Supplemental Notes:

One of Christianity’s most contro-

versial issues—and one of our most
frequently asked questions—involves
the concept of Eternal Security.

There are good scholars on all sides of

this issue, yet we felt it would useful
to explain our own views on this highly
charged subject.

© 2008 Koinonia House Inc.

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 Eternal Security together with him, having forgiven you all
trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of
Part 1: How Sure Can We Be? ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing
What’s at Stake? it to his cross;
Colossians 2:13, 14
This is more than simply theology; there are practical
implications… “...handwriting of ordinances” = our “Certificate of
• Assurance (1 John 5:13). Debt”: tete,lestai tetelestai: “Paid in full” (Jn 19:30). No
• Forgiveness: Which of your sins were yet future double jeopardy here!
at the cross? All of them.
• Faith Alone: No room for boasting in heaven.
The Paradigm of “Salvation”
• (Unconditional) Love: If there is a condition—
even just one—attached to God’s willingness to main- I have been saved, I am being saved, and I will
tain a relationship with His children, then it is not be saved.
unconditional. —Dr. Earl Rademacher
• (Avoiding the traps of) Legalism: Self-deception
and Pride. • Justification (Past tense)
• Focus on Christ: Phil 4:8; Col 3:2; Heb 12:1,2. – The gift from God of everlasting life received
by faith alone in Christ alone (Jn 3:18; 5:24;
Guilt Removal Eph 2:5,8).
• Sanctification (Present tense)
There are only three options open to God as sinners – A work in progress that involves the faith and
stand in His courtroom. He must condemn them, the works of the believer.
compromise His own righteousness to receive • Glorification (Future tense)
them just the way they are, or He can change – The result of the previous aspects. All believ-
them into righteous people. If He can exercise ers will be glorified (resurrected and given a
the third option, then He can announce them body like Christ), but some will have more glory
righteous, which is justification. (i.e. reward) than others.
—Dr. Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology
Imputation Justification is for
us;
Impute: to credit us with His righteousness. Sanctification is in
us.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew Justification de-
no sin; that we might be made the righteousness clares the sin-
of God in him. ner righteous;
2 Corinthians 5:21 Sanctification
makes the sin-
And you, being dead in your sins and the
ner righteous.
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened
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Justification removes the guilt and penalty of sin;
Sanctification removes the growth and the power of sin.
Eternal Security
Can a man lose his salvation? Yes! If it depends on
him. The Arminian denies that the true child of God is
eternally secure. The Calvinist insists that, if he does
not persevere in holiness, he was never regenerate in
the first place.
After 400 years of doctrinal disputes, with outstanding
scholars on both sides of this issue, it appears to be the
result of a failure to adequately distinguish between
justification and the possibility of several different
inheritances.
There is a third option... Overcomers, who have Eter-
nal Security, but a distinction between “Entering” and
“Inheriting”; and, Variation of Rewards. All Christians
will be in the kingdom, but not all will be co-heirs
there.
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold
the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto
the end;
Hebrews 3:14
“...partaker”: me,tocoi metochoi, one who shares in, com-
panion, comrade; partner (in a work, office, or dignity).
The Partaker, metachoi, as a true child of God, is “ob-
ligated” to persevere (Paul’s word, Rom 8:12), but he
might not. If he does not, he does not forfeit salvation,
but faces divine discipline in time, and the loss of re-
ward at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10).
The Basis of our Eternal Security
All three persons of the Godhead have a share in pre-
serving to fruition that which God has determined.
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1) It Depends upon God the Father
1) Upon His Sovereign Purpose
• Eternal purpose declared (Eph 1:11-12).
• Anchored within the veil, confirmed by an oath (Heb
6:17-20).
2) Upon His Solemn Promise
• Our salvation depends upon His promise and not
our faithfulness (Rom 4:16).
• If it depended at any point upon human ability to
continue to believe, then the promise could not be
secure.
• The promise that those who believe will be saved is
confirmed everywhere (Gen 15:6; John 3:16; Acts
16:33; Rom 4:23-24, et al.).
3) Upon His Infinite Power
• He is now free to save us: Christ’s death has ren-
dered God free to save us in spite of moral imper-
fection. Our eternal security does not depend upon
our moral worthiness. Christ is the propitiation for
our sins (1 Jn 2:2).
• To assume there is some sin sufficiently serious
which causes us to forfeit our salvation is to assume
that we were less worthy of salvation after having
committed this sin than before, and reduces salva-
tion down to human ability to merit it. He has pur-
posed to keep us saved (Jn 6:37-40; Jn 10:28-29).
4) Upon His “Much More” Love
• His intent is love based (Rom 5:6-10).
• God knew when He saved us that we were totally
depraved, and therefore any new manifestation of
sin in our lives after our conversion cannot be any
motivation to God to change His mind and withdraw
His grace and His salvation (Rom 11:29; Rom 8:32,
38-39).
• He saved us for reasons independent of us and out-
side of us.
• He was motivated by His electing love, and not by
observation of any good in the sinner.
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5) Upon His Answer to the Prayer of His Son 3) Upon His Sealing Ministry
• Believers are called many things in Scripture: • 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13-14; Eph 4:30
saints, believers, elect, sheep, partakers, etc. But
the title most dear to the heart of Christ “those Sealing Ministry
whom thou hast given me” is repeated seven times
in His high priestly prayer (Jn 17:11-12, 15, 20, 24). If one person who was born again in Christ ever fails
• I believe that the Father always answers the to enter into heaven when he dies, then God will have
prayers of the Son (Jn 11:42). broken His pledge. No conditions are mentioned. It is
a work of God and depends upon Him alone.
A Chain of Five Links: Romans 8:29-30 Pledge: rrabw,n arrabon: a legal concept: A first install-
God’s sovereign purpose exemplified in these two verses. ment, with which a man secures a legal claim upon a
This eternal choice and foreknowledge involves more thing as yet unconsummated. A down payment; deposit;
than establishing a relationship between God and be- pledge. An evidence of good faith; obligating the party to
lievers. It involves the certainty of our sanctification! consummate the commitment involved (Gen 38:17f). The
Holy Spirit is designated as a down payment, a “first
Foreknow...Predestinate...Called...Justified...Glorified fruits,” to be followed by more (Rom 8:23).

