Calvinism

CALVINISM – WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?

Calvinism has influenced many Protestant and other churches and continues to do so. We need to be aware of the false teachings of Calvinism and how it effects the faith message.

“Calvin’s great aim was to realize the purity and holiness of the Church as far as human weakness will permit….He wanted every Christian to be consistent with his profession, to show his faith by works, and to strive to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. He was the only one among the Reformers who attempted and who measurably carried out this sublime idea in a whole community.”
HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH , Phillip Schaff, Page 485, Volume 8)

“…under his inspiration, in puritanic zeal for the correction of immorality; but their zeal sometimes transgressed the dictates of wisdom and moderation. The union of Church and State rests on the false assumption that all citizens are members of the Church and subject to discipline […] even the number of dishes at meals was regulated…”
“…Parents were warned about naming their children after Roman Catholic saints who nourished certain superstitions; instead of the names of Abraham, Moses…”
HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH , Phillip Schaff, Page 489-490, Volume 8)

“The death penalty against heresy, idolatry, and blasphemy, and the barbarous custom of the torture were retained. Adultery after the second offense, was likewise punished by death.”
“These were prohibitive and protective laws intended to prevent and punish irreligion and immorality……Watchmen were appointed to see that people went to church. The members of the Consistory visited every house once a year to examine into the faith and morals of the family. Every unseemly word and act on the street was reported, and the offenders were cited before the Consistory to be either censured or warned, or handed over to the Council for severer punishment.”
HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH , Phillip Schaff, Page 490-491, Volume 8

“A man was banished from the city for three months because, on hearing an ass bray, he said jestingly: ‘He prays a beautiful psalm.'”
“Three men who laughed during the sermon were imprisoned for three days…”
“A girl was beheaded for striking her parents, to vindicate the fifth commandment…”
“A banker was executed for repeated adultery…”
HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH , Phillip Schaff, Page 491-492, Volume 8

“During the ravages of the pestilence in 1545 more than twenty men and women were burnt alive for witchcraft, and a wicked conspiracy to spread the horrible disease. From 1542 to 1546 fifty-eight judgments of death and seventy-six decrees of banishments were passed. During the years 1558 and 1559 the cases of various punishments for all sorts of offences amounted to four hundred and fourteen – a very large proportion for a population of 20,000.”
HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH , Phillip Schaff, Page 492-493, Volume 8

Calvin himself states:

“A conspiracy of men and women has lately been discovered, who for the space of three years, has spread the plague through the city by what mischievous device I know not. After fifteen women have been burnt, some men have even been punished more severely, some have committed suicide in prison, and while twenty-five are still kept prisoners,- the conspirators do not cease”
HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH , Phillip Schaff, Page 492, footnote 27 Volume 8

The conflict of Calvin with his community and many others lasted for over 10 years. We can only imagine the deaths and unjust punishment that was metered out by this zealous man who called himself a Christian. Phillip Schaff was a historian and was presenting the facts, but he also defended Calvin by suggesting that a person had to consider the times Calvin was living in.

On page 829 of the HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH , we can find Calvin’s last Will and Farewells. In none of these writings do we see any repentance for taking the lives of others and being both their judge and jury and executioner. He says:

“I also testify and declare, that, in all the contentions and disputations in which I have been engaged with the enemies of the gospel, I have used no impostures, no wicked and sophistical devices, but have acted candidly and sincerely in defending the truth. But, woe is me! my ardor and zeal (if intended worthy of the name) have been so careless and languid, that I confess I have failed innumerable times to execute my office properly, and had not He, of His boundless goodness, assisted me, all that zeal had been fleeting and vain. Nay, I even acknowledge, that if the same goodness has not assisted me, those mental endowments which the Lord bestowed upon me would, at His judgment-seat, prove me more and more guilty of sin and sloth. For all these reasons, I testify and declare that I trust to no other security for my salvation than this, and this only, viz. that as God is the Father of mercy, He will show Himself such a Father to me, who acknowledge myself to be a miserable sinner…”
HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH , Phillip Schaff, Page 829, Volume 8

It is our opinion that this testimony does not reflect any repentance for his murderous actions, but instead it sounds as he thought he did not do enough. You can form your own opinion. Most Calvinists of today still uphold Calvin’s doctrines and do not admit he was a murderer or had misguided zeal. The word of God has much to say about murders and that they will not be accepted into the Kingdom of God. It is of course God’s decision as only God knew John Calvin’s heart as only God knows our hearts.

