The subject concerning the salvation of Judas Iscariot is pertinent to the prevalent teaching of sinning “Christians,” commonly referred to as “once saved always saved,” which is being taught by the large majority of sectism today. The importance of this topic cannot be underestimated, for if Judas was never saved, then there is no contradiction concerning the teaching of “once saved always saved” and the Bible. However, if Judas was a saved man, there is a great fallacy being propagated and the doctrine of “once saved always saved” is erroneous. Dear reader, we challenge you to be of the same attitude as those of Berea (Acts 17:10-12), who searched the scriptures to find out the truth.

      As we set sail into the sea of glass (Word of God) searching for the truth concerning Judas, let us begin in Matthew the 10th chapter. This entire chapter deals with the Lord calling, choosing, equipping, instructing, and sending the twelve disciples.

      “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits.” Matt. 10:1. In Luke 10:19, Jesus said unto the seventy, “I give unto you power...over all the power of the enemy.”

      Jesus does not give power to unsaved people who are not of His kingdom, only to those who are blood-washed. He gave the disciples power against unclean spirits, to cast them out. How in the name of good common sense could an unsaved man (unclean spirit) cast out unclean spirits? Matt. 10:8 tells us that the disciples–this included Judas Iscariot–were sent by Jesus to cast out devils. Please read Acts 19 concerning the vagabond exorcists who thought they would cast out devils without the salvation of Jesus working in their hearts. They not only failed, but were beaten and wounded.

      “And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?” Mark 3:22-23. The scriptures are very clear that an unsaved man cannot cast out unclean, devilish spirits, on account of, he is a part of the same sinful kingdom (Matt. 12:26). Jesus did not send the devil to fight the devil but sent saved men of God.

      Consider this, and the Lord give thee understanding. Many teach Jesus called, chose, and sent a man named Judas Iscariot to preach the gospel, who was not saved. If that be so, then Jesus of Nazareth is a liar and no Saviour at all, for He has said in His own Word, “A bishop [minister] then must be blameless.” 1 Tim 3:2. “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God.” Titus 1:7.

      Does not the scripture read in Acts 1:20 concerning Judas, “and his bishoprick let another take.” Judas was a bishop appointed by the Son of God. Listen to the words of the scriptures, “a bishop must be blameless.” They are saying, a bishop must be saved! Precious soul, I proclaim to you, Jesus did not lie. He called, chose, and sent a saved man named Judas Iscariot. Acts 1:17 states, “for he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.”

      In Matt. 10:8 Jesus told Judas Iscariot, “freely ye have received, freely give.” Judas and the eleven had received everything available for the work of ministry and apostleship, which includes salvation. Do we desire the truth from heaven or a concoction brewed up by man?

      The facts of the matter are very clear. Judas was called, chosen, equipped, and sent by the great Shepherd of the sheep, as an ambassador of Christ. Judas was a saved man who along the way allowed the devil to have place in his heart. “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.” Luke 22:3.

      Acts 1:25 states that Judas by transgression fell. Someone who is not saved (living in sin) cannot by transgression fall because they are already at the bottom. Only saved people can by transgression fall. The Bible speaks of falling from grace in Gal. 5:4. You cannot fall from grace if you have no grace, for by grace are ye saved (Eph. 2:5).

      “And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church...” Matt. 16:18. Jesus stated that He would build His church. What type of material does the Bible show He built with? May we start looking where all good structures start, the foundation.

      “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Tim. 2:19. “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” Eph. 2:19-22.

      Jesus never attempted to build the church of God with sinners and hypocrites as the religious world would have you believe. “The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47. Only those who are blood-washed will be used in this holy temple. Do these scriptures mean nothing to the proponents of the “once saved always saved” lie?

      “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet 2:5.

      As the followers of Jesus, are we to believe that He once again disobeyed His own word and laid the foundation of the church with a dead stone named Judas? What ludicrous formulations have been devised to promote the devil’s cause! For the scripture saith, “The wages of sin is death.” Jesus is the life and would never be found building with death.

      “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers...” 1 Cor. 12:28.

      I read no place in the Holy Writ where it conceives the idea that God set an unsaved man (hypocrite) in the office of a minister. Where then does this teaching find its origin? I have located only one scripture in the Bible that it could have ascended from and that is Rev. 9:2. The bottomless pit most assuredly has given birth to this doctrine of the devil, which has darkened the way of truth and led countless millions to hell. Concerning the doctrine of “once saved always saved” we must say that it is most assuredly found in the Bible. Turn to Genesis chapter three to find the birth of this teaching and its teacher (Gen. 3:1-4).

