Is Perseverance of the Saints a biblical doctrine?

Is perseverance of the saints a biblical teaching?

First, I need to define the teaching. Perseverance of the saints teaches that those who have been saved will persevere in the faith unto the end.

Perseverance of the saints is a Reformed doctrine. It is also called "preservation of the Holy Spirit" by some. Reformed people believe that the reason the person perseveres unto the end is due to the work of the Holy Spirit.

This teaching allows that the believer may fall away for a period of time, but teaches that God will reconcile the believer to Himself ultimately, and the believer will not lose his salvation.

All true believers will persevere, because God preserves them through the power of the Holy Spirit. In addition, Jesus, as their High Priest, continues to intercede for them, and this causes them to persevere.

Perseverance of the saints is not the same teaching as once-saved-always-saved, or eternal security. Once-saved-always-saved is a teaching that is propagated by non-Reformed teachings. This doctrine teaches that the believer is saved eternally, regardless of his perseverance. Reformed teaching does not agree with non-Reformed teachings in this regard, as Scripture is clear that believers must persevere to the end.

The non-Reformed version ( once saved, always saved or OSAS) teaches that someone may be saved and continue in a state of careless rebellion against God. They teach that someone may accept Jesus as Savior only, and not Lord. They can continue in this state of "carnal Christianity" for the rest of their lives, and enjoy an eternal reward. This view would also be associated with no-Lordship Salvation.

In other words, they radically separate justification from sanctification. Justification is the initial event. All believers experience justification. However, sanctification is merely an option. Sanctification is for the really spiritual Christians. The rest of Christians are free to live as carnal Christians, engaging in immorality. They will not lose their eternal life, but will not receive the same rewards as the "spiritual Christian".

This no-Lordship view is associated with the teachings of Zane Hodges and Robert Wilkins. Free Grace Movement and Grace Evangelical Society are associated with this view of eternal security, which also has false teachings regarding the teaching of faith alone and repentance.

Additionally, some Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and Southern Baptists teach similar views. Some dispensationalist views lend toward this view of salvation, as well, although there are Reformed dispensationalists who would agree with Reformed teaching in this regard.

The discussion questions are:

1. Is perseverance of the saints a biblical doctrine? In other words, will the true believer persevere unto the end of his life by the power of the Holy
Spirit and the intercession of Jesus Christ?
2. Is once saved-always saved a biblical doctrine? In other words, do you believe salvation requires no perseverance until the end? Can a believer
accept Jesus as Savior, but not Lord?
3. Is it possible to be a carnal Christian throughout one's life, in complete security of one's salvation?
4. Is it possible to lose one's salvation, and if so, under what conditions?

My position is perseverance of the saints, or preservation of the Holy Spirit. I believe that God causes every single true believer to persevere. They may go through periods of grievous backsliding, but will ultimately be reconciled to God prior to their death, and thus will persevere to the end.

I reject once-saved-always-saved teaching. I consider this belief to be heretical, in fact. The adherents of this view typically have reduced the concept of faith alone to be mere intellectual assent. Additionally, they do not understand what regeneration and union with Christ involves. The groups associated with these beliefs have severe misunderstandings in these areas, and I believe that there are a lot of false believers in these organizations.

I reject the idea that believers can lose their salvation as well. Scripture is clear in this regard. God has elected certain individuals to salvation, and their names are written in the Lamb's book of life. God isn't some incompetent boob who saves people then loses them, and salvation is his work.

The reason people believe they can lose their salvation is that they trust in themselves as savior. They think they began their salvation in the flesh and must maintain it in the flesh. Never experiencing true salvation where the Holy Spirit bears witness with their spirit, an experience that causes them to believe.

Such people trust in self preservation over God's preservation. (Psalm 37:28; Jude 1:1)

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Some believers struggle with a lack of assurance of salvation.

