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Baptists/loss of salvation
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Question
Pastor Abrams,
If a person was a saved, baptized believer and now declares that they just don't know, or are agnostic in other words, should I spend a lot of time praying for this person's salvation? Is it a wasted prayer because they can't lose their salvation?
Thanks so much!
Hi Amy,
Certainly truly saved people cannot lose their salvation. But if a saved person turns from the Lord and will not repent Hebrews 12:6-11 says the Lord will chasten him. (Also see 1 Cor. 11:27-32, 1 John 5:16-17)
Jesus said there would be those who profess to serve Him and even do marvelous works...whom He does not savingly know (Matt. 7:21-23).
If we see a person who professes to know the the Lord, who then rejects Him and begins to live in sin, if they are truly saved we should see the chastening hand of God.(Hebrew 12:8).
I think we should pray for those we see turn from the Lord and if possible try to help them. However, after some time has pasted and they do not respond, and there is no chastening we can conclude they do not know the Lord. However, we cannot know for sure. The Lord is longsuffering.
We should always pray for the unsaved and those who waver in the faith. You may be the only person in the world praying for or concerned about such a person.
Hope this helps. If you have further comments or questions please write.
Cooper Abrams
Bible-truth.org
Romans 12:1-2
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Answers by Expert:
Cooper P. Abrams III
Expertise
Independent Fundamental Baptist missionary and pastor, ThB, MBS. I began pastoring in 1981, and have taught in churches, a Bible college, and a Bible Institute. I have written numerous articles on various subjects from a biblical perspective and many are posted on my web site Bible Truth ( http://www.bible-truth.org ). Bible Truth receives over sixty thousand visits per month. Since 1998 I have answered Bible related questions via e-mail. My answers are straight forward and biblical. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE -----DO NOT ASK A QUESTION AND THEN NOT READ THE ANSWER! ABOUT FOUR IN TEN QUESTIONS ASKED ARE NEVER READ. I FREELY GIVE MY TIME TO GIVE HELPFUL ANSWERS. OFTEN THE ANSWER WILL REQUIRE AS MUCH AS A HOUR OR MORE TO RESEARCH AND THEN TO FORMULATE THE REPLY. IF YOU SEND A QUESTION PLEASE BE THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. MOST PEOPLE DO...BUT ALL SHOULD. THANKS
Experience
I have been a pastor since 1981 and a Independent Baptist missionary church planter since 1986. I have seen the Lord establish four Bible believing churches in Utah. My web site Bible Truth ( http:\\bible-truth.org ) continues to grow presently over 60,000 visits per month. The materials on the web site are mostly written by myself and contain sermons, Bible commentaries, articles on various biblical subjects.
Publications
- Appeared on Grizzly Adams DVD documentary "End Times: How Close Are We?" (http://www.grizzlyadams.com/Public/ChristianDVDs/index.cfm?productID=49).
- Article "Are Mormons Christians" "O Timothy Magazine" Way of Life Literature (http://www.wayoflife.org/files/9959c77e05b303248173195e72476459-60.html)
Education/Credentials
ThB and MBS from Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC
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