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When does a believer receive eternal life?

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There are only 3 possibilities regarding when a believer receives eternal life:
1. when they first believe
2. some time during their life on earth
3. at the end of their life, when they enter eternity

Some argue that 1 Peter 1:9 indicates that eternal life is received at the end of their life. "for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

If salvation and eternal life are synonymous, and most would agree that they are, then we can't really view anyone as saved during their life on earth, if "end of your faith" is synonymous with "end of your life". But it should be quite obvious that the 2 phrases are not equivalent at all.

So Arminians cannot view themselves as saved during their life. And one cannot lose what one does not possess. So the argument about losing salvation becomes irrelevant.

Are there any verses that indicate that eternal life is given during some point after initially believing in Christ? No, there are not. So we can eliminate #2 and #3 straight off.

So, that leaves #1, when they first believe.

So, what does the Bible say about it?

John 3:15 - that everyone who believes (present tense) may have (subjunctive) eternal life in him.

This verse indicates from the subjunctive that not everyone will believe, but of those who do, they will have eternal life in them.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes (present tense) in him shall not perish but HAVE (present tense) eternal life.

John 5:24 - “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes (present tense) him who sent me HAS (present tense) eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 6:47 - Very truly I tell you, the one who believes (present tense) HAS (present tense) eternal life.

1 John 5:11 - And this is the testimony: God has given (aorist tense) us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:13 - I write these things to you who believe (present tense) in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you HAVE (present tense) eternal life.

What is clear from these verses is that those who believe possess eternal life. 1 John 5:11 clearly indicates that eternal life is something already given, by the aorist tense, which is generally a past completed action.

Finally, Jesus tells us that it is He who gives eternal life: John 10:28 - I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

So, it's clear from Scripture that the gift of eternal life is given WHEN one initially believes. Not some time after that.

Therefore, one is eternally saved WHEN one believes in Christ.
 
There are only 3 possibilities regarding when a believer receives eternal life:
1. when they first believe
2. some time during their life on earth
3. at the end of their life, when they enter eternity

Some argue that 1 Peter 1:9 indicates that eternal life is received at the end of their life. "for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

If salvation and eternal life are synonymous, and most would agree that they are, then we can't really view anyone as saved during their life on earth, if "end of your faith" is synonymous with "end of your life". But it should be quite obvious that the 2 phrases are not equivalent at all.

So Arminians cannot view themselves as saved during their life. And one cannot lose what one does not possess. So the argument about losing salvation becomes irrelevant.

Are there any verses that indicate that eternal life is given during some point after initially believing in Christ? No, there are not. So we can eliminate #2 and #3 straight off.

So, that leaves #1, when they first believe.

So, what does the Bible say about it?

John 3:15 - that everyone who believes (present tense) may have (subjunctive) eternal life in him.

This verse indicates from the subjunctive that not everyone will believe, but of those who do, they will have eternal life in them.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes (present tense) in him shall not perish but HAVE (present tense) eternal life.

John 5:24 - “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes (present tense) him who sent me HAS (present tense) eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 6:47 - Very truly I tell you, the one who believes (present tense) HAS (present tense) eternal life.

1 John 5:11 - And this is the testimony: God has given (aorist tense) us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:13 - I write these things to you who believe (present tense) in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you HAVE (present tense) eternal life.

What is clear from these verses is that those who believe possess eternal life. 1 John 5:11 clearly indicates that eternal life is something already given, by the aorist tense, which is generally a past completed action.

Finally, Jesus tells us that it is He who gives eternal life: John 10:28 - I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

So, it's clear from Scripture that the gift of eternal life is given WHEN one initially believes. Not some time after that.

Therefore, one is eternally saved WHEN one believes in Christ.

subjunctive...I hadda look that one up, lol. Yes I do believe that it is at the moment they receive Him, here on earth. However...one must endure until the end to collect on it. Some stray from the belief.

On earth as it is in heaven...the old man is dead. He has to stay dead. We can't be raising the dead and living in the flesh again. God will not be mocked.

There's where the fear and trembling comes in.
 
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Some argue that 1 Peter 1:9 indicates that eternal life is received at the end of their life. "for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

These find it hard to understand that we are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls, now. I don't. Just believe what it says. Simple really. God is that powerful to His glory, not ours.
 
Here we go again! Maybe I should just merge this thread with the last one that was locked and save us all a headache. Be nice!!!
 
There are only 3 possibilities regarding when a believer receives eternal life:
1. when they first believe
2. some time during their life on earth
3. at the end of their life, when they enter eternity

Some argue that 1 Peter 1:9 indicates that eternal life is received at the end of their life. "for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

If salvation and eternal life are synonymous, and most would agree that they are, then we can't really view anyone as saved during their life on earth, if "end of your faith" is synonymous with "end of your life". But it should be quite obvious that the 2 phrases are not equivalent at all.

