Losing Salvation is a False Gospel Propagated by False Teachers

Though this teaching may be popular, it is far removed from the truth of Scripture, and nothing even remotely hints at the terrible error that a born again Christian could lose their salvation or forfeit their salvation (a ridiculous concept). Worst, it‘s a “damnable heresy” (2 Pet 2:1), which is a heresy that damns souls to hell. And this is nothing to say of how it greatly dishonours God, glorifies doubt and completely changes salvation and the gospel. People who embrace this heresy and reject the Eternal Security of Salvation or also known as Once Saved, Always Saved (which is salvation), don’t understand the true gospel of Jesus Christ according to Scripture. There are hundreds of passages of Scripture, both OT and NT, that clarify how eternally secure salvation really is, and then none that speak against it.

The “salvation which is in Christ Jesus” comes with “eternal life” and “eternal glory” (2 Tim 2:10; Jn 3:15-16; 5:24; 10:27-29). Salvation is the supernatural act of being “born of God” by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 1:12-13), and receiving Him is receiving “eternal life” (I Jn 1:1-3; Jn 17:2-3). Speaking of Christ, John said, “that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us” (1 Jn 1:2). Jesus is “that eternal life,” (see also Jn 5:39), the “life” (Jn. 14:6; I Jn. 1:1; Pr. 8:35), which “life” He gives to us at salvation (Jn 5:40; Jn 10:10; 17:2-3), “For whoso findeth me” Jesus said, “findeth life” (Pr 8:35), and He then indwells those born again of His Spirit (Gal 2:20).

The abusive and dammable hersy of losing salvation does not understand the new birth. The once lost sinner and now saved saint (saved people are referred to as “saints” over 60x in the NT alone— e.g. Ju. 1:3; 2 Th. 1:10; Eph. 4:12; etc) is born again which means to be regenerated and made a new creature in Christ Jesus (Jn. 1:12-13; 3:3-8; Ti. 3:3-7; 2 Cor. 5:17) with a new heart (Ezk 18:30-32; 36:25-27); is justified, which means to be declared righteous before God (Rom. 5:1; 8:30); is washed and cleansed and forgiven of all sins forever (1 Cor. 6:11; Col. 1:14; 2:10-15); is sanctified, which means to be made holy and set apart by God and for God (Heb. 10:10-14; Ju 1:1); is adopted into God’s family as an heir and co-heir with Christ as a child of God adopted into God's family and He becoming their Father (2 Cor. 6:17-18; Rom. 8:14-17); is reconciled with God (2 Cor. 5:18-19); is given life and eternal and everlasting life that can never be lost (Jn. 3:15-16, 35; 5:24, 39-40; etc); is quickened which means to be made alive, their spirit is revived through the circumcision of the heart from the flesh (Eph. 2:1-5; Col. 2:10-15; Rom. 2:28-29; De. 30:6); is sealed by God the Spirit until the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30); is indwelled by God the Spirit (1 Cor 5; Gal. 2:20) is imputed with God’s righteousness (Rom. 4:1-25; 2 Cor. 5:21); and so much more!

Which Groups and Denominations Believe in the Heresy of "Losing Salvation" and Reject Eternal Security of Salvation (and thus, Salvation by Grace Alone)?

There are many, all of which add some form of works to grace for salvation or works salvation, and then reject the clear eternal security of true Biblical salvation.

• Denominations of Wesleyan Tradition. These represent the largest and most theologically consistent body of Christians who reject eternal security, rooted in the soteriology of Jacob Arminius (1560–1609) and John Wesley (1703–1791):

  • United Methodist Church (salvation can be lost through persistent, willful apostasy)

  • Church of the Nazarene (Wesleyan-Holiness; believers can “fall from grace”)

  • Salvation Army (Wesleyan in doctrine; genuine apostasy is possible)

  • Free Methodist Church (same Wesleyan framework)

  • Wesleyan Church (explicit rejection of “once saved, always saved”)

  • Church of God In Christ (salvation can be lost through intentional unholiness, persistent "backsliding," and total abandonment of faith in Jesus Christ)

  • United Pentecostal Church International (continuous obedience and faithfulness required to remain saved)

  • Assemblies of God (Pentecostal but Arminian; official position is that salvation can be forfeited)

  • Foursquare Church (Pentecostal, Arminian soteriology)

Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. Both reject eternal security, but for reasons distinct from Arminianism

• Roman Catholic Church (mortal sin severs the state of grace; the sacrament of penance restores it. Salvation must be worked for and maintained, lest it be lost. Final perseverance is a gift not guaranteed to any individual)

• Eastern Orthodox Church (salvation is a process (theosis) that requires ongoing cooperation with grace; apostasy is genuinely possible)

• Restoration Movement. Also known as the Stone–Campbell Movement or Campbellism.

