Sid Roth Interview: Is there a Once Saved Always Saved? Will there be a 2-State Solution for Israel?

Dear saints,

This is my response to an interview that Brandon did on his Last Days Youtube channel with our beloved brother Sid Roth. You can view the 45-minute interview at this link. Brandon did a great job with it and so did Sid. Let me share a few things about it here, along with some of my relevant articles.

Pray Without Ceasing and Be Thankful

I agree with Sid that we need to pray without ceasing and be thankful to God every day, as the Word teaches us to do (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). I covered that in my article called Whatever You Do, Do All Like This.

Praying in the Spirit in Tongues

I also agree that every believer who is truly born again is eligible to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues (Mt 3:11; Lk 11:13; 24:49; Ac 1:5,8, 2:38). I agree that praying in tongues (1 Cor 14:2,4-5), otherwise known as praying in the spirit (1 Cor 14:14-15; Eph 6:18; Jude 1:20), is one of the best ways to pray without ceasing.  Let me encourage you to read my articles, Baptized with the Holy Spirit and The Gift of Speaking in Tongues.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit and Fire

Brandon asked Sid how he stays on fire for God, and Sid mentioned these things that I just covered above, emphasizing the importance of remaining on fire for God. He also said that in the first-century Church, they all received the baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire on the Day of Pentecost. It's true. However, I'd like to add that these days, even many who've received the baptism with the Holy Spirit have never received the baptism with holy fire. I was one of those people until 2012, when I received the holy fire baptism, and the Holy Spirit began to do the most amazing, supernatural things in my life once I got the holy fire. Please read my article called Holy Fire Baptism. There are so many naysayers out there who deny the holy fire as being truly from God, so if you are one of those, then please see my series called The Holy Fire Series, which will clear that up for you. 

Daily Repentance

Sid mentioned the importance of daily repentance, which is essential for every believer. In fact, he said that he repents instantly, which is what we all should do, in order to prevent any sort of stronghold from developing in our lives. I appreciate him saying that, because many today preach a false gospel without repentance, and some even teach that repentance is a work, falsely claiming that it nullifies the grace of God, which is  a foolish error on their part. Please see my articles, The False Gospel without Repentance, and Repentance That Leads to Life.

Once Saved Always Saved (Eternal Security)

Brandon said he does not believe in "Once Saved Always Saved," which is a widely held false doctrine  that the devil has released throughout the whole earth in these last days to deceive people into hell.  Brandon said, "I believe that you can backslide and go to hell that if you don't live a holy lifestyle, if you don't live on fire for Jesus, keeping your lamp full, ready for His return at any moment, and that you can actually backslide if you're living like the world." I completely agree with that. 

He asked Sid if he thinks that "Once Saved Always Saved" is true or not, and Sid replied, "I'm 100% convinced that what Brandon said is correct, and it's not 'Once-Saved-Always-Saved;' that is dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumber than dumb." Sid believes as I do that our security in Christ is conditional, which I call The Conditional Security of the Believer. I know there are many skeptics and naysayers on this topic, so if you have any doubts about what Brandon, Sid, and I are saying, then please see my series called The False Gospel of Eternal Security. Nobody has ever been able to refute this from Scripture.

Avoiding Worldliness

Brandon is "right on" when he says that if you live like the world and don't live a holy life, you will end up in hell unless you repent. You will not make it in the rapture, when Jesus comes, if you are living like that (1 Jn 2:15-17; Mt 25:11-12)). Please see my article called The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, in which I talk about a pastor who ended up in hell, because of worldliness. Please also see Separation from the World.

The Glory of God

Brandon asked Sid what the glory of God is, and Sid elaborated correctly on the light that comes forth from the Lord, which has been depicted by artists as a halo around the Lord's head and those of His saints. Let me encourage you to read my article called The Light and the Glory, which explains the glory from Scripture. If you you have not yet seen my article about a dream I once had of the glory of God on Sid Roth, you can read it here on my Yeshua Messiah blog, in my article called The Glory of God Appears on Sid Roth. It's very interesting! My Yeshua Messiah blog is dedicated to reaching Jews for Jesus.

Supernatural Power for All

Brandon rightly said that all believers can walk in supernatural power. I totally agree, and would like to invite you to read my article called Supernatural Power for All Disciples. I believe it will greatly encourage you.

