[lasereye]

The question is, were those people ever really saved in the first place?

[Jan_Sobieski]

The question is, were those people ever really saved in the first place?

A valid question and worthy of consideration. However Charles Stanley’s doctrine (“Eternal Security” book) states that if you ever confessed Jesus Christ, even if you fall from the faith, you are still saved. By his logic, a Christian can deny Christ, covert to Islam, and lead a Jihad against Christians and still be saved.

To your point above…the Parable of the Sower would suggest that falling away is indeed possible.