I know and believe in Eternal Security. I don't believe one can lose his salvation. Can you explain these Scriptures: John 15:1-6, the writer of Hebrews Chapter 6:1-6, Hebrews 10: 38-39, Revelations 3: 5, and 3:15. Who is Jesus talking about and who is the writer in Hebrews talking to?
Answer: In John 15:1-6 Jesus was talking to Jews and in particular addressing the false religion of the Scribes and Pharisees. They claimed to believe and serve God, but clearly they did not know or love the Lord. Jesus' parable which is an illustration was given to expose them and make a this specific point. Those in vine, were those of Israel who believed and served God. These "abided" in Jesus Christ and they bore fruit. Those of Israel who did not believe or follow the Lord did not abide in Him were not of the vine...they were lost Jews and that is the truth Jesus was expressing. This verse is not talking about how to be saved, but addressing the fruit of "abiding" in Christ, or the lack of fruit which meant they did not abide in Christ. Those that did not abide in Christ refers to the lost of Israel and in principle to all men. The saved will bear fruit. (See John 17:6,8, Eph. 2:10) This is passage does not nor any other passage in God's word says once a person is saved and thereby becomes a child of God they can be lost. These who did not abide in Christ in John 15:1-6 were never saved and never a part of the vine. That is also what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3. Nicodemus was a Pharisee who thought he would go heaven because he was born a Jew (born of water). Jesus said, ....not so...you must be born again, or receive the spiritual birth which is from above.
Hebrews 6:1-6 is also misused because people stop and fail to read the whole chapter. The chapter is about assurance of salvation, not teaching at all that one can lost salvation. Note what Hebrews 6:11-12, says, "We desire that every one you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of the "hope unto the end." The writer of the Book of Hebrews, encourages believers and desires to show them with diligence the hope of the full assurance the believer has in his salvation. Verse 11 establishes the reason for verses 1-10.
Therefore God is not saying that it is possible for a person to be saved and lose their salvation, but saying that "if" it were possible then Christ would have to be crucified all over again. It is not saying it is possible to be saved and then lost, but showing why it would be impossible to lose salvation. The passage is establishing the fact that it is impossible to be lost once Christ has saved us, because that would mean that Christ would have to be crucified again in order for a person to be saved again if they were lost. Christ was crucified once for all as Hebrews 10:10 says, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Note in Verse 12 the word, "slothful" which comes from a derivative of word "illegitimate" as an illegitimate son, or of uncertain origin. He is saying, "Do not act like an illegitimate son (lost person), because as you know you are a child of God, do not be lazy or uncertain."
Note that Verses 17-18 state that God has made an oath concerning our salvation and a "made solemn promise." This is God solemn oath is that all that trust in Jesus Christ are eternally one saved. He up lifts us with the assurance..."We might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the "hope" set before us..."
Verses 19-20 say, "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Clearly these two verses absolutely assure the Christian who has truly put his faith in Jesus Christ that he is eternally saved.
In Hebrews 6:4- 6, clearly it teaches that it were possible to be saved and then to be lost it would be impossible to be restored. This verse teaches that "if" it were possible to lost one's salvation then the principle would be stated, "ONCE SAVED AND LOST ALWAYS LOST!" However, the point is that it is impossible to lose what God freely gave you and can be correctly stated "ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED." Only a very unskilled person or a cult would misuse this passage in Hebrews 6 to try and teach once saved a person can be lost.
What does Revelation 3:5 actually say? The one who overcomes will not have his name blotted out of the book of life. Who are those that overcome...? The New Testament tells us plain those that believe and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. This is a verse of assurance of salvation not the opposite. Think about this....why would anyone turn this clear statement around and try to make it teach the opposite of what it says?
How can one miss Revelation 3:9, which speaks of those of the "synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, but are not and lie". Jesus was addressing the unsaved. Verse 10 gives the believer assurance..."Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." As to the Laodiceans God says they were lukewarm, not hot or cold. In other words they are the unsaved who claim to serve the Lord and speak in his name (Matthew 7:13-23) There are thousands of these kind of churches today. They are dead having the name of Christ, but not Christ. Jesus says He will spue them out of His mouth, which means not to swallow their lying professions. He tells them, as he does all men, that He stands at the door and knocks. He offers them salvation, and if they let Him in He will come into them and save them. Jesus says if a person overcomes he will be saved. Overcomes what? Sin of course is the answer and unbelief. So the overcomer is the one who believes and is saved and God will reward him and he will be forever with the Lord. Again, there is nothing here that teaches a person can be saved and lost. This passage brings into sharp focus the false teachers, churches and those who profess the Lord, but do not know Him. They are told to repent.
Hebrews 10:38-39 is speaking to saved Jews. Verse "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:39) Those that "turned back into perdition were the Jew who professed Jesus Christ as Savior, but who were never saved. The Book of Hebrews was written to "Hebrews" as its title states. Many who had professed faith in Jesus Christ were looking for the Messiah to come and liberate them from the Romans and the persecution they were enduring. They had a false concept of who Jesus is and what He came to do. He did not come a a political leader, but as the Savior who died for the sins of the world. He came to redeem men from sin. Yes, in time He will fulfill the promises God has made to Israel, but only those who will be a part of that Kingdom (Millennial Kingdom) are those who are spiritually reborn in Jesus Christ. Saved people do not draw back into perdition. Hebrews 12:6-11 explains that the true child of God who turns from the truth and goes into sin will be chastened by the Lord. God says He chasten "every" child of His who goes into sin and refuses to repent. Never, does God say He will withdraw their salvation. In 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 explains that God chasten with sickness and death those who do not "discern" the body of Christ. That means those who live sinful lives not mindful that Jesus had to suffer for our every sin. 1 John 5:16-18 explains there is a sin unto death. God will take the life of a believer who refuses to repent and turn from their sin. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 explains that a believer is saved, but if he does not live a godly life can lose any reward. He gets into heaven "as by fire" meaning by the skin of his teeth in a modern expression. This passage does not teach a saved person can be lost.