Salvation: Secure or Not
(2) 15 Chapter Titles
- The Danger of Misinterpretation: Rightly Dividing the Word
- Paul, Barnabas, and Mark: Disagreement and Restoration
- The Departure of Demas: Loving This Present World
- Can Salvation Be Lost? Exploring Apostasy in the Scriptures
- The Warning of Hebrews 6: Falling Away or Spiritual Admonition?
- Delivered to Satan: The Flesh Destroyed, the Spirit Saved
- The Unforgivable Sin: Blasphemy Against the Holy Ghost
- Perseverance and Security: The Eternal Seal of the Holy Spirit
- Faith and Eternal Life: Jesus’ Assurance to Believers
- The Role of Unbelief: Israel’s Stumbling and Spiritual Blindness
- Were They Ever Saved? Examining True and False Professions of Faith
- God’s Unchanging Promise: The Immutability of Salvation
- Warnings vs. Certainties: How to Interpret Conditional Texts
- Spiritual Endurance: Finishing the Race Without Turning Back
- Conclusion: Holding Fast to Sound Doctrine and the Security of the Redeemed
Introduction: Rightly Dividing the Word: Avoiding Misinterpretation and Spiritual Shipwreck
The Holy Scriptures, particularly the King James Version (KJV), present the believer with a treasury of divine truth. Yet, within this sacred text lie passages that challenge the reader, stirring both deep reflection and, at times, confusion. When addressing doctrines such as salvation, perseverance, and the security of the believer, many find themselves caught between verses that warn of falling away and those that affirm the eternal safety of the redeemed.
This book arises from the necessity to guide earnest students of God’s Word away from the dangers of misinterpretation. Scripture itself warns against “wresting” the Word to our destruction (2 Peter 3:16 KJV), and we are exhorted to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). To force meaning upon a passage without regard for its full biblical context is to risk doctrinal shipwreck.
Our purpose is singular yet weighty: to compare difficult and seemingly contradictory verses within the KJV and arrive at sound conclusions based solely on Scripture. Many have asked, "Can a truly saved person lose salvation?" Others ponder, "Were they ever saved to begin with?" The answers to such questions are not to be plucked from isolated verses but must be rooted in the entire counsel of God’s Word.
For example, we will examine Paul’s interaction with Mark and Barnabas, as recorded in Acts and later in Paul’s pastoral epistles. Initially, Paul and Barnabas disagreed sharply over Mark’s reliability (Acts 15:36-40 KJV), yet later, Paul acknowledges Mark as “profitable” (2 Timothy 4:11 KJV). Contrast this with the sad departure of Demas, who "loved this present world" (2 Timothy 4:10 KJV). How do these personal narratives illuminate the broader theological concept of perseverance and apostasy?
We will also scrutinize one of the most difficult passages in Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV, which describes those who were "once enlightened" yet later fall away. Does this indicate a true loss of salvation, or does it warn against something else? Similarly, Paul’s instruction to deliver a believer to Satan "for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved" (1 Corinthians 5:5 KJV) will be carefully weighed.
Moreover, we will address the fearful declaration of an “unforgivable sin” (Matthew 12:31 KJV) and ask, can a believer commit such a sin? And what of Jesus' assurance, “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47 KJV)? How do these promises reconcile with warnings of falling away?
Throughout this journey, we will compare Scripture with Scripture, drawing on the full breadth of the KJV to avoid fragmented or forced conclusions. We shall emphasize patterns of expression and consistent theological threads running through both Old and New Testaments.
The heart of this book is faithfulness to the Word, guarding against careless interpretation. We will explore the roles of unbelief, endurance, divine chastisement, and the Holy Spirit’s seal. Ultimately, our prayer is that this book will strengthen your confidence in the promises of God while sharpening your discernment as you approach difficult passages.
May the reader approach with humility, "searching the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11 KJV).
Chapter 1: Paul, Barnabas, and Mark – Disagreement and Restoration
The Apostle Paul, a pillar of New Testament doctrine, is well known for his unwavering dedication to the ministry of the Gospel. Yet, even Paul encountered moments of sharp contention, as demonstrated in his relationship with Barnabas and John Mark. Through their interactions, we gain valuable insight into human frailty, spiritual perseverance, and the broader implications for interpreting salvation and apostasy.
The Dispute Over Mark
In the Book of Acts, we find a pivotal moment that sets the stage for an enduring question: how do we reconcile human failure with divine perseverance?
Acts 15:36-40 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”
“며칠 후에 바울이 바나바에게 이르되, 우리가 주의 말씀을 선포한 모든 도시로 다시 가서 형제들이 어떠한지 살펴보자, 하니라. 바나바는 마가라고 하는 요한도 데리고 가기를 원하였으나 바울은 그가 밤빌리아에서 자기들을 떠나 일하러 함께 가지 아니하였으므로 데리고 가는 것이 좋지 않다고 생각하였더라. 그리하여 그들 사이에 날카로운 분쟁이 일어나 그들이 서로 갈라서니 바나바는 마가를 데리고 배를 타고 키프로스로 가고 바울은 실라를 택하고 형제들에게 하나님의 은혜에 부탁을 받은 뒤에 떠나가며”
Here we encounter a disagreement over Mark, who had earlier departed from Paul and Barnabas during their missionary journey (Acts 13:13 KJV). Paul viewed Mark’s departure as desertion, making him unfit for further missionary work. Barnabas, known as “the son of consolation” (Acts 4:36 KJV), desired to give Mark another chance.
The sharpness of this dispute resulted in their separation. This event brings to the forefront human weakness within ministry partnerships. Even apostles could disagree vehemently, demonstrating that ministry workers, though filled with the Spirit, are still prone to differing convictions.
Restoration and Reconciliation
While this disagreement may seem discouraging at first, the narrative does not end in permanent division. Years later, Paul’s epistles reveal a heart softened toward Mark, signaling reconciliation and the maturity of grace.
2 Timothy 4:11 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
“누가만 나와 함께 있느니라. 마가를 데리고 올 때 네와 함께 데리고 오라. 그가 내 사역에 유익하니라.”
