Print Page | Add To Favorites | Close Window | Send To A Friend | Save This Page
FAQ # 113
QUESTION 113 : I've seen where you have refuted
correctly, those who they allege lost their salvation in the bible; especially
the Old Testament figures who clearly weren't born again much more to
lose it. However, how about those from the New Testament like Demas, Judas
Iscariot, The Prodigal Son, Simon Magnus, Hymenaeus and Philetus or Hymenaeus
and Alexander?
"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,
and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable
to me for the ministry" (2 Tim 4:10-11).
It was erroneously cited that Demas lost his salvation. Just because Demas
left Paul to go to another part of the country doesn't mean he lost his
salvation. Instead, he could have decided to do home missions while running
a business or wasn't up to the rigor of traveling like Paul, so he probably
decided to go home have a family and get a trade; yet still spreading
the gospel where he is. We see that in John Mark, earlier Paul sent him
back and somewhat speaks the same way about him. But later we see John
Mark now mature and joins Paul's ministry and missions. No where it states
that working with Paul on missionary journeys is a requirement for salvation.
You have a choice and Demas choose not to go anymore, so did Crescens
and Titus. Notice the name Titus, possible the figure of the book of Titus.
They probably weren't up to the hardship anymore and decide to do it locally,
probably now as a pastor or deacon. Paul, on the other hand, was cut out
for this and could go on years doing it; and he probably did so for generations,
because he spoke of Timothy grandmother's salvation (1 Timothy 1:5). Moreover,
he was separated specifically by the Holy Ghost (Rom 1:1) for that job,
hence he had overwhelming grace to do so. He was so into it that anyone
coming along that couldn't keep up or considered a liability, he cut off,
like John Mark previously. This scripture in no way said Demas lost his
salvation.
Judas Iscariot, like all the Apostles before Pentecost, he wasn't
born again, as said many time here. Christ clearly said to Peter, "when
thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32). Clearly
implying that he wasn't yet saved. Working miracles isn't a proof that
Judas nor any of the Disciples were saved, because they themselves saw
another man working miracles in Christ name that Christ did not send.
Miracles are by faith. Judas wasn't saved, not a true follower of Christ
and Christ even opt to call him a devil. Before the foundation of the
world this was. So he couldn't lose what he didn't have. One person said,
"Judas Iscariot met all these conditions of commitment to Christ,
just as much as the rest of the Twelve, since he too was the same kind
of disciple as they were." Many men on earth today will meet
those same requirement but Christ will say "depart!" Why? Because
men can put on a show, have wrong motives and not truly repentant. You
can see that he was not truly repentant or a true disciple, because he
was the treasurer (John 13:29) and often stole from the treasury, "This
he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and
had the bag, and bare what was put therein" (John 12:6 ).
We have already dealt with the prodigal son in another FAQ, however,
what must be cited is that the prodigal son cannot be used as a person
losing his salvation because we don't even know if he had salvation. The
story of the prodigal son was an analogy or parable used by Christ, suggesting
that it might be fictional. And it doesn't necessarily have to be speaking
of losing salvation then finding it again, if that is possible, but rather,
Man through Adam is fallen from God and Christ is that solution whereby
Man comes back to God. He gave the parable to counteract this "And
the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners"
(Lk 15:2). That's what it was about, he coming to earth to save sinners,
Man who was alienated from him.
Simon Magnus being baptized and having a confession of faith doesn't
say he is saved, for one must be born again, which includes the baptism
of the Holy Ghost evidence by speaking in unknown tongues (Acts 2:38).
We don't know if this occurred with Simon. In fact, he was amazed at the
actual Holy Ghost outpouring, so it could have been the first he's seeing
or knowing it. On the other hand, he could have experience this, we simple
don't know. When Phillip rebuke him with the harsh words it doesn't necessarily
said he lost his salvation or he wasn't saved. It could mean that what
he said and the motives behind it were rebuked. Just like Christ who often
rebuked Peter and many of his disciples. With Simon this would have been
even greater, as he dealt with demonology and thus those persisting spirits
would always try to come back. It's a struggle we go through after being
saved and he was certainly a novice, not knowing the operation of things.
Phillip himself said, "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness."
That was specific, turn from what you just said and want to do.
The only others named in your question are Hymenaeus And Philetus or
Hymenaeus And Alexander, which we already discussed in another FAQ
as being wolves in sheep clothing, meaning they weren't sheep but pretended
to be. Even actual fallen angels disguise as preachers to pervert the
assembly (2 Cor 11:15-16). What possible wasn't dealt with was this phrase,
"and overthrow the faith of some." Not cause some to lose their
salvation, but those unsaved amongst the assembly that were Christ-curios
would turn away. They were many that were in the assemblies that weren't
born again and some even “look” more righteous than the ones who are actually
born again. However, the scripture says my sheep know my voice and from
another he will run, so the mere fact they went out is a sign that they
weren't of the fold in the first place. As John tells us, "They went
out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they
would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that
they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John
2:19). This accounts for all the unnamed persons in the Bible that left.
So all in all, not one saved person is recorded in the bible to have lost
their salvation,
Go to top of Page | Get the Book | Buy it here or here or here or here | More FAQ's