The Truth About Holy Living

While Brandon emphasized the need to live a holy life, and Sid agreed with that, Sid also said that holiness is only internal, not external. He said, "Holiness is based on an internal thing: on loving God." At 21:57 in the video, Sid makes the big mistake of denying that God is concerned about the external aspects of our walk, such as what clothes you wear or whether you have tattoos. He doesn't realize that our bodies are members of Christ (1 Cor 6:15), our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), our bodies are meant for the Lord and the Lord is meant for our bodies (1 Cor 6:13), our bodies are not our own (1 Cor 6:19), and we must glorify God with our bodies (1 Cor 6:20). He fails to realize that the Word of God clearly teaches us that a disciple of Christ must dress modestly, as both the apostles Paul and Peter taught (1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:3-4). I have written about this in Garments of Godliness, Keeping Your Body Pure and Holy, and Holy Living in a Perverted World. In my article, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, I report on seven people who have had divine revelations from the Lord warning that how we adorn our bodies outwardly matters to God, and that many people have ended up in hell for sins pertaining to ungodly attire and adornment. I have also written about Cross Dressing vs. Carrying Your Cross.

Sid also forgets that God clearly forbids tattoos in His Holy Word (Leviticus 19:28). Just because this verse is found in Leviticus doesn't mean it is irrelevant for a believer in Christ. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2Ti 3:16). Jesus quoted from that same chapter in Leviticus 19:18 about loving your neighbor, which He said is the second greatest commandment. 

The command that forbids tattoos is not some Jewish custom that no longer applies to believers in Jesus (Yeshua), as is the case with circumcision. The commands of God are still applicable today, except that we are free from the ritual, ceremonial, and dietary laws, which were shadows of the realities now fulfilled in Christ Himself. Let me encourage you to read my article called, Tattoos and Body Piercing, which not only addresses the Scriptural basis for why these things are wrong, but also mentions revelations that the Holy Spirit has given to people warning of the same.

Two State Solution for Israel

Brandon asked Sid whether he believes there will be a two-state solution for Israel that will result in Jerusalem being divided, and if so, what the consequences will be for America. Sid said the Bible clearly states that God owns the land of Israel and leased it to the Jewish people (Ps 105:8-11), and no court of law can break that lease. However, since the two biggest power brokers -- Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu -- are both pushing for a two-state solution, Sid believes this will inevitably happen this year. He says it is a bad idea, since he says most Palestinian people are taught from birth that their purpose in life is to kill a Jew, and are falsely taught that this is the only way they can be sure they are going to heaven (i.e., jihad). 

Brandon referred to the Abrahamic covenant in which God said those who curse Israel will be cursed (Gen 12:3); and he said he had a vision, in which he saw a major earthquake in the US along the New Madrid fault line that would happen if the US agrees to divide Jerusalem, as part of the two-state solution. He saw in his vision, while praying, that around 1,800 people will die just along the area between Texarkana, Texas and Tulsa, Oklahoma; but he said that overall, tens of thousands of people will be killed by the quake. I would like to show you a map that indicates the catastrophic destruction that would occur if there is an earthquake along the New Madrid fault line (see map at this link).

Ungodly Monetization

Let me just say a word about monetization of Christian channels like this. Throughout this video and all of Brandon's videos, viewers are forced to watch multiple ads (at least the first parts of them, for the ones that allow you to opt out at some point), which are often ungodly and even demonic. For example, there is one that shows demonic creatures (pictured left), one of which has something coming out of his belly button, at one point during the ad. You can see that it has the antichrist number 666 on it, too (displayed in red numbers above the creatures head). These are straight from hell, and yet they are being shown to viewers of a channel airing Christian content, including prayers, prophecies, and testimonies. (Sid Roth's channel, "It's Supernatural," is also monetized).

I love Brandon and Sid, and I love their hearts. I am a subscriber to both of their channels. I realize that monetizing a channel is very lucrative, but I don't think it's appropriate to use these ads, especially in light of their ungodly nature. This is not the way God has ordained that we fund His gospel work. God's ministry is to be funded God's way, not the world's way. The preacher is allowed to earn a living from the gospel (1 Cor 9), but that doesn't mean we can be yoked together with darkness or use worldly means to do so. Free-will love offerings are one biblical way to fund the gospel (Gal 6:6). Another way is for the preacher to be bi-vocational, as Paul was and as I am. I have never monetized my blogs or videos on my Youtube channel. My book, A Willing Heart to Please the Father, is also free of charge, both the hard copy and the e-book version. That doesn't make me any better than anyone else, but I am simply leading by example. For more on this important topic, please see my article The Sale of Christian Music and Art -- A Robbers' Den?

