Category Archives: Soteriology

Salvation 2.0: Part 8.1: False teachers

The NT often condemns people called “false teachers.” Who are these people? I mean, does the condemnation of false teachers mean that every teacher who makes a mistake is damned? If not, then what errors damn and which do not? … Continue reading

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Salvation 2.0: Part 7.7: The strange case of Hymenaeus and Philetus

Commentators have long puzzled over these odd passages — (1Ti 1:18-20 ESV)  This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,  19 … Continue reading

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Salvation 2.0: Part 7.6: Peter’s Condemnation in Galatians

Little noted in our preaching is this passage— (Gal 2:11 ESV) But when Cephas [the apostle Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. The translation “stood condemned” is controversial, but it carries the … Continue reading

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Salvation 2.0: Part 7.5: Paul and Perseverance

We need to test our theory about falling away against other passages that deal with the question. Paul While Hebrews seems to very plainly teach that Christians might fall away, what about Paul? Those who teach perseverance of the saints … Continue reading

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Salvation 2.0: Part 7.4: How to fall away

So if that’s how we’re saved — by faith — then how might we fall away? Well, let’s not make this unnecessarily complicated. If faith is the path in, then losing one’s faith is the path out. We leave by going back … Continue reading

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Salvation 2.0: Part 7.3: “Walking in the light”

So let’s go back to 1 John 1:7, a crucially important passage — but in context — (1Jo 1:5-6 ESV) This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him … Continue reading

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Salvation 2.0: Part 7.2: “The teaching of Christ”

For some reason, 2 John 9 has become a favorite proof text among Church of Christ traditionalists. So let’s start with understanding what John is saying here. (2Jo 1:9 ESV) Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in … Continue reading

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Salvation 2.0: Part 6.8A: Baptism and the Temple

I’ve been reading Andrew McGowan’s Ancient Christian Worship: Early Church Practices in Social, Historical, and Theological Perspective, a fascinating account of early Christian worship. I just got to the chapter on baptism. Early on, McGowan says, Ritual baths, or miqva’ot, … Continue reading

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Salvation 2.0: Part 7.1: Falling away

If it’s possible to become saved, is it possible to become unsaved? Can we fall away? The Calvinist/Baptist position The Calvinist position is that the saints will necessarily persevere, so that falling away is impossible in the NT. The Holy … Continue reading

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Salvation 2.0: Part 6.8: The Impact and Symbolism of Baptism

I think the original design of baptism is not only God’s design, but the best possible design. God’s wisdom in providing for a confession followed by baptism of a believer is how churches ought to handle conversions. Words are necessary, … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Salvation 2.0, Soteriology, Uncategorized | 6 Comments