6 Arguments that Support the Doctrine of Eternal Security

My Outline

The following is an outline for a sermon I have preached a few times. It starts off with some arguments against the “once-saved-always-saved” position. The next part lists six basic arguments in favor of the eternal security of the believer.

Please keep something in mind as you consider the outline: evidence is cumulative. In the legal world it is called the “preponderance of evidence.” In other words, one bit of evidence might not convict, but the collection of evidence pointing in that direction, when overwhelming, leaves little other choice.

Of course, this is only an outline, not the sermon. However, take what I am giving you and print it off, do your own study, and then let me know your thoughts.

“Eternal Security” 

Arguments Against “Once Saved, Always Saved”

1. Observational – How people live that believe it.
2. Free Will – We are created with a will; we’re not slaves.
3. Scriptural* (Hebrews 6; 1 John 3:9; 5:18) *These passages, when used against the doctrine of eternal security, are most often themselves misunderstood or taken out of context.

Arguments FOR “Eternal Security”

1. Creational Argument: We are New Creations (2 Cor. 5:17)
   1. It took a supernatural act to change us
   2. We can’t act supernaturally to change us back
2. New Birth Argument: We are Born Again (John 3:7,16)
   1. By the Spirit – Jn 3:6
   2. By the Word of God – 1 Peter 1:23
   3. We are not God, so we must remain “born again”
3. Children of God Argument
   1. Born that way – 1 John 5:1; 1 Peter 1:23
   2. Adopted – Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5
   3. Abba – Gal. 4:1-7
4. The Possession Argument – We belong to Christ
   1. Purchased – 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 7:23 (Bought with a Price)
   2. Given by the Father – Jn. 6:37-40; 10:28-30
   3. Will never be separated – Rom. 8:35-39
   4. Romans 14:8 – For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
   5. He can keep what is His – 2 Tim. 1:12 “…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” See also: 2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
5. The Marriage Argument
   1. Ephesians 5:25-28, 31-32 – Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church…This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
   2. He is faithful, even when we are not.
      1. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 “…if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful…”
      2. He is God, not man! – Hosea 11:7-9
6. It’s a Gift
   1. 2:8-9 Gift of God, by grace
   2. Romans 11:29 KJV – For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance (irrevocable)