by R. L. Morrison

There is much disagreement among religious people today on this subject. Some people believe one thing, others exactly the opposite. If both are right, then the word of God is wrong. The New Testament teaches only one answer to the question, "Can a Christian fall from grace and be eternally lost?" We believe the answer is obvious, and given in language that can be easily understood. There are twenty-seven books in the New Testament. We can and will show conclusively that more than half of these books teach that it is possible for one who has been saved from his past sins to fall away and if he continues in that condition, to be lost eternally.

Although it is not the purpose of this writing to teach what one must do to be saved, or become a Christian, it is not out of place to state what is required to become a Christian. In the record of the first sermon preached after the resurrection of Christ, we find all that is necessary for one to know and do in order to be saved. This record is found in the second chapter of Acts.

The apostles were gathered in one place, when the Holy Spirit came upon them. A part of Peter's sermon is recorded. He spoke of the death and resurrection of Christ, referring to Old Testament prophecy, showing that these things were a part of God's plan for man's redemption. He assured them that God had made Jesus, whom they had crucified, both Lord and Christ. Many who heard, believed what Peter said, and cried out, "Men and brethren what shall we do?" Peter replied: "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy spirit" (Acts 2:38). And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. They that gladly received his word were baptized, the number being about 3000 people. Notice what occurred: Peter preached the gospel. Many heard and believed what he said. The believers asked, "What shall we do?" The reply: Repent and be baptized for (or, in order to) receive the remission of sin. They who did so, were added to them, the group, or the church which came into existence that day.

Now the question: Were these people eternally saved when they obeyed the commands of the gospel as revealed by Peter? Or were their past sins forgiven and were they required to conduct their manner of life in such a way they could be saved eternally? Did their obedience and the remission of past sins assure them of eternal life? The Bible answer to these questions is easily found and just as easily understood in Acts 2:42: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine or teaching." Beginning with Romans and continuing through the remainder of the New Testament, we find instruction teaching Christians HOW TO LIVE. IF one's eternal salvation is absolutely assured when he (or she) becomes a Christian, then the remainder of the New Testament, (after Acts 2), is superfluous, or unnecessary.

As previously stated, many religious people today teach the impossibility of falling from grace. To state it another way: A Christian cannot fall away from the grace of God and be eternally lost. This is one of the five points of the "Tulip Acrostic", the Calvinistic doctrine so widely taught among denominations today. The following statement from "The Standard Manual for Baptist churches", Article X1, states it clearly: "We believe the scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and perish, but will endure until the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."

Now we shall examine some examples and scripture that clearly point out the error of this doctrine.

1. Judas Iscariot, he who betrayed Christ (Acts 1:16-17). Peter said, "He who was numbered with us, and had obtained a part of this ministry. "This man was personally selected by Jesus, had followed him during the three and one half years of his personal ministry. He was one of the apostles. This cannot be successfully denied. Yet when one was selected to replace him, Peter said, "From which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." One of the chosen twelve, fell from grace, lost his apostleship, hanged himself, and went to his own place. Is there one who will affirm that a "special providence" watched over Judas and that he was kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation? I doubt that the most staunch Calvinist would so affirm!

2. Romans 8:12-13. "Therefore brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Paul wrote this to brethren, fellow Christians. He wrote, "If ye live after the flesh ye shall die." This does not refer to physical death, for ALL men are subject to that. But IF it is not possible for a Christian to live after the flesh (in sin), why did Paul warn them of the danger of doing so? The facts are, they could so live and undoubtedly many were so doing. And undoubtedly, many are so living today. They who expect the special providence of God to protect them, will eventually learn that God is not a respecter of persons.

3. 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." In the preceding verses, Paul speaks of the Israelites in the wilderness. He says they all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink. But with many of them God was not well pleased. Why? Some were idolaters, some committed fornication, some tempted God, some murmured against God, and were destroyed. Paul told the Corinthians that these things were examples and were written for their admonition, or to teach them NOT TO SIN! Then he said to them, "Take heed lest ye fall." IF the Corinthian Christians could NOT fall away and be lost, why did the Holy Spirit have Paul warn them and refer to examples of some who DID FALL AWAY from God?

4. 2 Corinthians 12:21. "And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed." Paul names the sins of which these people were guilty. These things are included in the list of the works of the flesh by Paul in Galatians 5:19-21. Here Paul says they that do such things shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God. Why does the Holy Spirit, through Paul, warn these Corinthians about such things, IF it is not possible for a Christian to become guilty of them? Anyone who will think about it, knows that it is possible for a Christian to sin. And unforgiven sin means the eternal loss of the soul, regardless of whom the person may be!

5. Galatians 5:4. "Christ is become of none effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." These Galatian Christians, as do many people today, were going back to Old Covenant law for New Testament practice. Paul specifies circumcision. He says one who tries to keep one commandment of the old law, is debtor to keep it all. He says they who seek to do so are fallen from grace! This is in direct contradiction of the doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy. Who is right? The Holy Spirit and Paul, or men who deny what God said?

6. Ephesians 5:3-6. "But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." The next verse tells about the wrath of God coming upon the children of disobedience. These things were written to Christians. Paul says that anyone, Christian or non-Christian who indulges in these practices invites the wrath of God upon himself. IF there is a special providence that watches over Christians, and prevents them from sinning, Paul would not have found it necessary to write this. Or perhaps, this would have been a good time to tell them about that special providence which guards them, to prevent their transgressions! The truth about this "special providence" is that Paul nor any other apostle ever even hinted at such an idea. It is the doctrine of men and is not found in scripture.