  • Churches of Christ (generally hold that a saved person can apostatize through sin or unbelief)

  • Christian Church—Independent (varies, but many hold the same position)

• Anglican / Episcopal. The 39 Articles are ambiguous and the tradition contains both views; the official formularies lean against unconditional security, though many Anglican evangelicals hold it.

• Anabaptists.

  • Mennonites—Evangelical, Old Order, Traditional, Brethren, etc (generally, almost entirely, reject eternal security; faithful perseverance is expected and possible to abandon; salvation can be lost due to sin and church ex-communication; assurance of salvation is considered proud presumption)

  • Amish (similar to Mennonites; assurance of salvation is actually viewed with suspicion as presumption)

  • Some General and All Free Will Baptists (Mennonites and Amish relate to these historically, proceeding from the Protestant Reformation)

All these groups teach and embrace a form of works-salvation in their rejection of eternal security of salvation which can not be divorced from the true life-saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Eternal Security is the Record of God (1 Jn 5:10-13)

The Bible specifically teaches that if you reject eternal security of salvation which God gives at conversion, and has promised (Ti 1:2-3), and rather embrace the heresy of losing salvation, you have undoubedtly never been saved at all, and this is for a number of very important reasons including three detailed in 1 Jn 5:10-13 which reads:

“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Three very important reasons why you are very likely unsaved, i.e., never been saved, if you reject eternal security of salvation:

1. You reject the record that God gave of His Son, which is eternal life through Him;

2. You make God a liar; and

3. You do not have the indwelling witness, which is God the Spirit.

Note that all three things mentioned: Salvation, Jesus Christ the Son of God, Life/Eternal Life are presented here as being received at the very moment of true repentant faith. They all dovetail as the message of God’s record of eternal life through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

The losing salvation heresy however contradicts and lies against “the record that God gave of His Son” which “is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (vv 10-11). By rejecting this truth and making God a liar (how terribly fearful is that!), these people reveal themselves to be without the indwelling witness, for “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself” for he “believeth . . . the record that God gave of his Son” and we know that witness is actually the Holy Spirit of God, as seen further in the context (1 Jn 5:6-9), Whom is received at salvation (Ac 2:38; 10:45; 11:17; Eph 1:13-14; 1 Cor 6:19-20), and is the Spirit of Truth, not error, and He does not teach lies to those He indwells, but truth alone and that to all He indwells (1 Jn 2:20-21, 27), so him who has not “the witness in himself” is obviously not saved, which is why he has no qualms about lying about God, for he is blind, deaf, uncircumcised of heart and dead in his sins. But “Knowledge is easy to him that understandeth” (Pr 14:6), and God’s words “are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.” (Pr 8:9). Believing God’s record of eternal life is plain for him with understanding, or in other words, him that is converted for he has understanding (Pr 14:33; 17:24), while the false pretender does not. He doesn't fear God so he is void of both understanding and wisdom (Pr 1:7; 9:6).

These passages in 1 Jn 5 make it very clear that someone who believes eternal life can be lost, actually rejects the record of God of eternal life through His Son, makes God out to be a liar, and does not have the indwelling Spirit of God. Yes, they are very likely unsaved, regardless of their sincerity, smiles, friendliness, or how much of scripture they supposedly get right or how they dress or how dedicated they are to church. The truth is, most of what such people teach and believe is distorted, confusing and contradictory. They are unable to rightly divide the word of truth, for they are without the “Spirit of truth,” who teaches the absolute truth of God’s Word to those He indwells (Jn 14:17; 15:26; 16:13).

The Triune God is not glorified in this "damnable heresy" (2 Pet 2:1).

