How You Can Prove O.S.A.S.

 

One reason many do not accept unconditional security beliefs is because they haven't had their conditional proofs refuted. Many Securists and Conditional Advocates alike, have the idea that the proofs that convinced them are enough to convince everyone, but in many instances these "proofs" are nothing more than "snippets" of scripture that don't provide the full meaning of the context they were taken from. If you want to prove your case, that OSAS is true and valid, to an advocate of conditional security then do the following...

PROVIDE THE SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE

Give the scriptural passage(s) that shows that a truely saved person has absolute assurance that salvation is unconditional, that he/she will retain salvation while becoming, and after having been involved in known and willful sin without confession or repentance, and that nothing can effect the final outcome of salvation.
Since scripture speaks for itself, this must not be preceded by a lengthy explanation of OSAS beliefs or doctrines that are used to cloud the mind in an attempt to make the scriptures appear to say what they aren't saying.
Scripture must not be taken out of the context of it's intended purpose (It must be rightly divided).
If you make a defense by refuting scripture used to support conditional beliefs, you must leave the passage with some type of meaning. For example, do not provide an argument that Revelation 3:5 doesn't state that Christ will remove names from the book of life, but that he will NOT remove names from the book of life unless you can provide what the meaning of the passage should then be?
Another example: Do not imply that those refered to in Hebrews 6:4-6 were true Christian in order to show that scripture says if it WERE possible to lose salvation it can't be regained, if you are then going to reverse your position and state that those described in this passage were "never saved in the first place" to support that it is impossible to fall away. This shows contradiction on your part. In addition, it would be wise in this particular passage to show what those that were "never saved in the first place" fell away from!

COMPARE SCRIPTURE TO SCRIPTURE EVIDENCE TO DISPROVE CONDITIONAL SALVATION BELIEFS

Use a scripture to scripture comparison that proves the OSAS views and disproves the conditional salvation views given in our section, Points to Ponder and our section of New Testament Passages Establishing the Doctrine of Condition Security. Keep in mind that their are 34 passages to tackle in the first section, 85 in the second (some are repeats).Being unable to disprove just one of the conditional views can put your theology in error and make it impossible for you to prove your case. Among those verses you will need to answer the following sample:

2 Peter 1:10 - Why would Peter tell us to make our calling and election sure, if it is a sure, irrevocable thing?
1 Corinthians 9:27 - Paul claimed that it was possible that he could be rejected. Why shouldn't we?
1 Corinthians 10:12 - Why would Paul tell those who had an irrevocable salvation to take heed lest they fall?
1 John 2:24 - Why did John say, "If" what you heard from the beginning abides in you you also will abide in the Son and in the Father if it is impossible to do otherwise?
Hebrews 10:26-29 - Is the Hebrew writer wrong in stating that Christians can sin willfully as to have no hope? Not that this passage states that these were "sanctified" but now "insult the Spirit."
2Pet. 2:20, 21- Did Peter speak falsly when he decalred that individuals could be saved and then fall away to a worse state than before their obedience? How could this happen if salvation is irrevocable?
Philip. 4:13; Rev. 3:5 - These passages teach that our names can be written in the Book of Life and that they can also be erased. Surly one would have to be saved to have his name written in the Book of Life. How could one have his name erased if salvation is irrevocable?
1Tim. 4:1-2 - Paul declared that some "will fall away from the faith". What did he mean? You can't fall away from something at which you have never arrived.
1Tim. 1:9 - Paul also stated that some had "suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith." Does this not mean one can have faith and then destroy it?
Lk. 8:1 3- Jesus taught in the parable of the sower that some "hear and receive the word with joy....they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away." Again how can you fall away from some which you have not arrived? Jesus said it is possible to fall away.
Jn. 15:1-6- In Jesus stated that He is the vine and we are the branches. Note that those who do not "abide," i.e.continue, remain, in the Vine "he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (v.6) Note the condition, "If" you abide in Me, and My word abide in you..." (v. 7). Does this sound like one could be in Christ and then be rejected?
1Cor. 8:11; Rom. 14:13-15 - Notice who it is in these passages who can "perish" and be "destroyed," is it not a brother "for whom Christ died"?
1Cor. 15:1-3 - Why did the apostle speak of the gospel which he had preached in which the Corinthians had "received", in which they also stood, and by which they were also "saved," and then make it conditional based on "if you hold fast to the word." Why did he not say, 'a salvation that will never nor can ever be lost or abandoned'?

 

DISPROVE OSAS IDOLATRY

Give actual proof that OSAS theology can not, does not, and/or will not allow the professor to shift their faith unknowingly from Jesus ONLY to faith in a past conversion experience and a current faith in the validity of OSAS doctrines, which in actuality is a form of idolotry.

