECURITY? Hebrews 3:12–13 (ESV) Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. HOW DO WE RECONCILE THE WARNING PASSAGES ABOUT FALLING AWAY WITH OUR STATEMENT ON ETERNAL SECURITY? fi Hebrews 4:1–2 (ESV) Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of 2 you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not bene t them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. HOW DO WE RECONCILE THE WARNING PASSAGES ABOUT FALLING AWAY WITH OUR STATEMENT ON ETERNAL SECURITY? Hebrews 6:4–8 (ESV) For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the 6 age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 6:4–8 (ESV) For it is impossible, in the case of those who have. . . fallen away, to restore them again to repentance “If the readers apostatize and turn away from Jesus Christ, there will be no opportunity of salvation for them. Is the writer saying that they can’t come back to Christ even if they wish to do so? If we think of the context of the letter, the readers were being persecuted and were growing weary and exhausted with the trials of the Christian life. The author sees that they are at a crossroads. He perceives that if they turn away from Christ, there will be no future repentance for them.” Thomas R. Schreiner, Hebrews, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Köstenberger, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021), 180. Hebrews 6:4–8 (ESV) For it is impossible, in the case of those who have. . . fallen away, to restore them again to repentance “It isn’t the case that God would not and could not forgive them. Rather, the readers, if they repudiate Christ, will have 270 no desire to return to him. They will have left that “phase” of their life behind. Hence, the urgency of the current situation provokes the author to admonish them severely.” Thomas R. Schreiner, Hebrews, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Köstenberger, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021), 180–181. View To Whom Are the Warnings Addressed? What Is the Sin Warned Against? What Are the Consequences of the Sin Warned Against? Arminian Christians Apostasy Loss of salvation Free Grace Christians Lack of fruitfulness Loss of rewards Almost Christians/ Tests of Genuineness mixed audience Apostasy Never were saved Means of Salvation Christians Apostasy Loss of salvation Thomas R. Schreiner, Hebrews, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Köstenberger, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021), 481. “The view that will be defended here [the Means of Salvation View] is that the warnings are addressed to Christians. They aren’t merely about rewards, but eschatological salvation is at stake. In other words those who fall away will experience the judgment destined for the wicked. In all these respects my view is similar to the Arminian view. I will also argue, in contrast to the Arminian view, that the warnings are always effective in the lives of the elect, and thus the warnings are the means by which believers are preserved in their faith.” bolding mine; Thomas R. Schreiner, Hebrews, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Köstenberger, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021), 482. Hebrews 6:4–8 (ESV) For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. “The warnings are most naturally interpreted to be directed to Christians. The author is not intending in 6:4–6 to speak to those who are almost Christians, nor does he suggest that he addresses a mixed audience. He describes those addressed as Christians. He is not asking readers to be introspective and to consider whether they have been truly saved, as the test of genuineness view teaches.” italics in original; Thomas R. Schreiner, Hebrews, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Köstenberger, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021), 484. Hebrews 6:4–8 (ESV) For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. “The participles strung together (6:4–6) do not, in light of the rest of the letter, indicate that some have already fallen away. Nor is the author writing about other Christians who are unrelated to the readers. When the author speaks of falling away, he warns the readers, just as he did in the other warning passages. The immediately following verses indicate that the author isn’t saying the readers have fallen away. He is admonishing them not to fall away, and we see from 6:9–12 that he is con dent they won’t fall away.” fi Thomas R. Schreiner, Hebrews, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Köstenberger, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021), 485. Hebrews 6:4–8 (ESV) For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 6:9–12 (ESV) Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:4–8 (ESV) For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. “I argue that for all those who have been enlightened and who have received the Holy Spirit (6:4–6), i.e., all believers, the warnings are one of the means by which believers are kept until the end. All those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit heed the warnings and thus obtain nal salvation.” fi bolding mine; Thomas R. Schreiner, Hebrews, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Köstenberger, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021), 489. “To say that believers are saved by heeding the warnings is not works-righteousness, for those who heed the warnings keep trusting God (11:1–40). Those who respond rightly to the author’s admonitions continue to believe in God instead of turning away from him.” Thomas R. Schreiner, Hebrews, ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Köstenberger, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021), 489. “Those whom God has accepted in the Beloved, effectually called and sancti ed by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect can neither totally nor nally fall from the state of grace. Rather, they will de nitely persevere to the end and be eternally saved because the gifts and callings of God cannot be taken away. God, through his gifts and callings, continually grants and nourishes in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit that lead to immortality.” fi fi fi bolding mine; 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, Chapter 17. Of the Perseverance of the Saints https://1689londonbaptistconfession.com/17 John 10:28-29 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 2 Timothy 2:19 But God's rm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” fi 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. Besides warnings, what else in Hebrews aids and/or guarantees the perseverance of God’s true children? How do you keep the school children safe on a trip to the zoo? Sign at Bermuda Zoo How do you keep the school children safe on a trip to the zoo? • warnings • buddy system • zoo staff/guides • parent chaperones • teachers/school staff • fences • concrete barriers • glass Besides warnings, what else in Hebrews aids and/or guarantees the perseverance of God’s true children? • scripture (1:1-2; 4:12) • Christ’s Divine nature (ch. 1) • angels (1:14) • preaching (2:1-4) • God’s throne of grace / prayer (4:16) • the promises of the New Covenant (ch. 8) •Christ’s human nature (ch. 2:5ff) • other Christians’ input (10:24-25) • Christ’s example as a faithful son (3:1-6) • Christ’s own perseverance (12:2) • Christ’s priestly sympathy (4:14-15) and high priestly work (ch. 5-10) • examples from scripture (ch. 11) • God’s fatherly discipline (12:3-12) • church leaders (ch. 13) Which of these aids are negated if you stop attending church? • scripture (1:1-2; 4:12) • Christ’s Divine nature (ch. 1) • angels (1:14) • preaching (2:1-4) • God’s throne of grace / prayer (4:16) • the promises of the New Covenant (ch. 8) •Christ’s human nature (ch. 2:5ff) • other Christians’ input (10:24-25) • Christ’s example as a faithful son (3:1-6) • Christ’s own perseverance (12:2) • Christ’s priestly sympathy (4:14-15) and high priestly work (ch. 5-10) • examples from scripture (ch. 11) • God’s fatherly discipline (12:3-12) • church leaders (ch. 13) Which of these aids are negated if you stop attending church? • scripture (1:1-2; 4:12) • Christ’s Divine nature (ch. 1) • angels (1:14) • preaching (2:1-4) • God’s throne of grace / prayer (4:16) • the promises of the New Covenant (ch. 8) •Christ’s human nature (ch. 2:5ff) • other Christians’ input (10:24-25) • Christ’s example as a faithful son (3:1-6) • Christ’s own perseverance (12:2) • Christ’s priestly sympathy (4:14-15) and high priestly work (ch. 5-10) • examples from scripture (ch. 11) • God’s fatherly discipline (12:3-12) • church leaders (ch. 13) Which of these aids are negated if you stop attending church, reading your Bible, and praying? • scripture (1:1-2; 4:12) • Christ’s Divine nature (ch. 1) • angels (1:14) • preaching (2:1-4) • God’s throne of grace / prayer (4:16) • the promises of the New Covenant (ch. 8) •Christ’s human nature (ch. 2:5ff) • other Christians’ input (10:24-25) • Christ’s example as a faithful son (3:1-6) • Christ’s own perseverance (12:2) • Christ’s priestly sympathy (4:14-15) and high priestly work (ch. 5-10) • examples from scripture (ch. 11) • God’s fatherly discipline (12:3-12) • church leaders (ch. 13)