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:21 KJV

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, {22} Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness
Mark 7:21-22 KJV

Calvin’s life of punishment toward others that he thought was his enemies and the enemies of the church does not reflect what our Lord and Savior says:

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, {28} Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:27-28 KJV

WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?

Christians should be outraged that Calvin persecuted and killed so many people because of his religious goals and beliefs. However the Calvinists we have met will defend these murderous practices saying that we need to understand the times Calvin was living in. There is no time in our history that this type of behavior was right.

We must remember this when we are dealing with Calvinists and other cults. However, the time is now upon us to be concerned about what people believe as it could cost you your life! There are many people today who still uphold the doctrines of Calvinism and as we show below, those doctrines do not line up with the word of God.

Here is the Mission statement from one group:

“The Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics (CRTA) is dedicated to providing biblically sound online resources for the edification of God’s people. The Center is committed to the system of doctrine known as Calvinism, which we see to be the most biblically faithful systematization of the Bible’s teachings. The Owner is a Reformed Christian committed to a strict subscriptionist view of the Westminster Standards, yet many of the articles on this site represent a wider view of the Faith. Please use discretion in all that you read here — and everywhere else too.”
reformed.org

Many of these people are just as zealous as Calvin and would consider taking a person’s life if they did not agree with Calvin’s doctrines thinking they are doing the right thing and doing it on behalf of Christianity.

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
John 16:2 KJV

We pray there are many of you who call yourselves Calvinists, who would not take the life of those that disagree with you doctrinally. However, if you call yourself a Calvinist, you cannot separate Calvinism from John Calvin. Does it bother you that your spiritual father was responsible for the martyrdom of Anabaptists and other genuine Christians? Calvin’s state church was responsible not only for the deaths of unbelievers, but also for the deaths of believers who disagreed with him. This is a fact of history that Calvinist’s cannot deny.

“Most of his arguments are directed to showing that the church has the right and calling to exercise discipline not simply moral, but also physical. The civil administration exists only for the defense of the church. It belongs to the state to carry out the regulations of the church, to prevent idolatry, sacrilege, heresy, etc…..Calvin virtually made every sin a crime, and so did not hesitate to make use of the civil power for the execution of church discipline…. The rigor with which Calvin’s ordinances were executed soon called forth a storm of protest. No mercy was shown to the enemies of the theocracy. New methods of torture were introduced, and the obstinate were given to understand that unless they yielded, ‘They would end their days in such torment.’ …. During the years 1542-1546 fifty-eight executions occurred and seventy-six were banished. During the pestilence of 1545, thirty-four women were burned or quartered on suspicion of spreading the plague by magical means.”
Albert Henry Newman, A MANUAL OF CHURCH HISTORY, pp. 219-220, Volume II

Calvin responsible for the death, torture, and imprisonment of Christians all over Europe.

“The influence of John Calvin had begun to be felt in English affairs. His books had appeared in translations in England. He was responsible in a measure for the demon of hate and fierce hostility which the Baptists of England had to encounter. He advised that “Anabaptists and reactionists should be alike put to death”.
John T. Christian, FRAUDE, HISTORY OF ENGALAND, p. 198, Vol. 1

The great crime of the Ana-Baptists was in believing in adult believer’s baptism. We would like to know where Calvinists stand on this issue today? Do they believe in being baptized as and adult after conversion? If they do, their spiritual father would have persecuted them to the point of death as well. The “whole law position’ which is used to justify Calvin’s Church-state nightmare was championed in Calvin’s day by Martin Bucer and has always had advocates among prominent Calvinists throughout history. It has never been repudiated by any of the Councils or Catechisms and to this day it is defended by such Calvinists as Rushdoony, Bahnsen and others.

