03/25/14 "HOLDING" AND "HOLDING ON" IN N.T.

03/25/14 "HOLDING" AND "HOLDING ON" IN N.T.

I looked up all of the verses in the NT that address the issue of believers holding the faith, truth and God; and all the verses in the NT that address the issue of God holding onto believers. Here is part of what I found.

CHRISTIANS HOLDING ON.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

2 Thessalonians 2:15

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

1 Timothy 1:19

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 

1 Timothy 1:20

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 6:12

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:19

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

2 Timothy 1:13

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Titus 1:9

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Hebrews 3:6

6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 3:14

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Hebrews 4:14

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Hebrews 6:18

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Hebrews 10:23

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Revelation 2:25

25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

Revelation 3:3

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Revelation 3:11

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Same Truth, Stated Negatively...
Colossians 2:19

19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

ONLY VERSE REFERRING TO GOD HOLDING BELIEVERS
Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

SUMMARY...
I thought it would be good to briefly mention the specific things that Christians should, must hold.

Hold onto God (Mt. 6:24; Lk. 16:13).
Hold fast that which is good (1 Th. 5:21).
Hold the traditions (2 Th. 2:15). This refers to inspired teachings (Biblical teaching), not human invention.
Holding faith (1 Tm. 1:19). This refers to continued trust in Christ, without which comes shipwreck of the soul.
Lay hold on eternal life (1 Tm. 6:12, 19).
Hold fast form of sound words (2 Tm 1:13). This refers to a pattern of life consistent with Biblical teaching (inspired teaching).
Holding fast the faithful word (Ti. 1:9). This refers to true Christian teaching.
Hold fast our confidence and rejoicing of hope firm unto the end (He. 3:6). This is essential if we want to remain as the habitation of God.
Hold the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end (He. 3:14). This is required of anyone who is a partaker of Christ.
Hold fast our profession (He. 4:14; profession of our faith, He. 10:23). This refers to Jesus, the object of our confession, not just lip service to Him.
Lay hold on the hope set before us (He. 6:18).
Hold fast till I come (Re. 2:25). This refers to grace already received.
Remember... hold fast and repent (Re. 3:3). Failing to hold fast will result in eternal loss.
Hold that fast, which thou hast (Re. 3:11). To let it slip would result in eternal loss.
Hold to the Head, Christ (Co. 2:19) or lose your reward (Co. 2:18).