On one of the discussion boards there is a thread making some rather rash statements regarding what Arminians believe and adhere to regarding the eternal security of the believer. The author of the thread stated the following that I thought was rather telling of his particular ignorance in this matter.
How does an Arminian have a true-pure-peace of mind knowing at any moment one could lose his/her eternal life and become damned?
Arminians believe salvation is lost depending upon what one does, or doesn't do. How can an Arminian have any peace knowing his/her salvation rests upon what they do, or don't do?
Arminius addressed these matters in his Nine Questions as noted below.
May everyone who is a true believer be assured in this life of his individual salvation; and is it his duty to have this assurance?
Does justifying faith precede, in the order of nature, remission of sins, or does it not? And can any man be bound to any other faith than that which justifies?
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
Since God promises eternal life to all who believe in Christ, it is impossible for him who believes, and who knows that he believes, to doubt of his own salvation, unless he doubts of this willingness of God [to perform his promise.] But God does not require him to be better assured of his individual salvation as a duty which must be performed to himself or to Christ; but it is a consequence of that promise, by which God engages to bestow eternal life on him who believes.
10 comments:
Amen. There is blessed assurance and peace IN Jesus Christ (John 15:1-8). The Christian never need to fear if we are IN Christ Jesus by faith (Romans 5:1; 8:1, 38-39; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; 2 Cor. 1:24; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:21-23; Jude 21, 24-25; etc.).
What a great assurance we have knowing such things.
“Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1Pe 1:3-5 AV)
Michael,
if your salvation hinges on your performance of meritorious works, I fear for your salvation.
Dear A.M. Mallett,
I imagine your fear (for my salvation) is not about me, but unprocessed fear from your history.
I cannot speak for your imaginations but placing salvation contingent upon meritorious works is heresy. I'll not argue the matter here.
Michael, I have been patient but I am not going to be the recipient of RCC propaganda. Comment on Arminius' presentation of eternal security and you will have my interest.
Holding to a personal position, or one of heretical source, places one's eternal soul in jeopardy. Such people often become instruments that lead others to perdition.
Michael, I agree wholeheartedly that heretical sources such as Papal Rome can lead souls into jeopardy and that is why I moderate your comments. Roman Catholic dogma carries no authority or privilege on this site.
Michael,
I left your post up as an example of why I moderate you although I reserve the right to kill it as soon as I am sufficiently sickened by it. You are correct that I am anti-Catholicism although you are not correct in asserting I am "anti-you" if that was your intention.
Your prayer is to a dead woman albeit a saint in glory in my opinion. It is not made to the LORD and as such is an abominable prayer. I'll go further and state I consider it the work of the father of lies. Had you offered to pray to the LORD knowing that is our practice in faith (and should be yours as well) I would have had no objection.
Now, after getting that off my chest, I am exercising my reserved right. I'm killing your post and any other post you make that links to or promotes any aspect of Roman catholic dogma.
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