Once Saved Always Saved {Part 1}

Ben Bailey

One of the most destructive doctrines to the Bible and Christian character is the man-made teaching that once a person has been saved he can never loose his salvation. This doctrine is destructive to the Bible because it twists the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Pet. 3:16). But, it is also destructive to Christian character because it provides a license for sin. Does the Bible really teach that once a person is saved he can never again be lost? Let us consider two passages of Scripture.

Galatians 5:4 “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” The teaching of Galatians 5:4 absolutely repudiates the idea of “Once Saved Always Saved.” In the letter to the Galatians, Paul is writing to “the churches of Galatia” (Gal. 1:2), which represents all those who have already been saved. This is very significant because some have tried to say that these people really weren’t saved in the first place. By saying this, they are saying that Paul, an inspired man of God, didn’t really know who was and who wasn’t in the church. Friend, Galatians 5:4 clearly teaches that some were at one point saved and in the church and then they later fell out of grace with God. Others have objected to this verse by saying that these people had not fallen out of grace, they had merely fallen from within the center of God’s grace. First, what difference is there? Both are without God’s richest grace. Secondly, the Greek Testament will not accept this rendering. The literal word for fallen from is the Greek preposition that means “out of”. Paul is not only saying they have just fallen from God’s grace, but that they have literally fallen out of the realm of God’s grace. Friend, the Bible does not teach once saved always saved, it clearly refutes it!

Acts 8:20 “But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!” If Galatians 5:4 teaches by principle that the doctrine of once saved always saved is false, then Acts 8:20 teaches it is false by case example. Here is a man who has been converted to the gospel by inspired teacher. He then tries to buy the gift of miracles and is found in sin. Then, Peter says to him “That’s okay you’re once saved always saved.” NOT SO! Peter told Simon that his money was would perish with him. Peter told Simon he was about to perish spiritually. Remember, here is a man who has just become a Christian and then Peter told him he was about to be lost. There could be no more convincing example than this that a person can become a Christian and shortly after that be lost. Friend, the Bible does not teach once saved always saved, it clearly refutes it!

Dear reader, please do not be deceived. Once saved always saved is not taught at all in the Bible. In fact, it is clearly refuted. Please do not let yourself get caught in the modern teachings of men, but return to the Bible.