The Proclaimer

"Once Saved, Always Saved"

The doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy is one believed and taught by a great many people. And yet, there is no false doctrine more consistently and constantly refuted in the New Testament. Take for instance the little book of Jude. It is addressed “to them that are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ” (v. 1). This brief letter is a warning to Christians who were in danger of being corrupted by “certain men crept in privily” who were “ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (v. 4).  A similar warning is given by Peter of false teachers “who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).

To illustrate the gravity of the situation and the potential danger of these brethren falling away from God’s grace and being lost, Jude reminds them of two instances in times past when the saved fell away. 

1.                  God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage only to fall in the wilderness and never reach the Promised Land (v. 5).

2.                  Certain angels were cast out of heaven into everlasting punishment because of their rebellion against God (v. 6).

There is no doctrine more clearly taught than the possibility of apostasy. 

                                                                                                     -- Clark Dugger

The Proclaimer