Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 4/4/2005

Question
Okay, I am not typing this to argue, but only to get feedback on my words.  Okay I read your answer about once saved always saved concerning presbyterians.  I am a presbyterian and I just wanted you to know that our definition of predestination at our church does not mean that you were previously picked by God to be saved.  Our definition of predestination is like a movie and God has seen the end of it.  We believe that God wants us all to be saved, but yet he already knows who will and will not be saved.  I just wanted to defend the Christ Church Presbyterian of Alpine's theory on that and now tell me what your opinion on once saved always saved is and where it says it in the bible.

Answer
Hi Heather,

Thanks for your input.  Obviously I am not a Presbyterian, so it is good to find out exactly what some Presbyterians believe.  The classic writings of old time Presbyterians that I have read would be a lot more Calvanistic than the position that you just stated...it happens to agree with the one that I believe.  We are predestinated...but only because God forknew (knew who would believe ahead of time).

Romans 8:29-30
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

THe Bible teaches that salvation is by Grace accessed through faith....if you believe and personally accept the free gift of salvation...then you are Justified or declaired righteous.

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 10:9-10,13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Acts 16:30-31
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Since it is a one time decision to believe and receive that gift of justification, then our moral failures will not take away our salvation.  The Apostle Paul tells us that if we are saved and receive the Spirit by faith ( and we do)  then it would be foolish to assume that we are kept saved by the works done in our own bodies ( our flesh)

Galatians 3:1-3


O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

So to answer your question...I do believe that once you are saved you cannot lose that salvation...not because God has predetermined you to be so..but because your faith accesses grace that Justifies you.  the word justified means to be declaired righteous.

I hope that I have helped you.

In CHrist,
Pastor Don