Peter and Salvation

In the Zane C. Hodges thread this statement appeared. I would like to examine this statement in depth.

Originally posted by JohnB:
To more accurately re-phrase Andy T's assessment, Hodges believes that you can be truly saved in a moment(it certainly could be by saying the sinner's prayer) and never, ever lose your salvation ( even by denying Christ.)

I seem to recall a fellow name Peter...

Click to expand...

Does anyone here agree with the last sentence? That Peter was not saved based on his denial of Christ. Also, what is neccesary for salvation in your eyes? A prayer, a thought, etc.?

John B. - Please understand this is not an attack on you, more so an effort to examine your statements in depth.

What is necessary for salvation is God's grace (Ephesians 2:8) that is evident through faith (trust, believing on, not just mental assent) in Jesus.

I'm not sure the Scripture ever really comments directly on Peter's salvation- except that his life is full of spiritual fruit following Pentecost, and of course in his own letters he writes to the elect as an elder himself in the church. And he was an apostle who confessed Christ as the Son of God prior to the cross. And he was the first pope.

I don't have any hard evidence that Peter ever lost his salvation. Denial manifests itself in a number of forms of unbelief. A maturing believer is still weeding out areas of unbelief in his or her life.

1 Peter 1:3-9, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."

Peter denied Christ when Jesus was arrested, but Peter was given the HS at Pentecost. He became a preaching apostle and wrote 2 books of our Bible. Of course he was saved. How can we have God's word in our bible written by a lost man?

Salvation comes when one believes in Christ and is regeneraged by the HS. Then one is sealed by the HS and cannot lose his/her salvation.

I know there are several here who do believe you can lose your salvation but I am not one of them.

All the disciples were saved except Judas.

Pete was once saved always saved. Peter is a great example of a believer that even when he denies Christ and walks away from him. Christ ( GOD ) never walks away from Peter or you. You can walk away as far as you think you can as far as the East ~ West ~ North ~ South but you can never get away from Gods love for you.
Psalms 103: 11-14

Judas was a great example of a false believer someone who wasn't really saved but used Christ for his own gain and reputation.

Either you are saved from a heart transformation due to believing FAITH in the finished work of Christ. Peter, said to Jesus you are the Christ the son of the living God. The Mesiah.

Or you think you are saved based on what you have done and a head knowlege of what Christ did. But never making him Lord of your life.
Judas.

Please expand your statements on Judas and why you assume the rest were saved. Please understand I am not questioning your statements, but I would like to know why you believe it. Thanks.

Brice

Originally posted by Marcia:
Salvation comes when one believes in Christ and is regeneraged by the HS. Then one is sealed by the HS and cannot lose his/her salvation.

Click to expand...

I know there are several here who do believe you can lose your salvation but I am not one of them.

Click to expand...

Neither am I.

I know there are several here who do believe you can lose your salvation but I am not one of them.

Click to expand...

Neither am I. [/QB][/QUOTE]
I agree totally and have always loved reading of how when Noah entered the ark(thats us in Christ)God shut the door and sealed him in! We are forever in Christ!

Quote
Question: "Was Judas Iscariot saved?"



Answer: The Bible clearly indicates that Judas was not saved. Jesus Himself said of Judas, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matt 26:24). John 17:12 also says concerning Judas, “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” At one time, though, Judas believed that Jesus was a prophet, or possibly even believed He was the Messiah. Jesus sent the disciples out to proclaim the Gospel and perform miracles (Luke 9:1-6). Judas was included in this group. Judas had faith, but it was not a true faith, or at best it was a very shallow faith. Judas was never “saved” but for a time he was a follower of Christ.

" While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them (the disciples) is lost , but the son of perdition (Judas) ; that the scripture might be fulfilled. " (John 17:12)

When Peter denied he knew Christ, he used the word that means, "I don't know who He is." It is the same thing as if I were to say, "I don't know my wife."

Not to lesson what Peter did, he lied because he was afraid.

Peter denied knowing Christ. He lied.

I consider that different from someone denying Christ's position as Lord and Saviour over their life.

I don't believe Peter lost his salvation either - simply because I do not believe you can. I believe that Peter was corrected by Jesus. Jesus asked "do you love me" three times and each time Peter said yes and Jesus said, "Feed my sheep" three times. Once for each denial. Nothing is said of Peter losing his salvation. Peter got scared, said what he shouldn't have and denied knowing Christ so he could get away.

Alot of people ask if Judas was ever saved and in my opinion he never was. Jesus called him a "son of perdition" and a "devil". Don't sound like a person who is truly saved.

Interesting the word Love Jesus used wasn't the same word each time.

In the English translation it appears that Jesus asked the same question three times. In actuality Jesus asked the same question twice and then slightly altered the question the third time. In the Greek language there are at least four words that have been translated "love " Two of those words are in consideration in the conversation between Jesus and Peter. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love Me…?" The first two times Jesus asked the question the Greek word He used for love was the word Agape (the highest form of love in the Greek language, unconditional love ). The third time Jesus used the Greek word Philos(a friendship kind of love). Each time Peter responded with the word "Philos" The conversation therefore was similar to this, Jesus asked, "Peter do you love Me…?" Peter responded, 'Yes Lord, I am your friend." Again Jesus asked, "Do you love Me…?" Peter replied, "Lord I am your friend." The third time Jesus asked Peter, "Are you My friend…?" It grieved Peter that Jesus apparently had abandoned hope that Peter even loved Him. Again Peter responded by saying, "Lord, You know all things. You know that I am your friend." At the end of this conversation Jesus told Peter how he would die and bring glory to God.

Originally posted by Roguelet:
Interesting the word Love Jesus used wasn't the same word each time.

In the English translation it appears that Jesus asked the same question three times. In actuality Jesus asked the same question twice and then slightly altered the question the third time. In the Greek language there are at least four words that have been translated "love " Two of those words are in consideration in the conversation between Jesus and Peter. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love Me…?" The first two times Jesus asked the question the Greek word He used for love was the word Agape (the highest form of love in the Greek language, unconditional love ). The third time Jesus used the Greek word Philos(a friendship kind of love). Each time Peter responded with the word "Philos" The conversation therefore was similar to this, Jesus asked, "Peter do you love Me…?" Peter responded, 'Yes Lord, I am your friend." Again Jesus asked, "Do you love Me…?" Peter replied, "Lord I am your friend." The third time Jesus asked Peter, "Are you My friend…?" It grieved Peter that Jesus apparently had abandoned hope that Peter even loved Him. Again Peter responded by saying, "Lord, You know all things. You know that I am your friend." At the end of this conversation Jesus told Peter how he would die and bring glory to God.

Click to expand...

I always love this passage as illustrative of the gentle and loving way Christ uses our weakness and shortcomings to make us strong.