Once saved, always saved?

The concept of "once saved always saved" (OSAS) is widely taught. However, a careful study through the Scriptures sheds light on whether it is Biblically accurate.

And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.

(Exodus 32:33) 

• If OSAS were true, how can a name be blotted out?

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

(Revelation 22:18-19) 

• If OSAS were true, how can a person be taken away from the Book of Life?

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

(Revelation 3:5) 

• If 'he who overcomes' will not be blotted out, what happens to those who do not overcome (while having a misplaced reliance on OSAS)?

For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

(Romans 11:21-22) 

• If OSAS were true, how can a believer be cut off?

But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

(Luke 8:13) 

• If OSAS were true, how can a person believe for a while and then fall away?

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-3) 

• If OSAS were true, how is the prophesy of falling away even possible?

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

(Acts 20:28-31) 

• If OSAS were true, how can shepherds (with the Holy Spirit) later become wolves?

• If OSAS were true, why does Paul shed tears and warn shepherds?

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked

(2 Peter 3:17)

• If OSAS were true, why does Peter warn believers about falling from steadfastness and being led away with the error of the wicked? How is this possible if OSAS were true?

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

(Revelation 3:16) 

• If OSAS were true, how can a person be inside the body of Christ, then expelled and vomited out?

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

(2 Peter 3:9) 

• If OSAS were true, how does Peter write of God's longsuffering toward believers who may perish? 

You need a new pastor. Keeping salvation is a work of the flesh only for those who walk according to the flesh. Such believers will not endure the trials of life. Having no root, they will fall away in time of temptation (Luke 8:13 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3). 

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. 

(Romans 8:1-9)

If you presently adhere to the OSAS doctrine, you are in extreme danger. It is widely taught and widely accepted, but it fails to align with Scripture and it is reflected in conduct that is carnal and of the flesh. While you may have love and adoration for your pastor or teacher, to whom is due greater love? There are absolutely assurances that believers have, confidence of salvation, confidence of redemption. It is reserved for wise virgins as taught by Jesus, and it is the foolish virgins who do not enter (Matthew 25:1-13).

The Bible says God's people perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). If OSAS were true, how can they perish if they're always saved?

The Bible also says judgement comes first to the church (1 Peter 4:17). If OSAS were true, how can God's judgement come to those who are always saved?

The following studies will help you understand with greater clarity.