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FAQ # 97

QUESTION  97 :  Paul, the true grace teacher, knew the same horrible fate that occurred to Hymenaeus and Alexander could also happen to Timothy (who was certainly sealed by the Holy Spirit). Paul consequently told him what he needed to do to prevent this from happening to himself. So, as Hymenaeus and Alexander shipwrecked their faith, Paul knew godly Timothy could also have this happen to him (just like any Christian can). How much more us losing our salvation? Examples are from 1 Timothy:- “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme” (1 Tim 1:18-20). “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk” (1 Tim 1:5,6).

This person said, "Paul…knew the same horrible fate that occurred to Hymenaeus and Alexander could also happen to Timothy." Impossible! Timothy faith could never become shipwreck, if ship wreck he means apostasy from the faith or truth. The mechanism that prevents this is called the Holy Ghost. By him, those who are truly regenerated cannot apostatize from the faith. Several scriptures made this evidently clear:

"I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them" (Eze 36:27).

"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him" (1 John 3:6).

"We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not" (1 John 5:18).

"No man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:29).

These verses prove that if Timothy was truly regenerated he would not be utterly led astray. It is either we believe the bible explicitly, as stated in the verses above or we believe the notion presented by a man in this question; even using scriptures.

The instruction given to Timothy wasn't an “emergency-must-happen-to-him-situation,” because even Paul knew he would know these things by the spirit already. Clearly stated here, "ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things…even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (1 John 2:27). Moreover, what would lead a person away is seducing spirits and Timothy can surely be categories as a sheep of Christ and Christ did say, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:27). Hence, a sheep will "not hear them" (John 10:8), the seducing spirits.

What happened with Paul writing to Timothy is that God uses warnings from preachers, so to speak. Though we are taught of the Lord, sometimes a lick on the head by a fellow yoke laborer might foster iron sharpening iron. It might keep our minds from being temporarily led astray to think about fallacious teaching. A regenerated saint might struggle with such thoughts for a little while, as we are not above temptation, but usually throw it out because the spirit in us will not have it so.

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