The Website we sited in our article above (CRTA) has an article Calvinism and “The Judicial Law of Moses” An Historical Survey, by James B. Jordon. This web site alone proves that the “whole law position ” is alive and well. That ‘position’ means that ALL of the law of Moses is still binding on Christians and that that law should be enforced by the Civil government.

The article concludes:

“This demonstrates that the theonomic-theocratic position is not ‘outside the Reformed tradition’, as some have charged.”
reformed.org

We say to you again that we realize that many Calvinists, and we hope all Calvinists today, would not advocate taking the life of other Christians. However, we also say that Calvinists are kidding themselves if they think that there are not still some Calvinists that exist today who would have proudly joined this madman from Geneva in his demonic revelings.

A person may say they are a Calvinist, but are they a Christian? If they truly are a Christian, do they have any outrage toward their spiritual father, John Calvin?

ARE YOU A CALVINIST?

You might be a Calvinist if you think that J. C. stands for John Calvin instead of Jesus Christ.
You might be a Calvinist if you know god loves you and you think that he ‘might’ love me.
You might be a Calvinist if you know that Jesus died for you and you think that he ‘might’ have died for me
You might be a Calvinist if you ‘let wind’ in a crowded elevator and believe that it was meant to be.
You might be a Calvinist if you have an overwhelming compulsion to burn me at the stake.
You might be a Calvinist if you frequently contradict yourself and complain that others don’t understand you.
You might be a Calvinist if you actually believe that Reformed Theology ‘might’ be true.

The bullet statements above were written by David were inspired by Brother Les Tabb who has done extensive research about the Calvinists.

What is Calvinism?

John Calvin, founder of Calvinism was born in Noyon, France in 1509. His father was a lawyer for the Catholic Church, and sent him to be educated in Paris, Orleans. There John became friends with Protestant Reformers Pierre Robert and Melchior Wolmar. He followed Wolmar to Bourges Law School. At this time he declared himself a Protestant. He left France and settled in Basel, Switzerland and published his “Institutes of the Christian Religion.” In this volume he explains his interpretation of the Christian faith. You have to understand this book in light of the age he lived in.

It has been suggested that Calvin overreacted to the works-oriented salvation of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church does no offer any assurance of salvation, but offers the works of participating in the sacraments the way of salvation. If you understand this then you can understand why John Calvin was probably disenchanted with the teachings of the Catholic church and went to the other extreme, where man had “nothing” to do with his salvation—not even “faith” was man’s responsibility. To him, faith was something that God gave to those He elected to be saved.

This is why some Christians, especially Calvinists, have trouble believing the message of faith, healing, miracles and victorious Christian living. They view faith not as something we can have by getting into the Word of God, but as something God gives if He wills for you to have it. This is an extreme form of Sovereignty. This thinking is still active in some churches.

Jacob Arminius was a pupil of John Calvin and although he previously embraced and defended his teachings finally came to the ultimate conclusion that many of his teacher’s doctrines were wrong. He refuted the main points of Calvin’s theology which had to do with “free will.” You see, Calvin did not believe in “free will” but instead held to the idea of “total sovereignty.” Arminius could not accept Calvin’s view of total sovereignty in light of biblical teaching. Arminius was quite successful in refuting the main points of Calvinism so the Calvinists came back with a rebuttal. The rebuttal came in the form of what is commonly called the “Tulip.” Tulip is an acronym for the five points of Calvinism:

Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints

Except for the last one, all the biblical terms are “labeled” not simply stated. In other words, you can’t simply believe in depravity, but according to Calvin, you must accept “total” depravity. It is not enough to believe in election but in “unconditional” election. The belief of atonement is not sufficient; you must accept “limited” atonement. So you believe in grace, who doesn’t? But for Calvinists the doctrine of grace is not adequate, you must believe in “irresistible” grace. Do you see that Calvinism defines for itself what the biblical terms mean for its adherents?