2) It Depends upon God the Son Key Terms

1) Upon His Substitutionary Death (Rom 5:8, 8:34) • Justification
• Who can condemn us if the penalty has already • Imputation
been paid? The greatest proof of eternal security • Predestination
is justification by faith. Justification refers to how • Sealing
God sees us, and no one else. It is entirely a forensic • Adoption—More than simply acquittal. Forgiveness
(legal) matter (Col 2:14). This redemption is eternal implies the restoration of a relationship. There is
(Heb 9:12), once and for all (Heb 10:12, 14). no procedure to be “unadopted”…we have been
2) Upon His Substitutionary Life “pre-selected” by one who does not change His
• Rom 5:9-10, 19; 10:4; Col 2:10. mind…
3) Upon His Present Session
• Heb 9:24: Advocate and Intercessor. Once a Son, Always a Son
• “Saves to the uttermost” (Heb 7:23-25). Arminians
The Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32) squandered his inheri-
fear this doctrine will tend toward sin; John says
tance, but the father’s love and acceptance was not con-
that it is motivation not to sin (1 Jn 2:1-2).
tingent on the son’s works—he never lost his sonship!
3) It Depends upon God the Holy Spirit
But I keep under my body, and bring it into
1) Upon His Ministry of Regeneration subjection: lest that by any means, when I
• Titus 3:5; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:10. have preached to others, I myself should be a
2) Upon His Baptizing Ministry castaway.
• Rom 6:3, 8-11; 1 Cor 12:13. 1 Corinthians 9:27
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 What was Paul afraid of? He “wrote the book” on eter-
nal security (Rom 8:28-39).
For we must all appear before the judgment seat
of Christ; that every one may receive the things
done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10
For other foundation can no man lay than that
is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man
build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious
stones; wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work
shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare
it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the
fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it
is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s
work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he
himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the
beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;
Hebrews 3:14
Rewards for Faithfulness
• Some entrusted with special privileges; some not The Five Warnings of Hebrews
(1 Cor 3:11-15).
• Some reign with Christ; some not (2 Tim 2:12; Rev
3:21).
• Some rich; some poor (Lk 12:21,33;16:11).
• Some heavenly treasures of their own; some not The warnings admonish believers to press on and ob-
(Lk 16:12).
Bottom Line: Behavior Matters!
Caveats
• Not under the Law: the Messiah is the fulfillment of Hence, the warnings concern the possible negative con-
the Torah (Mt 5:17).
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• Avoid a “Works Trip”: walk by the Spirit not the
flesh (Gal 3:3). Sin not to reign anymore…(Rom
6:12).
• Walk with Him: not ahead, nor behind (Heb 4).
Eternal Security
Part 2: A Primary Riddle
One of the primary challenges in the entire New Testa-
ment: 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 Ghost, And
have tasted the good word of God, and the powers
of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to
renew them again unto repentance; seeing they
crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and
put him to an open shame.
Hebrews 6:4-6
The writer of Hebrews relies heavily on Israel’s Exodus
as an example (type) of individual Christians: the Exodus
generation, a redeemed people, failed to heed God’s instruc-
tion and was judged (disinherited) for its disobedience.
All were written to believers and so do not represent any
chance of loss to the past aspect of salvation: justifica-
tion. Hence, the eternal security of the Believer.
tain all God has promised to the faithful Overcomer.
The warnings represent the very real possibility of the
loss of privileges or rewards offered to the believer,
which will be revealed at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
sequences for the unfaithful, apostatizing believer.
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What Is at Stake?
What are these believers going to lose, forfeit, or suf-
fer? Not “salvation” (Jn 10:28,29; et al.), but rewards
at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We cannot escape this
by applying it to others. The burden of Hebrews is not
the rescuing of sinners from hell—it is the bringing of
sons to glory.
The readers of the Book of Hebrews were believers!
They were once enlightened; they tasted of the heavenly
gift; they were made partakers of the Holy Ghost; they
tasted the good word of God, and powers of the coming