Denying Eternal Security is a Denial of the True Gospel of Christ

Denying the doctrine of eternal security is denying the true gospel of Jesus Christ, since the two are inseparable. Hundreds of passages of Scriptures make this perspicuously plain (e.g., Jn. 3:14-16; 4:13-14; 5:24; 6:27-58; 10:27-30; 2 Cor. 5:17; Ti. 3:5-7; Eph. 1:3-7; Rom. 5:1-2; 8:28-39; Col. 1:12-14; 1 Jn. 5:12-13), including:

" And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (Jn 3:14-16)

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (Jn 3:36)

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (Jn 4:13-14)

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (Jn 5:2)

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;" (Ti 1:2-3)

Massive Evidences of Eternal Security of Salvation in the Bible, and No Contradictions

In the following article we cover 17 critical, Biblical Reasons Why Salvation Can Never Be Lost — The True Gospel of Eternal Life and Security. These are the Biblical reasons covered as to why Salvation Can Never be Lost:

1. Because it is a free gift of God's grace that cannot be mixed with works (Eph. 2:8-10; Ti. 3:3-8; Rom. 3:19-24; 4:4-6; 5:12-21; 11:6).

2. Because it is by imputation and substitution (Rom. 4:5-8; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20; Heb. 9:10).

3. Because it is an eternally new position in Christ, a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 2:10-15).

4. Because of Divine election and predestination (Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom 8:30).

5. Because of redemption and Christ's blood (Rom. 3:24-25).

6. Because salvation brings immediate eternal perfection and sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2; Heb. 10:10).

7. Because of the circumcision of the heart and flesh (De. 30:6; Col. 2:10-15; Rom 2:28-29; 15:8-9).

8. Because of Christ’s Advocacy and High Priestly prayer (Jn. 17) and ministry (Hebrews), which guarantees eternal security and the continual sanctification of all believers.

9. Because of the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:12-14; 3:16; 4:30; 1 Th 4:8).

10. Because once one is filled with the spiritual water that Christ gives he will never thirst again (Jn. 4).

11. Because of glorification and Rom. 8:28-39.

12. Because of the New Covenant.

13. Because of the Greek perfect tense (aorist) moods and verbs regarding justification/ salvation.

14. Because of the things WE KNOW, that are absolutely sure and God has revealed them and promised them to His redeemed.

15. Because so many passages abundantly clarify this.

16. For very many reasons other than those mentioned above and also because of all the soul-saving doctrines directly connected to eternal security that further describe salvation.

17. Not only because of all those hundreds of passages that teach we can't lose it but also because there is no passage of Scripture that says we can.

See the following passages in the Old Testament: Genesis 6:8; 15:1-6; Deuteronomy 4:29-31; 26:16-19; 30:6; 31:6; 1 Samuel 2:9; 2 Chronicles 17:11; Job 19:25-28; Psalms 4:8; 20:6; 23:1-6; 32:1-2; 37:28; 51:12; 86:13; 94:14; 97:10; 103:2-4, 11-13; 138:17-18; 145:17-20; Proverbs 1:23; 2:7-8; 3:11-12, 35; 8:35; 10:25,30; 12:28; 24:13-16; Is. 1:18; 55:1-3, 6-7; Ezekiel 18:27-28; 36:26-27; Daniel 7:18, 22, 27.

See the following passages in the New Testament: Matthew 19:29; 25:46; John 1:12-13; 3:3-18, 36; 4:13-14; 5:24, 39; 6:35, 37, 39, 40, 44, 47, 51, 53-56, 60-66, 68; 8:31-32, 36; 10:1-11, 14, 27-30; 12:49-50; 13:10; 14:1-4, 15-17; 15:16; 17:2-3, 8-26; Acts 2:38; 13:38-39; 26:18; Romans 3:22-28; 5:1, 5, 8, 9, 10-11, 15-16, 17-19, 20-21; 6:1-2,3-11, 14-17, 18, 22-23; 7:5-6; 8:1-11, 14-15, 16-17, 18-21, 23-25, 28, 29-30, 31-32, 33, 34, 35-36, 37-39; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 4-6, 8, 9, 24-26, 30; 2:6, 9-16; 3:9, 10-15, 16, 22-23; 4:14-15; 5:12-13; 6:1, 2-3, 9-11, 12-13, 15a, 17, 18-20; 7:23; 15:57; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; 2:14-16; 3:4-12, 18; 4:6, 7, 10-11, 14, 16-18; 5:1-8, 10, 17-21; 6:1-2, 16, 18; 7:1, 10; Galatians 2:20; 3:1-3, 13-14, 26-29; 4:4-7; 5:16-18, 24-26; 6:1-3; Ephesians 1:3, 4, 5, 6-10, 11-12, 13-14, 17-18; 2:1-10, 11-22; 3:12, 15, 16-20; 4:4, 30, 32; 5:8, 30; Philippians 1:6; 1:21; 3:9; Colossians 1:5, 9-11, 12, 13, 14;  2:10, 12-14, 20; 3:1-4, 10, 11, 12-13, 15; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, 10; 2:12-13, 19; 4:8, 15-17; 5:4-8, 9-11, 23-24; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; 3:5; I Timothy 1:16; 3:8-9, 10; 6:12; II Timothy 1:7-10, 12-14; 2:19, 24-26; 3:15-17; 4:6-8, 18; Titus 1:2-3; 2:11-15; 3:4-8; Hebrews 1:14; 2:10, 11-13, 17-18; 3:1; 4:2-3, 14-16; 5:9; 6:11-12, 17-20; 7:19, 24-25, 27; 8:12; 9:12-15; 10:10-14, 16-19, 22-23, 38-39; 11:13; 12:2, 5-8, 22-29; 13:5-6; Jam. 2:5; 1 Peter 1:2, 3, 4, 5, 8-9, 18-19, 23-25; 2:4, 9-10, 24-25; 5:10; 2 Peter 1:1, 3-4; 1 John 1:2-4; 1:6-7; 2:1-2, 8, 12, 19, 20-21, 25, 27-28; 3:1, 2, 24; 4:13; 5:9-13; 2 John 1:2, 8; Jude 1:21-24; Revelation 1:5-6; 3:19; 5:9-10; 22:17; etc.

