Salvation Series
Lesson #5 : Eternal Security
In this lesson we are going to deal with the subject of Eternal Security. This is a very important subject because it is one of the key differences between the Baptist doctrine and all other denominations. As you will see in this lesson the Bible plainly teaches that not only can you know that you are saved but that a saved person in the church age because of their new birth, spiritual baptism, and spiritual circumcision cannot lose their salvation.
First let us begin with knowing for sure that you are saved. Before you can even discuss whether or not you can lose your salvation you first have to know for sure that you are saved. Let us look in 1 John 5:10-13 to see some things about knowing that you have eternal life.
1) When we are saved we have the witness inside of us (verse 10)
- The witness within us is the Holy Spirit of God (Romans 8:16). After salvation the Holy Spirit dwells within us and assures us that we are the children of God.
2) Our Salvation is connected with believing the record that God gave of his son (verse 10)
3) This record is that eternal life is in his son, Jesus Christ (verse 11)
- Note if eternal life is in Jesus Christ and we are in him then we must have eternal life.
- Also it is not in us therefore we cannot lose it. Eternal life is in Jesus Christ and we are in him therefore we must have eternal life if we are in him.
4) We can know based on the scriptures that we have eternal life (verse 13)
- Note the verse said that we may “know” that we have eternal life, not hope so, think so, or maybe so but know so.
Therefore a saved person should know that they are saved just as sure as they know that they were physically born. Our knowledge of salvation is based on the word of God. If we have done what God said for us to do in regards to salvation (Romans 10:9-13) we can be sure that we are saved because the word of God doesn’t lie (Numbers 23:19).
Now we will discuss the fact that once we are saved in the church age we cannot lose our salvation. Below we are going to list some verses that support the doctrine of eternal security.
1 Corinthians 1:7-9
- Note that in this passage it is the Lord Jesus Christ who shall confirm you unto the end.
Philippians 1:6
- Note in this verse that it is the one (Jesus Christ) who began a good work in you and he will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Remember that eternal life is in him and it is not in us to begin with
1 Peter 1:5
- Note here that we are kept saved by the power of God. We could not keep ourselves saved 5 minutes if was up to us but thank God it is not up to us it is God that keeps us saved.
Romans 8:38-39
- Here we see that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Ephesians 4:30
- Note here that our soul is sealed unto the day of redemption.
Now one of the main reasons that people believe we can lose our salvation is because they do not understand what happened to them when they were saved. In this series we have shown how that when a person is saved they are born again, spiritually circumcised, and baptized into the body of Jesus Christ. Let us look at these things again in regards to eternal security and get a better understanding of why the word of God says that you cannot lose your salvation. We are going to do this by looking at it from the stand point of what would happen if you were to lose your salvation.
What would happen if you were to lose your salvation :
1) You would have to be taken out of the body of Jesus Christ.
- We have shown in a previous lesson how that when you are saved you are placed into the body of Jesus Christ spiritually. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 we see that God places all the saved people in the body of Christ as it pleases him.
- Now people are losing their salvation all the time then Jesus Christ is losing parts of his spiritual body left and right and therefore would be incomplete. We know that the body of Jesus Christ is not going to be incomplete or missing parts.
2) You would have to be spiritually uncircumcised.
- We have shown in a previous lesson how that when a person is saved they are spiritually circumcised which involves their soul being separated from their body and sealed unto the day of redemption as it says in Ephesians 4:30.
- Note that we are sealed until the day of redemption and not the day that we sin.
- Many people cannot understand how that a person can sin and not lose his salvation. But remember that it is the flesh that sins and not the soul because it is sealed. This is why it says in 1 John 5:18 that whosoever is born of God sinneth not. The soul is sealed and doesn’t sin.
Once you understand the things that happen as a result of salvation it is much easier to see how that even though we still sin in the flesh after salvation we do not lose our salvation. But remember this does not give us a license to sin (Romans 6:1-2).
Salvation Series : Lesson #5 Handout
Eternal Security
1) What is one of the key differences between Baptist and other denominations?
2) List an evidence that we have inside us that shows us we are saved. Give a reference.
3) What is a good passage for knowing that as a saved person you have eternal life?
4) What are some things we see in this passage in regards to eternal life?
5) Give a chain reference for supporting the fact that we have eternal life.
6) List 2 things that would have to happen for a person saved in the church age to lose their salvation. Can any of these things happen?