Colossians 4:10 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)”
“나와 함께 갇힌 아리스타고가 너희에게 무난하며 바나바의 조카 마가도 무난하니 (너희가 그에 관하여 명령을 받았은즉 그가 너희에게 가거든 영접하라.)”
These references reveal Mark’s restoration in Paul’s eyes. Mark, once rejected for ministry, is now deemed “profitable.” Not only is Mark back in good standing, but he is also actively serving alongside Paul, indicating perseverance in faith despite previous failures.
The Contrast with Demas
The restoration of Mark stands in stark contrast with another of Paul’s companions—Demas.
2 Timothy 4:10 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”
“데마는 이 현 세상을 사랑하여 나를 버리고 데살로니가로 떠났고, 크레스게는 갈라디아로, 디도는 달마니아로 갔느니라.”
Unlike Mark, Demas, who had once labored alongside Paul (Philemon 1:24 KJV), eventually abandoned the ministry, seduced by the allure of the present world. This pattern repeats elsewhere in Scripture, where some walk the narrow way but later return to the broad path leading to destruction.
Demas and Mark illustrate two diverging paths—one of repentance and restoration, and the other of apostasy. Mark demonstrates how a stumble is not necessarily a fall from grace, while Demas exemplifies one who, after professing faith, departs.
Lessons on Perseverance and Falling Away
What can be learned from this contrast? First, perseverance is not a perfect record of obedience but a continual return to the narrow way. Mark's initial failure did not define his future, whereas Demas’s departure reflected a heart captured by worldly affections.
This speaks to a broader biblical principle: not all who start the race finish it, but those who finish are those who endure by God’s grace.
Matthew 24:13 (KJV, 흠정역):
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
“그러나 끝까지 견디는 자는 구원을 받으리라.”
Mark endured. Though he faltered, he did not fall permanently. Demas, however, illustrates the sobering reality of apostasy—a persistent abandonment of faith and mission.
Theological Reflection
Do Mark and Demas prove that salvation can be lost? Or do they show the difference between temporary setbacks and ultimate rejection? The coming chapters will delve deeper into whether these narratives suggest a loss of salvation or a demonstration of who truly belonged to Christ.
For now, one must hold to the tension found in Scripture, recognizing that even Paul, the great apostle, experienced disappointments, restorations, and heartbreaks within his ministry circle.
As we move forward, we will examine more deeply the concept of falling away from faith. Is it a forfeiture of salvation or evidence of never having possessed saving faith to begin with?
Chapter 2: Can a Believer Fall Away? Examining Apostasy in Scripture
The Bible, especially in the King James Version (KJV), presents sobering warnings about the possibility of falling away. Do these warnings indicate the loss of salvation, or are they directed at those who never truly possessed saving faith? This chapter will examine key passages that describe apostasy and compare them with verses that affirm the security of salvation.
The Warning in Hebrews 6:4-6
One of the most cited passages regarding apostasy is found in Hebrews.
Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
“한번 비췸을 받고 하늘의 선물을 맛보며 성령님께 참여한 자들이 또 하나님의 선한 말씀과 오는 세상의 권능들을 맛보고도 떨어져 나가면 다시 새롭게 하여 회개하게 하는 것이 불가능하니 이는 그들이 하나님의 아들을 다시 십자가에 못 박아 드러내 놓고 욕되게 하기 때문이라.”
This passage is frequently interpreted as evidence that believers can lose salvation. It describes individuals who have experienced profound spiritual realities—enlightenment, tasting the heavenly gift, partaking of the Holy Ghost, tasting the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. Yet, it concludes with the warning that if they fall away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance.
The severity of this warning demands a careful, contextual understanding. Does it describe true believers losing salvation, or is it referring to those who were near the faith but never genuinely born again?
The Example of 2 Peter 2:20-22
Another challenging passage is found in Peter’s epistle:
2 Peter 2:20-22 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
“그들이 주 곧 구주 예수 그리스도를 아는 것을 통해 세상의 오염에서 벗어났다가 다시 그 안에 얽매여 지게 되면 그 마지막 상태가 처음보다 더 나쁘게 되느니라. 의의 길을 안 뒤에 자기들에게 전해진 거룩한 명령에서 돌아서는 것보다는 차라리 알지 못하는 것이 그들에게 더 나았으리라. 그러나 참 속담대로 개가 자기의 토한 것으로 돌아가고 돼지가 씻고도 진흙탕에서 뒹군다는 말이 그들에게 일어났도다.”
These verses describe individuals who appear to have escaped the world’s corruption through the knowledge of Jesus Christ but later return to their former ways. The imagery of the dog returning to vomit and the washed sow returning to mire is striking. It suggests a return to an unchanged nature—despite outward appearances of reform, there was no inward transformation.
Were They Ever Truly Saved?
This leads to the pivotal question: did these individuals lose salvation, or were they never truly regenerate? The apostle John provides clarity:
1 John 2:19 (KJV, 흠정역):
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
“그들이 우리에게서 나갔으나 우리에게 속하지 아니하였나니 만일 우리에게 속하였더라면 그들이 계속 우리와 함께 거하였으리라. 그러나 그들이 나간 것은 그들이 다 우리에게 속하지 아니함을 나타내려 함이니라.”
John explains that apostates were never truly part of the faithful. Their departure reveals the absence of genuine conversion. The comparison between Hebrews, 2 Peter, and John suggests that those who fall away may have tasted the blessings of the Christian community and witnessed the power of the Gospel without ever being born again.
Salvation’s Security in the KJV
In contrast, the KJV offers strong assurances of the believer’s eternal security.
John 10:28-29 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
“내가 그들에게 영원한 생명을 주노니 그들이 결코 멸망하지 아니할 것이요 또 아무도 내 손에서 그들을 빼앗지 못하리라. 그들을 내게 주신 내 아버지는 모든 것보다 크시매 아무도 내 아버지의 손에서 능히 빼앗지 못하느니라.”
Jesus' words declare the permanence of salvation for His sheep. They “shall never perish,” reinforcing the truth that true believers are secure in Christ.
