“Do A Christian's Sins Damn His Soul?“

Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ / March 11, 2007

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““Do A Christian's Sins Do A Christian's Sins Damn His Soul?“Damn His Soul?“

"We take the position that a "We take the position that a Christian's sins do not damn Christian's sins do not damn his soul. The way a Christian his soul. The way a Christian

lives, what he says, his lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people attitude toward other people

have nothing whatsoever to do have nothing whatsoever to do with the salvation of his with the salvation of his

soul…..all the sins a Christian soul…..all the sins a Christian may commit from idolatry to may commit from idolatry to

murder would not put his soul murder would not put his soul in any danger!" in any danger!"


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1. A child of God who does not abide in Christ will be lost (John 15; Romans 11)

2. A child of God can become an unbeliever and depart from God (Hebrews 3; 6; 10).

3. One having been justified can again be entangled in sin so as to be lost (I Corinthians 10; Galatians and 2 Peter)





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[[Barnes; Heb 3:6Barnes; Heb 3:6] - If we hold fast - A ] - If we hold fast - A leading object of this Epistle is to leading object of this Epistle is to

guard those to whom it was guard those to whom it was addressed against addressed against the danger of the danger of

apostasyapostasy. Hence, this is introduced . Hence, this is introduced on all suitable occasions, and the on all suitable occasions, and the apostle here says, that apostle here says, that the the only only

evidenceevidence which they could have that which they could have that they belonged to the family of Christ, they belonged to the family of Christ,

would be that they held fast the would be that they held fast the confidence which they had unto the confidence which they had unto the end.end. If they did not do that, it would If they did not do that, it would

demonstrate that they never demonstrate that they never belonged to his family, for evidence belonged to his family, for evidence of having belonged to his household of having belonged to his household

was to be furnished only by was to be furnished only by perseverance to the end.perseverance to the end.


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Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)

Therefore, holy brethren,

partakers of the heavenly calling,

consider the Apostle and High

Priest of our confession, Christ

Jesus,

Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)





Jesus,

Hebrews 3:12-14 (NKJV)

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; [13] but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any

of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. [14] For we

have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our

confidence steadfast to the end,


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Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)





Jesus,

Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)





Jesus,


[14] Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the

heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but

was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to

help in time of need.


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Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)





Jesus,

Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)





Jesus,


[22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He

who promised is faithful.


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BEWARE!!BEWARE!! A child of God CAN become A child of God CAN become

an unbeliever and depart an unbeliever and depart from God!from God!

A child of God CAN become A child of God CAN become hardened through the hardened through the deceitfulness of sin!!deceitfulness of sin!!

Being a partaker of Christ Being a partaker of Christ is conditioned upon the is conditioned upon the continuance of a steadfast continuance of a steadfast faith!!faith!!

Is ONE who has departed Is ONE who has departed from the living God from the living God SAVED??SAVED??


[12] Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; [13] but

exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today,"

lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of

sin. [14] For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold

the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the

end,


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Heb 3:17-19 (NKJV)

Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the

wilderness? [18] And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? [19] So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:1 (NKJV)

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest,

let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

Hebrews 4:11 (NKJV)

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall

according to the same example of disobedience.


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Hebrews 6:4-8 (NKJV) Hebrews 6:4-8 (NKJV) For it is impossible for those who were once For it is impossible for those who were once

enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, [5] and have tasted become partakers of the Holy Spirit, [5] and have tasted

the good word of God and the powers of the age to the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, [6] if they fall away, to renew them again to come, [6] if they fall away, to renew them again to

repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. [7] For the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. [7] For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it,

and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; [8] but if it cultivated, receives blessing from God; [8] but if it

bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. cursed, whose end is to be burned.


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Hebrews 6:4-5 (NKJV) For it is impossible for

those who were once enlightened, and have

tasted the heavenly gift, and have become

partakers of the Holy Spirit, [5] and have

tasted the good word of God and the powers of

the age to come,

G5461 – φωτιζω photizo“4) to enlighten, spiritually,

imbue with saving knowledge4a) to instruct, to inform,

teach4b) to give understanding

to” (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.663).


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the age to come,

Hebrews 10:32 (NKJV)

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, [5461] you endured a great struggle

with sufferings:


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the age to come,

Strong’s G1089 - γευομαι

Geuomai - ghyoo'-om-ahee

A primary verb; to taste; by implication to eat; figuratively to experience (good or

ill): - eat, taste.


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the age to come,

Hebrews 2:9 (NKJV) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the

angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God,

might taste death for everyone.


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the age to come,

Ephes. 2:8-9 (NKJV) [8] For by grace you have

been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works,

lest anyone should boast.


