1 Timothy 4:1, says, "...that in latter times some will depart from the faith." Is this somebody who loses his or her salvation? -- John MacArthur

The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Duncan Helwig of Moreno Valley, CA, from the tape, GC 1301-K, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 13." A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. ©1980. All Rights Reserved.

Question

1 Timothy 4:1, says, "Now the Spirit speaketh specifically, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons." Is this somebody who loses their salvation?

Answer

No, I don't think so. I don't think you can make the word "some" into a Christian, necessarily, "some" shall depart from the faith. "Some" within the framework of Christianity will depart from the faith. For example, I was just reading today, in the latest issue of the Evangelical Press News Service, which comes out every week and I just, go it today so it's hot of the wire. Claremont Theological School has just hired a man who believes that the biggest myth in the Bible is the incarnation of Jesus Christ. And he has spent years--he has written seven books, one of which majors on the myth of God incarnate. He is teaching at Claremont Graduate School of Theology, which is under the name of Christianity. I think that's what we have in view here, departing from the faith, what faith? The faith. That's a very important concept, the faith is not faith, but "the" faith, it's not the act of belief, it's the content, in other words he's not departing from believing, he's departing from the faith, what faith? Jude calls it, "The once for all delivered to the saints faith. And what is "The once for all delivered to the saints faith?" It's here. And so in the latter times, the Spirit says that there will be people who under the name of Christianity, and under the guise of teaching God's truth will depart from the historic faith. I don't think it has nothing to do with people losing their salvation. I think that they simply teach the doctrines of demons, it's false teachers. That's the key.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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