Reconciling the Tension
How then do we reconcile these apparent contradictions? A biblical pattern emerges: warnings against apostasy serve as a means of exhortation and examination. They provoke self-assessment, calling individuals to ensure they are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). However, when set alongside passages that affirm the security of those truly born of God, the conclusion leans toward understanding apostasy as revealing a false profession rather than the forfeiture of genuine salvation.
Conclusion
The tension in these texts should not lead to despair but to a sober reflection on one's relationship with Christ. As we move to the next chapter, we will examine Hebrews 6 in greater detail, comparing its language with other portions of Scripture.
Chapter 3: The Challenge of Hebrews 6:4-6 – A Deeper Examination
Hebrews 6:4-6 is one of the most debated passages in Scripture concerning salvation and apostasy. Does this passage teach that genuine believers can lose salvation, or is it addressing another reality altogether? Let us carefully analyze this section verse by verse, relying solely on the King James Version (KJV) and comparing Scripture with Scripture.
The Passage in Focus
Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
“한번 비췸을 받고 하늘의 선물을 맛보며 성령님께 참여한 자들이 또 하나님의 선한 말씀과 오는 세상의 권능들을 맛보고도 떨어져 나가면 다시 새롭게 하여 회개하게 하는 것이 불가능하니 이는 그들이 하나님의 아들을 다시 십자가에 못 박아 드러내 놓고 욕되게 하기 때문이라.”
At face value, the passage appears to describe individuals with profound spiritual experiences who subsequently fall away. Let us now examine each element to discern its meaning.
"Once Enlightened"
Being “enlightened” often refers to receiving spiritual understanding or illumination.
Compare:
John 1:9 (KJV, 흠정역):
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
“그 빛은 참 빛으로 세상에 오는 모든 사람을 비추느니라.”
Christ gives light to every person, yet not all who are enlightened are saved. Many hear the Gospel and perceive its truth but do not embrace it in saving faith.
"Tasted of the Heavenly Gift"
To “taste” is to experience to some degree, yet not necessarily to fully partake.
Compare:
Matthew 27:34 (KJV, 흠정역):
“They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.”
“그들이 쓸개를 탄 식초를 예수님께 주어 마시게 하였으나 예수님께서 맛보신 뒤 마시기를 원하지 아니하시더라.”
Jesus tasted but did not fully drink. Similarly, many may taste the heavenly gift—the blessings of Gospel truth—without fully drinking it by faith.
"Partakers of the Holy Ghost"
Being a “partaker” of the Holy Ghost could imply exposure to His work, not necessarily regeneration.
Compare:
Hebrews 3:14 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.”
“우리가 처음 확신한 것을 끝까지 굳게 잡으면 그리스도의 동료가 되었느니라.”
Partaking is conditional upon perseverance. There is a corporate aspect of experiencing the Spirit’s work within the church community without inward transformation.
"Tasted the Good Word of God and the Powers of the World to Come"
These individuals were exposed to the life-giving message of Scripture and witnessed spiritual power, possibly through signs, wonders, or the work of the Spirit within the body of believers.
Compare:
Matthew 7:22-23 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
“그 날에 많은 사람들이 내게 이르기를, 주여, 주여, 우리가 주의 이름으로 대언하지 아니하였나이까? 또 주의 이름으로 마귀들을 내쫓지 아니하였나이까? 또 주의 이름으로 많은 놀라운 일들을 행하지 아니하였나이까? 하리니 그때에 내가 그들에게 밝히 말하되, 나는 너희를 전혀 알지 못하였노라. 불법을 행하는 자들아, 내게서 떠나 가라, 하리라.”
This indicates that one can perform acts of power and yet never be known by Christ.
"If They Shall Fall Away"
The Greek tense here suggests an irreversible action—a decisive departure, not merely backsliding.
Does This Indicate Loss of Salvation?
Given the full counsel of Scripture, it is reasonable to interpret this passage as referring to individuals who have come close to salvation but never fully entered into it.
Hebrews 4:2 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”
“우리에게도 복음이 전파된 것같이 그들에게도 전파되었으나 그 말씀이 듣는 자들에게 믿음과 섞이지 아니하므로 유익을 주지 못하였느니라.”
They heard, tasted, and saw but never combined the truth with saving faith.
A Warning, Not a Contradiction
The impossibility of being “renewed again unto repentance” emphasizes the finality of rejecting Christ after fully experiencing His Gospel without true conversion. This does not contradict the eternal security of genuine believers but warns against superficial engagement with Christ’s truth.
The Immutability of God's Promise
God’s promises are sure.
Hebrews 6:17-19 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.”
“하나님께서 약속의 상속자들에게 자신의 계획이 변하지 아니함을 더 풍성히 보여 주시려고 그것을 맹세로 확증하셨나니 이것은 하나님께서 거짓말하실 수 없는 두 가지 변하지 아니하는 것들로 말미암아 앞에 놓인 소망을 붙잡으려고 도피처에 피한 우리에게 강한 위로를 주려 하심이라. 우리가 이 소망을 혼의 닻으로 가지고 있나니 그것은 확실하고 견고하여 휘장 안으로 들어가나니”
For those who are truly heirs of the promise, hope is secure and unchanging.
Conclusion
Hebrews 6:4-6 is not a contradiction to the doctrine of eternal security but a grave warning to those who play at the edges of salvation without surrendering in faith. True believers are secured by God’s immutable promises and cannot lose what God has given (Romans 11:29 KJV, 흠정역: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” / “하나님의 선물들과 부르심은 뜻을 돌이키심이 없느니라.”).
In the next chapter, we will examine Paul's teaching on delivering a believer to Satan in 1 Corinthians 5:5 to further explore how God disciplines His people without jeopardizing their salvation.
Chapter 4: The Meaning of “Delivered to Satan” – Understanding 1 Corinthians 5:5
The Apostle Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 5:5 has long intrigued students of Scripture. It speaks of handing over a professing believer to Satan “for the destruction of the flesh” with the aim that “the spirit may be saved.” This chapter will analyze this difficult passage within the broader context of divine discipline and eternal security, as found in the KJV Bible.
