Error #1 Mr. Erhardt never defined the term "fall", "fall away", or "fall from grace". Therefore his whole 'sermon' was a complete waste of time. Aaron Erhardt repeatedly said "I am getting this straight out of the Bible", which he did. He did read verses out of the bible (not a KJB). However, he started off with the presupposition that "fall" meant fall out of salvation. Mr. Erhardt never proved that and never defined his terms. The word "fall" is used in several different contexts in Scripture. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" in the context of falling into temptation, not falling out of salvation (see verses 5-11). So Aaron's main problem is that he started off with his own preconceived ideas and failed to let the Bible define its own terms. The favorite proof text of the "church of christ" to teach that one can fall from eternal life is Galatians 5:4, which says "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." The context of the phrase 'fallen from grace' is those who are 'justified by the law", not those who had submitted to the righteousness of God by faith!
- Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. One reference to "fall" that Aaron Erhardt did NOT mention was Psalms 37:23-24, which says "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." Also see John 10:27-29.
Error #2 Mr. Erhardt equated "departing from the faith" with losing salvation, though there is no Scriptural basis for doing that. Where in the Bible is "departing from the faith" equal to losing "eternal salvation" (Heb. 5:9)? When we believe on Christ, we are then justified and kept saved by the faith OF Christ, not our own faith.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
- Especially see 2 Timothy 2:11-13: It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. We members of Christ's body, of His flesh, and of His bones (Eph. 5:30)! Christ will not deny us even if we "believe not"!
Error #4 All lose-eternal-salvationists teach that Paul was referring to losing salvation in 1 Corinthians 9:27, that is the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church and the "church of christ" Campbellites. The verse says "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." The Campbellites attach themselves to "I myself should be a castaway". But the verse does NOT say "castaway from salvation"! The Campbellites do not know how to read in context. The context is not personal salvation, the context is the ministry and prizes that believers get at the Judgment Seat of Christ for giving the gospel to others. Verses 24-26 say Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:. According to the Campbellite exegesis, Paul was telling the Corinthians to run so that they will obtain salvation ("So run, that ye may obtain."). Context is key. The context is rewards for service, not works for salvation. Paul said in regards to the Judgement Seat of Christ that even if ALL your works burn up as not being any good, you will still be saved. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Cor. 3:15)
- The Corinthian church was so divisive and in disunity that Paul said it would be better for them not to assemble (1 Cor. 1:10, 11:17-19). Paul plainly said that the church was teach heresies (1 Cor. 11:19). The church had members being killed by the Lord for abusing the Lord's supper (1 Cor. 11:30-32). The church was proud of the fact that one of their members was living in the worst type of fornication (1 Cor. 5:1-2). Some of them also did not believe in resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12). If it were possible for anyone to lose salvation under Grace, the Corinthians certainly would have lost it. Yet Paul never warned them of losing salvation. In fact, Paul called them a "church OF GOD" and in fellowship with Jesus Christ. God sent "grace and peace" to the Corinthians, not warnings of losing salvation. The Corinthians were sanctified in Christ. "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Cor. 1:1-9). 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says "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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." The man living in fornication did not lose salvation, Paul said he was saved and that it was only his flesh that would be destroyed by Satan (like Job). 1 Corinthians 5:5, "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." Those killed by God for abusing the Lord's supper also did not lose salvation, they were not condemned with the world but rather chastened as children of God. 1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Ephesians 3:1-2 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Ephesians 1:6-7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Here are is a list of verses on eternal security as given in the Pauline epistles (Grace doctrine for the Body of Christ).
Romans 4:
[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
[6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
[7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
[8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
[30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
[32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
[33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
[34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:6-8 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 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,
[10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
[11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 11:
[31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
[32] But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Galatians 3:2-3 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Ephesians 1:
[13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
[14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
2 Timothy 2:
[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
[13] If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Those verses explicitly say that believers have full assurance of salvation and that nothing can separate them from the love of God. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption.
However, that is not all of the references to eternal security. All of the verses that say we are forgiven (present tense) ALL trespasses also confirm the truth of eternal security (Eph. 4:32, Col. 2:13, 3:12, etc.). Likewise all of the verses that say we are justified by the faith OF Christ (1 Thes. 5:23-24, 2 Tim. 2:11-13, Rom. 3:22, Gal. 2:16, 2:20, 3:22, Eph. 3:12, Phil. 3:9) and the verses that say that our works have no part in salvation (Rom. 3:21-27, 4:4-5, 5:1, 10:1-13, 1 Cor. 1:17-21, 2:2, 3:15, Eph. 1:13, 2:8-9, Gal. 2:16-20, 3:1-28, 2 Tim. 1:9-11, Rom. 8:8, Titus 3:4-7, etc.).
--Eli Caldwell
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