The Doctrine Of The Impossibility Of Apostasy
Wrong Attitude Toward God
This doctrine teaches the wrong attitude toward God, for it would make God partial. But the Bible declares him impartial: "God is no respecter of persons." (Acts 10:34)
This doctrine would make God's commands nonessential; but the Bible says they are vital. "Blessed are they that wash their robes (do his commandments A.V.), that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city." (Rev. 22:14) "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life ... He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Rev. 2:10, 11)
Wrong Attitude Toward Christian
It would destroy his power to love—by making him incapable of hate.
It would destroy his incentive to be thankful—by making him incapable of ingratitude.
It would nullify his power to obey—by stripping him of the power to rebel.
It would erase his power to learn—by destroying his power to forget.
It would make his salvation without terms—by making his reward unconditional.
It would make his vigilance against falling unnecessary—by making his stumbling impossible.
Wrong Attitude Toward The Bible
It would make name entries in it without conditions—by retaining names in it despite conditions.
God won't blot out the name of the overcomer—but what of the name of him who is overcome? "He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life." (Rev. 3:5) "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 therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning." (2 Peter 2:20)
The Lord will retain the name of the faithful—but what of the name of him who subtracts from the word? "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book." (Rev. 22:19)
Wrong Attitude Toward The Devil
This doctrine would make the devil's prowling harmless—though the Bible says it is serious. "Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
This doctrine would make the devil's search fruitless—yet victims on every hand show that it is tremendously successful.
This doctrine would make a falling away impossible—yet a falling away is prophesied as a certainty. (2 Thes. 2:3-7)
Wrong Attitude Toward Man
This doctrine would make man infallible—yet he is warned against falling. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Cor. 10:12)
This doctrine would make obedience unnecessary though obedience is that which leads to salvation both here and hereafter. "He became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation." (Heb. 5:9) "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil. 3:12)
This doctrine would make conduct mechanical—yet the Bible proclaims that it is personal and each man is responsible. "So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom. 15:12)
This doctrine would keep an improperly dressed man at the wedding feast—yet Jesus said he would be thrown out. "Then the king said to the servants, bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness." (Matt. 22:13)
This doctrine would admit apostate sin into heaven—yet Jesus said it would be barred forever. "Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie." (Rev. 22:15)
This doctrine would permit the spirit to shirk control of the flesh—yet Paul would buffet his body to keep it in subjection. "But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage; lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (1 Cor. 9:27)
This doctrine would permit the church to ignore caution against wrinkles—yet she has been exhorted to keep spotless. "That he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:27)
This doctrine would permit preachers to live in abandon—yet Paul guarded himself against becoming a castaway. (1 Cor. 9:27)
This doctrine would keep indwelling demons from harming a man—yet Jesus said his last condition was worse than the first. "Then goeth he and taketh with him seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it also be unto this evil generation." (Matt. 12:55)
This doctrine would make the prodigal safe among the hogs—but his father said he was lost "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." (Luke 15:25)