The Possibility of Apostasy (7)

(I Corinthians 10:12)

Mike Johnson

Many teach that once people become Christians, they cannot possibly be lost.  This doctrine is known as “Once Saved, Always Saved,” “The Impossibility of Apostasy,” and “The Perseverance of the Saints.” However, this teaching is contrary to many passages in God’s Word; among these is 1 Corinthians 10:12.

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul is warning the Corinthians against falling away.  He tried to encourage them not to be lulled into a false sense of security, thinking they could not fall.  To solidify his point, he brings up the Jews  (God’s chosen people) who committed sin and received punishment.

To begin with, the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea by faith (Heb. 11:29).  Further, God favored them in many ways.  According to 1 Corinthians 10, all ate the spiritual food (v. 3); they drank the spiritual drink (v. 4), and the spiritual drink was Christ (v. 4).  Yet, these people sinned — they fell from God’s favor.  We are told they lusted after evil things (v. 6), they worshiped idols (v. 7), some committed sexual immorality (v. 8), some tempted the Lord (v. 9), and some of them murmured (v. 10).

Why bring this up?  It is to warn the Corinthians.  Verses 11-12 say, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Yes, the Corinthians could fall from grace.  Why give the warning to “take heed lest” they fall if it was impossible for them to do that?  There is no need to warn someone of a danger that does not exist.