Reasons for this lack of assurance include spiritual immaturity and poor teaching. Some teachers and pastors believe that a Christian can lose their salvation, which is untrue and harmful to the growth of a new believer. Spiritually sensitive individuals, who realize their brokenness, tend to dwell in fear and self-condemnation if they lack assurance. Dwelling in fear and self-condemnation causes a lack of productivity, and hinders the believer’s relationship with God. God doesn’t want us to fear losing our salvation. Fear is the opposite of love, and it does not belong in a loving relationship (I John 4:8). Scripture is emphatic that God has steadfast love for those who are His, and that he will not leave or forsake us (Psalm 136, John 6:35-40; Hebrews 13:5). We are not under God’s wrath and condemnation once we are saved (John 5:24; Romans 8:1), and God is totally for us. No force can separate us from his love (Romans 8:31-35).

An important reason for having assurance of salvation is that one cannot really love God in the fullest sense unless he is secure in his salvation. Those who deny eternal security feel like the threat of impending condemnation is still a reality. This handicaps their ability to truly do good works out of love rather than fear of condemnation.

Their view of salvation is like a father holding a pistol to his head and demanding that his son love him. How much love would be reflected if the son does acts to show love in such circumstances?

It is very helpful to understand ten major reasons why we should have assurance in our salvation.

The first point to understand is that we received eternal life at the moment of salvation (John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:35-40; John 6:47; John 6:54; John 10:28-29; John 11:25; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11, I John 5: 13). Eternal means everlasting;without end. Eternal life is not probationary.

The second point to understand is that salvation is God’s work. It is not our work (Psalm 3:8; Jonah 2:9; Matthew 19:25-26; John 6:39; Acts 28:28; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:28 ; Philippians 2:13). If salvation is God’s work, then the completion of it is based on his competency, not our own. Perseverance is guaranteed because it is based on his competency, not ours (Philippians 1:6; Jude 24). This is why Scripture speaks of our salvation in the past tense (Romans 8:28-30).

The third point is that eternal life and salvation is a free gift from God (Rom 5:15-17; Rom 6:23). Would God give us a free gift, then take it back again? The gifts and calling of God are without revocation (Rom 11:29).

The fourth point to understand is that, when we are saved, God adopted us as children (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17 ; Galatians 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:5; 1 John 3:1). God chastened his children; he does not cast them away (Hebrews 12:4-11). The goal of chastening is to correct us when we stray. The parenting role of God is a great reason we should have confidence in our salvation. God is not an absentee parent.

The fifth point to understand is that our salvation does not depend on our performance. It is about what Christ has done on the cross and our faith in his sacrifice and its sufficiency (Romans 10:13; 1 Peter 2:6). God has already qualified us for his Kingdom through the sacrifice of his Son (Colossians 1:12-14). We are more than conquerors through him (Romans 8:37). Christ is the source of our righteousness, and he has made us sufficient (1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6). He made us perfect through his sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14). Our works do not add to what Christ did on the cross, and our salvation was earned at the cross (Romans 11:6).

The sixth point to understand is that we received a new nature at conversion that wants to obey God. We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are reborn when we are saved (John 3). Would a person with this new nature want to reject God? Those who claim you can lose your salvation are asserting that it is possible to go back to the old nature.

The seventh point to understand is that our assurance is based on Christ’s ministry of intercession on our behalf (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1). Note especially Hebrews 7:25 that it is Christ who “saves to the uttermost” those who draw near to God.

Examples of Christ’s prayers for us include the prayers of Christ for Peter in Luke 22:31-34. Christ prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. Christ also prayed for believers, including us, in John 17:6-26. He specifically mentioned in this prayer asking God to keep us from being lost (John 17: 11-12). Can anyone have a more powerful prayer warrior interceding for them?

The eighth point to understand is that we enjoy union with Christ when we were saved (Romans 6:5). We are no longer separate from Him, and that is why Scripture says we are in Christ (John 6:56; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 13:5). We were baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27). We were crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). Christ lives in us (Romans 8:10-20; Galatians 2:20). We are identified with him totally. Scripture says that we died with Christ (Romans 6:8; Colossians 2:20), are buried with Christ (Romans 6:4), were made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5), were risen with Christ (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1) and are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).