The Corinthian Crisis
The Corinthian church was plagued with spiritual immaturity and moral compromise. Paul addresses a specific case of grave sin in their midst:
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (KJV, 흠정역):
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”
“너희 가운데 음행이 있다 하는 것이 일반적으로 들리는데 그런 음행은 이방인들 가운데서도 있다고 하지 아니하는 것이라. 즉 어떤 자가 자기 아버지의 아내를 취하였도다. 너희가 교만하여 오히려 슬퍼하지 아니하였으니 이런 일을 행한 자를 너희 가운데서 제거하는 것이 마땅하지 아니하냐?”
Paul rebukes the Corinthian believers for tolerating gross immorality within the church without sorrow or discipline. This lack of action threatened the spiritual health of the entire assembly.
The Instruction to Deliver to Satan
Paul’s response is decisive:
1 Corinthians 5:5 (KJV, 흠정역):
“To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
“그런 자를 사탄에게 넘겨 주어 육체는 멸하고 영은 주 예수님의 날에 구원을 받게 하라.”
What Does “Delivering to Satan” Mean?
In the New Testament, to “deliver unto Satan” generally refers to removing a believer from the protective fellowship and covering of the church, exposing them to the world’s domain, where Satan’s influence is operative.
Compare:
1 Timothy 1:20 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
“그들 중에 후메내오와 알렉산더가 있는데 내가 그들을 사탄에게 넘겨 주었으니 이것은 그들이 신성모독하지 못하도록 배우게 하려 함이라.”
This disciplinary action aims to provoke repentance through affliction and hardship outside the church’s protection.
The Purpose of Destruction of the Flesh
The “destruction of the flesh” here is not necessarily physical death, but rather the breaking of carnal tendencies, sinful desires, or even severe suffering that weakens the sinner’s attachment to sin.
Compare:
Romans 8:13 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
“너희가 육신을 따라 살면 반드시 죽을 것이로되 성령을 통해 몸의 행실들을 죽이면 살리니”
Delivering someone to Satan for the destruction of the flesh is a disciplinary measure, where God's chastisement allows temporal suffering, ultimately aiming to bring the person back to repentance.
Does This Indicate Loss of Salvation?
Paul’s wording is significant: “that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” This suggests that the ultimate goal of this severe discipline is the salvation—not the destruction—of the individual’s soul.
Compare:
Hebrews 12:6 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
“주께서 자기 사랑하는 자를 징계하시고 자신이 받아들이시는 아들마다 채찍질하심이라.”
God’s chastening can be severe, but it is always with the intention of restoration and growth. The Corinthian offender’s discipline serves as a warning to the church and a means of reclaiming a wayward believer.
Church Discipline: Corporate and Personal
The removal of the individual from the congregation was also a protective measure for the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 5:6-7 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”
“너희가 자랑하는 것이 좋지 아니하도다. 너희가 알지 못하느냐? 적은 누룩이 온 덩어리를 부풀게 하느니라. 그러므로 너희는 누룩 없는 자들인 것 같이 새 덩어리가 되기 위하여 묵은 누룩을 제거하라. 심지어 우리를 위하여 희생되신 우리의 유월절 어린양 그리스도께서 희생되셨느니라.”
Unchecked sin contaminates the entire body. The church is called to uphold holiness, and discipline, though painful, is necessary for preserving the sanctity of the assembly.
Repentance and Restoration
Remarkably, in 2 Corinthians 2:6-8, Paul encourages the church to forgive and comfort a repentant offender, who many believe to be the same individual from 1 Corinthians 5.
2 Corinthians 2:6-8 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.”
“그 사람에게는 많은 이들로부터 받은 그러한 징계로 족하니라. 그러므로 너희는 도리어 그를 용서하고 위로할 것이요, 그렇지 않으면 그러한 사람이 너무 많은 근심에 잠겨 삼켜질까 염려하노라. 그러므로 내가 너희에게 간청하노니 너희가 그를 향한 너희의 사랑을 그에게 확증하라.”
This shows that the goal of discipline is always restoration, not condemnation.
Theological Implication
This passage, when considered alongside Hebrews 12 and other texts, affirms that God disciplines His children, sometimes severely, but not to revoke salvation. Instead, discipline serves as a means to preserve the believer’s eternal destiny by turning them away from destruction.
1 Corinthians 11:32 (KJV, 흠정역):
“But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
“우리가 판단을 받을 때 주께 징계받는 것은 우리가 세상과 함께 정죄받지 아니하게 하려 함이니라.”
Conclusion
1 Corinthians 5:5 does not depict the loss of salvation but reveals the seriousness of church discipline as a corrective tool within God’s sovereign plan. Even in handing someone over to Satan, the objective is salvation and restoration, not spiritual ruin.
In the next chapter, we will explore the “unforgivable sin” of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, as taught by Jesus, and consider whether such a sin pertains to true believers or only to hardened unbelievers.
Chapter 5: The Unforgivable Sin – Blasphemy Against the Holy Ghost
Among the teachings of Jesus Christ, few are as sobering and mysterious as the warning concerning the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Many have asked whether this sin could be committed by believers and whether it results in the forfeiture of salvation. This chapter will explore this teaching as found in the KJV Bible and seek to clarify its meaning within the broader context of God’s Word.
Jesus’ Warning in Matthew, Mark, and Luke
Matthew 12:31-32 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
“그러므로 내가 너희에게 이르노니, 사람에게는 모든 죄와 신성모독이 용서되려니와 성령님을 대적하는 신성모독은 사람에게 용서되지 아니하리라. 누구든지 사람의 아들을 거슬러 말하면 용서받으려니와 누구든지 성령님을 거슬러 말하면 이 세상에서도, 오는 세상에서도 용서받지 못하리라.”
Mark 3:28-30 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.”
“진실로 내가 너희에게 이르노니, 사람의 아들들에게는 모든 죄들이 용서되고 또 그들이 신성모독하는 어떤 신성모독도 용서되려니와 누구든지 성령님을 대적하여 신성모독하는 자는 결코 용서받지 못하고 영원한 정죄에 처하게 되느니라. 이는 그들이 말하기를, 그가 부정한 영을 가졌다, 하였기 때문이니라.”
