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HOW TO ANALYZE PROOF-TEXTS

INVOLVING THE DOCTRINE OF ONCE SAVED-ALWAYS SAVED

Victor M. Eskew

 

            There are many false doctrines that individuals attempt to confirm with supposed proof-texts from the Bible.  There are times when these “proof-texts” seem to establish the teaching the individual is attempting to set forth.  These texts cannot be overlooked.  They must be answered.  If not, individuals will continue to believe lies instead of the truth.

            There are a host of “proof-texts” the Calvinist uses in an attempt to establish the doctrine known as “the perseverance of the saints.”  Some know it better by the words “once saved, always saved.”  In this article, we want to teach individuals how to analyze these verses in order to show the truth they are teaching, and to refute the false doctrine they are said to teach.  We will be looking at three things to consider when a supposed proof-text is brought to you.

            First, we need to be aware of apparent contradictions.  Some of the verses used to support the idea that once a person is saved he is always saved contradict other plain passages of Scripture.  Let’s look at an example.  In John 3:36, Jesus says:  “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”  The Calvinists wants us to believe that everlasting life is a present reality.  In other words, the moment a person believes he receives eternal life.  If a person is given “eternal” life, then it cannot be lost. This verse, however, stands in opposition to Titus 1:2.  When writing to Titus, Paul refers to eternal life as a part of the Christian’s hope.  “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”  If eternal life is a part of our hope, it is not something that we presently possess (See Rom. 8:24-25).  The Calvinist tells us that Jesus taught everlasting life is a present reality.  The inspired writer Paul, however, teaches that it is not.  He says it is a part of our hope.  Here, we are introduced to an “apparent contradiction.”  It is called an apparent contradiction because the Bible is inspired (II Tim. 3:16) and contains no contradictions.  This only appears to be a contradiction.

            When we have an apparent contradiction, an answer must be found that harmonizes the two verses.  We would ask the Calvinist:  “How do you harmonize John 3:36 and Titus 1:2?”  The burden of proof is on them.  They have affirmed that a child of God possesses eternal life right now.  We have shown that Paul says it is part of our hope, something that we do not have right now.  They are required to answer the argument.  This really holds true with every passage they set forth in an attempt to proof once-saved-always saved.  We say this because every one of their verses contradiction other passages of Scripture.  Take for instance, Galatians 5:4.  Paul writes:  “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”  This one verse contradicts every verse the Calvinist uses to “prove” once-saved always-saved.  Paul says that one can fall from grace.  Therefore, the Calvinist has the responsibility of harmonizing his doctrine and the plain teachings of God’s Word.

            Second, when a Calvinist presents a verse that he says teaches the perseverance of the saints, look to see if the verse contains conditions within it.  Calvinists love to quote the first half of Romans 8:1:  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…”  Their argument is simple:  “If you are in Christ, you will not be condemned.”  It appears to be a strong argument, doesn’t it?  However, look at the verse closely.  Here is what actually Paul wrote:  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Paul sets for a condition that will guarantee one is not condemned.  The one who is in Christ must walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh.  To walk after the Spirit involves begin obedient to the teachings of the Holy Spirit found in the New Testament.  Walking after the flesh involves walking according to ways of the world.  If a Christian walks in harmony with God’s Word, there is no condemnation.  However, if he walks after the flesh, Paul tells us “that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal.5:21).  Freedom from condemnation is not unconditional.  It is conditional.  It is conditioned upon how the Christian lives.

            Third, when a person reads a verse that suggests one cannot fall from grace, the passage may only be talking about deity’s part in the salvation process.  In I Corinthians 1:7-8, Paul tells the Corinthians:  “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:  who shall confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Paul says that Jesus will “confirm” us “unto the end.  The word “confirm” means “to make firm, establish, to make sure.”  The apostle reveals what Jesus will do for us in the process of salvation.  He will make us sure.  Salvation, however, involves deity and man.  Man has a role to play.  God will always be true to His obligations.  Man must also be true to his obligations.  Man is required to hold fast the profession of his faith according to the writer of Hebrews.  “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Heb. 3:14).  And again:  “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward” (Heb. 10:35).  As long as man does his part, Christ will do His part.  We CANNOT overlook man’s role in the salvation process.  God will never force us to be saved.  He allows us to make the choice.  We choose to love Him.  We choose to manifest faith in Him.  We choose to obey Him.  We choose to hold fast our confidence unto the end.  If we do our part, God will always do His part in saving us.

            Those who teach false doctrines usually approach the Scriptures in the wrong way.  They begin with a belief.  They believe that once a person is saved he will always be saved.  With that belief in mind, they go to the Scriptures to find passages that support their doctrine.  When they find a verse or two that seems to support what they believe, it becomes their “proof-text.”  They hold fast to it regardless of what the rest of the Bible has to say.  This is not the way to approach the Scriptures.  We enter the study, not with a doctrine in hand, but simply asking:  “What saith the Lord?”  Then we search the entire Bible before making any concrete conclusions about a doctrine.  This approach takes in all of the evidence and harmonizes it before a conclusion is reached and taught. 

            Let’s look at one more illustration.  Jude writes:  “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24).  Jude says that God is able to keep us from falling.  This is absolute truth, but does it teach once saved always saved.  No!  Jude wrote to warn his readers about the false teachers who were entering in among them.  He knew they could lead these Christians astray.  He also knew they played a role in saving themselves.  God would keep them from falling, but they had to do some things as well.  He writes:  “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And of some have compassion, making a difference:  and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 20-23).  These individuals had some things they needed to do to keep their souls safe.  If they would do their part, God would do his.  If both fulfilled their obligations, God would present them “faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”