Was Timothy “Once Saved, Always Saved?”

Paul in his letter to Timothy, an evangelist for Christ, wrote the letters 1 and 2 Timothy to strengthen and encourage him in his work in the ministry to the Christians at Ephesus. 

Paul encouraged Timothy not to “neglect” or ignore his spiritual “gift” that was in him, which had been foretold by prophecy, “with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”  (1 Tim 4:14).   Who was this presbytery?  Paul confirms the identity of this man when he again reminds Timothy to “stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of MY hands” (2 Tim 1:6).  So we know from Paul’s own inspired writing that Timothy received the Holy Spirit by the hand of Paul. 

It was spoken of in both passages in the past tense form.  This “laying on of hands” had already happened and Timothy was already evangelizing, preaching and teaching at the church at Ephesus.  He had most certainly already heard and believed the gospel and had sufficient faith in Jesus that he was working for Him.

Again, in 1 Tim 4:14, Paul instructed Timothy not to neglect his spiritual gift.  Continuing on in verse 15 we read:

1 Tim 4:15-16

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both SAVE thyself, and them that hear thee.

KJV 

Putting special emphasis on the words “thou shalt both SAVE thyself” (1 Tim 4:16.)

If Timothy had been “once saved, always saved”, Paul would not have exhorted him to continue in the doctrine in order to Save himself. 

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