In our recent series on "Hardshells and Perseverance," I showed that the denial of the doctrine of the perseverance of the chosen and called is a departure from the old Baptist faith, and also against the teaching of the Hardshell forefathers in the nineteenth century. Here is what Elder Sylvester Hassell, the most revered spokesman for Hardshell beliefs in the last 150 years, had to say about the perseverance of the saved. Hassell lived from 1842-1928. (emphasis mine)
Q. Please explain I John 3:9. Also 3:1-8 and I Cor. 6:18.
A. The first passage reads as follows: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God." In the light of other scriptures and in view of the doctrine of regeneration this passage can only mean one thing and that is: the regenerated cannot live a life of sin because of the holy principle implanted in him in regeneration. He is morally unable to live such a life because the governing disposition of the soul has been changed and he hates sin and loves righteousness. I John 3:1-8. "If we say we have no sin" and do not need the cleansing blood of Jesus "we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." The first passage teaches that no Christian can live in sin. He is not its slave. He is not under its dominion and power. While the second passage teaches all are sinners and need the cleansing blood of Jesus. I Cor. 6:18 - "Every sin that a man doeth is without the body." This passage does not mean that the body is not involved in sin. It is the instrument of sin. Sin is conceived in the heart and executed by the body. And every sin a man doeth is against his body because it leaves its mark on the body. (see here)
I encourage our modern "ultraist" Hardshells to go back to the old Baptist faith of their forefathers.
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