The Calvinist define these terms by picking and choosing certain scriptures and assuming certain things about these scriptures to develop the Calvinist system of theology.

When one has a question about a doctrine, it is best to look at the plain, unambiguous Bible verses that directly speak on the topic, rather than trying to philosophize upon the meaning of a verse. Calvinism’s errors are easily disproved by clear Bible passages. Let’s look at Calvin’s doctrine:

Total Depravity

Calvinists believe that man’s nature and will is absolutely fixed and determined against all godliness. He is so depraved he has no ability whatsoever to even have faith. Man cannot even come to Christ. Calvin believed man could do “nothing” to be saved, including “believing” the gospel.

The word of God easily refutes this:

Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.
Ezekiel 16:47 KJV

In this passage we see how one person can be more depraved than others. If depravity is “total” than how could one person be more depraved than the others? “More” speaks of quantity. If one can have “more” than someone else, then the others cannot have “total”. Yet, Calvin believed that all of humanity was “totally depraved.”

Jesus taught the disciples about laboring for Him.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? {29} Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
John 6:28-29 KJV

Jesus did not teach Calvin’s idea of total depravity. Even the Apostle Paul pointed out that it was Grace and Faith that made salvation possible.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2 KJV

We gain access into grace by faith in Jesus. Grace is God’s Work, Faith is Man’s Work.

Calvin thought mankind was so depraved that he lost his ability to have faith. Calvin was wrong.

Unconditional Election

Calvinists believe that the eternal destiny of man is determined by God alone, and in no way is grounded in any foreseen merit in the sinner. God does not elect based on any foreknowledge that the person would believe. So if a person is saved, then God saved him, solely, because God chose him. For those who are not saved, God chose them also for damnation. Calvin did not believe that election was based on any foreknowledge. The word of God tells us different.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, {2} Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1 Peter 1:1-2 KJV

What about election? The Calvinist belief about the eternal destiny of man and how it is determined is an important issue. Our ministry believes that it was pre-destined for God to have a people that would love Him and believe in Him. In God’s ultimate wisdom and his omniscient powers of foreknowledge he made a way for “anyone” to be made righteous and accepted through his Son, Jesus Christ. This does not mean that God elected for certain people to be “saved” and others condemned to eternal punishment.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: {4} According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {5} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, {6} To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. {7} In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; {8} Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; {9} Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: {10} That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: {11} In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: {12} That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. {13} In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, {14} Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:3-14 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. {17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16-17 KJV

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: {2} And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2 KJV

God created mankind with the ability to choose. If this were not the case, why would God have given Adam and Eve the choice to obey Him or not obey Him about the tree of good and evil? God knew there was the possibility of Adam and Eve making the wrong choice and he made a way from the foundation of the world through his Son, Jesus Christ for us all to be redeemed. We can choose to follow, obey, and believe in Jesus or not. God has allowed us to choose our own destiny.

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.{12} For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. {13} For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:11-13 KJV

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12:32 KJV

Limited Atonement

Calvinists believe that Christ’s sacrifice was intended to affect just those who would be saved. Jesus did not die for everyone, but only for the elect. Calvinists believe that Jesus Blood could only cover the ones that God intended to elect.

Once again we find the truth in the word of God.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: {2} And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2 KJV

That does not sound limited to us! Calvinists redefine the atonement to mean more than “payment” and “provision” but actual “disbursement” of salvation. Jesus died and left enough salvation for all men, but men must accept the payment.

Calvinists believe the sinner cannot “accept” Christ, because that would make them somewhat responsible for obtaining salvation. The Bible teaches that it is our responsibility to accept the atonement, and by accepting it, we become heirs of salvation.

