Of course, it depends.
If one has reference to the offering of Jesus, once was enough. The writer of Hebrews said, “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” (Heb 10:11–12.) Unlike the blood of bulls and goats, which was offered regularly, there is power in the blood of Jesus who offered himself once and for all.
If one has reference to baptism into Christ, once is enough. Baptism puts one into Christ. Paul wrote, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal. 3:27.) The same act, baptism, puts one into the church. Again, we read, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12:13.) Once one has been baptized into Christ, he does not need to be immersed again unless his first baptism was invalid.
If one is alluding to one’s faith, it is not a one-time action but a continuous action. One must continue to believe in Jesus and his word. A believer can become an unbeliever. Therefore, one must continue to grow in his faith. Peter exhorted the scattered saints to add to their faith the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-9). At the close of that first epistle, he commanded, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18.)
Is once enough? If one is discussing repentance, the answer is a resounding, “No.” Though there are occasions when the word “repent” indicates a one-time action (Acts 2:38; 3:19), as a Christian, it is a continuous action as well. By this, I mean living a life of repentance, turning away from that which is wrong and setting one’s affections on things above. To continue walking in the light reflects continuous faith and repentance (1 John 1:7).
Is once enough? If one is speaking of confessing Christ, then the answer is Yes and No. Yes, in reference to one’s initial obedience to the gospel (Acts 8:37). But the answer is No, if we are speaking in reference to confessing Christ by one’s life. Each day one acknowledges or denies Christ by one’s conduct. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:32–33.) We do not always live up to that confession, but when we fall short, we are to confess our sins (1 John 1:8-10).
Is once enough when it comes to assembling with the saints? Some have the mistaken notion that if they attend one hour of service on the Lord’s day, they have done their duty. I am not referring to those who are unable to attend due to sickness or the ox having fallen into the ditch. The writer of Hebrews penned, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24–25.) Since Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice and God continues to love and care for us, why should one have the attitude that once a week is enough?
The story is told of a husband who never told his wife that he loved her, though they had been married for 25 years. She asked him why he never told her that he loved her anymore. He said, “Well, I told you that I loved you when we got married, and if I change my mind, I will let you know.” What wife would stand for that? Some in the church hold the same view of Christ. They had acknowledged Christ as the Son of God before they were baptized. They had expressed their love by obedience to the gospel; but their actions after baptism indicate that their love stopped immediately after they came up out of the water. Some individuals saw the necessity of being baptized, but do not know or care about their duty to assemble regularly with the saints each Lord’s day.
Is once enough when it comes to prayer? No, for Paul commanded, “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17.) The Sweet Singer of Israel extolled, “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, Even the God of our salvation. Selah.” (Psalm 68:19.) Again, David sang, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17.) I heard of a man who got tired of saying his prayers at night; so, he wrote out his prayer on a piece of paper, and stuck it on his bedpost. Then, at night, he would point to it, and say, “There it is, Lord.” Such is profane and irreverent. Daniel prayed three times a day, even under great distress. So, when it comes to prayer, once is not enough. Jesus prayed often, once all night.
Is once enough when it comes to reading the Bible? I have met a few people who seemed to brag about having read the Bible once. That is really not much to brag about. Each time one reads the Bible, he is reminded of something he has read before or learns something new. There are some truths that I might call “surface truths,” easily recognized and understood; however, there are other truths that one must dive deep beneath the surface to find the pearls of truth. They can be understood, but it takes mental effort. Isaiah wrote, “Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read.” (Isa. 34:16.) Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39.)
Is once enough when it comes to extending forgiveness? Is once enough to receive forgiveness? If a brother wrongs you, will you forgive him if he repents? Suppose he does you wrong twice, and repents? Are there limits to how often we should forgive someone who has wronged us? Peter was willing to set the limit to seven times. Jesus said, “I say not unto thee, until seven times; but until seventy times seven.” He was not saying, four hundred and ninety times, you must forgive him, but no more. He was not saying if the brother sins against you for the four hundred and ninety-first time, then you are not obligated to forgive him. Besides, who is counting? Love “does not keep score.” Forgiveness of others (when they repent) is a condition of our receiving forgiveness. Our eternal salvation is in jeopardy if we do not forgive. If one is unwilling to forgive, he had better not sin, because God will not forgive him (Matt. 6:14-15).
So, is once enough? It depends.
–Ben F. Vick, Jr.