Page 78 - Bible Doctrine Survey I (3)

“Accept Jesus as Savior” or “Receive Jesus as Savior” These phrases may be all right if they’re
understood and clearly explained. Christians may understand them to mean “trust in Christ,” but
unbelievers may wonder “How do I accept or receive Jesus?” Catholics teach that “receiving Jesus”
means communion. Never does scripture say to “accept Jesus” and only once does it mention
“receiving” Him (John 1:12). And even that reference about the Jews receiving Him is clarified by the
expression “believing in His name.”

Can a person lose his salvation?

The Bible’s answer is “no” because we do not save ourselves, but God saves us. If salvation was a work
that we did, then we could lose it. But salvation was totally a work of Christ, freely given to us in
response to faith. We did no works to gain it, and we can do no works to lose it. Let’s look at some
verses that demonstrate this fact:

Romans 8:30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he
justified, he also glorified.

According to this verse, from election to arrival in heaven God’s plan will not be thwarted.

We cannot lose our salvation, which is a gift from God, because all the things that happen when we trust
in Christ depend upon God’s nature, God’s power and God’s promises and cannot be reversed (Eph.
2:8). We are given eternal life (John 3:16, etc.). It isn’t “eternal” if we can lose it. We receive eternal life
as a gift (John 10:28; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 6:23). We become God’s possession. The Good Shepherd
doesn’t lose His sheep (John 10:28-29). God’s seal can’t be erased (Ephesians 1:13, 14). All our sins,
past, present, and future, are totally forgiven (Romans 3:1, 23) so sinning cannot change the security of
our salvation.

Can a Christian lose their salvation?

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