Outline of Hebrews
THE MIRACLE OF UNBELIEF
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 3:7-12
JOHN CALVIN TAUGHT THE DOCTRINE OF "THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS" (In other words, "once saved, always saved")
A principle of Biblical interpretation is that Scripture cannot contradict Scripture
SOME PROOF TEXTS (of Calvinists)
John 5:24 – answer: we are now in hope of eternal life (Titus1:1, 2). We do not hope for what we have (Rom. 8:25). Eternal life is in the world to come (Mark10:30).
Romans 8:35-39 – answer: God has always loved us (John 3:16). Even while sinners (Rom. 5:8). We did not always love God (1 John 4:10). This Scripture teaches that external things cannot separate us from God’s love, but it does not teach that we cannot separate ourselves.
1 John 3:9 – answer: John does say Christians sin (1 John 1:8). If the "seed" abides in him, he will not sin. The "seed" is the Word of God (Luke 8:11). The "seed" can be taken away (Luke 8:12)
John 10:27-29 – answer: eternal life is conditional on "following me." Certainly "no man" can pluck the obedient out of the hand of God, but we can willfully do this ourselves.
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES:
The passage under review is written to Christians. The writer says "Take heed . . . evil heart of unbelief . . . departing from the living God"
So Christians could depart from God, otherwise why warn?
Hebrews 6:4-6 – "If they shall fall away"
Again, why warn if it is impossible?
Hebrews 10:23-29 – Note "he was sanctified" – Past tense
Galatians 5:4 – Men say, "You cannot fall from grace" (Eph. 2:8)
Paul says "You have fallen from grace"
John 15:1-6 – Everything is dependent on "abiding in me"
Luke 8:I3 – They did believe . . . and fell away
1 Timothy 4:1-3 – "some shall depart from the faith"
1 Corinthians 10:12 ". . . lest he fall"