If salvation isn’t permanent, it isn’t salvation, for that is the only way the Bible describes it. If you don’t have eternal security of salvation, you have never received the true gospel. The gospel has been distorted for you. It's a perverted “gospel of Christ” founded upon a lie (Gal 1:6-9), and you have placed your trust in something that is not true. You have been deceived. You might think you are a Christian but you have heard and believed a lie. This is not the faith that saves a repentant sinner. If you believe one can fall away and lose his salvation, you have fallen away from the truth (apostatized) and have very likely never been saved. And you aren’t in a class of your own; the Bible is full of such examples, of unsaved religious hypocrites.

False Teachers Purvey Losing Salvation and Deny Eternal Security

Salvation, Jesus Christ, life and eternal life are all inseparable. They dovetail. If you don’t have one, you don’t have any. If you don't have eternal security, then you don’t have salvation, life or Christ (1 Jn 5:10-13). It’s that simple. It's not the true gospel that you have embraced but a corrupted version thereof. Nothing complicated about it. False teachers complicate things, because they reject and replace the true gospel with their own version, a version that magnifies their own self-righteousness, but “they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”(Rom 10:3-4)

The passages that are sometimes used in attempt to support “losing salvation” doctrine have to be twisted completely out of context, privately interpreted, falsely divided, misused and abused to achieve their desired end. But this is an “error of the wicked,” which are false teachers who are “unlearned and unstable,” who “wrest the scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Pet 3:16-17). Concerning any “doctrine of Christ” (2 Jn. 1:9), which would include salvation and eternal security thereof,

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (2 Jn 1:10-11)

"False teachers" are the purveyors of "damnable heresies" (2 Pet 2:1) and they typically have a large following (2 Pet 2:2). The job of the servant of Christ is to expose them and their false doctrine unto all men (Rom 16:17-18; 2 Tim 3:8-9). This is done for the sake of the truth and the glory of God.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom 16:17-18)

"Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was." (2 Tim 3:8-9)

Losing Salvation is a False Gospel of Works

The heresy of losing salvation is just another form of works salvation. If you believe this "damnable heresy," (2 Pet 2:1) your justification is not that of grace, but rather of grace plus works, which is not grace at all (Rom 11:6; Gal 5:1-4).

"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." (Rom 11:6)

By embracing this damnable heresy, you are rejecting the true “grace of God that bringeth salvation” (Ti 2:11), and have believed in “another gospel” (2 Cor 11:4). You also reject justification, striving to stand before God in your own “righteousness” like the Jewish people in Paul's day (Rom 10:2-4), which the Bible calls “filthy rags” (Is 64:6), while true believers are justified, not by anything they’ve done or ever will do, but by Christ’s perfect righteousness (Rom 5:19), through repentant faith (Rom 5:1) at one moment in time (2 Cor 6:2).

"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Rom 10:2-4)

The Bible commands self-examination as to whether you genuinely belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, and in this linked article we cover the evidences of salvation from the Epistles of John, and here and here on the general evidence of salvation from the Bible as a whole, on how you can know that you are genuinely converted. Many, most, that profess Christ, are not.

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Cor 13:5)

Please read here on how you can be truly converted to Christ: Metamorphosis of a Sinner — How You Can Be Saved and Have Eternal Life.