Though the question at the heading of this article is asking if the Bible teaches "once saved always saved", it is apparent that religious denominations do teach the doctrine. "Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by His Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace..." (Philadelphia Confession Of Faith, adopted by the Baptist Association, Sept. 25, 1742). Most definitely, men and religious denominations teach this doctrine but we wish to answer the question by God's word.

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; YE ARE FALLEN FROM GRACE" (Galatians 5:4). Those in Paul's day, who sought to go back under the law of Moses, had "fallen from grace". What if we seek to bind things from the law of Moses today, like observing the Sabbath, forbidding to eat certain meats, or observe certain holy days? We, like the Galatians, "are fallen from grace".

"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, FALL FROM YOUR OWN STEADFASTNESS." (2 Peter 3:17). If we are once saved always saved, why does Peter warn us about being LED AWAY from the truth and the "fall" that results?

"If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not MOVED AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister" (Colossians 1:23). Paul states whether or not we are "moved away" is conditional. The condition is "IF" we continue to be grounded and settled in God's word. "IF" not, we lose the hope of the gospel.

Upon rightly dividing God's word, we must conclude the doctrine of "once saved always saved" is of man and not of God.

E.R. Hall, Jr.

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