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the age to come,

Have Become Have Become Partakers Of The Partakers Of The Holy Spirit,Holy Spirit,

And Have Tasted And Have Tasted The Good Word Of The Good Word Of God God

And [have tasted] And [have tasted] The Powers Of The The Powers Of The Age To Come, Age To Come,


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Hebrews 6:6 (NKJV)

[6] if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since

they crucify again for themselves the Son

of God, and put Him to an open shame.

There is no ‘if’ in the There is no ‘if’ in the Greek in this placeGreek in this place

Literally,Literally, “and having “and having fallen away.” - (see ASV; fallen away.” - (see ASV; NAU; YLT, etc.)NAU; YLT, etc.)

““To Renew them again To Renew them again to repentance”to repentance” requires requires that they had in the past that they had in the past repented!! repented!! (You cannot (You cannot restore that which has restore that which has never been!!)never been!!)


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Hebrews 6:6 (NKJV)




““Nevertheless our Nevertheless our translators, following Beza, translators, following Beza, who without any authority who without any authority from the ancient MSS hath from the ancient MSS hath inserted in his version the inserted in his version the word, ‘if,’ have rendered word, ‘if,’ have rendered the clause, ‘if they fall the clause, ‘if they fall

away;’ that this text might away;’ that this text might not appear to contradict the not appear to contradict the

doctrine of the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints” perseverance of the saints” (James MacKnight [Presybterian], (James MacKnight [Presybterian],

Apostolical Epistles, 532).Apostolical Epistles, 532).


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Hebrews 6:6 (NKJV)




These individuals, who in the These individuals, who in the past were saved, have past were saved, have rejected the Christ, the cross rejected the Christ, the cross and the New Covenant and and the New Covenant and returned to the Old Law.returned to the Old Law.

It is possible for truly saved It is possible for truly saved persons to harden their persons to harden their hearts so as to become hearts so as to become insensible to the influence of insensible to the influence of truth.truth.

For it is impossible for those who were . . . to renew them again to repentance, (6:4,6)


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“Owen says, ‘The persons here intended are not true and sincere believers…’ But all this is clearly wrong, and contrary to the plainest sense of the terms here used. The writer even heaps clause upon clause to show that no such shallow tasting is intended. And the whole contextual argument is against the view, for it is the very fact of those persons having veritably entered in the spiritual life, which makes it impossible to renew them afresh if they shall fall away. If they have never entered it, if they are unregenerate, what possible logic is it, or even common sense at all, . . .

(Henry Alford, Alford’s Greek Testament, Exegetical and Critical Commentary, Volume IV, Page 113).


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“. . . to say that their shallow taste and partial apprehension, make it impossible to renew them…If they never have believed, never have been regenerated, how can it be more difficult to renew them to repentance, than the heathen or any unregenerate person? Our landmark of exegesis must be to hold fast to the plain simple sense of the passage, and recognize the fact that the persons are truly the partakers of spiritual life—regenerate by the Holy Spirit”(Henry Alford, Alford’s Greek Testament, Exegetical and

Critical Commentary, Volume IV, Page 113).


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“The best interpretation seems to be that this

passage refers to Jewish people only and their

rejection of the Messiah.” – (The Study of the

Doctrine of Salvation, pg. 99)

The fact remains – they were at one time SAVED

persons!! (3:1,12; 4:14; 5:12;

6:1,4,5)

The fact remains – they were at one time SAVED

persons!! (3:1,12; 4:14; 5:12;

6:1,4,5)


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Why would God warn those who were NOT His children of the

danger of apostasy??

Why would God warn those who were NOT His children of the

danger of apostasy??


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Hebrews 10:22-39 (NKJV) Hebrews 10:22-39 (NKJV) [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance

of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23]

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. [24] And let wavering, for He who promised is faithful. [24] And let

us consider one another in order to stir up love and us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but

exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. the Day approaching.


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Hebrews 10:22-39 (NKJV) Hebrews 10:22-39 (NKJV) [26] For if we sin willfully after we have received the [26] For if we sin willfully after we have received the

knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a certain fearful expectation sacrifice for sins, [27] but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. [28] Anyone who has rejected Moses' the adversaries. [28] Anyone who has rejected Moses'

law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] Of how much worse punishment, do witnesses. [29] Of how much worse punishment, do

you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common

thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?


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Hebrews 10:22-39 (NKJV) Hebrews 10:22-39 (NKJV) [30] For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I [30] For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I

will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into judge His people." [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [32] But recall the former the hands of the living God. [32] But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: [33] partly while you a great struggle with sufferings: [33] partly while you

were made a spectacle both by reproaches and were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions tribulations, and partly while you became companions

of those who were so treated; [34] for you had of those who were so treated; [34] for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted

the plundering of your goods, the plundering of your goods,


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Hebrews 10:22-39 (NKJV) Hebrews 10:22-39 (NKJV) . . . knowing that you have a better and an enduring . . . knowing that you have a better and an enduring

possession for yourselves in heaven. [35] Therefore do possession for yourselves in heaven. [35] Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. [36] For you have need of endurance, so that after you [36] For you have need of endurance, so that after you

have done the will of God, you may receive the have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: [37] "For yet a little while, And He who is promise: [37] "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. [38] Now the just coming will come and will not tarry. [38] Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul

has no pleasure in him." has no pleasure in him."