      God said not to eat of it or touch it or they would die. The devil said, “Ye shall not surely die.” Thus we have here a vivid account of the origin of “once saved always saved.” One of the most effectual and venomous strikes the serpent ever made occurred as he taught Eve the “once saved always saved doctrine.” As we look around today, we see the serpent has not been slack to slither into every pulpit possible to spew this poison. The ringhals cobra and a small black-necked African cobra that spray jets of venom at the eyes of an aggressor, most vividly portray the viperous clergy of today, who have spiritually blinded the eyes of precious souls–souls, who no doubt at one time desired to see Jesus with true holiness, but now eat freely of the forbidden fruit, feeling no harm to conscience. Concerning sin, their consciences had been pacified and some even seared, by the echoing words of a hireling ministry, “Ye shall not surely die.”

      Oh, how I thank God, that in this end time there is a ministry equipped with a rod and staff that is eating the serpent of Pharaoh’s magicians and also comforting the Lord’s sheep.

      According to the two witnesses (Word and Spirit), God has never ordained an unclean minister. Meaning, He has never called, chosen, and sent an unsaved man to do the work of the ministry. Listen to the cry of the inspired Word of God, “Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord” (Isa 52:11). God only calls preachers who are chaste and virtuous for His service.

      “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it.” Isa. 35:8a.

      “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Jn. 8:12.

      In Rev. 1:16 it is stated that Jesus has seven stars in His right hand. Verse 20 explains that these stars are angels or ministers of the seven churches that Bro. John addressed letters to. These ministers are flaming beacons of light, fueled by the fire of the Holy Ghost (Matt. 3:11; Heb. 1:7), for the purpose of guiding lost souls to Christ. Are we to believe that Jesus had a dead star in His hand at the beginning of the gospel dispensation? The answer is emphatically, No! The truth of the matter is, Judas was a brightly burning star who fell to the earth and was thus extinguished.

      Let us now consider the star that replaced this fallen one (Acts 1:20-26). Verse 24, “Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.” They were interested in the heart. Why? “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” They were the most concerned that his heart was qualified for this office. They knew Jesus would never choose one whose heart was not right, much less, one who was not even saved.

Today’s so-called churches are more concerned that one’s head has been qualified by some Bible college than that the heart has been qualified by the blood of Jesus. Hence, have heaped upon themselves teachers having itching ears (2 Tim. 4:3-4). It is truly amazing the swarms of gnats people strain at and the vast herds of camels they will swallow to substantiate their false doctrines.

      Precious soul, awake to righteousness and listen to God-given reasoning. If Jesus ordained an unsaved man named Judas into the ministry, then we are to do the same, for the scripture states in 1 Pet. 2:21 that we should follow His steps. If one believes such foolishness, then there is no censorship at all, for anyone can be allowed to step behind the sacred desk. Dear ones, open your ears and hear the infallible Word of God, “Know them which labor among you.” 1 Thess. 5:12.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matt 22:14. Please remember that Judas was not only called, but also chosen.

      “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.” John 5:39. Look into the scriptures with us at how careful Jesus was in the calling and choosing process.

      “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17. The true church of God is not taking all that come running to her. Verse 21 says that Jesus beholding him loved him. We also, as the Lord’s church, love every soul that runs to us, but we love them as Christ did. We love them enough to tell them the truth (take up the cross and follow). False religion solicits souls with spaghetti dinners, activities, impressive gymnasiums and entertainment centers. The Lord’s true church will not follow her ways. It will not lower the standard that Jesus taught. You will have to sell out and embrace the cross of Calvary to take the true way.

      Look at what a stickler Jesus was in recruiting laborers for the work of His kingdom–“One thing thou lackest.” Could not Jesus have overlooked this one thing and taken him in? The false prophets of our day would have immediately taken him in to gain from his wealth. Yes, this young man received a call but was not chosen. What a great calamity exists in our day regarding the multitudes who have received a call but not paid the price for election. Nevertheless, they go forth proclaiming to have been chosen.

      The facts of this topic are very clear. Judas was a saved man who allowed the devil to enter his heart. He then committed treason against his Lord and by transgression fell. The devil had him snared in such deep guilt and deception that it led him to his suicide. Acts 1:25 states, “that he might go to his own place.” Dear ones, we are free moral agents and will choose our place in eternity. The sad consequences of Judas Iscariot led him to hell, the place of his choosing. Please hear what the great Judge of all has to say concerning suicide: “And ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15.

      “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition…Wherefore let him that standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:11-12.

      More thoughts and texts could be multiplied to prove that Judas was a saved man, sent to preach the gospel; a man who fell from grace by transgression and landed in hell. Notwithstanding, what more could be said than what God hath said, “a bishop must be blameless.” May we let God be true and every one who deems it necessary to refute His holy Word, a liar (Rom. 3:4). &

By Robert Bourn