Luke 12:10 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.”
“누구든지 사람의 아들을 거슬러 말하면 용서받으려니와 성령님을 대적하여 신성모독하는 자는 용서받지 못하리라.”
The Context of the Warning
In each instance, Jesus issues this warning in response to the Pharisees, who accused Him of casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub (Satan), thereby attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to the devil.
Matthew 12:24 (KJV, 흠정역):
“But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”
“그러나 바리새인들은 그것을 듣고 이르되, 이 자가 마귀들의 통치자 벨세붑의 힘을 빌려 마귀들을 내쫓는다, 하거늘”
The Pharisees were not simply skeptical; they knowingly and willfully rejected the clear work of the Holy Spirit through Christ, accusing the Spirit’s work of being demonic. Their hearts were hardened, and they exhibited willful unbelief, despite undeniable evidence.
What is Blasphemy Against the Holy Ghost?
Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, as depicted here, is more than mere unbelief or ignorance. It is a deliberate and conscious rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Christ, attributing the Spirit’s miraculous work to Satan.
This deliberate rejection leads to a state where repentance is no longer possible, as the person has closed themselves off to the very agent (the Holy Spirit) who brings conviction and the possibility of repentance.
Compare:
John 16:8 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
“그분께서 오시면 세상을 죄와 의와 심판에 대하여 꾸짖으시리라.”
If a person rejects the Spirit’s testimony and attributes it to evil, they shut the door on salvation itself.
Can a True Believer Commit This Sin?
Scripture does not depict any true believer as guilty of this sin. The New Testament affirms that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13 KJV) and that God’s Spirit bears witness with their spirit (Romans 8:16 KJV).
Romans 8:16 (KJV, 흠정역):
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
“그 성령님께서 친히 우리의 영과 더불어 우리가 하나님의 자녀인 것을 증언하시나니”
True believers, though capable of sin, are not depicted as those who would accuse the Spirit of being evil. The blasphemy described here appears to be the fruit of a hardened and unbelieving heart.
The Danger of Persistent Unbelief
This warning serves as a grave caution against prolonged unbelief and a call to respond to the Spirit’s conviction. The longer one resists the Spirit, the more hardened the heart becomes, potentially leading to a condition where repentance is no longer sought.
Compare:
Hebrews 3:12-13 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
“형제들아, 삼가 너희 중에 어떤 사람에게라도 살아 계신 하나님을 떠나는 악한 믿지 아니하는 마음이 있을까 염려하고, 오히려 오늘이라 불리는 동안 매일 서로 곤면하여 너희 중에 아무도 죄의 속임수로 인해 마음이 완고하게 되지 아니하게 하라.”
Not a Sin of Weakness or Ignorance
It is important to note that Jesus distinguishes blasphemy against the Holy Ghost from other sins, including sins of ignorance and weakness. Even those who denied Christ under duress, like Peter, found forgiveness.
Luke 22:61-62 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”
“주께서 돌이켜 베드로를 보시니 베드로가 주의 말씀을 기억하되, 곧 그분께서 자기에 이르시기를, 오늘 닭이 울기 전에 네가 세 번 나를 부인하리라, 하신 말을 기억하고, 베드로가 밖으로 나가서 몹시 슬피 울더라.”
Conclusion
Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is a sin arising from a heart that, despite knowing the truth, attributes the Holy Spirit’s work to evil. It is an ultimate, willful rejection of the Spirit’s testimony concerning Jesus Christ.
There is no evidence that a truly regenerate believer, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, can commit this sin. Rather, it stands as a warning primarily to hardened unbelievers.
In the next chapter, we will explore the security of salvation for those who truly believe, asking whether God’s promises of eternal life can be broken.
Chapter 6: The Security of Salvation – Can It Be Lost?
The doctrine of eternal security—often summarized as “once saved, always saved”—is one of the most comforting teachings found in the Word of God. Yet, when considered alongside warnings of apostasy, it raises questions for many believers. This chapter will explore key KJV passages affirming the eternal nature of salvation and will reconcile them with earlier warnings of falling away.
The Promise of Eternal Life
The Bible repeatedly affirms that eternal life is precisely that—eternal. Those who believe in Christ possess a salvation that is not temporary or conditional upon human strength.
John 3:16 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“하나님께서 세상을 이처럼 사랑하사 자신의 독생자를 주셨으니 이것은 누구든지 그를 믿는 자는 멸망하지 않고 영존하는 생명을 얻게 하려 하심이라.”
John 5:24 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
“진실로 진실로 내가 너희에게 이르노니, 내 말을 듣고 또 나를 보내신 분을 믿는 자는 영존하는 생명을 얻고 정죄에 이르지 아니하며 사망에서 생명으로 옮겨졌느니라.”
Notice the present tense: “hath everlasting life.” This possession of eternal life is immediate upon faith and is not postponed to a future judgment.
The Father's Unbreakable Hand
Jesus makes an emphatic declaration regarding the security of His sheep.
John 10:28-29 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
“내가 그들에게 영원한 생명을 주노니 그들이 결코 멸망하지 아니할 것이요 또 아무도 내 손에서 그들을 빼앗지 못하리라. 그들을 내게 주신 내 아버지는 모든 것보다 크시매 아무도 내 아버지의 손에서 능히 빼앗지 못하느니라.”
The security of the believer rests in both the Son’s and the Father’s sovereign grip. There is no external force capable of severing this divine hold.
No Separation from God’s Love
Paul echoes this truth in Romans:
Romans 8:38-39 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“내가 확신하노니 사망이나 생명이나 천사들이나 권세자들이나 권능들이나 현재 일들이나 다가올 일들이나, 높음이나 깊음이나 다른 어떤 창조물이라도 능히 우리를 하나님 곧 우리 주 예수 그리스도 안에 있는 하나님의 사랑에서 떼어 놓을 수 없으리라.”
This passage exhaustively declares that nothing in all creation, not even future events or spiritual powers, can separate believers from God’s love in Christ.