age. Can these readers lose their salvation? How does
this passage impact your views of Eternal Security?
Alternative Views of Hebrews 6:4-6
• Professing, but not real, believers;
• Truly saved, then permanently lost;
• “Impossible” means “difficult”;
• Repetitive lost and resaved, to a limit;
• Refers to OT sacrifices;
• Purely hypothetical;
…and variations of each of the above.
Grammatical Analysis
Hebrews 6:4-6 is one long sentence, modified by tenses
of a series of participles. (A participle is a form of a
verb that is used to form complex tenses, such as “was
loving” and “has loved” in English, and may also be
used as an adjective.)
There are five qualifiers modified by the word “impos-
sible”: 1) Once enlightened; 2) Tasted the heavenly gift
3) Partakers of the Holy Ghost 4) Tasted the Word of
God; and 5) Have seen the powers of the world to come.
They are in the same position as the Exodus genera-
tion at Kadesh-Barnea, refusing to go forward to fight
for their inheritance.
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The string of participles that modify the adjective
“impossible,” adunaton, are described as leading to an
impossibility of being renewed (or restored) to repen-
tance (anakainizein eis metanoian).
The impossibility continues during the present state
of “crucifying” and the present state of “ridiculing”
(v. 6). The grammar of the passage connotes that the
main verb of the sentence (i.e., the verb “to be”), and its
descriptive aorist participles that modify it in vv.4-5,
are all limited and defined by the present tense of the
participles in v.6.
That is, the actions described by the aorist participles
occur during the time of the “crucifying to themselves”
and the public ridiculing (“an open shame”).
After the person stops these two actions, at which time
these behaviors become past tense activities as soon as
they are ceased, the impossibility of renewal or restora-
tion no longer applies, since they no longer are present
tense activities relating to the word “impossible.”
Once these two present actions cease, the impossibil-
ity is removed. If the impossibility were described by
the author as being permanent, the two present tense
participles would have to have been described with
aorist participles.
However, the author uses the present tense, thus giv-
ing hope to those who might otherwise be hopeless. If
the author had used aorist participles, for the verbs
“crucify” and “ridicule,” anybody who fell away for a
season could never be renewed to repentance.
In any case, the impossibility referred to is an impos-
sibility to being restored to repentance, not to restore
“salvation” (justification); and the restoration to re-
pentance is connoted by the verbs as occurring only
during the time described by the two present tense
participles.
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Our Immutable God: Numbers 13 - 14
In Numbers 13 - 14, the Israelites had angered God so
thoroughly that He swore on His name they would not
enter the Promised Land. God made up His mind, and
He would not repent. They changed their mind—re-
pented—but God did not change His. Therefore they
suffered defeat when they subsequently attempted to
enter. Lesson: God is jealous about sharing His glory.
The impossibility of repentance in Heb 6:6 might be on
God’s part, not the individual’s!
meta,noia metanoia, a change of mind, as it appears
to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of
something he has done. Example: Issac and Esau (read
Gen 27:32-40).
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that
cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs
meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth
blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns
and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing;
whose end is to be burned.
Hebrews 6:7, 8
People expect rain to produce and bring forth herbs but
the result for fruitlessness will be rejection or disap-
proval. The timing for this approval or rewarding will
come at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Cor 3:10-15).
They are believers; their justification is not at issue (Cf.
1 Cor 3:15). Judgment, not mercy, will emanate from
the Bema seat, with a just recompense of reward for
works—positive and negative as appropriate (Cf. Mt
18:23-35; 24:42-51; 25:14-30; Mk 8:34-38; Lk 12:1-12;
41-48; 19:11-27).
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things
of you, and things that accompany salvation,
though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous
to forget your work and labour of love, which ye
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have shewed toward his name, in that ye have
ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 6:9, 10
Believers who press on to maturity receive God’s bless-
ing of rewards for the Messianic Kingdom because they
have lived a useful life for the Lord.
