A significant shift in position by leading OSAS teacher, Jack Kelley

We have cited Jack Kelley before.  In our special publication examining OSAS doctrine, we quoted Kelley’s outspoken position on sin: “From His perspective it’s not you doing the sinning, but the sin that still lives within you.” The gargantuan implication of this seemingly tiny error is the suggestion that we might as well continue in sin so that Grace might abound. This a direct assault on Rom 6:1 and also the direct cause of so much rottenness in society, strengthening satan's sought-for “New World Order” and very badly discrediting the Church of God.

In a recently released Bible study, Jack Kelley is literally doing an about-turn!  This is of course good news, but it is being couched in words that might make it overlooked by many people already deceived into OSAS; and who need to retrace their steps back into the light of God.

Significantly, Kelley now teaches that even though the “Union” of a believer is unconditional  and irrevocably secured at the point of the new birth, it must still be serviced by “Fellowship.” Describing this fellowship as “a little more complicated (than Union)”, Kelley  agrees it includes abhorrence and regular confession of sins, coupled with continued obedience to the commandments of God.  Of course these are the very points of contention in OSAS where people are taught they have absolute no further responsibility in “working out their salvation” as such acts as confession of sins and obedience to the instructions of the Lord constitute “Works” being added to “Grace”.  

After expounding the traditional OSAS teaching of salvation, Jack Kelley delves into his Union and Fellowship teaching, which he suggests is necessary so that many OSAS-affirming believers may no longer ”live such defeated lives” which apparently is resulting in droves getting “discouraged and even stop praying and attending church.”  He also addressed the issue of Gift and Prize. Traditionally, OSAS teachers give the impression that it is no big deal losing the Prize, once we can keep the Gift.  That singular teaching is however the drive-killer which makes OSAS-affirming christians unwilling to make the efforts to resist sin, if necessary to the point of death (“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin “ - Heb 12:4).  

 

Hopefully people who have been deceived into this error will recognize all these shifting grounds which the Jack Kelleys of this world are not quite willing to boldly admit.

We paste below this concluding portion of Kelley’s article.  The entire article may be read at https://www.raptureforums.com/eternal-security/

 

Union And Fellowship

"If the Doctrine of Eternal Security is so clear then why all the disagreement about it? I’ve found two reasons. The first is the two-sided nature of our relationship with the Lord. I call one side Union. It’s eternal and unconditional, based only on our belief. Ephesians 1:13-14 describes our Union with God, sealed and guaranteed. Once we’re born again, we can’t become unborn. It’s good forever. The Holy Spirit is sealed within us from our first moment of belief until the day of redemption.

"I call the other side Fellowship and it’s a bit more complicated. Fellowship is that state of continual closeness to God that enables Him to bless us in our daily lives, by making things happen for us and protecting us from attack. It’s like He’s teamed up with us to give us a supernatural advantage. Fellowship is defined by 1 John 1:8-9 as being both Earthly and conditional upon our behavior. Even as believers, as long as we’re here on Earth we’ll continue to sin. Since God can’t abide in the presence of sin, our unconfessed sins interrupt our Earthly relationship with Him and may deprive us of blessings we might have otherwise received. We’re still saved in the eternal sense, but out of Fellowship here on Earth.

"When we’re out of Fellowship, we’re legitimate targets for our enemy’s mischief, just like Job was. His sin was self-righteousness and because he wouldn’t confess it, God had to let Satan afflict him in order to bring him to his senses. For a New Testament illustration, look at the parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32) Like the younger son, we’ll still belong to our Father’s family, but won’t receive any of its blessings while we’re out of Fellowship. And like both Job and the Prodigal, when we return to our Father and confess our sins, we’re immediately purified from all unrighteousness and restored to Fellowship.

"One reason that many Christians live such defeated lives is that having only learned about the Union part of being a believer, they only know that God has forgiven their sins and that they’ll go to be with Him when they die or are Raptured. They don’t realize that they still need to confess every time they sin to stay in Fellowship. And so, being deprived of God’s providence, they may become discouraged and even stop praying and attending church. Other believers, who don’t understand the dual relationship either, look at the mess they’re in and think they must have lost their salvation. Like Job’s friends, they look in God’s Word for confirmation, and by taking verses out of context, believe they have found the proof.

"Union and Fellowship are not just New Testament ideas. In the Old Testament, even when Israel was being obedient in thought and action, doing their best to please God, the priests still had to sacrifice a lamb on the altar every morning and every evening for the sins of the people. 1 John 1:9 is the New Testament equivalent of those daily sacrifices for sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. It was written for believers who are already saved, but are in danger of being out of Fellowship because of their sins."