So Arminians cannot view themselves as saved during their life. And one cannot lose what one does not possess. So the argument about losing salvation becomes irrelevant.

Are there any verses that indicate that eternal life is given during some point after initially believing in Christ? No, there are not. So we can eliminate #2 and #3 straight off.

So, that leaves #1, when they first believe.

So, what does the Bible say about it?

John 3:15 - that everyone who believes (present tense) may have (subjunctive) eternal life in him.

This verse indicates from the subjunctive that not everyone will believe, but of those who do, they will have eternal life in them.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes (present tense) in him shall not perish but HAVE (present tense) eternal life.

John 5:24 - “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes (present tense) him who sent me HAS (present tense) eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 6:47 - Very truly I tell you, the one who believes (present tense) HAS (present tense) eternal life.

1 John 5:11 - And this is the testimony: God has given (aorist tense) us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:13 - I write these things to you who believe (present tense) in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you HAVE (present tense) eternal life.

What is clear from these verses is that those who believe possess eternal life. 1 John 5:11 clearly indicates that eternal life is something already given, by the aorist tense, which is generally a past completed action.

Finally, Jesus tells us that it is He who gives eternal life: John 10:28 - I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

So, it's clear from Scripture that the gift of eternal life is given WHEN one initially believes. Not some time after that.

Therefore, one is eternally saved WHEN one believes in Christ.
I so agree! I crossed that threshold the moment I believed, before I entered the Church.
 
subjunctive...I hadda look that one up, lol. Yes I do believe that it is at the moment they receive Him, here on earth. However...one must endure until the end to collect on it.
But, from the verses, how does one "collect on it" when by believing they already HAVE it??

Some stray from the belief.
But it doesn't change the fact that they HAVE it when they believe. And recall what Jesus said about those He gives eternal life: they shall never perish. Nothing about having to endure to the end to collect on it.
 
Here we go again! Maybe I should just merge this thread with the last one that was locked and save us all a headache. Be nice!!!
My point here is that eternal life is a present possession from the moment one believes. The verses speak for themselves.
 
But, from the verses, how does one "collect on it" when by believing they already HAVE it??


But it doesn't change the fact that they HAVE it when they believe. And recall what Jesus said about those He gives eternal life: they shall never perish. Nothing about having to endure to the end to collect on it.

That is, indeed the question. It has a simple answer too. Believing is more than confessing the words, believing is walking in it.

Many people are confused about that and erroneously believe that all they have to do is to confess the words.

The old man has to stay dead.
 
That is, indeed the question. It has a simple answer too. Believing is more than confessing the words, believing is walking in it.
Could you provide a source for this definition of "believe"?

Many people are confused about that and erroneously believe that all they have to do is to confess the words.

The old man has to stay dead.
The point of the OP is when one actually possesses eternal life. A number of verses were given that specifically indicate that eternal life is given WHEN one initially believes. That hasn't been refuted.

It seems your point is that eternal life is given only after a life of the "old man staying dead". Is that correct?
 
My point here is that eternal life is a present possession from the moment one believes. The verses speak for themselves.
My point is, I can go back and pull up all the discussion threads on this topic (OSAS) over the past couple years and it would not surprise me to find that a majority of them have been locked due to unbridled tongues or keyboards. Posters seem to have a difficulty just discussing the topic without throwing punches at each other. Again I'll say, "Be nice!!" Keep it civil.
 
We are only given the promise of eternal life, not eternal life itself, when we first believe and not only just believe, but accept Christ as our Lord and Savior by Gods grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8, as even the demons believe and tremble at His name, James 2:19.

What many miss in scripture is that to receive the promise of eternal life when Christ returns we also have to endure until the end, Matthew 24:13. Endure what you might ask? Endure all iniquity that is outlined in Matthew 24:1-44 as even now iniquity abounds on a greater global scale with many dying a martyr's death for their witness and testimony of Christ.
 
My point is, I can go back and pull up all the discussion threads on this topic (OSAS) over the past couple years and it would not surprise me to find that a majority of them have been locked due to unbridled tongues or keyboards. Posters seem to have a difficulty just discussing the topic without throwing punches at each other. Again I'll say, "Be nice!!" Keep it civil.

If Free is willing to discuss this on the one on one IN A NICE gentlemanly way (for both of us) I'm more than willing to meet the issue.
Billy, Rom.4:3
 
Could you provide a source for this definition of "believe"?


The point of the OP is when one actually possesses eternal life. A number of verses were given that specifically indicate that eternal life is given WHEN one initially believes. That hasn't been refuted.

It seems your point is that eternal life is given only after a life of the "old man staying dead". Is that correct?

The source for my definition of believe is my heart. It is something that the Lord impressed upon me.

I did not try to refute what the OP said.

No that's not correct. It is received when one initially believes.

But if they raise their old man to life again and begin to make their own decisions...well, that's turning ones back upon the Lord, and going back to the ways of the world and the flesh. It is a willful turning away.
 
