Arrhabon Dilemma

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I need help in an argument on eternal security.

Ephesians 1:14 says “the Holy Spirit is our the earnest (arrhabon) of our inheritance”

Arrabon: a sum of money used to pledge that you would receive the full amount at a later date

The protestant point: arrhabon means once we get the Holy Spirit we cannot lose it, thus once saved always saved

The catholic counterpoint: However, arrhabon, even with this bad definition, actually means that you will only receive the money if you actually perform the service, meaning the arrhabon is not always a pledge, it’s meant for you to fulfill your promise.

The dilemma that I need help with: I’ve heard this claimed by fellow Catholics, but there is NOTHING THAT I CAN FIND proving us Catholics correct and our point valid. I cannot find any sources, I have looked through a few pages on Google to try and find these kinds of things but I cannot find anything. Even the lexicon shows the protestant definition.

I really need help finding this and would appreciate insight on this topic. However, if you are not willing to go through all that work, please just don’t answer. Also proving them wrong using other points such as apostolic succession and papacy and church truth isn’t gonna help, I just need help with this argument only, nothing else.

Not trying to be mean, but some people have told me to look at the evidence on other subjects to prove the Catholic point instead of offering insight on the question on previous forums that is why I asked earlier to not answer, again not trying to discourage any general discussion

 

[Cathoholic]

We have an infinite “sum” in our proverbial checking account (Jesus’ work on Calvary).

But we’ve got to cash the check too (born anew IN Him - re-birthed by water and the Sprit - Baptism).

And NOT sqander our inheritance as well (not sin “unto death” or “mortally” (1st John 5) and “remain in the Vine” (John 15:1-6).

God bless.

Cathoholic

 

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Thank you…

 

[ZMystiCat]

We, of course, have a guarantee from God that He will never give us up. However, that doesn’t get down to how we may potentially squander, or “give back”, what He has given us. A “fall from grace” is entirely on the individual rejecting God’s grace, not on God giving up on the person and “taking back” what He gave them.

To use an analogy from contracting: Many contractors will only take a job if they receive part of the payment up front before any work is done or after very little work is done. This is a security against the client trying to screw them over in the end and not pay. Of course, the client won’t pay the whole amount up-front, since the contractor may run away with the money or do a minimal-effort job. There is also, of course, the possibility for the contractor to give back the money and say that they don’t want to do the job anymore for whatever reason.

In this analogy, we are the contractors, and God is the client. Of course, God would never try to screw us over, so we don’t have to worry about that. We, however, may try to run from God squander His gift, or “give it back” and refuse to do the work He demands. This is in contrast to “working out our salvation”, which God has promised to help us do (Philippians 2:12-13).

 

[TheLittleLady]

" In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,k12so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped* in Christ.13In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed* with the promised holy Spirit,l14which is the first installment* of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.m

• [1:14] First installment: down payment by God on full salvation, as at 2 Cor 1:22.

You can follow the hyperlinks to learn more, this is from the USCCB website.

To borrow a phrase from my Evangelical days, the Gift of the Holy Spirit that we receive at Baptism is a foretaste of glory divine!

 

[Cathoholic]

You are welcome (I posted a couple of examples in my last edit to be more helpful).