[39] But we are not of those who draw back to [39] But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the

soul. . soul. .


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Therefore, brethren, - Heb. Therefore, brethren, - Heb. 10:19; cf. 3:110:19; cf. 3:1

They had, by boldness, They had, by boldness, entered the holiest entered the holiest through the blood of Christ through the blood of Christ – 19– 19

BY the new and living way BY the new and living way that Jesus had consecrated that Jesus had consecrated for Christians, i.e. “US” – for Christians, i.e. “US” – 2020

Having Christ as High Having Christ as High Priest in the house of God Priest in the house of God – 21; cf. 3:5,6– 21; cf. 3:5,6


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[22] let [22] let usus draw near draw near with a true heart in full with a true heart in full assurance of faith, . . . assurance of faith, . . .

[23] Let [23] Let usus hold fast the hold fast the confession of our hope confession of our hope without wavering, for He without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. who promised is faithful.

[24] And [24] And let uslet us consider consider one another in order to stir one another in order to stir up love and good works, up love and good works,

[26] For [26] For if weif we sin willfully . sin willfully . . .. .


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[26] . . . after we have [26] . . . after we have received the received the knowledgeknowledge [επιγνωσις - epignosis][επιγνωσις - epignosis] of the of the truth, truth,

[29] Of how much worse [29] Of how much worse punishment, do you punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, the Son of God underfoot, counted counted the blood of the the blood of the covenantcovenant by whichby which he he was sanctifiedwas sanctified a common a common thing, and insulted the thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? Spirit of grace?


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[30] . . . "The Lord will [30] . . . "The Lord will judge His people." judge His people."

[32] But recall the former [32] But recall the former days in which, after you days in which, after you were illuminated, were illuminated,

[33] partly while you were [33] partly while you were made a spectacle both by made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, reproaches and tribulations, . . .. . .

[34] for you had [34] for you had compassion on me in my compassion on me in my chains, . . .chains, . . .


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[34] . . . knowing that you [34] . . . knowing that you have a better and an have a better and an enduring possession for enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. yourselves in heaven.

[35] Therefore do not cast [35] Therefore do not cast away your confidence, away your confidence, which has great reward.which has great reward.

[36] For you have need of [36] For you have need of endurance, so that after endurance, so that after you have done the will of you have done the will of God, you may receive the God, you may receive the promise: promise:


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[38] Now the just shall live [38] Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." pleasure in him."

[39] But we are not of those [39] But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. . the saving of the soul. .

Living by faith is a choice!!

How can you retreat from a position never occupied?


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Turn his back on the means Turn his back on the means of his past justification! of his past justification! [26; [26; cf. Rom 5:9]cf. Rom 5:9]

Trod under foot the Son of Trod under foot the Son of God! [29]God! [29]

Count the blood of the Count the blood of the covenant, wherewith he covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy was sanctified, an unholy thing! [29]thing! [29]

Resist the Holy Spirit’s Resist the Holy Spirit’s invitation of grace! [29]invitation of grace! [29]

[26] For if [26] For if we sin we sin willfully willfully

A Christian Can:A Christian Can:


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The CERTAIN fearful The CERTAIN fearful judgment of God, (27,30,31)judgment of God, (27,30,31)

The fiery indignation of God The fiery indignation of God (27)(27)

Worse punishment than Worse punishment than those who rejected Moses those who rejected Moses [28,29][28,29]

[26] For if [26] For if we sin we sin willfullywillfully

[27] but a [27] but a certain certain fearful fearful expectation expectation of of judgment, judgment, and fiery and fiery indignation indignation which will which will devour the devour the adversaries. adversaries.

A Christian who falls A Christian who falls into unbelief and into unbelief and rejects the gospel rejects the gospel will experience:will experience:


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“If a person rejects the truth of Christ’s death for sin,

there is no other sacrifice for sin available. Such unbelief

brings the threefold indictment in verse 29.” –

(The Study of the Doctrine of Salvation, pg. 99)The context clearly affirms

that it is possible for a believer to become guilty of

such unbelief!! (Proposition sustained)

The context clearly affirms that it is possible for a

believer to become guilty of such unbelief!!

(Proposition sustained)


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Why would God warn His children of a hypothetical

danger that is an

impossibility??

Why would God warn His children of a hypothetical

danger that is an

impossibility??


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“Do A Christian's Sins Damn His Soul?“

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