1. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 1

2. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 2 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) 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)

3. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 3 People who teach that it is possible to lose your salvation normally use several prooftexts. At first glance the verses do appear to prove their point. However, upon further study it becomes clear that they have taken the verses out of context and forced a meaning upon the text which the author never intended... President Grace Evangelical Society:

4. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 4

5. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 5 Written To Whom?? 2 Peter 1:1-4 (NKJV) Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: [2] Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: [2] Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. "exact or full knowledge” - Vines 1 John 2:3-6

6. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 6 2 Peter 1:1-4 (NKJV) Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: [2] Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: [2] Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Divinely Called through the gospel – 2 Thes 2:13,14 These people have experienced the new birth!!

7. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 7 2 Peter 1:1-4 (NKJV) Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: [2] Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: [2] Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Possessors of The Great & Precious Promises of God!! Possessors of the qualities of their heavenly Father

8. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 8 2 Peter 1:1-4 (NKJV) Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: [2] Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: [2] Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. F(ISBE) - They had in the past escaped “moral depravity and corruption (Gen_6:11; Exo_32:7; Hos_9:9; Gal_6:8, etc.), which ends in utter moral ruin and hopelessness, the second death.” F(Thayer) – “the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ”

9. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 9  Justified people!! – (1)  Those in grace & peace through knowing God – (2)  Partakers of life & godliness – (3)  Called out people – (3)  Possessors of the wonderful promises of God – (4)  Possessors of the qualities of their heavenly Father – (4)  People who had actually “escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (4)

10. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 10 2 Peter 1:5, 8-11 (NKJV) [5] But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith... [8] For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. [10] Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; [11] for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Can A SAVED Person Become Unfruitful?? What Will Happen To A SAVED Person Who Becomes Unfruitful? John 15:1-10; Romans 11:17-23 Conditional election & security!!

11. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 11 2 Peter 1:5, 8-11 (NKJV) [5] But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith... [8] For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. [10] Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; [11] for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter is writing to people who have been justified!! The security of the believer is conditioned upon an obedient faith!!! A justified person CAN FALL!!

12. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 12 2 Peter 2:1,2 (NKJV) 1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.... (3-17) In the churches (13) - Acts 20:30 People REDEEMED by the blood of the Lamb!! REDEMPTION = SALVATION

13. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 13 2 Peter 2:18,19 (NKJV) 18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

14. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 14 2 Peter 2:20-22 (NKJV) 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."

15. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 15 2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV) by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 2:18 (NKJV) For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 2 Peter 2:20 (NKJV) For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

16. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 16 2 Peter 2:20 (NKJV) 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.  Had escaped the pollutions of the world  Had escaped through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 2:20 (NKJV) 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

17. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 17  Had escaped the pollutions of the world  Had escaped through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Knowledge - epignōsis Denotes "exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition," and is a strengthened form of No. 1, expressing a fuller or a full "knowledge," a greater participation by the "knower" in the object "known," thus more powerfully influencing him. — Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

18. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 18 2 Peter 2:20 (NKJV) 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.  Had escaped the pollutions of the world  Had escaped through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,  The disentangled had become entangled AGAIN!!,

19. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 19 2 Peter 2:20 (NKJV) 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.  Before they were saved they were lost – WHAT IS WORSE THAN LOST???

20. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 20 2 Peter 2:21 (NKJV) 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.  They had experienced the way of righteousness  They had received the holy commandment delivered to them but turned away from it - (cf. Jude 3) 2 Peter 2:21 (NKJV) 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

21. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 21  They had experienced the way of righteousness  They had received the holy commandment delivered to them but turned away from it - (cf. Jude 3) TURN - Epistrephō - ἐ πιστρ έ φω An intransitive – to turn back, i.e. to return.... Of those who after embracing Christianity apostatize, 2 Peter 2:21 — (Thayer’s Greek – English Lexicon of The New Testament, Page 645)

22. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 22  They were at ONE TIME clean BOTH INSIDE & OUT – but they REVERTED back to their LOST condition!!!!! 2 Peter 2:22 (NKJV) 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."

23. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 23  To Stir up their PURE minds!  i.e. tested as genuine (figurative) :- pure, sincere.— Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary  Peter’s warning is addressed to saved persons! 2 Peter 3:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

24. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 24 “It is not God's considered will that any should perish. There is the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. God will not violate man's will...” 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. — Wuest's Word Studies

25. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 25 “... While it is His considered will that no one should be lost, yet in making man in His image He necessarily had to make him a free moral agent, with a will which is able to say "yes" and "no" to Him. While God is always willing to save man, man is not always willing to be saved.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. — Wuest's Word Studies

26. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 26 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  God redemptively loves all men and, thus, desires their salvation. (John 3:16; 1 Tim 2:3,4)  His offer of salvation is sincerely extended to all! (Titus 2:11-14)  God’s will is that ALL COME to repentance – (Rev 22:17)  Man has free will and can choose to serve the Lord or not – (Rom 6:16-18).

27. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 27  Therefore – Since the day of the Lord is coming – (2 Pet. 3:10-13)  Beloved – (2 Peter 1:3,4)  Be diligent – Security is conditional, (2 Pet 1:5-11)  To be found PURE - on the day of judgment – (2 Pet 3:11) 2 Peter 3:14 (NKJV) 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

28. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 28 2 Peter 3:17 (NKJV) 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; “Since You Know This” –  Be on guard  The real danger of falling away from their saved condition –  Could be led away with error of those who denied the Lord, 2:1

29. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 29 Matthew 15:14 (NKJV) Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."

30. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 30 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) 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)

31. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - April 8, 2007 31