Does the Bible teach eternal security?
Introduction. This is a good Bible Question, but it is a little ambiguous. There is every reason to believe that those who make heaven will enjoy security (Rev. 21; 22). As a rule, when this question is asked, though, it pertains to this life. Therefore, I shall focus my answer on matters pertaining to this life.
The Christian presently has eternal life in prospect. Salvation is enjoyed when one obeys the gospel (Acts 2: 36-46). Regarding eternal life, Paul penned the following "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Tit. 1: 2). However, in a certain situation, eternal life is so certain that it is proleptically spoken of as a present acquisition (1 John 5: 13, more later).
Conditionality is taught throughout the scriptures. On occasion, the condition regarding a specific matter is resident within the same verse (John 3: 16). Sometimes the condition is exterior to the verse. For instance, John wrote "And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2: 2). Other verses show that salvation is conditional and not universally automatic (1 John 1: 6; 3: 9).
The answer to our question about eternal security is "yes" and "no". As mentioned, eternal life is certain in certain conditions (1 John 5: 13). These conditions involve obedience to the truth as taught in the scriptures (1 John 4: 1, 5: 3). Peter taught that if the Christian adds to his faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, "ye shall never fall" (2 Pet. 1: 5-11). This is what Peter terms "making your calling and election sure" (2 Pet. 1: 10). Hence, the faithful child of God enjoys eternal security in prospect (Tit. 1: 2). However, one can elect to fall away (Gal. 5: 4). Regarding the apostate, the Bible does not teach unconditional eternal security. In fact, for such it would be better had they never known the way of righteousness (2 Pet. 2: 21).
The Christian presently has eternal life in prospect. Salvation is enjoyed when one obeys the gospel (Acts 2: 36-46). Regarding eternal life, Paul penned the following "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Tit. 1: 2). However, in a certain situation, eternal life is so certain that it is proleptically spoken of as a present acquisition (1 John 5: 13, more later).
Conditionality is taught throughout the scriptures. On occasion, the condition regarding a specific matter is resident within the same verse (John 3: 16). Sometimes the condition is exterior to the verse. For instance, John wrote "And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2: 2). Other verses show that salvation is conditional and not universally automatic (1 John 1: 6; 3: 9).
The answer to our question about eternal security is "yes" and "no". As mentioned, eternal life is certain in certain conditions (1 John 5: 13). These conditions involve obedience to the truth as taught in the scriptures (1 John 4: 1, 5: 3). Peter taught that if the Christian adds to his faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, "ye shall never fall" (2 Pet. 1: 5-11). This is what Peter terms "making your calling and election sure" (2 Pet. 1: 10). Hence, the faithful child of God enjoys eternal security in prospect (Tit. 1: 2). However, one can elect to fall away (Gal. 5: 4). Regarding the apostate, the Bible does not teach unconditional eternal security. In fact, for such it would be better had they never known the way of righteousness (2 Pet. 2: 21).