And we desire that every one of you do shew the
same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto
the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers
of them who through faith and patience inherit
the promises.
Hebrews 6:11, 12
Which promises were optional?
The Goal of our Security
The resurrected and glorified Lord Jesus Christ
will become the Head of a new race of humanity,
purified from all contact with sin and prepared to
live eternally in His presence (1 Cor 15:42-49). It is
astounding to realize that God’s plan of salvation for
people is a program that reaches from eternity past
to eternity future, which God will carry out perfectly.
Recognizing this, we now encounter:
The Ultimate Tour d’Force
Seven Questions: Romans 8:31-39
Seven questions which specifically raise the issue of
the believer’s eternal security in this magnificent con-
clusion to Romans 8:
Q:
1,2 Can opposition defeat the Christian? (Rom 8:31).
“If” = first class conditional: “since.” Obviously, Satan
and his demonic hosts are against believers (Eph 6:11-
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13; 1 Peter 5:8), but they cannot ultimately prevail
and triumph over believers. God is the self-existent,
sovereign Creator, and since He is for believers, no one
can oppose believers successfully.
3 Will we have the resources? (Rom 8:32)
(KJV and RV failed to translate the Greek particle ge,
“even”). “Spare” evfei,sato, epheisato is same word used
in the Septuagint (Gen 22:12) Abraham never “with-
held” his son (Gen 22:2-14). God offered His own Son,
on that very spot, as the Sacrifice for sin (Jn 1:29).
Since God sacrificed His own Son, He will not hesitate
to give believers all things pertaining and leading to
their ultimate sanctification (2 Pet 1:3).
4 Will our failures reverse our justification? (Rom 8:33)
“Charge” = enkalesei, “make formal accusation in court;
press charges” (Acts 19:40; 23:29; 26:2). Satan is identi-
fied as “the accuser” of God’s people (Rev 12:10; cf. Zech
3:1). His accusations are valid, because they are based
on the believer’s sinfulness and defilement. Satan’s ac-
cusations will be thrown out of court, because it is God
who justifies. The accused person is righteous on the
basis of his faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:24; 5:1). As a
result, all accusations are dismissed and no one can
bring an accusation that will stand (Rom 8:1).
5 Can anyone condemn us for any reason? (Rom 8:34)
Jesus is God’s appointed Judge (Jn 5:22, 27; Acts
17:31). Jesus is whom the believer has trusted for sal-
vation. Furthermore, He is the One who died—more
than that, who was raised to life—who is at the right
hand of God (Lk 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:31; Eph 1:20; Col
3:1; Heb 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet 3:22) and is also
interceding for us.
Having justified the ungodly (Rom 4:5), God will not
and cannot contradict Himself by charging them with
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evil. If God has already justified the man who believes
in Jesus, how can He lay anything to the charge of
His already justified one? (Rom 8:26, 30). His jus-
tification comes from the imputed righteousness of
Christ and is legally ours! It is not a subject of merit,
and cannot be lost by demerit. Like a father, God can
and does correct His earthly sons, but they always
remain sons (Lk 15:24).
6,7 What kind of assurance can we have of victory?
(Rom 8:35)
The apostle suggested seven setbacks a believer might ex-
perience—Paul experienced all of them (2 Cor 11:23-28).
In all these adversities (Rom 8:28,32,37), rather than
being separated from Christ’s love, believers are more
than conquerors (pres. tense, “keep on being conquer-
ors to a greater degree” or “keep on winning a glorious
victory”) through Him who loved us.
His Final Guarantee: Romans 8:39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, Nor height,
nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able
to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
* * *
Sources
• Book: The Kingdom, Power, & Glory, King’s High
Way, Coeur d’Alene Idaho
• Supporting Series: (DVDs, CDs,) by Nancy Missler,
King’s High Way; Chuck Missler, Koinonia House.
• Commentaries: Romans, Hebrews, Ephesians.
• Other recommended references: Eternal Security:
Can You Be Sure?, Charles Stanley, Thomas Nelson
Publishers, Nashville TN, 1990, 2002 and The Reign
of the Servant Kings, Joseph C. Dillow, Schoettle
Publishing Co., 1992.
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 Commentaries on MP3 CD-ROM
Chuck Missler’s Expositional Commentar-
ies are now available from Koinonia House
on MP3 CD-ROM as well as cassette tape.
Some titles are also available on DVD and
include workbooks for personal or group
study, and as a way to earn college course
credit. Write or call for a complete list.

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