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we may walk in them.

We are _X_ by _Y_ thru Z.

X is not from yourselves.
X is the gift of God.
X is not from works.
X = you "are saved" (not promised to be saved)

A lot of people miss that X is not from yourseleves and that we actually "are saved" and made alive together with Christ because of His great love (not our greatness or works). How great is the faith of a "dead in trespasses" person anyway?

Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, and we being dead in trespasses, he made us alive together with Christ by grace you are saved, and raised us together and seated us together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, in order that he might show in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness upon us in Christ Jesus.

James 2:14 What is the benefit, my brothers, if someone says that he has faith but does not have works? That faith is not able to save him, is it?

Why no James "that faith" is not able to save him. It takes Y thru Z to save. Remember what your brother taught, that you must be born from above to be saved. Saying you have faith, doesn't do it. Nor does works.

Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end—this person will be saved.

Which is why He endured death and we are "his creation, created in Christ Jesus". Now that's endurance until the end.
 
We are only given the promise of eternal life, not eternal life itself, when we first believe
Please explain the present tense of HAS and HAVE in the verses in the OP about WHEN one possesses eternal life.

In those verses, there is no mention of a promise of getting eternal life, but actually HAVING, or possessing eternal life.

What many miss in scripture is that to receive the promise of eternal life when Christ returns we also have to endure until the end, Matthew 24:13. Endure what you might ask? Endure all iniquity that is outlined in Matthew 24:1-44 as even now iniquity abounds on a greater global scale with many dying a martyr's death for their witness and testimony of Christ.
Yet, Jesus was very clear about WHEN He gives eternal life; WHEN one believes in Him is WHEN they possess it.

And, He was very clear about those He gives eternal life. They shall never perish. John 10:28
 
the word everlasting as used in John 3:16


G166
αἰώνιος
aiōnios
ahee-o'-nee-os
From G165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well): - eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).

G165
αἰών
aiōn
ahee-ohn'
From the same as G104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future): - age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end). Compare G5550.

G104
ἀεί
aei
ah-eye'
From an obsolete primary noun (apparently meaning continued duration); “ever”; by qualification regularly; by implication earnestly: - always, ever.

G5550
χρόνος
chronos
khron'-os
Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in genitive case, and thus properly distinguished from G2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from G165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension an individual opportunity; by implication delay: - + years old, season, space, (X often-) time (-s), (a) while.
 
The source for my definition of believe is my heart.
Well, that poses a problem. Jer 17:9 tells us what the heart is. And it doesn't know the Greek.

It is something that the Lord impressed upon me.
By direct communication, or what?

It is received when one initially believes.
Yes, that is clearly what the verses say. :)

But if they raise their old man to life again and begin to make their own decisions...well, that's turning ones back upon the Lord, and going back to the ways of the world and the flesh. It is a willful turning away.
Yes, all this is true. But remember what Jesus said regarding those He gives (when they believe) eternal life: they shall never perish. Jn 10:28
 
There are only 3 possibilities regarding when a believer receives eternal life:
1. when they first believe
2. some time during their life on earth
3. at the end of their life, when they enter eternity

Some argue that 1 Peter 1:9 indicates that eternal life is received at the end of their life. "for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

If salvation and eternal life are synonymous, and most would agree that they are, then we can't really view anyone as saved during their life on earth, if "end of your faith" is synonymous with "end of your life". But it should be quite obvious that the 2 phrases are not equivalent at all.

So Arminians cannot view themselves as saved during their life. And one cannot lose what one does not possess. So the argument about losing salvation becomes irrelevant.

Are there any verses that indicate that eternal life is given during some point after initially believing in Christ? No, there are not. So we can eliminate #2 and #3 straight off.

So, that leaves #1, when they first believe.

So, what does the Bible say about it?

John 3:15 - that everyone who believes (present tense) may have (subjunctive) eternal life in him.

This verse indicates from the subjunctive that not everyone will believe, but of those who do, they will have eternal life in them.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes (present tense) in him shall not perish but HAVE (present tense) eternal life.

John 5:24 - “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes (present tense) him who sent me HAS (present tense) eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 6:47 - Very truly I tell you, the one who believes (present tense) HAS (present tense) eternal life.

1 John 5:11 - And this is the testimony: God has given (aorist tense) us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:13 - I write these things to you who believe (present tense) in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you HAVE (present tense) eternal life.

What is clear from these verses is that those who believe possess eternal life. 1 John 5:11 clearly indicates that eternal life is something already given, by the aorist tense, which is generally a past completed action.

Finally, Jesus tells us that it is He who gives eternal life: John 10:28 - I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

So, it's clear from Scripture that the gift of eternal life is given WHEN one initially believes. Not some time after that.

Therefore, one is eternally saved WHEN one believes in Christ.
I would offer the high priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17 as answer. The believer receives eternal life and salvation the moment the believer comes to the Father through his Sonship.
 
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