CLICK HERE for Norm's handling of this question on the Bible Q-n-A TV program.

A: By "conditional security teaching" I'm assuming you're referring to the necessity of faithfulness to go to heaven. I don't believe I've heard that term before so you may need to post a comment and correct me if I'm taking it the wrong way. The following answer is coming from the assumption that you are trying to use 2 Cor. 5:17 to defend the unscriptural Calvinist doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints (or once-saved-always-saved). Or, it may be that you don't hold to the unholy doctrine yourself but simply want to get the biblical answer to it.

I am a firm believer that the best way to combat error is to simply teach the truth. When we understand the truth of the passage then the error can not longer be taught from that passage. Therefore, the first thing I'll do is cover the context of the verse in the referred to above. Once we see the context it will be interesting to hear back from the questioner as to how it fits in with their idea of "unconditional security."

From 2 Corinthians 5:11 thru 6:10, the context would be best stated as “The Gospel Of Reconciliation.” All through this section Paul is talking about his work in bringing people to Christ through the gospel of reconciliation (5:18-20). The emphasis in this section is on becoming a Christian through obedience to the gospel. It is used, in fact, to motivate the Corinthians to faithfulness. Notice 6:1, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” If 5:17 means that since you’re a new creature in Christ you can’t fall away then how would one receive the gospel in vain? He is talking to the Corinthians, who had received (i.e. obeyed the gospel) and warning them not to fall away. The context shows the verse to teach the exact opposite of once-saved-always-saved!

The Bible is so full of statements to disprove the doctrine of once-saved-always-saved that it is somewhat amazing how many people have been deceived into believing it to be true. Notice several verses that reveal just how unscriptural it is:

• 1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

If it is not possible to fall away then who are they that make their faith shipwreck?

• 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

If it is not possible to fall away then who are they that the Holy Spirit said would depart from the faith?

• 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

If it is not possible to fall away then how could a Christian deny the faith and be worse than an unbeliever?

• 1 Timothy 5:11  But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12  Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

What is the first faith that these younger widows have cast off?

• 1 Timothy 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

If it is not possible to fall away then how does one err from the faith?

• 1 Timothy 6:20  O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21  Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

If it is not possible to fall away then how could one err concerning the faith?

• 2 Timothy 2:16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

If it is not possible to fall away then how can the faith of some be overthrown?

• Please read the whole second chapter of 2 Peter and explain what it means if it is not possible for a person to fall away. The only explanation for what Peter says there is that Christians need to be warned about falling away from the faith and the dire consequences! Notice especially 2 Peter 2:18-20. How will the Calvinist explain such a passage in light of his false doctrine!?!

• 1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

If it is not possible to fall away then what example does Israel serve for Christians in this passage? Oh yes, and how exactly is it that the Calvinist will say that a person can’t fall but Paul says to take heed lest you fall?

• Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Need I even make a comment here?

• Hebrews 6:4  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, 5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6  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. 7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

If a person that falls away never really was a Christian to begin with then how could they be renewed again unto repentance? Not to mention that they were “once enlightened,” they “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.” But the Calvinist will say that they were never really saved to begin with! How absurd!

• Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

I think at this point any further comments on my part would be overkill. I’ll just let the verses speak for themselves and pray that you, Calvinist, will repent of your error and obey the truth before its too late (Rom. 10:17; John 8:24; Acts 17:30; Rom. 10:10; Acts 22:16; Rev. 2:10).

• James 5:19  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.