7. Philippians 3:15-19. Here Paul speaks of being perfect, or mature, walking by the same rule, minding the same things. Then in verses 18-19, he speaks of some who did not follow this pattern. He says that many walk, or their manner of life is such that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end or destiny is destruction. Although Paul speaks of those who live in the world and after the way of the world, he says some who are Christians do likewise. Again, IF it is not possible for a Christian to sin and be lost, why did Paul speak of some who are enemies of Christ, whose end is destruction? Why did he warn these Philippian Christians of this danger IF it could not happen to them?

8. Colossians 3. This entire chapter relates to our subject. Paul writes: "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth." That he writes to Christians is not to be doubted. "IF ye be risen with Christ" could refer to no others. He speaks of (names) a number of sins "For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience." In other words, the Christian who engages in them will be subject to the wrath of God. He continues to give instruction to the child of God as to how to conduct the affairs of his life. Now, verse 25: "But he that doeth wrong will receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is NO RESPECT OF PERSONS."

9. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8. The will of God is that one should abstain from fornication and should know how to possess himself in sanctification and honor. The Christian is NOT to engage in the lust of his own personal desire, nor defraud his brother in any matter. Why not? The Lord is the avenger on all who do so! So here is another letter written to Christians giving them instructions regarding their manner of life, and telling them that divine vengeance will be taken upon those who disobey. Again this question arises: IF it is impossible for them to sin and they have a special providence to prevent it, WHY all these warnings? Why was it necessary to warn them to live a holy life? Was their manner of life their own choice? Most assuredly, it was. And so is yours! You live your life the way you choose to live. The only way the Holy Spirit can influence you is through the WORD. This is the reason so many warnings about the kind of life a Christian lives are found in the scriptures.

10. 1 Timothy 1:18-20. "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went on before thee, that thou, by them, mightest war a good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith, have made shipwreck of the faith. Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme" Regardless of what some may say, Paul said that one could make shipwreck of the faith (some did). And he told the result of these two men doing so. IF they could do it then, men today can do the same thing (many do). Again, where was the special providence that watched over them and their faith? Apparently Paul didn't know about it. He delivered them to Satan, he said he did.

11. 2 Timothy 2:16-18. "But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some." These men taught error; they denied the truth. In so doing they destroyed (overthrew) the faith of others. Their own error increased unto more ungodliness. They caused others to reject the truth and believe their lies. Who would affirm that these men, who denied the truth and lead others to do likewise, were justified before God? Who can believe that they could have been saved in that condition?

12. Titus 3:10-11. "A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." The word "heretic" means "an opinionated person, one who holds a self-willed opinion, which is substituted for truth and leads to divisions and the formation of sects, a factious man, causing division by a party spirit." Paul said such a one is perverted and is a sinner, being condemned of himself, or by what he believes and practices. Such a one is to be rejected or put away. A little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump. He is not to be permitted to destroy the congregation. Of course, such a one can repent, seek God's forgiveness and be forgiven. But who can believe that he with his factious party spirit, can be justified before God?

13. Hebrews 6:4-6. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted of the good word of God, and the power of the world to come, if they shall away, to renew them unto repentance; seeing they crucify unto themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame." This needs little comment. But IF one cannot fall away, why this warning? Apparently some had done so, for in verse 9, the writer says, "But beloved we are persuaded better things of you ...".

14. James 1:14-16. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: And sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do nor err, my beloved brethren." Sin when it is finished brings the sinner spiritual death. This is true of the Christian. That is why James said, "Do not err, my beloved brethren."

15. 2 Peter 2:15. "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness." In the preceding verses he describes these people. "Spots they are and blemishes, having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls, a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children." One would think Peter describes those who had never heard or obeyed the gospel. Not so! He says they are cursed children, who have forsaken the right way. It would not be possible for them to forsake the right way, IF they had never known it or had never been in the right way. This is so obvious, yet, some say it can never happen to a child of God. How ridiculous can one be?

16. Jude 12-13. "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves with out fear: clouds they are without water, carried about with winds, trees whose fruit is withered, without fruit; twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." In verse 4, Jude refers to certain men who crept in unawares, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, denying both God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Much more is said to describe them and then he said the blackness of darkness is reserved for them forever. If they were ever Christians, they ceased to be so by their rejection of truth and will be lost eternally.

17. Revelation 2:5. "Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." So the Lord said to John, to be delivered to the church at Ephesus. Though they were commended for their works, their labors and patience, the Lord held somewhat against them. He said they had fallen, and except they repent and do the first works, they would be removed. How could one doubt that this means they would have been lost?

There are many more scriptures to which we could refer, but scriptures from seventeen different books, more than half of the New Testament, have been presented which clearly teach the possibility of the apostasy of a child of God. I urge the reader to study each one of them in context. Learn what the Bible teaches on this subject. However, there is no point in looking for scripture which contradicts them. The word of God does NOT contradict itself. God is not a liar. He does not say one thing here and something elsewhere that is contrary to it.

Jesus said: "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). He also said, to the Father in prayer, "Sanctify them through thy word, thy word is truth" (John 17:17). Paul said it this way: The gospel, the word of truth, is God's power to save the sinner (Romans 1:16). Learn the truth, obey its commands, be made free from sin, then continue to obey to be saved eternally.

Are YOU living in truth?