Does John 10:27-28 Teach Once Saved Always Saved?

John 10:27-28 reads “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me … and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Does the fact that no man can “pluck” a Christian out of God’s hand mean that it is impossible for the Christian to lose their salvation no matter how they live?

The fact that the word “pluck” is used out to tell us something. The word means “seize, snatch” (Vine) – so it’s talking about someone else taking a sheep by force. Illustration: I’ve seen a few hairs come out on their own off the head of maturing men, but I have never seen a man pluck one out himself <grin>. See the difference?

So no outside factor can pluck a Christian out of God’s hand. But the issue is, can a Christian take himself from God’s hand? Nobody says similar wording to John 10:29 in John 10:18a (“No man taketh it [my life] from me”) means Jesus couldn’t die voluntarily. Why is John 10:28b any different? Two illustrations: When childish people say, “I’m going to do such and such and nobody can stop me,” they never mean they can’t stop themselves if they change their mind, do they? II Cor 11:10 reads “no man shall stop me of this boasting.” Does that mean Paul couldn’t stop himself?

We all agree God’s sheep (followers) will be saved.  The issue is – Is it possible to quit being a sheep, that is, quit following Jesus?  Don’t the following two verses answer that question?:

· Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

· John 6:66 … many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

And if a sheep/disciple does quit following Jesus, what does the end of II Chron 15:2 say about their status before God – “if ye forsake … (the Lord) …he will forsake you”? I am pretty sure that verse both says a child of God can forsake God, and that he will be lost if he does. If you know a way around that simple conclusion, let me know.

To support their position, the OSAS advocates must find a text teaching a sheep who goes astray (I Peter 2:25 “ye were as sheep going astray”), that is, one who quits following Jesus, will be saved anyway. To the contrary, Psalms 31:23 shows God only “preserveth the faithful.”

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