Once Saved, Always Saved?
An ancient church view
As someone who spent over 40 years in the Protestant tradition, the concept of “once saved, always saved” was as familiar to me as the hymns I grew up singing. It was comforting, simple, and neatly packaged. However, diving into the ancient faith of the church, I found myself on a theological treasure hunt—less about certainty and more an exploration into the mystery of salvation. Imagine dusting off an ancient map and discovering layers of meaning you never knew existed. That’s where this journey took me.
The Protestant Assurance
In many Protestant circles, salvation is often seen as a one-time event: you say the sinner’s prayer, and your ticket to heaven is secured. Romans 10:9 (NKJV) is frequently cited: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” The emphasis here is on a moment of decision, a definitive crossing of the threshold. It’s a powerful and sincere interpretation, but as I delved into the ancient Christian understanding, I realized that salvation might not be so one-dimensional.
Salvation as a Journey
In the ancient church, salvation was seen less as a static status and more as a dynamic journey. It was understood as the process of theosis—becoming united with God and partaking in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4, NKJV). This perspective wasn’t just about checking a box; it was about transformation. St. Paul wrote, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12, NKJV). Here, “fear” wasn’t terror but awe, respect, and the acknowledgment of the gravity of this lifelong process, which required our active participation.
The image of salvation as a journey deeply resonated with me. It was like embarking on a grand expedition, one that demanded courage, effort, and trust in God’s grace. There were mountains to climb, valleys to traverse, and treasures to uncover. And like any good adventurer, you were not alone—you were guided by the church, the saints, and the sacraments.
Falling Away? The Role of Free Will
One of the most profound insights from the ancient church was its emphasis on free will. While God’s grace was abundant and always available, it didn’t override our ability to choose. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32, NKJV) beautifully illustrated this. The father’s love was unwavering, but the son had to decide to return. Similarly, our salvation required our ongoing “yes” to God.
The ancient church taught that it was possible to fall away, not because God’s love failed, but because we could reject it. Hebrews 6:4–6 (NKJV) warned, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, … if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance.” This passage didn’t suggest there was no hope for repentance, but it underscored the seriousness of turning away from God after experiencing His grace.
Grace and Cooperation
A core concept in the ancient church was synergy—the cooperation between God’s grace and human effort. Salvation wasn’t a passive event; it was a partnership. Imagine a dance where God led, but we had to follow. St. John Chrysostom famously said, “God will not save us against our will.” His words reminded us that our participation was essential, yet always in response to God’s initiative.
Sacraments played a vital role in this cooperation. Baptism, the Eucharist, and confession were not mere rituals; they were tangible means of grace that sustained us on our journey. Through these, we received God’s strength to keep moving forward, even when the path was steep.
The Assurance of Hope
The ancient church didn’t provide the same kind of assurance as the “once saved, always saved” doctrine. Instead, it offered something richer: the assurance of hope. St. Paul wrote, “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?” (Romans 8:24, NKJV). Hope anchored us, reminding us that God’s mercy was infinite and His love unchanging, as we worked out our salvation day by day.
This assurance required trust—trust that God was good, that His promises were true, and that His grace was sufficient, even when we stumbled and fell. It was not about a ticket punched once for all but a compass guiding us home.
A New Lens
Exploring the ancient church was like entering a vast cathedral, its walls adorned with ancient icons, its halls echoing with the prayers of countless saints. The beauty of this faith lay in its depth and its embrace of mystery. Salvation, I’ve discovered, was not just a formula but a relationship—one that grew and deepened as we journeyed toward God.
So, was “once saved, always saved” true? From an ancient church perspective, salvation was less about a single moment and more about an ongoing story. It was the story of God’s unrelenting love and our response to it. It was a story worth exploring, one step at a time.
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Footnotes:
St. John Chrysostom: Homily on 1 Timothy:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV):
Once save always saved is a false doctrine! it leads people to sin figuring once that have that epiphany moment where the holy spirit fills them that is all that is required.