CAN SAINTS APOSTATIZE ?
By S. Osborn
Now let us turn to Heb. 12:14–17: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; looking diligently lest any man fall from [margin] the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” They must follow peace and holiness in order to see the Lord, and to prevent them from falling from the “grace of God.” This plainly implies that it is possible they may fall. And to make it still more forcible, Paul brings up the case of Esau. It was impossible for him to regain the blessing, though he sought it carefully with tears; so it will be with some who apostatize. They go so far back that it is impossible for them to return, though they may use their utmost endeavors to do so. The case of Esau illustrates how easily we may sell our right to eternal glory. Oh! may those who are in the light, walk in it, hold fast, and grow continually, and not be deluded by the fatal deception that there is no danger of falling away. Let us consider one more portion of Scripture found in Heb. 6:1–6: “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Notice the following points: first, they have tasted of the heavenly gift; secondly, they have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost; thirdly, they have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come; fourthly, they were baptized, and received the laying on of hands; fifthly, they were required to leave the first principles of Christ, and not lay the foundation of repentance once again. These points show their condition as converts to God. He adds that it is impossible (having fallen away) to renew them again unto repentance. It is evident that the impossibility spoken of in verse 4 does not refer to the falling, as it is asserted by some, but to the renewing again unto repentance. The context confirms this: “Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” What could be plainer? And in verse 8, Paul tells us of their final destiny: “But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” Thus they are finally lost. These texts prove beyond a doubt that final apostasy is taught in the Bible. Now let us notice a few objections. John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.” Chap. 6:47: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” From these texts it is asserted that those who are truly converted have everlasting life at the present time. This we admit; but the point to be considered is, Will they lose it? What is everlasting life? John 11:25: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life.” 1 John 1:1, 2: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us).” Again, 1 John 5:11: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” Now carefully notice verse 12: “He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life.” These texts show as plainly as language can express it, that eternal life is not inherent in our being, but is the gift of God through faith in Christ. Let us see if Christ will abide with the professor under all circumstances. 1 John 2:23, 24: “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father.” “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning: if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” He promises to be in us on condition that we abide, remain, continue, in him. Once more, 2 John 8, 9: “Look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have gained (margin), but that we receive a full reward.” He continues, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” Could language be plainer? In verse 10 the apostle says further, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (that is, the danger of losing our religion and not abiding in Christ), receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.” This doctrine against final apostasy is one of Satan’s devices to keep men at ease in Zion, a condition upon which a “woe” is pronounced in Amos 6:1. It is self-evident that a person will never make advancement in any respect while he is satisfied with his present condition and attainments. Men are willing to labor perseveringly with untiring effort to obtain knowledge and the perishing riches of the world, because they know that in no other way can they be obtained. But let them become convinced that they would have these things whether they labored for them or not, and they would very soon become careless and unconcerned. So whenever a person becomes satisfied that he is sure of eternal life, he will lose his interest to strive for it. May the Lord help us to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good.