The Seal of the Holy Spirit
Believers are also sealed by the Holy Spirit, a divine pledge guaranteeing their inheritance.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV, 흠정역):
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
“너희도 진리의 말씀 곧 너희 구원의 복음을 듣고 그분을 신뢰한 뒤에 믿은 후에 약속의 그 거룩하신 영으로 인침을 받았느니라. 그분은 우리의 상속 유업의 보증이시며, 하나님의 소유가 구속받을 때까지 우리를 인치시어 그의 영광을 찬양하게 하시는 분이시니라.”
The Spirit’s seal is God’s unbreakable promise that the believer’s salvation will be fully realized.
Ephesians 4:30 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
“하나님의 거룩하신 성령님을 근심하게 하지 말라. 너희가 그분으로 말미암아 구속의 날까지 인침을 받았느니라.”
Believers are sealed “unto the day of redemption,” further affirming the enduring nature of this salvation.
Reconciling the Tension
How do we reconcile these assurances with earlier warnings about falling away?
The biblical pattern shows that warnings serve to:
- Expose false professions of faith (1 John 2:19 KJV)
- Encourage believers to persevere (Hebrews 3:14 KJV)
- Highlight God’s active role in disciplining His children (Hebrews 12:6 KJV)
God’s Faithfulness
Philippians 1:6 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
“너희 안에서 선한 일을 시작하신 분께서 예수 그리스도의 날까지 그 일을 이루실 줄을 내가 확신하노라.”
Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end. What God begins, He finishes.
Does this Mean Believers are Free to Sin?
Some may argue that eternal security promotes licentiousness. However, Scripture teaches the opposite. Those truly saved will show evidence of their salvation through perseverance and growth.
Romans 6:1-2 (KJV, 흠정역):
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
“그러면 우리가 무슨 말을 하리요? 은혜가 넘치게 하려고 죄 안에 거하겠느냐? 결코 그럴 수 없느니라. 죄에 대하여 죽은 우리가 어찌 그 안에서 더 살리요?”
Conclusion
The eternal security of the believer is firmly established in Scripture. True salvation is the work of God, sealed by the Spirit, and guaranteed until the day of redemption. Yet, this security does not negate the seriousness of warnings in Scripture. These warnings are means of preserving the elect, exposing the false, and spurring true believers on to godliness.
In the next chapter, we will explore Jesus' personal interactions regarding belief and assurance of eternal life, focusing on His dialogue with Martha and His teaching on faith’s enduring efficacy.
Chapter 7: Jesus’ Teachings on Belief and Eternal Life
The words of Jesus Christ regarding belief and eternal life are among the clearest affirmations of salvation’s security and its immediate, enduring effect. In this chapter, we will examine the Lord’s personal dialogue with Martha in John 11 and other key passages where Jesus reveals the certainty of eternal life for the believer. These teachings further emphasize the contrast between unbelief and genuine, enduring faith.
The Assurance Given to Martha
The resurrection of Lazarus offers not only a miraculous event but also a profound theological teaching regarding eternal life.
John 11:25-26 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
“예수님께서 그녀에게 이르시되, 나는 부활이요 생명이니 나를 믿는 자는 죽어도 살겠고, 누구든지 살아서 나를 믿는 자는 결코 죽지 아니하리니 이것을 네가 믿느냐?”
The Certainty of Belief
Jesus does not speak conditionally or ambiguously. He declares that belief in Him results in life beyond physical death (“though he were dead, yet shall he live”) and eternal preservation (“shall never die”).
Martha’s response is one of affirmation:
John 11:27 (KJV, 흠정역):
“She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”
“그녀가 그분께 이르되, 주여, 그러하오이다. 나는 주께서 곧 세상에 오시는 그리스도시요, 하나님의 아들이신 줄 내가 믿나이다, 하니라.”
Martha’s belief becomes a model of confession for all who trust in Christ.
The Gift of Everlasting Life
The same theme appears earlier in Jesus’ teaching.
John 6:47 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
“진실로 진실로 내가 너희에게 이르노니, 나를 믿는 자는 영존하는 생명을 가졌느니라.”
Again, the present tense “hath” affirms the immediate possession of eternal life, not a future reward contingent upon works or human endurance.
Unbelief and Israel’s Stumbling
The tragedy of Israel’s rejection of Christ is consistently attributed to unbelief.
Romans 11:20 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear.”
“잘하였도다. 그들이 믿지 아니하므로 꺾였고 너는 믿음으로 섰느니라. 마음을 높이지 말고 도리어 두려워하라.”
Israel’s failure was not due to a lack of opportunity or exposure but due to unbelief. The emphasis here is clear—faith is the key to standing before God, while unbelief leads to spiritual ruin.
Does Present Faith Have Eternal Efficacy?
The repeated testimony of Jesus suggests that belief, once exercised, has an enduring, eternal effect.
John 5:24 (KJV, 흠정역):
“He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
“내 말을 듣고 또 나를 보내신 분을 믿는 자는 영존하는 생명을 얻고 정죄에 이르지 아니하며 사망에서 생명으로 옮겨졌느니라.”
The believer “is passed from death unto life.” This transfer is completed at the moment of saving faith and is not depicted as conditional or reversible.
The Nature of Saving Faith
Saving faith is not merely intellectual assent but a personal trust in Christ. Jesus questions Martha personally: “Believest thou this?” The directness of this question requires each hearer to confront whether they truly believe.
Compare:
Acts 16:31 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
“그들이 이르되, 주 예수 그리스도를 믿으라. 그리하면 너와 네 집이 구원을 받으리라, 하고”
The immediate link between belief and salvation affirms the sufficiency and power of faith in Christ alone.
A Living Faith
A key distinction must be made between living, saving faith and mere profession. True faith produces fruit and endurance, as Jesus teaches elsewhere.
John 15:5 (KJV, 흠정역):
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
“나는 포도나무요 너희는 가지라. 그가 내 안에 거하고 내가 그 안에 거하면 바로 그 사람은 많은 열매를 맺나니 나 없이 너희가 아무것도 할 수 없느니라.”
True faith abides in Christ and bears fruit, but it is rooted in the unshakable promise of eternal life.
