Post by George on Jul 1, 2006 17:57:23 GMT -5
(This is the first part of the study.)
Not too long ago I had a student in Reformers Unanimous that has previously attended a different Church. This man was extremely confused as to the issue of Eternal Security. The Church that he was attending was teaching that it is possible to lose one’s Salvation. This gross error was being taught as doctrine in the church he attended. There is absolutely no Biblical basis for this concept. I have no idea where in the Bible this idea supposedly comes from but there is much in the Bible that teaches us just the contrary. The Bible tells us over and over again that once we are Saved we are Saved.
To that end I would like to explain to you how I come to that conclusion so that in case you may run into someone else that is of the erroneous idea that Salvation can be lost you may be able to deal with him or her through God’s Holy Word, the Bible rather than have them believe something that is quite obviously false doctrine and possibly even may have been constructed or concocted by man and not The Lord.
“Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. “
In this verse we see that as human beings that are born with a sin nature we deserve to die. Most of us deserve at least the second death while some of us deserve both the first and second death. We also see reference in this verse that eternal life is a GIFT of God. More on that in a bit.
“Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: “
Once again in this quite well known verse we see reference to the FACT that Salvation is a GIFT! We also see the fact that there is nothing we can do to merit that gift. The Bible says “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (Isa 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Not only are all our righteousnesses as filthy rags to God, we also see here that we are all as an unclean thing. We are all polluted and defiled and all of our prayers, sacrifices, alms and praises are mingled with that pollution. Out of our mouths come not only prayers and praises to God but the things of this world also.
Before we go any farther let us take a look at the word “gift.” The first definition below comes from the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.
“GIFT, n. [from give.] A present; any thing given or bestowed; any thing, the property of which is voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation; a donation. It is applicable to any thing movable or immovable.”
Please pay particular attention to the part of that definition that tells us it pertains to anything that is given or bestowed and that it is also voluntarily transferred WITHOUT COMPENSATION. In other words, there is not only nothing that we can do to deserve it (Salvation) because we are unrighteous, tainted, sinful human beings, but it is freely given to us without any kind of compensation or even the expectation of payment. How can we pay for something we don’t have the means to pay with?
G1435 (gift)
δῶρον
dōron
do'-ron
A present; specifically a sacrifice: - gift, offering.
This definition comes from the Greek of the New Testament. Note again that it refers to a sacrifice. That is not pertaining to anything we have to sacrifice (although we are expected to sacrifice our sinful habits and nature to God), it pertains to the fact that God has determined to sacrifice His Goodness, Mercy and Grace for our benefit. What an incredible thing that is. We don’t deserve it, there is nothing we can do to earn it and yet He gives it to us anyway. All we have to do is ask.
Act 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Let me share with you what Albert Barnes has to say about Acts 8:20:
The gift of God - That which he has “given,” or conferred as a favor. The idea was absurd that what God himself gave as a sovereign could be purchased. It was “impious” to think of attempting to buy with worthless gold what was of so inestimable value. The “gift of God” here means the extraordinary influences of the Holy Spirit, Act_10:45; Act_11:17. How can we pay a “price” to God? All that “we” can give, the silver, and the gold, and the cattle on a thousand hills, belong to him already. We have “nothing” which we can present for his favors. And yet there are many who seek to “purchase” the favor of God. Some do it by alms and prayers; some by penance and fasting; some by attempting to make their own hearts better, and by self-righteousness; and some by penitence and tears. All these will not “purchase” his favor. Salvation, like every other blessing, will be “his gift”; and if ever received, we must be willing to accept it on his own terms; at his own time; in his own way. We are without merit; and if saved, it will be by the sovereign grace of God.
Now that pretty well says it all! That is absolutely nothing that we can do to deserve or earn the Gift of God, eternal life. If we think there is then we are dealing with Salvation by works and that is completely contrary to the teachings of the Bible as demonstrated above.
(The rest follows.)
Not too long ago I had a student in Reformers Unanimous that has previously attended a different Church. This man was extremely confused as to the issue of Eternal Security. The Church that he was attending was teaching that it is possible to lose one’s Salvation. This gross error was being taught as doctrine in the church he attended. There is absolutely no Biblical basis for this concept. I have no idea where in the Bible this idea supposedly comes from but there is much in the Bible that teaches us just the contrary. The Bible tells us over and over again that once we are Saved we are Saved.
To that end I would like to explain to you how I come to that conclusion so that in case you may run into someone else that is of the erroneous idea that Salvation can be lost you may be able to deal with him or her through God’s Holy Word, the Bible rather than have them believe something that is quite obviously false doctrine and possibly even may have been constructed or concocted by man and not The Lord.
“Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. “
In this verse we see that as human beings that are born with a sin nature we deserve to die. Most of us deserve at least the second death while some of us deserve both the first and second death. We also see reference in this verse that eternal life is a GIFT of God. More on that in a bit.
“Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: “
Once again in this quite well known verse we see reference to the FACT that Salvation is a GIFT! We also see the fact that there is nothing we can do to merit that gift. The Bible says “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (Isa 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Not only are all our righteousnesses as filthy rags to God, we also see here that we are all as an unclean thing. We are all polluted and defiled and all of our prayers, sacrifices, alms and praises are mingled with that pollution. Out of our mouths come not only prayers and praises to God but the things of this world also.
Before we go any farther let us take a look at the word “gift.” The first definition below comes from the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.
“GIFT, n. [from give.] A present; any thing given or bestowed; any thing, the property of which is voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation; a donation. It is applicable to any thing movable or immovable.”
Please pay particular attention to the part of that definition that tells us it pertains to anything that is given or bestowed and that it is also voluntarily transferred WITHOUT COMPENSATION. In other words, there is not only nothing that we can do to deserve it (Salvation) because we are unrighteous, tainted, sinful human beings, but it is freely given to us without any kind of compensation or even the expectation of payment. How can we pay for something we don’t have the means to pay with?
G1435 (gift)
δῶρον
dōron
do'-ron
A present; specifically a sacrifice: - gift, offering.
This definition comes from the Greek of the New Testament. Note again that it refers to a sacrifice. That is not pertaining to anything we have to sacrifice (although we are expected to sacrifice our sinful habits and nature to God), it pertains to the fact that God has determined to sacrifice His Goodness, Mercy and Grace for our benefit. What an incredible thing that is. We don’t deserve it, there is nothing we can do to earn it and yet He gives it to us anyway. All we have to do is ask.
Act 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Let me share with you what Albert Barnes has to say about Acts 8:20:
The gift of God - That which he has “given,” or conferred as a favor. The idea was absurd that what God himself gave as a sovereign could be purchased. It was “impious” to think of attempting to buy with worthless gold what was of so inestimable value. The “gift of God” here means the extraordinary influences of the Holy Spirit, Act_10:45; Act_11:17. How can we pay a “price” to God? All that “we” can give, the silver, and the gold, and the cattle on a thousand hills, belong to him already. We have “nothing” which we can present for his favors. And yet there are many who seek to “purchase” the favor of God. Some do it by alms and prayers; some by penance and fasting; some by attempting to make their own hearts better, and by self-righteousness; and some by penitence and tears. All these will not “purchase” his favor. Salvation, like every other blessing, will be “his gift”; and if ever received, we must be willing to accept it on his own terms; at his own time; in his own way. We are without merit; and if saved, it will be by the sovereign grace of God.
Now that pretty well says it all! That is absolutely nothing that we can do to deserve or earn the Gift of God, eternal life. If we think there is then we are dealing with Salvation by works and that is completely contrary to the teachings of the Bible as demonstrated above.
(The rest follows.)