Q. I have a question regarding Revelation 3:5 and the Book of Life. My pastor recently preached this verse to say that all the names of every human being who ever lived has their name written in the Book of Life, then if they die without faith in Christ, their name is blotted out. However, when I look at this verse it speaks of not blotting out names. I have always understood that the Book of Life has only ever contained the names of the elect, and that this verse assures us that we cannot lose our salvation: if we have repented of our sin and accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we can never lose the promise of our eternity with Christ, we can never be blotted out of the Book. Can you please clarify this for me?

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Q. I still have a question regarding Satan.  If he was in heaven he must have believed in God.  He was a guard of God’s throne.  He must have at one time loved God.  He let the sin of pride creep into him.  Isn’t this an early and  prime example of how one could lose his or her salvation by turning against God and letting sin take over in one’s life.  If you follow the OSAS theology you would have to say that Satan was not really saved or believed in God to begin with.  The bible is very clear that Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire.

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Q. I see this is one of your top ten topics.  Without even using the book of Hebrews-which you expounded on well-I see other passages from the Holy Bible which make me question your doctrine.
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Q. Your website and the answers have been a blessing.  I do have 1 question.

“1Co 6:9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. “

That verse says that I shall not inherit the kingdom of God if I do any of those things.  What happens to OSAS if I steal something and die before I confess?

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Q. Do you know of any ministry, particularly on the web, that deals specifically with those who were once saved but are now unfaithful?

I follow a variety of ministers in America, but I don’t see anyone in particular who is actively pursuing the present day backslidden.  I think that specific kind of ministry is desperately needed. And while I know there is supposed to be a great falling away, and apostasy, still…there is gleaning that can be done in fields post the general harvest, and even burnt-over fields can and do experience regrowth.  Please do not take this question as a criticism — you clearly have a true servants heart, and I am so very grateful for your web ministry.

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Q. Some say  that every time the word believe is used in Scripture it means to continuously believe.   They take this to mean if you quit believing, you are not continuously believing, and that one day you will no longer be saved.  Can a true Christian really quit believing? I could see that in a human sense something MIGHT happen to make someone quit believing Christ and yet in my very heart I just don’t see how someone who really believes would ever quit.

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Q. I continue to read your question and answers. I have accepted Christ as my Savior but am having trouble accepting that I can continue to commit adultery, to steal, murder or whatever and be in heaven with him. Was his death a licence for me to be able to do all these things and be saved or can his spirit live his life through me and I stop doing these sinful things? Or either way I go I am saved?

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Q. Last Sunday our pastor was preaching on Psalm 23 and part of his message hit me as another answer to the OSAS issue that seems to always be a source of questions to your “Ask A Bible Teacher”. He said that when the Psalm refers to the security of a sheep in the Shepherd’s care “for  His name’s sake”, it is referring to the fact that if a shepherd could not keep his sheep secure he was seen as incompetent. The sheep were by nature unable to care for themselves and by nature wandered into trouble, but it was the shepherd who would be seen as being at fault if one was lost. Read Post »

Q. I believe in OSAS (if it weren’t true, I would be doomed), but someone in my church said he didn’t believe it because of Revelation 22:18-19: The person said that if God takes away someone’s part of the book of life, then they already must have been written in it and would have lost their salvation.  What do you think? Read Post »

Q. I was about 12 years old when I was saved.  I remember knowing I was lost and needed to be saved.  I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest.  I went to the altar and the pastor asked did I want Jesus to come into my heart and I said yes.  I was sincere about this.  I know that I confessed that I believed  that Jesus died on the cross for me and was raised from the dead.

I am now 32 years old and wonder was this enough to save me.  Read Post »