Closing Words

As I have shown in my article above, I agree with Brandon's viewpoints in this interview, and I agree with Sid on most everything he said. But with all due respect, I cannot agree with him about his statements contradicting the Word of God with regard to holiness, since holiness is not limited to internal matters of the heart. The very word "holiness" indicates total and complete consecration to God, being set apart wholly for Him, which means being "devoted to Him in both body and spirit" (1 Cor 7:34).

My aim here has been to strongly support what they said that was true, to encourage, and to provide some of my content that will further explain and confirm what they said, but also to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15), and to lovingly confront my dear brothers in Christ about their beliefs and actions (Gal 2:11-14; Mt 18:15; 1 Tim 4:2; 5:20). My hope and prayer is that Brandon and Sid, as well as their viewers, will read what I have written in this article, as well as the articles I have linked to above, and take these things before the Lord in prayer, asking Him to reveal the whole truth and nothing but the truth to them about these matters. And once they have done so, I pray that they will make any necessary changes in their lives and ministries, wherever applicable, as needed.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this article, you are invited to check out the series called The False Gospel of Eternal Security. You may also enjoy reading Can You "lose" Your Secure Position in Christ? and Is it Possible to Resist God? If you would like to become a disciple, consider enrolling in our Doulos Training School. You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Can You "lose" Your Secure Position in Christ?

To all of my brothers and sisters in Christ, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Have you ever heard anyone say that it's not possible to lose your salvation? That's actually a very popular teaching all around the world, known as "eternal security" or once-saved-always-saved (OSAS), which I've already disproven completely in numerous other articles. In this post, I'd like to respond to the question: can you "lose" your secure position in Christ?

Just to give you one example of a single verse that answers that question, rather than showing you over 200 of them, here is a verse from Peter's second epistle that states:

"Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position." (2Pe 3:17)

The word "fall" in this verse is translated from the Greek word ekpipto. According to the Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament, ekpipto means "to fall off or from, Act_12:7; Act_27:32; met. to fall from, forfeit, lose, Gal_5:4; 2Pe_3:17; to be cast ashore, Act_27:17; Act_27:26; Act_27:29; to fall to the ground, be fruitless, ineffectual, Rom_9:6; to cease, come to an end, Jas_1:11; 1Pe_1:24."

According to NASEC, ekpipto means: "to drop away, fig. to lose, become inefficient: — failed (1), fall (1), fall away (1), fallen (1), falls off (2), fell off (1), run aground (3).

According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, ekpipto means "to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient:—be cast, fail, fall (away, off), take none effect."

According to Thayer's Greek–English Lexicon, ekpipto means "to fall out of, to fall down from, to fall off;  metaphorically to fall from a thing, to lose it, to perish, to fall; to fall from a place from which one cannot keep; fall from a position; to fall powerless, to fall to the ground, be without effect."

This same greek word ekpipto is used in the New Testament to refer to flowers falling and ships running aground.

I have just cited four reputable, Greek-language Bible resources (Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament, NASEC, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, and Thayer's Greek–English Lexicon), which all indicate that ekpipto can mean "to lose."

The "secure position" Peter was referring to is our secure position in Christ, known as the divine promise of our salvation, which some people falsely teach is eternally secure. But it is actually conditionally secure, since Peter the apostle under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit warned that you must be on your guard, so that you do not "lose" (Gr., ekpipto) your secure position or salvation. Obviously there would be no need for Peter to warn believers to guard against losing their salvation if it were not possible.

Also see the LSJ Lexicon online and Blue Letter Bible for a more in depth definition of ekpipto.

Closing Words

Based on the definition of the Greek word ekpipto, the verse in 2 Peter 3:17 that we have studied could be translated like this: Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and lose your secure position in Christ by falling from it, thereby forfeiting it and perishing.

Indeed, Scripture teaches that our secure position in Christ is conditional, as I have clearly explained and proven in my article called The Conditional Security of the Believer. In it, I show 24 positive conditions in Scripture for maintaining your secure position, which contain the word "if", as well as 30 negative conditions -- or warnings found in Scripture-- for those who do not keep the conditions, which also contain the word "if." 

My article called New Testament Books Disproving Eternal Security shows that most New Testament books contain one or more verses disproving the once-saved-always-saved heresy. There are hundreds of these verses, more than half of which are the very words of our Lord Jesus Himself.

Another article of mine called Drifting Away highlights 22 Greek words in the New Testament Bible that mean to forfeit one's salvation, abandon one’s faith, drift away, turn aside from the truth, forsake the straight way, stray, wander, or become apostate and fall away from the Lord.

My post called The False Gospel of Eternal Security contains numerous articles I have written disproving OSAS, which no one has ever been able to contradict or refute. If you still have any doubt about this matter, or know someone who is confused about it, please share this article with them.

