Can A Christian Lose His Salvation?

Pastor Chew Weng Chee
Hebrews 6:1
Can a christian lose his salvation?
No matter the debate, God has the final say.
“Lets go on to maturity”. Do not be immature to base your salvation on Pastor’s words.

There are two views :
Calvinist view : Once saved, always saved.
Arminian view : Freewill – we can lose our salvation if we choose to.
BUT they are just “VIEWS”.
Being “freewill”, but no man, not even God can or will violate your free will.
Hebrews 6 : 4 -12
keywords : public, deliberately , keep on sinning
metaphors : fire

4 possible interpretations
1. they never were Christians in the 1st place
1a. once (apex) been enlightened. something happened in their lives, when the spirit was switched on.
1b. they have tasted the heavenly gift.
debating on the word “tasted”, some argued that it’s not swallowed, it’s sampled. To find the meaning, look at another passage. Hebrews 2:9 where Jesus really died by “tasting death for everyone”
1c. shared (metoxous) in the Holy Spirit. debating on the word “shared” can be found on Hebrews 3:1
1d. Tasted goodness of God’s Word
1e. Tasted powers of coming age.
1f. Received the knowledge of the truth
1g. Sanctified by the blood of the covenant.

2. It’s rewards they lose, not salvation.
Hebrews 6:9 “… accompany salvation”

3. it’s hypothetical
hypothesis : it will never happen
BUT the Word of God is never hypothetical.
There are 5 warnings thus dismissing that the 3rd interpretation.

4. yes, its possible to lose our salvation
Hebrews 10 : 26 – 39
the mighty chapter of the heroes of faith.
imitate those!
shrink back : apostate : one who forsake his religion
Backsliding : is apostasy, but backsliding precedes apostasy. temporary falling away from God. can repent. restored and live again.
Apostate : PUBLIC denial. DELIBERATE. Persistent, willful, public denial of Jesus, cannot be brought back to repentance, destroyed.

Kevin Corner : The book of Hebrews, pg 397
The backslider may come back to the Lord upon genuine repentance and faith. However, backsliding places one on danger ground, for backsliding can lead to and always precede apostasy. No one immediately becomes an apostate. It always begins with backsliding in heart, a drawing back from the things of God and Jesus. Only God knows where the line is crossed for the backslider and the apostate. The backslider may come to repentance. The apostate cannot come to repentance.

FF Bruce : God has pledged Himself to pardon all who truly repent but Scripture and experience alike suggest that it is possible for human beings to arrive at a state of heart and life where they can longer repent.

Comparing Peter and Judas. Peter repented and Jesus wept. Judas felt sorry/remorse. Matthew 27:3

Hebrews : 6 : 6 – 8
Hebrews : 10 : 26 – 39
in both instances “fire” is used.

Why do you think apostasy(willfully, persistently, publicly) is so dangerous?
there are witnesses against you. God, Son of God, Holy Spirit.
If you have these witnesses against you, your name will be removed from the book of life from the agreement of that unison.

The Good News :
How we can check and prevent ourselves from going too far.
Hebrews 10:32
1. Remember those days…
2. Reflect.
3. Resist. (don’t throw it away)
4. Remain
5. Receive (by faith). Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 6:9-12
the switch of the focus from “they” to “you”.

Finish the race.