Conclusion
The Lord’s teachings leave no room for uncertainty: belief in Jesus Christ secures eternal life. While Scripture contains solemn warnings about unbelief, Jesus offers repeated assurance that those who trust in Him possess eternal life now and shall never perish.
In the next chapter, we will explore how the Holy Spirit’s role in salvation and His sealing of believers further confirms the doctrine of eternal security.
Chapter 8: The Role of the Holy Spirit – Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
The Holy Spirit plays a critical role in salvation, not only in regenerating the believer but also in sealing them as God's possession until the day of redemption. This sealing provides further assurance of the security and permanence of salvation. In this chapter, we will explore what it means to be sealed by the Spirit according to the King James Version (KJV) and how this affirms the believer’s eternal security.
The Spirit’s Work in Regeneration
Before sealing can occur, the Spirit regenerates the heart of the believer. Jesus explains this clearly to Nicodemus.
John 3:5-6 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
“예수님께서 대답하시되, 진실로 진실로 내가 네게 이르노니, 사람이 물과 성령으로 나지 아니하면 하나님의 왕국에 들어갈 수 없느니라. 육에서 난 것은 육이요 영에서 난 것은 영이니라.”
The new birth is entirely the work of the Spirit, transforming the believer from spiritual death to life.
The Seal of the Holy Spirit
Upon belief, the Spirit seals the believer, marking them as God’s own.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV, 흠정역):
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
“너희도 진리의 말씀 곧 너희 구원의 복음을 듣고 그분을 신뢰한 뒤에 믿은 후에 약속의 그 거룩하신 영으로 인침을 받았느니라. 그분은 우리의 상속 유업의 보증이시며, 하나님의 소유가 구속받을 때까지 우리를 인치시어 그의 영광을 찬양하게 하시는 분이시니라.”
The seal functions as God’s pledge and ownership mark. Just as a king’s seal on a scroll secured and authenticated its contents, the Holy Spirit authenticates and protects the believer.
Sealed Until the Day of Redemption
The believer is sealed “until the redemption of the purchased possession.”
Ephesians 4:30 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
“하나님의 거룩하신 성령님을 근심하게 하지 말라. 너희가 그분으로 말미암아 구속의 날까지 인침을 받았느니라.”
The “day of redemption” refers to the final consummation when believers receive their glorified bodies at Christ’s return (Romans 8:23 KJV).
The Spirit as the Earnest
Paul also calls the Spirit the “earnest” of our inheritance.
2 Corinthians 1:22 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
“또한 우리를 인치시고 우리 마음속에 성령님을 보증으로 주신 분이시니라.”
An “earnest” is a down payment or deposit guaranteeing the fulfillment of a transaction. The Spirit’s indwelling presence is God’s guarantee that the full inheritance will come to pass.
The Spirit’s Indwelling is Permanent
Jesus promised that the Spirit would abide with believers forever.
John 14:16-17 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
“내가 아버지께 구하겠으니 그분께서 너희에게 또 다른 위로자를 주사 그분이 너희와 영원히 함께 거하게 하시리니 그는 진리의 영이시라. 세상은 그를 받아들이지 못하나니 이는 세상이 그를 보지도 못하고 알지도 못하기 때문이라. 그러나 너희는 그를 아나니 이는 그가 너희와 함께 거하시며 또 너희 속에 계실 것이기 때문이라.”
This permanent indwelling serves as a further assurance of the believer’s eternal relationship with God.
A Work Solely of God
The sealing is not a cooperative effort but an act of God alone. As Paul teaches, salvation and its security depend on God’s initiative and faithfulness.
2 Timothy 2:19 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.”
“그럼에도 불구하고 하나님의 기초는 굳게 서 있으며 이 봉인을 가졌으니, 주께서는 자신에게 속한 자들을 아시느니라.”
Warnings as a Means of Perseverance
While the Spirit’s seal is permanent, warnings in Scripture—such as those against falling away—serve as means through which God preserves His elect, moving them to self-examination and steadfastness.
Compare:
Philippians 2:12-13 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
“두렵고 떨림으로 너희 자신의 구원을 이루라. 너희 안에서 일하시며 자신의 선한 기쁨을 따라 너희에게 뜻을 두고 행하게 하시는 분은 하나님이시니라.”
Conclusion
The believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. This sealing is God's irreversible pledge, grounded in His faithfulness, not in human effort. The Spirit indwells permanently, guarantees the inheritance, and ensures the believer’s perseverance.
In the final chapter, we will draw together these teachings and address the overall question: Can genuine salvation, as taught in the KJV Bible, be lost, or do the warnings serve a different purpose?
Chapter 9: Final Analysis – Can Salvation Be Lost or Are Warnings Protective?
Throughout this book, we have examined difficult passages and seemingly conflicting teachings in the KJV Bible concerning salvation, perseverance, apostasy, and eternal security. The question remains: Can salvation be lost, or are the warnings in Scripture meant to serve another purpose? Let us now bring together the key findings and offer a final biblical perspective.
Genuine Salvation Is Secure
From the consistent testimony of the Scriptures, salvation for those who truly believe is secure, permanent, and rooted in God’s unchanging promise.
John 10:28-29 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
“내가 그들에게 영원한 생명을 주노니 그들이 결코 멸망하지 아니할 것이요 또 아무도 내 손에서 그들을 빼앗지 못하리라. 그들을 내게 주신 내 아버지는 모든 것보다 크시매 아무도 내 아버지의 손에서 능히 빼앗지 못하느니라.”
True believers are eternally held by both the Son and the Father. There is no external or internal force that can sever this divine grip.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30 (KJV, 흠정역):
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
“하나님의 거룩하신 성령님을 근심하게 하지 말라. 너희가 그분으로 말미암아 구속의 날까지 인침을 받았느니라.”
This sealing guarantees the completion of salvation and serves as the earnest of our inheritance.
The Purpose of Warnings
Why, then, do we find stern warnings about apostasy, falling away, and destruction?
- To Expose False Converts:
Warnings make evident those who merely profess faith without possessing it.
1 John 2:19 (KJV, 흠정역):
“They went out from us, but they were not of us.”
