1. JOHN 5:24 - "shall not come into condemnation".

This is said to teach that "shall not" is an absolute, unconditional statement.

A. Note the conditions within the context: It is those who hear and follow that this promise is for. One of the problems of these types of texts is to ignore the continual nature of the verbs - he that hears (continues to hear) and follows (continues to follow) shall not be condemned. The question really is still open though about whether one can QUIT hearing and QUIT following! IF they do - then this text has nothing to do with them.

B. 2 Tim. 4:3-4, they can cease to hear.

C. Heb. 3:12; Psa. 106:12,24; Luke 8:13; they can cease to believe.

D. James 5:12 - brethren can fall into condemnation.

2. JOHN 10:27-29 - shall never perish.

A. This text is of the same type as above. The promise is for those who hear and follow.

B. Compare, John 3:36

1. an unbeliever "shall not see life". But, can he change and become a believer?

2. a believer "shall not perish". But, can he change and become an unbeliever? YES.

3. JOHN 6:37 - "(he) that cometh to me, I will no wise cast out."

A. Again, can one cease coming to Christ?

B. Tne must "believe" to come to Christ - but he can quit believing.

C.. Rev. 3:16 - He will spue out some - and these were in the church.

D.. John 15:6 - He will cast forth some -

4. A child cannot be "unborn." You are always your Father's child, so we reaming children of God. Once a child - always a child.

A. Physically, one cannot be "unborn," but our lives in the flesh are independent of our our parents; they die, we live.

B. Was one not a child of the Devil before he became a child of God? Once a child -always a child? Then we have the impossibility of conversion! It is not true in the spiritual realm.

C. Even if it were true, God will deny and disinherit those who deny and desert Him (Num. 14:12; 2 Tim. 2:12; Matt. 25:1,12).

5. If one is lost, he was never truly saved. He was a "professor," not a "possessor" of eternal life.

A. Such is not stated in the Bible. What a way of setting in judgment upon the thoughts, motives and intents of ones heart! Besides, most Baptist churches vote on the validity of ones "saving experience" before admitting them to membership. Were they right when they voted? If not, then what good did it do?

B. Notice the section under Ezek. 18:2Off, Luke 8:13; and Acts 8. Here they were "believers", they were "righteous" - but they quit. It was not that they NEVE R BELIEVED or NEVER DID RIGHTEOUSNESS - but that they QUIT!

6. The sins of the flesh do not affect the soul. This is the philosophy behind Sam Morris' statement quoted earlier. Not also below:

"My soul sin? No. Has Brother Bogard ever sinned? In my soul I do not. I am as perfect as God himself so far as my soul is concerned. Then what about my body? It does sin" (Hardeman-Bogard Debate, pp.309, 310)."

The "outer man sins - but not the "inner man .

A. First, it is the INNER man that is commanded to "not let sin reign in your mortal bodies". Rom. 6:12. It is the spirit of man that is responsible for the deeds of the body, Rom. 8:13; 12:1; 13:14; Mtt. 15:19-20;. It is the spirit of man that will be brought into judgment for the deeds of the body - 2 Cor. 5:10!

B. 1 Pet. 2:11, the "spirit" of man is to "abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul".

C. Consider problems of this view in light of Hebrews 12.

1. Outer man is not chastened because it is not redeemed!

2. Inner man is not chastened because it does not sin!

3. There then is no chastening involved!

4. Therefore) being without chastening, we are "bastards", not sons?

7. 1 JOHN 3:6,9 - children of God "cannot" sin.

A. The impossibility here is not that of sinning, but of sinning and remaining in a right relationship with God! Yes, they CAN sin - but they cannot CONTINUE to sin and abide in Christ. Hence) instead of the impossibility of apostasy, this actually shows the possibility of such!

B. Notice) as in vs. 8, the idea is not of "one sin", but of practicing such. If one does "practice" sin - he is of the devil!

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