Does the Bible Teach Eternal Security?

In this regular feature Dave and Tom respond to questions from listeners and readers of The Berean Call.Here is this week’s question:Dear T. A. and Dave, I have read the Book of Galatians more than once and each time it puzzles me as to whether or not Paul is telling them that they are in danger of losing their salvation by turning to another gospel.I believe there is only one true gospel that can save a person and it is from that gospel that the Galatians are turning.However, I also believe that the Bible teaches eternal security, so I don’t believe they can become lost.Therefore I can’t quite resolve these apparent conflicts.What do you say?

Tom:

Paul’s pretty strong in his condemnation of those who are turning to the law and to circumcision in Galatians and he calls that another gospel.But is he indicating that they might be losing their faith or turning from the faith, or losing their salvation?

Dave:

It’s not a question of losing your salvation.What Paul is concerned about is did you really understand the gospel to begin with?He says, “I stand in doubt of you.”He says—

Tom:

Yes but doesn’t he say in chapter 3 they began in the Spirit?

Dave:

Well no, he’s reasoning with them there, he’s not saying that—that doesn’t have to do with his salvation right then but that has to do with them living the Christian life and if you’ve got the Christian life, by faith through Christ then you can’t generate this yourself.What you began in the Spirit, you can’t perfect in the flesh.I think he is arguing that with them.He’s already said, “I’m crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ is living in me.”But he also in chapter 5, verse 4 for example says, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”Now I don’t think he means you can lose your salvation, what he is saying is—well earlier he said, “I stand in doubt of you.Are you really Christians?Did you really understand this?”Chapter 1 it begins, he said, “How can you be so soon removed—let me get the exact verse 6-8: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.And then he says, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you that that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed,” because there is only one way you can be saved.So I think Paul is dealing with them on several levels.He’s concerned if you are embracing this perverted gospel now, maybe you never believed the true gospel to begin with.So I am really in doubt of whether you are really saved.On the other hand he is also say, look let’s not pervert the gospel, let’s be clear on this because if even though you were really saved, if you are now preaching a false gospel—of course what is the false gospel he’s talking about?They have added works to faith.

Tom:

Right.

Dave:

You get that in Acts 15.It tells us very clearly.There were certain who came from Jerusalem down to Antioch, the first Gentile church and they said well it’s not enough just to believe Christ died for you, you’ve got to be circumcised and keep the law.And Paul and Barnabas said that is not right, that is false.They went up to Jerusalem and they had it out before the Apostles and the leaders there and they all agreed this is a false gospel.You add anything, Christ plus something else and you are denying the efficacy of Christ’s work upon the Cross.If it takes not only the death of Christ, but it also takes your good works, your sacraments.You see that’s the problem with the Roman Catholic Church.Yes, they do say Christ died for our sins, that he was buried and rose again and so forth, but then they have added to this the Mass.You’ve got to—this is how we get forgiveness of sins.It’s a sacrifice; Christ is being sacrificed again and again.You wear medals; you pray to Mary, they even ask Mary for salvation.But wait a minute that means that Christ did not procure this salvation.So as soon as you add anything to the finished work of Christ on the cross, his work is not sufficient.It is not finished.Is he still being sacrificed, or did his sacrifice pay for it back there?It is a very serious matter.

Tom:

Yes, Dave, going back to the question though.This person is concerned as to whether these were believers, or whether they are drifting away from it.So I think on the basis of what you said—well for example, Paul confronting Peter, Paul confronting Barnabas as well.They fell back under the law, but they didn’t lose their salvation.But their fruitfulness and productiveness in Christ—you can’t bear fruit if you are into salvation by works.

Dave:

Well first of all, I’ve got to be clear on the gospel.Otherwise, I am preaching a false gospel and leading people astray.But Paul doesn’t know.He says I stand in doubt of you.If you believe this false gospel now, what did you believe before?So there are both possibilities that are open.But it is the gospel that is the issue.This is the power of God unto salvation.Whether we believe it or not, that determines whether we are saved or not.