Irresistible Grace

The Calvinists believe that if a man’s will is changed that God does it and man is not responsible at all. That makes man irresistible to God’s grace or in other words, man does not have a chance to accept God’s grace because he is already chosen to receive God’s grace with no effort on his part. Calvinists even believe that the Holy Spirit convicts to such a degree that you will be “forced” to believe.

Of course that is not what we read in the word of God.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. {8} And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: {9} Of sin, because they believe not on me; {10} Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; {11} Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
John 16:7-11 KJV

The Comforter (Holy Spirit) came after Jesus went back to Heaven after his resurrection to convict us of our sin – to make us aware that we had to make a choice to accept God’s grace and forgiveness when we repent for our sins.

Calvinists believe that we have no choice in the matter because God chooses who he wants to save and a person cannot resist. This is just not true.

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Acts 7:51 KJV

Perseverance of the Saints

Calvinists believe that those, whom God has elected, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end, and be eternally saved. They believe if a person is truly regenerated, that means they are the elect, and being the elect, the Lord will “make them stand” to the end. Calvinists believe that nothing they do will have any affect upon their eternal destiny. If God has chosen them, then there is nothing they can do to ultimately be lost if God has not chosen them or elected them.

If a Calvinist believes there is no choice about salvation for him, he may live a sloppy lifestyle if he thinks God has already chosen him or if he has not been chosen. It is a “loose, loose” situation. Either way the person looses. How sad!

That is not what Jesus said. God is faithful to keep us if we are faithful to believe in Jesus and keep his words.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
John 8:51 KJV

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. {5} I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {6} If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. {7} If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. {8} Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. {9} As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. {10} If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. {11} These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. {12} This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. {13} Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. {14} Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. {15} Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
John 15:4-15 KJV

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13 KJV

We hope this short explanation of the teachings of the Calvinist help you to understand why Calvinism is such a dangerous belief.

CAN CHRISTIANS LOSE THEIR SALVATION?

There are many who would argue this point and say that if a person were truly saved, they would not continue in their sin, therefore, a real saved Christian cannot loose their salvation. We do not agree totally with that thinking. There are scriptures indicating that as a Christian we can still be in danger of losing our salvation.

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. {12} Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. {13} They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.{14} And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. {15} But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Luke 8:11-15 KJV

Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? {42} And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? {43} Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. {44} Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. {45} But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; {46} The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
Luke 12:41-46 KJV

Even in the Old Testament, God showed us how we should live in order to maintain our salvation.

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
Ezekiel 18:24 KJV

God meant spiritual death in this passage although that some iniquities could actually cause physical death as well.

David also prayed for his enemies in the following Psalm and in Psalm 109 for those who committed iniquities to be “blotted out” of the book of the living.

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
Psalms 69:28 KJV

If a name can be blotted out, then it has to have been there in the first place. This thought is also carried into the New Testament.

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:5 KJV

We have already read the New Testament teaching about the branches and remaining in Him. (John 15)

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: {12} If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us
2 Timothy 2:11-12 KJV

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. {21} For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2 Peter 2:20-21 KJV

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Revelation 20:12 KJV

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 21:8 KJV

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. {17} Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: {18} I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. {19} As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. {20} Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. {21} To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. {22} He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:15-22 KJV

HOW CAN YOU STAY SAVED?

What work can you do to make yourself stay saved? We feel that the only way to remain saved is to constantly base your faith on what Jesus has already done for you on the cross. That is where our faith must remain.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? {29} Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
John 6:28-29 KJV

We have written a whole book on THE CROSS AND YOUR SALVATION and have a 4 CD set on Romans.

There are obvious sins of the flesh that will keep us separated from God. However, if we do our best to live an honorable of life, free from continuous sin, Jesus will be faithful to accept us into Heaven.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; {29} Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, {30} Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, {31} Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: {32} Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 1:28-32 KJV

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.{2} But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Romans 2:1-2 KJV