In The Master's Service

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Concepts of Eternal Salvation

Elder J W. Patterson

The third concept of eternal salvation to be tested is by one salvation. The premise is that the things of Romans 8:29-30 that work together for the eternal salvation to God's elect are accomplished by one. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30).

• whom he did foreknow

• whom he did predestinate

• whom he called

• whom he justified

• them he also glorified

The concept of by one will be tested likewise with the things that constitute gospel salvation (conditional time salvation). If the concept by one holds true for eternal salvation and not true for gospel salvation, then one must conclude that there is more than one salvation taught in the scriptures.

The following scriptures were presented in Concepts 1 and 2 as proof that the Holy Spirit does qualify a salvation, redemption, life, judgment, and inheritance that are eternal.

"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:9).

"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal re, demption for us" (Hebrews 9:12).

"As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him" (John 17:2).

"Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."(Hebrews 6:2).

"And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15).

As a way of review, the first concept of eternal salvation was identical salvation; that is, what happens to one of God's elect in eternal salvation happens to all of God's elect. The all things of Romans 8:28-30 were used to see if the concept of identical salvation held true for each of those things that work together for the eternal salvation to God's elect (foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification).

The concept of identical salvation held true in each of the five things that work together for eternal salvation to God's children. God's foreknowledge and love were proven to be identical to each and every one of His elect. God's predestination "unto the adoption of children," "to be conformed to the image of God's son", and to an eternal "inheritance" was proven to be identical for each of His children. It was proven that God calls all of His elect in the new birth according to His time, His place, His will, and always between conception and death; as God calls one of His elect, He calls each and every other elect. It was proven that God's justification is identical to all of His elect; each of God's elect is justified by His blood. The glorification of God's elect was proven to be identical; although some of God's elect will not experience resurrection (because they will be alive at His coming), yet all shall be changed and glorified. The concept of what happens to one happens to all held true in each of the five things working together for eternal salvation. Eternal salvation is identical salvation to each and every one of the thousands of millions of God's elect.

Concept 1, (identical salvation), was then tested with things that constitute conditional gospel/time salvation. The concept DID NOT hold true for gospel salvation because some of God's elect hear the gospel and some do not; some are baptized and some are not; some persevere and some do not. Since identical salvation held true for eternal salvation and not true for gospel salvation, the conclusion was that there is a clear distinction that must be made between eternal salvation and gospel salvation.

In Concept 2 the concept once only salvation (what happens to God's elect in eternal salvation happens only once) was tested. Again, the all things of Romans 8:28-30 were used as a testing ground to see if the concept once only held true in each of the five things that work together for the eternal salvation to God's elect.

The concept held true in each of the five things. God loved and foreknew His elect once only; He predestinated them to an adoption, inheritance and conformation once only; He calls/regenerates them once only, He justified them by His blood once only, and He eternally glorifies His elect once only. There were no recurring events in the things that work together for the eternal salvation to God's elect.

The concept once only was then tested with things that constitute conditional gospel/time salvation. The concept did not hold true for gospel salvation because most everything that constitutes gospel salvation contains much repetition. Preaching is repetitious, hearing is repetitious, and believing is repetitious. Keeping in memory requires repetition. Remembering the Lord's death till He comes requires taking communion time and again. Forgiving, praying and persevering are not one-time events in gospel salvation.

Most all things that comprise gospel deliverance repeat themselves. The concept of once only held true for eternal salvation and not true for gospel salvation. It was proven a second time that there is a clear distinction that must be made between eternal salvation and gospel salvation.

Like the first and second concepts, this third concept of eternal salvation (by one salvation) will be tested using the same five things contained in Romans 8:2830 that work together for the eternal salvation to God's elect. It will also be tested with the things that constitute gospel salvation or conditional time salvation. If the concept by one salvation holds true for eternal salvation and not true for gospel salvation, then again, one must conclude that there are at least two clearly distinct salvations taught in the Bible.

Eternal Salvation Is By One Salvation

The Arminian says eternal salvation is brought about through the instrumental means of the gospel and that God uses men to eternally save other men; therefore the Arminian teaches that eternal salvation is by many. The Reformed Calvinist says eternal salvation is brought about by God alone, however, He uses human agency to complete the guaranteed steps to eternity. Nevertheless, the Reformers are careful to point out that even though they work for God in the completion of their own salvation and the salvation of others, it is really not works, but grace because it is God that is working irresistibly in man both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Both religions are very complicated and ignore the simplicity that is found in the true religion of Jesus Christ - eternal salvation is by one.

The five things in Romans 8:29-30 that work together for eternal salvation to God's elect have all the work being done by one, that is God and God alone. There is no mention of any of God's elect "working out" anything for their eternal salvation. Does the concept of by one hold true for each of the five things that work together? Are the things that work together for the eternal salvation to God's elect accomplished by many or by one? Do God and man ever work together to procure eternal salvation? If any of the all things that work together for the eternal salvation to God's elect (Romans 8:29-30) involves the help of man, then the concept of by one is not true.