Articles
The Believer Who Sins
Some teach that is impossible for a Christian to so sin as to lose his or salvation, a doctrine sometimes heard in the phrase ‘once saved, always saved.’ It is one of the ‘Five Points of Calvinism,’ known formally as ‘the perseverance of the saints.’ The doctrine is based, primarily, on the erroneous idea that God predetermined [predestined; chose beforehand] all who ever be saved, before we were even created and with no consideration of what a man would do while living on earth; as a part of that doctrine, the argument is made that if God chose certain ones to be saved, He will not allow them to ever not be saved, ensuring their salvation is awaiting them at the end of this earthly life, no matter what may happen or what they may do. When discussing this doctrine and its five points with the common individual, most will deny every point of the five — except this one. It is rare that any would deny this doctrine, but not because it has a basis in Scripture; no, it is quite often confirmed and held tightly because it is simply comforting to the one who believes it. Regardless of the comfort it gives to those who claim to believe it, it is not true; regardless of the number of people who accept it, it is not true.
Rather than studying the topic and the verses misused to supposedly defend this erroneous doctrine, put the ones who hold to it on the defensive, and have them answer a few questions that result as a logical consequence of that doctrine, if it were true. Consider the Bible texts that show either (1) a believer or believers who had sinned and stood condemned, (2) admonitions to remain faithful, or (3) admonitions that demanded the believers live a particular way. In considering these passages, if (1) is true [and it will be shown to be true by the following three examples], then ‘once saved, always saved’ is proven by example to be untrue. If (2) exists [and they do], then the one who promotes the doctrine of ‘once saved, always saved’ must show why believers would be admonished to live faithfully if they could never fall away. If (3) exists [and they do — abundantly], then why? Again, the one who promotes the doctrine of ‘once saved, always saved’ must show what difference it would make how a believer lived if he can never fall away. If there is no possibility of falling away, then these admonitions to be faithful and admonitions to live a certain kind of life would make absolutely no sense. The Bible is not nonsense!
Believers Who Sinned: Simon the Sorcerer. In this passage (Acts 8:13-24), we find a man named Simon [who was formerly a sorcerer] was among those of whom it was said had “believed; and…was baptized.” Not long after this, when Simon saw “that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money” for the power they had. In so doing, Simon blasphemed the Holy Spirit by considering His power something that could be bought with money, like some material object. Peter’s condemnation was clear: “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
Ask the one who believes ‘once saved, always saved’ if that description given by Peter of Simon’s current state meant that he was still saved. Note that Peter said, “Your money perish with you”; the word ‘perish’ does not indicate a saved condition, does it? Note also that Peter said, “your heart is not right in the sight of God”; is one whose heart is not right with God in a saved condition? Finally, note that Peter commanded Simon “Repent” with the hope that the thought of his heart “may be forgiven”; Why did he need to repent, and why did he need forgiveness, if he was saved? If we are honest with the text, we know the answer!
Believers Who Sinned: Peter. In this passage (Gal. 2:11-14), we have no less than the apostle Peter acting in a way the apostle Paul described — by inspiration of the Holy Spirit — as one who “was to be blamed.” The Greek word translated here as “to be blamed” is the same word translated as “condemns” in 1 John 3:20, 21 [the only other place where it is found]. Simply put, when Peter made a distinction between the Jewish and Gentile Christians by separating himself from the Gentiles when some Jews from Jerusalem arrived, he stood condemned.
Now, ask the one who believes and promotes the idea of ‘once saved, always saved’ if the condemned Peter was a saved Peter. In no Bible passage is the term “condemned” used to describe someone who would expect eternal salvation. To even think it would is pure nonsense.
Believers Who Sinned: Ananias and Sapphira. In this passage (Acts 4:32-5:11), we find the early disciples were looking to themselves and the needs of their fellow believers, and it was said “all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” In this same context, we find certain ones named Ananias and Sapphira “sold a possession” but “kept back part of the proceeds.” Due to these individuals being mentioned in the context of believers selling possessions and bringing the proceeds to the apostles, we may conclude Ananias and Sapphira were also believers. We likely remember that Peter confronted Ananias about the amount brought to them, telling him he had lied to the Holy Spirit and God, and Ananias “fell down and breathed his last.” [He died.] When Sapphira came later and she continued the lie, Peter confronted her, also, and she also “fell down at his feet and breathed her last.”
Now, ask the one who believes and promotes the idea of ‘once saved, always saved’ if Ananias and Sapphira died as saved believers, or as condemned and lost. The text does not come out and say it plainly, but it would seem very strange if God, in this situation, struck down two faithful, saved believers!
Now, it must be admitted that — from these passages — the idea of 'once saved, always saved' cannot be from God. Three examples of believers who sinned and the descriptions of their current state [or the act of being struck dead] showed their condition was not saved, but condemned!
Now, it must also be admitted that just because it is possible for a believer to so sin as to be lost, this doesn't mean they will be lost. Remember Peter's words to Simon the Sorcerer? Peter told him to repent and pray to God that he might be forgiven (See 1 John 1:9). It seems like Simon was certainly remorseful, and quite likely he repented. As far as Peter and his error, the last we read of Peter is the letters to the early disciples, and it seems he, too, has learned his lesson and corrected his behavior. As for Ananias and Sapphira, they did not get that opportunity.
If anything, this should teach us it does matter how we live as believers, and it is best to repent quickly when we sin. —— Steven Harper