PROVE YOUR PROFESSIONS ABOUT FATIH

If you are amongst those that believe it, prove that faith, once obtained, can not be cast off or lost -OR- If you profess beliefs that say you will still retain salvation, even if you DO shun , deny or somehow lose your faith, prove that you are saved by Grace without faith.

CONVINCINGLY EXPLAIN YOUR CONTRADICTIONS

Due to contradictions within your own theology show how one can be secure from becoming apostate while saying apostasy is fictional. What is the threat that you are secure from? If apostasy is not real then you are saying that you are safe and secure from no threat at all. How can one be secure if the threat they are secure from would never happen in the first place?
Many in the OSAS camp claim that they are covered in the righteousness of Christ so that God doesn't see their sin, but only the righteousness of Christ. Prove that God can chastise His children, even to the point of calling them home to protect their witness if God can not see the sin that is causing the chastisment in the first place.
Show how it is possible that one can both have eternal life as a tangible personal present possession and at the same time say that it is guaranteed as a future inheritance. Explain how this isn't a contradiction.

IF YOUR PLAN TO ARGUE THE SIN ISSUE

If it is your intention to try proving OSAS by disproving that one can lose salvation through sin, please save your breath. Not that we don't profess it, but because it will not prove OSAS or disprove a conditional belief. The REAL issue to this debate deals with confessing or denying Christ. Rationality questions such as "How many sins can you sin?" or "Just how many sins is too much?" have no place in the discussion and do no more than show a legalistic attitude. You just might be asked in response, "How many years must one be saved before he knows positively that he was saved in the first place?"

NOTICE TO DISPENSATIONALISTS

If you intend to use logic and rationality associated with dispensational theology, you must first prove dispensationalism. The reason is this, If you profess OSAS based on the teachings of Dispensationalism and the person you are trying to convince DOESN'T believe in Dispensational theology, you are doing no more in this person's mind than trying to support an error by utilizing another error as support. The same rule holds true if you are trying to use the "Doctrines of Grace".

Also note:
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)
If it is your desire to shun this verse by implying that Jesus was talking to the Jews or that this applies to a different dispensation, then keep in mind that you can NOT use the following as proof of OSAS.

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28-29)
To use this, or other passages from the Gospels, as proof of OSAS for those of "this dispensation" will be in contradiction with your theology. In fact, if you are dispensational, you should probably rule out the ENTIRE four Gospels as your proof since the Gospels were supposedly about the previous dispensation. This would also mean that most of the book of Acts can not be utilized as OSAS proof by the dispensationalist and any writing other than Paul's writings. To use the other Apostles writings (which most dispensationalists claim are to and for the Jews) is to use proof texts that many dispensationalists imply are not meant for Gentiles.

MAKE SURE YOUR PROOF TEXTS DO NOT
ALLOW FOR CONDITIONAL SECURITY

The following list of Scriptures (although not conclusive) have already been provided as evidence that eternal security doctrines are true. The problem is that while they can be used to "imply" eternal security, they, in no way disprove conditional beliefs. In fact, they support them also.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren (Luke 22:31-32)

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

...but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (John 4:14)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:37-40)

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:27-29)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you FOREVER. (John 14:16)

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you... (John 15:16)

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. (John 17:2)

...And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed (Acts 13:48b)

Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:22-23)

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:22-23)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. . . . (Romans 8:1 NIV)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:28-39)

That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9,10)

for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' (Romans 10:13)

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29)

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Master is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4)

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8)

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:15)

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if [it be] yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, [doeth he it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Galatians 3:1-5)

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9)

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. ( 2 Thessalonians 3 3-4)

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)

&ldots;for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)

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 be plain that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19)

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. (1 John 3: 5)

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (1 John 3:9)

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24)

PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT ETERNAL SECURITY WAS THE TEACHING THE CHURCH WAS FOUNDED ON AND WAS PASSED DOWN BY THE EARLY FATHERS TO THE CHURCH

After looking far and wide, one can not (to my knowledge) find a single teaching of eternal security provided by the early church fathers. (Refer to our History section) All teachings that we can find (once again, to my knowledge) are teachings of conditional security. Wouldn't it be a much easier burdon to prove eternal security were true, if you had evidence from the original church fathers to show this has been the teaching from the start? In fact, there is no evidence of eternal security being taught until AFTER the reformation. The early church fathers (those believed to have been taught by the Apostles, including Paul) didn't teach it. Saint Augustine of Hippo, even though credited with the underpinnings of Calvinism) didn't teach it. Martin Luther (attributed to having begun the reformation) didn't teach it. In fact, John Calvin, himself, didn't teach eternal security as we know it today! While Scripture should be the final judge of truth, if you profess that "once saved, always saved" and teach that we can stop believing and still guaranteed entrance into heaven with only loss of rewards, you need to acknowledge that this teaching can be found nowhere in the Church's history prior to the 1700's or possibly even later.

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