
The doctrine of "once saved always saved" is like saying once an adult always an adult. Both the physical and spiritual births are a process... conception, gestation, and birth. Once these three steps are accomplished, then comes infancy, adolescents, and adulthood.
The Second Birth
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ~ John 3:3
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ~ John 3:1-7
Let's examine closely what Jesus said, but more importantly, what "born again" entails.
After Nicodemus asks a foolish question, "can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born", Jesus very patiently replies, "unless one is born of water (earthy birth) and the Spirit (spiritual or heavenly birth)." Jesus makes it abundantly clear there are two births... That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Both of these births require a process. If you have been around denominational Christianity very long you know that they teach the "new birth" is immediate the instant you give your heart to the Lord. Churchianity always wants to speed things up and avoid the long hard process.
In a physical earthy birth the process is approximately nine months with three trimesters called conception, gestation, and birth. The exact process for a spiritual birth is called justification, sanctification, and glorification, and takes a lifetime. The Holy Spirit is spiritual DNA that guarantees the end result when we complete the process. We are not born of Spirit until we receive our glorified bodies. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom. ~1 Corinthians 15:50.
Nowhere in scripture is a person ever referred to as an adult of God. We are children in the process (gestation/sanctification) of being born from above, not actually birthed. Jesus is our older brother, the first born among many brethren.The only way to become a son or daughter of God is to be born into God's family. God is bringing many sons to glory. Read Romans 8:28-30 and Hebrews 2:10
The Bible describes how the Faithful from every age will be resurrected... But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. - 1 Corinthians 15:23
Christ Jesus was the first Son to mature and be resurrected. Likewise, Christians in the Barley Company will come to maturity just as Jesus did. They will be harvested (i.e., resurrected or translated) before the Wheat Christians. The Barley Company are the Overcomers of all ages who will be raised in the first resurrection.
The Wheat Christians will be resurrected later, at the end of the millennium, and the olives and grapes companies even later. Desiring to grow rapidly, the Barley Company Christians leave (or get “disfellowshipped” from) churches that only preach the milk of the word, churches where virtually every sermon ends in an altar call to “get saved.” The Barley Christians strive to “go on to perfection; not laying again” the foundational doctrine of salvation.
The Bible says, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ ~Matthew 18:16So let's get the testimony of the Apostle Peter.
Then the dust (the body) will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:7
No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. ~ John 3:13
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep (died), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep (died) in Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
That's all for this installment. Don't believe me. Search the Scriptures.