“그들이 우리에게서 나갔으나 우리에게 속하지 아니하였나니” - To Encourage Self-Examination:
Believers are exhorted to continually examine themselves.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.”
“너희 자신이 믿음 안에 있는지 너희 자신을 시험하고 너희 자신을 입증하라.” - To Spur Perseverance:
Warnings are a means of prompting endurance.
Hebrews 3:14 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.”
“우리가 처음 확신한 것을 끝까지 굳게 잡으면 그리스도의 동료가 되었느니라.”
The Balance Between Warning and Assurance
God uses both His promises and His warnings to secure His people. The warnings are not to cause despair but to lead believers to vigilance and holy living.
Philippians 1:6 (KJV, 흠정역):
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
“너희 안에서 선한 일을 시작하신 분께서 예수 그리스도의 날까지 그 일을 이루실 줄을 내가 확신하노라.”
Thus, warnings about apostasy are instruments of God's grace to keep His people walking faithfully.
What About Those Who Fall Away?
As we saw with Demas (2 Timothy 4:10) and the descriptions in Hebrews 6 and 2 Peter 2, some appear to fall away after seeming to embrace the faith. The KJV indicates that these individuals either:
- Never experienced true regeneration (1 John 2:19), or
- Were subject to temporary influences without genuine conversion (Matthew 13:20-21, the parable of the stony ground).
The Unforgivable Sin
Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:31-32) is a rejection from unbelief, not a sin committed by the regenerate. True believers, sealed by the Spirit, cannot commit this sin as it requires conscious, willful rejection of the Spirit’s testimony about Christ.
Divine Discipline, Not Loss of Salvation
When true believers sin, God disciplines them as sons.
Hebrews 12:6 (KJV, 흠정역):
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
“주께서 자기 사랑하는 자를 징계하시고 자신이 받아들이시는 아들마다 채찍질하심이라.”
Such discipline—even to the point of delivering someone to Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5)—is restorative, not punitive toward eternal condemnation.
Final Conclusion
The consistent testimony of the KJV Bible affirms the eternal security of true believers. Those who are truly regenerated, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and who have passed from death to life shall never be lost. The warnings of falling away serve not to suggest the loss of salvation but to prompt examination, to reveal false professions, and to safeguard the elect.
Final Exhortation
Believers are called to stand firm in faith and trust the One who is faithful.
2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV, 흠정역):
“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.”
“내가 그분을 믿었고 또한 확신하노니 그분께서 내가 그분께 맡긴 것을 그 날까지 지키실 능력이 있으시니라.”
May the reader be assured of God’s sovereign keeping, trusting in His promises while walking in humble reverence and perseverance.
Bibliography – KJV Verses with Korean 흠정역 Translations
Chapter 1:
- Acts 15:36-40 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Acts 13:13 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 2 Timothy 4:11 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Colossians 4:10 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 2 Timothy 4:10 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Matthew 24:13 (KJV, 흠정역)
Chapter 2:
- Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 2 Peter 2:20-22 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 1 John 2:19 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 10:28-29 (KJV, 흠정역)
Chapter 3:
- Hebrews 6:4-6 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 1:9 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Matthew 27:34 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Hebrews 3:14 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Matthew 7:22-23 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Hebrews 4:2 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Hebrews 6:17-19 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Romans 11:29 (KJV, 흠정역)
Chapter 4:
- 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 1 Corinthians 5:5 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 1 Timothy 1:20 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Romans 8:13 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Hebrews 12:6 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 1 Corinthians 5:6-7 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 2 Corinthians 2:6-8 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 1 Corinthians 11:32 (KJV, 흠정역)
Chapter 5:
- Matthew 12:31-32 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Mark 3:28-30 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Luke 12:10 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Matthew 12:24 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 16:8 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Hebrews 3:12-13 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Luke 22:61-62 (KJV, 흠정역)
Chapter 6:
- John 3:16 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 5:24 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 10:28-29 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Romans 8:38-39 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Ephesians 4:30 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 1 John 2:19 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Hebrews 3:14 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Hebrews 12:6 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Philippians 1:6 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Romans 6:1-2 (KJV, 흠정역)
Chapter 7:
- John 11:25-26 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 11:27 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 6:47 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Romans 11:20 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 5:24 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Acts 16:31 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 15:5 (KJV, 흠정역)
Chapter 8:
- John 3:5-6 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Ephesians 4:30 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 2 Corinthians 1:22 (KJV, 흠정역)
- John 14:16-17 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 2 Timothy 2:19 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Philippians 2:12-13 (KJV, 흠정역)
Chapter 9:
- John 10:28-29 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Ephesians 4:30 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 1 John 2:19 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Hebrews 3:14 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Philippians 1:6 (KJV, 흠정역)
- 2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV, 흠정역)
- Hebrews 12:6 (KJV, 흠정역)
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Rightly Dividing the Word: Avoiding Misinterpretation and Spiritual Shipwreck
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Back Cover Text
Rightly Dividing the Word: Avoiding Misinterpretation and Spiritual Shipwreck
The Holy Scriptures hold timeless truths, yet they also present profound challenges. For centuries, Christians have wrestled with passages that seem to warn of falling away, while other verses speak of the eternal security of believers. How can we faithfully interpret these texts without veering into confusion or error?
In this thought-provoking and carefully crafted work, the author invites readers into a deep exploration of salvation, perseverance, and apostasy—examined solely through the lens of the King James Version Bible.
From Paul’s personal conflicts with Barnabas and Mark, to the sobering warnings found in Hebrews and 2 Peter, this book compares Scripture with Scripture, exposing patterns and clarifying meanings. Along the way, readers will discover:
- Why Mark returned to faithful service, while Demas loved the present world.
- The true purpose behind warnings about falling away.
- The meaning of being sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.
- The distinction between true saving faith and false professions.
- How Jesus’ own words guarantee eternal life to all who believe.
Clear, authoritative, and rooted in careful biblical analysis, this book is a resource for those who desire to rightly divide the Word of truth and stand firm in the Gospel.
Will you approach Scripture with humility and confidence, anchored by the promises of God?
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