A Christian (One who has been saved from sin) Can Lose Their Salvation and Become Unsaved

As this issue is serious and of grave importance, I will likewise esteem my opponent in that same light throughout this debate. In response to my opponent’s argument, I say that his approach to my proposition is not only directed in the wrong direction, but it also denies arguments which are not in question. He says that since the “Counsellor” or the Holy Spirit is given to be with us “forever”, that it is impossible to lose or forfeit one’s salvation. The passage he used in this premise is Jn. 14:16; a passage referring NOT to Christians in general or the church, but to the apostles of Jesus Christ, to whom the Lord sent the Holy Spirit to empower them to perform miracles and spiritual gifts in confirmation of their preaching; “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. ” – Mk. 16:20 and “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will? ” – Heb. 2:3-4. Moreover, this function of the Holy Spirit in no way precludes the free will of the Christian. The write of the Book of Hebrews confirms this very idea, affirming that those who had once “tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. .. and the powers of the world to come” could in fact “fall away” – Heb. 6:4-6. In which case, as well as any, the “fallen” had exercised volition, will and choice in turning from the God who had once saved him/her. Secondly, my opponent cited 1 Pet. 1:3-5 as proof-text in support of his argument. Again, a text which indicates the surety and steadfastness of God and His promised reward, but not at all addresses the volition and free will of the Christian. Yes, the reward is laid up for the Christian who remains faithful until the end – 2 Tim. 4:7-8/Jms. 1:12. Peter points out in this passage that the reward that is promised to every Christian is not perishable or corruptible and does not wax old and wear out. This is confirmation of the Lord’s Words; “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” – Matt. 6:19-20. Neither I nor Peter suggested that anyone’s reward is “taken away” from them. However, in so sinning as to turn from Almighty God, one simply forfeits and renounces their reward. So, my opponent mentioned Rom. 11:29, stating that neither God’s gifts nor His calling are revocable. The term employed in that text is actually “αN7;μεταμεL9;λητος -ametameleM2;tos”, translated and defined as “regret”rather than “revoke”. Nevertheless, the text doesn’t say what my opponent pretends it says. Just a few verses prior, in the very same context, the inspired apostles warns the Christians he’s addressing, not to be high-minded or puffed up with pride, because “if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee” – Rom. 11:21, and goes on to say “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” – vs. 22. Finally, one passage for your careful consideration: “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. 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. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. ” – 2 Pet. 2:20-22 The apostle Peter describes Christians who had “escaped the pollutions of the world”, “known the way of righteousness” and become pure inwardly and clean outwardly; but, had later “become entangled again” with worldly pollutions, “forsaken the holy commandment” and defiled themselves again in returning to the sin from which they were once saved – 2 Pet. 2:20-22. The possibility of a Christian falling from God’s grace and losing their salvation is ABUNDANTLY clear, especially in this passage. Thank you!