Can a Christian lose salvation?

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Mar 4, 2020
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Would anyone say that Moses and Elijah had not been saved (given eternal life) before the cross? They were with Jesus when he transfigured on the mountain. (Matthew 17)
 

mailmandan

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Apr 7, 2014
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"AndrewMorgan, post: 4995506, member: 317125" I ask - What do you make of Hebrews 6:4-6, where it says "It is impossible for those who were once enlightened...if they shall fall away, to renew themselves unto repentance...?
In regards to once enlightened, which means to bring to light, to shed light upon or to cause light to shine upon some object, in the sense of illuminating it. John 1:9 describes Jesus, the "true Light," giving light "to every man," but this cannot mean the light of salvation, because not every man is saved. The light either leads to the complete acceptance of Jesus Christ or produces condemnation in those who reject the light.

In regards to renew them again unto repentance, this does not specify whether the repentance was merely outward or genuine accompanied by saving faith. They have in some sense "repented," there may be sorrow for sins and an attempt to turn from them (moral self-reformation) that non-believers can experience. There is repentance that falls short of salvation, which is clear from Hebrews 12:7 and the reference to Esau, as well as the repentance of Judas Iscariot in Matthew 27:3.

Paul refers to a repentance “without regret that leads to salvation,” (2 Corinthians 7:10) which shows there is a repentance that does not lead to salvation. As with “belief/faith”, so too with “repentance,” we must always distinguish between what is substantial and results in salvation and what is spurious. Renew them again "unto salvation" would be conclusive evidence for a loss of salvation here.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
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The way to salvation before the cross is if Jesus and/or God say "you have eternal life." That's what Jesus said to Judas at one time.
Jesus praying for the twelve.

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,177
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Would anyone say that Moses and Elijah had not been saved (given eternal life) before the cross? They were with Jesus when he transfigured on the mountain. (Matthew 17)
Are you stating that there is another way unto salvation other than believing in the finished work of the cross?
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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13,551
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Jesus praying for the twelve.

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Amen! John 17:12 - While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. John 18:9 - that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."

Jesus did not lose Judas. He was already lost. Judas was an unbelieving, unclean devil who betrayed Jesus and Jesus knew it from the beginning. (John 6:64-71; 13:10-11)
 
Mar 4, 2020
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Are you stating that there is another way unto salvation other than believing in the finished work of the cross?
Moses and Elijah were there with Jesus, transfigured on the mountain, talking together. We can rule out it being a vision and it wasn't a parable. Do you say that Jesus was talking to Moses and Elijah from hell or were they brought from heaven to talk to Jesus?
 
Mar 4, 2020
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Jesus praying for the twelve.

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Jesus chose Judas.

Luke 6
13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 16Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Jesus told the 12 (Judas Iscariot included of course) they will sit on twelve thrones and inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19
28Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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Amen! John 17:12 - While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. John 18:9 - that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."

Jesus did not lose Judas. He was already lost. Judas was an unbelieving, unclean devil who betrayed Jesus and Jesus knew it from the beginning. (John 6:64-71; 13:10-11)
You just proved Judas lost his salvation. Kudos.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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Amen! John 17:12 - While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. John 18:9 - that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."

Jesus did not lose Judas. He was already lost. Judas was an unbelieving, unclean devil who betrayed Jesus and Jesus knew it from the beginning. (John 6:64-71; 13:10-11)
Jesus said Judas would inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:28,29) but, according to your gospel, Judas was already lost. Now you have Jesus promising eternal life to people who allegedly were already lost and would always be lost. Sounds like you have worked yourself into a pickle.

Was Jesus speaking the truth or not? If you can answer this question correctly then there's still hope.
 
Sep 15, 2019
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Jesus said Judas would inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:28,29) but, according to your gospel, Judas was already lost. Now you have Jesus promising eternal life to people who allegedly were already lost and would always be lost. Sounds like you have worked yourself into a pickle.

Was Jesus speaking the truth or not? If you can answer this question correctly then there's still hope.
How many did Jesus lose?
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
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You just proved Judas lost his salvation. Kudos.
You're getting salvation after the cross confused with what was available before the cross. We've got something better than they.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
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Moses and Elijah were there with Jesus, transfigured on the mountain, talking together. We can rule out it being a vision and it wasn't a parable. Do you say that Jesus was talking to Moses and Elijah from hell or were they brought from heaven to talk to Jesus?
As witnessed by the law and the prophets...they both will return during the time of Jacob's trouble and they both will die in the streets.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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I think this says it all. Judas stopped following the Lord and betrayed him.
Judas followed Jesus up until that point and was thus guaranteed eternal life. This was clearly spoken to the 12. Judas stopped following Jesus and most likely, as far as I can tell, lost his salvation.

So what's the lesson here? OSAS is false and salvation can be lost.
 
Sep 15, 2019
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Jesus Himself said "Those whom you gave me, I have kept." Implying that Judas was never given, so was never saved.
 

HeIsHere

Well-known member
May 21, 2022
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Judas followed Jesus up until that point and was thus guaranteed eternal life. This was clearly spoken to the 12. Judas stopped following Jesus and most likely, as far as I can tell, lost his salvation.

So what's the lesson here? OSAS is false and salvation can be lost.

You do realize this is pure conjecture.

As well, use the teachings of scripture, using someone's behaviour as an example proves nothing.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,177
3,700
113
Judas followed Jesus up until that point and was thus guaranteed eternal life. This was clearly spoken to the 12. Judas stopped following Jesus and most likely, as far as I can tell, lost his salvation.

So what's the lesson here? OSAS is false and salvation can be lost.
He lost being kept by Jesus. He didn't have eternal salvation like you and I. It can't be lost. Judas or any of the other disciples were not sealed by the Holy Spirit. The other disciples did not even have the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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You do realize this is pure conjecture.

As well, use the teachings of scripture, using someone's behaviour as an example proves nothing.
If you feel safer believing it's conjecture then I won't fault you for it. Just make sure you aren't like Judas and were "never saved to begin with" even after being told you would inherit eternal life.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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He lost being kept by Jesus. He didn't have eternal salvation like you and I. It can't be lost. Judas or any of the other disciples were not sealed by the Holy Spirit. The other disciples did not even have the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection.
Jesus promised Judas eternal life.