Unity with Christ has importance with regards to security as well. We are no longer part of unredeemed mankind, which is in union with Adam, and under the condemnation of God (Rom 5). We have left that status, and now belong to Jesus. We are united with him spiritually, and he is the source of our spiritual strength and life.

The ninth point to understand is that God has a covenant with Christians in regards to eternal life, and that we can rely on God’s covenant love and loyalty, which endures forever. God’s covenant love is hesed in Hebrew. As an example of what God says about his covenant love, see Psalm 136. It repeatedly states that God’s steadfast love, or covenant love, endures forever. Another example of this covenant loyalty is found with ancient Israel. God has not given up on ancient Israel despite their lack of loyalty, as Romans 11 indicates.

This Hebrew word hesed is rendered steadfast love in the ESV. It would be a good exercise to scan through the Old Testament to see how often this word is mentioned in relation to those God has covenanted with. It is mentioned many times.

The tenth point to understand relates to God’s attributes. One of the attributes of God is omniscience. God knows everything, including all details about the future (Is. 46:9-10). How does this relate to assurance of salvation?

If God knows the details of the future, why would he bring someone to salvation, give them eternal life, and work within their life, then reach a point of giving up on them due to some sin? Is God schizophrenic? Why would he bother bringing someone to salvation if he knew the person was doomed to destruction?

Those who think a believer can lose their salvation don’t seem to understand God’s attributes. He knows the end from the beginning, and knows every sin the person will commit before they are saved. How would God be able to relate to a person honestly and in love if he knew that they were going to be lost at some point?

Only those who are truly saved should be assured of their salvation, though. Those who haven’t placed their faith in Christ are under God’s wrath. So, it’s important to know whether you are saved or not. How do you know if you’re saved? Scripture teaches that we should examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5).

We should examine the fruits of our salvation to see if they are present. Fruits are borne over time, so a new Christian may not be able to recognize these fruits earlier in their Christian walk. So, if you are young in the faith and don’t recognize these fruits earlier in your Christian walk, do not be discouraged.

Over time, though, if you don’t observe these fruits in your life, you may have reason to consider whether you were saved. The fact that you are concerned is a good sign. Those who are not saved have little or no concern for their relationship with God.

1 John was written to give believers the assurance of their salvation (1 John 5:13). It gives signs of true believers. The first sign is that they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God and his sacrifice for forgiveness of their sins (1 John 4:15; I John 5:1; 1 John 5:5). A second sign is that they do not practice a habitual lifestyle of sin (1 John 3:9; I John 5:2). This does not mean that Christians cease to sin at conversion; it means that they do not continue to practice their sin with no concern for their disobedience. They grieve over their sins, unlike the unregenerate man who doesn’t care. A third sign is that they continue with the Christian faith; they persevere in the faith (Hebrews 3:14; 1 John 2:19). A fourth sign is that they love Christian brothers; they share a special spiritual connection that unites them, and they know it (1 John 3:14-16; I John 4:7-12; I John 4:21). A fifth sign is that they have the Holy Spirit, which is an internal witness that we belong to God (1 John 3:24).

I've heard it called having faith in their faith (choice to believe) instead of having faith in Christ directly.

Preservation of the saints is a bible doctrine aka eternal security. It is not a reformed doctrine. Reformed theology is simply a counter argument to Romanism.

Saved by grace. Justified by grace. One day glorified by grace. The grace of God through Jesus Christ.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

This is a good article on the topic of perseverance of the saints, but I don't agree with their terminology.

Perseverance of the saints is different than "once saved always saved" although I agree that all true believers will persevere. The real issue I have is that some groups believe that mere intellectual assent is real faith.