Attribution notice: Scripture taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. Image courtesy of Beth Ariel Congregation, used per the Fair Use Act for educational and commentary purposes only. We have no affiliation at all with that ministry, nor does use of this image imply any endorsement of their teachings.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this article, you are invited to check out the series called The False Gospel of Eternal Security. If you would like to become a disciple, consider enrolling in our Doulos Training School. You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The False Gospel without Repentance

Are repentance and obedience part of the gospel?

I saw the following quote from H.A. Ironside, which is posted on a website that obviously holds to the belief in eternal security. Here's what they posted on their home page:

“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”  SOURCE: Pastor Harry A. Ironside, from the sermon: What Is The Gospel? Henry Allen "Harry" Ironside was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author, who died in New Zealand in 1951.

---

I shared this with my family and here are the responses I got back from them separately without conferring with each other:

“That is error!” – Charity Lacroix, age 18.

“That is incorrect! Many people could be and probably have been led astray by that teaching! I'm sure that the Lord is not happy with that at all!” – Faith Lacroix, age 14.

My wife replied, “Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’" (Mark 1:14-15).

She continued, "I can understand that a person can simply better their life without believing the gospel, but according to Jesus and His gospel, repentance can't be separated from believing the gospel.” – Jennifer Lacroix

My son wrote: “This is downright FALSE!!!! It is totally crazy to say that the gospel is not a call to repentance or that it is not to be obeyed. Jesus himself said, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 3:2). He didn't say, ‘If you want to you can believe in me,’ or [merely] ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ He told us to repent and it was said as a command not a request. Sure we need to believe, but we also need to obey.” – C.R. Lacroix, age 11.

If you still do not see that in Scripture, as these comments of theirs have so aptly pointed out, then let me share three more, simple Scriptures with you that explicitly teach it:

For Jesus Himself said, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luk 24:46-47, NIV)

That is also what the apostles preached. The apostle Paul said, "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus." (Act 20:21, NIV)

Paul wrote in his epistle to the Thessalonians that the Lord "will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." (2Th 1:8-9)

When the apostle Peter was asked by his listeners what they must do in response to hearing the gospel, he replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Act 2:38, NIV)

Beware of this false gospel without repentance or obedience. It is very popular these days and very widespread. If you still have any doubts whether repentance and obedience are an essential part of the gospel, then please read the following articles of mine on the subject:

If -- A Picture Paints a Thousand Words
The False Gospel of Eternal Security 
Is Obedience Optional?
The Obedience of Faith
Repentance That Leads to Life 

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Others taken from the Holy Bible NIV. "Wise and Foolish Builders" painting © 2012 Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist.

Author's note: I also recommend my other articles, The Rise of Antichrists, Called to be Blameless, Keeping a Good Conscience, Living a Life Worthy of the Lord, The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Ask for the Ancient Paths, and The Law of Christ. I also recommend by daughter's poem, The Dazzling Wine of Deception. You can also find my complete collection of blogs at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org

The False Gospel of Eternal Security

One of the most popular teachings in the Church worldwide today is the doctrine of eternal security, which is the teaching of once-saved-always-saved. They teach that once we get saved, there is nothing we can ever do to lose our salvation. It is taught as if it is the gospel. If you are in a church that teaches this error, or if you yourself teach it, then I would like you to consider the following articles of mine. In these articles, I explain from Scripture what the Bible actually teaches on this topic:


If -- A Picture Paints a Thousand Words
Drifting Away
Is Obedience Optional?
Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven
You Must Be Born Again (see the section on New Life)
Avoid Becoming a Corrupted Christian
The Apostasy Parables

New Testament Books Disproving Eternal Security
Keeping Power of God

The Fruit Test of a Genuine Disciple

Can You "lose" Your Secure Position in Christ?

Is It Possible to Resist God?

These articles clearly show that eternal security is not taught in the Bible. However, if after reading them you still need more proof, then you may also read the following articles:

Is Practical Righteousness a Lost Truth?
Walking in the Perfect Will of God
Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God
The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer
Having a Servant's Heart
Holy Living in a Perverted World
The Cost of Discipleship 
Salvation with Fear and Trembling
Faith Works! 

Being Blessable 
No Turning Back

The enemy uses the false teaching on eternal security to deceive many people to hell. Please don't let that happen to you or those you love. Prayerfully read these articles and share these articles with others who believe in eternal security, so that they will not perish but have everlasting life.

Author's note: If you would like to become a disciple, consider enrolling in our Doulos Training School. You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.