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Question 2

The lesson argues that even after baptism and receiving the Spirit, a believer can “lose the standing bestowed upon you” if he is not afterwards desirous to be led by the Spirit; what parts of your theology of assurance resist that claim most strongly, and what do you do with Paul’s wording (“led” rather than simply “received”)?

Another way to ask: Do you think a baptized believer can lose their standing with God if they stop wanting to be led by the Spirit? What do you do with Paul saying “led” by the Spirit, not just “received” the Spirit?

Direct Answer The transcript strongly resists an assurance based only on a past reception of the Spirit, insisting that adoption is tied to continuing to be “led by the Spirit” in a life of righteousness. If your assurance framework assumes an unlosable standing regardless of post-conversion life, Paul’s wording (“led”) directly challenges that.

Support from Transcript:

Bercot says Paul already covered “initial forgiveness” and “justification” at conversion, and also the “ongoing gift of the indwelling of the Spirit.”
Then Paul adds “an additional blessing,” adoption, defined as: “as many as are led by the Spirit of God.”
Chrysostom: even after baptism, if you are “not afterwards desirous to be led by the Spirit,” “you will lose the standing bestowed upon you… the ascendancy of your adoption.”
Key contrast: Paul does not say “as many as have received the Spirit,” but “as many as are led by the Spirit.”
The transcript assumes real warnings about apostasy: “both Jesus and Paul give us many warnings about falling away.”

Discussion Follow-ups What would you say assurance is grounded in here—past conversion alone, or a present Spirit-led life that continues to the end?

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