Like I mentioned, Free Grace Movement and Grace Evangelical Society and the No-Lordship Movement, associated with Zane Hodges and Robert Wilkin, are at the top of the list of groups and individuals that have false teachings in this regard. As well, some Southern Baptist, Independent Fundamentalist Baptist, and other dispensationalist churches have similar teachings (not all, though..there are Reformed dispensationalists)

https://www.gotquestions.org/perseverance-saints.html

Here's a good article on the fact that real believers persevere in the faith:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-perseverance.html

If you don't like the term OSAS and you really want to split hairs then the term really should be Perseverance Of God, since it is God who saves and keeps people saved.

Perseverance of Saints just seems like a fancy way of saying OSAS to me. Although OSAS has the negative connotation (which it shouldn't) of people living in rebellion to God and thinking they were saved, and thus still saved.

Once a person is saved they don't live in rebellion to God.


One person cannot tell another person that they are saved. Or not saved. That is entirely between the person and God.

This is the real danger of the OSAS doctrine. Some person telling another person that they are saved, when they really aren't, and then that person going through life thinking they are osas when they aren't. Even though it may be true that once you are saved you will never lose your salvation you really need to ensure that you were truly saved to begin with. Not just told you were saved by some guy in a suit. Because that guy doesn't know.


Baptism doesn't save you. (Although saved people get baptized)

Laying on of hands doesn't save you. (Although saved people want you to be saved too)

Prayer from other people doesn't (necessarily) save you. (It certainly helps and cannot hurt)

Altar calls do not save you. (Although charismatic evangelists and preachers would have you believe differently)


Only the Lord Jesus Christ saves you. And you must come to Him yourself. Your priest can't do it for you. Your mom and dad can't do it for you. Your pastor can't do it for you.


Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Not because you are afraid you will lose that salvation. But because you will fear and tremble for all the Good that God gives you through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Jeremiah 33:9)

The language of "perseverance" is one that Scripture uses. Either that, or "continuing".

So, it's perfectly biblical.

And, like I mentioned, some prefer "preservation of the Holy Spirit". That puts the focus on God and not on them.

The phrase "once saved always saved" by itself is harmless, but it has a tradition of being used by the groups I mentioned, who promote this idea that salvation is not accompanied by biblical repentance and that continuance or sanctification is optional.

This would not be a real faith.

The other person who teaches something like this is Steven Anderson. He cuts a notch on his belt if some hippie he is witnessing to is toking a joint in front of him, and says, ok, I accept Christ's sacrifice, and goes back in the door toking his joint and beating on his wife...even if he never changes.

This is not conversion. A person who is saved abhors himself and his sin, and puts it away immediately, as best as he understands it...in Scripture we find Zacchaeus who gives money that he stole from the poor back, and idolaters and sorcerers who destroy their idols and sorcery books.

There are also all kinds of groups that claim eternal security, but deny any need to pursue holiness..despite that all throughout Scripture there are warnings concerning this. I believe the elect will heed those warnings, and that is why they are there, and the non-elect will simply ignore them. They become descriptive rather than prescriptive. But, the warnings are still there.

Salvation can be lost, as plainly implied in scripture.

LUKE 12:46 "The Lord of that servant [who returns to evil works] will come...and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers."

PSALM 125:5 "As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity."

LUKE 13:27 "Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity" [Jesus' words].

GALATIANS 5:21 "They which do such things [works of the flesh] shall not inherit the kingdom of God...And they that are Christs' have crucified the flesh with affections and lusts"

No; we are the "incompetent" ones who choose either to obey righteousness, or unrighteousness.

No. When I heard the gospel, I believed the gospel. All my sins were washed away the moment I believed and had a true moment of repentance. Now, having trusted God to have my sins forgiven, my reasonable service to God (Romans 12:1) is to present my body a living sacrifice [see aforementioned passage Galatians 5:24].

Not true again. Salvation is to the born again believer in the Spirit. You are to crucify the flesh with the affections an lusts (Again, GALATIANS 5:24).

The doctrine of perseverance of the saints teaches that the true believer will persevere unto the end. Every single elect person will persevere. And, obedience will characterize that person over their life.

And, this is because they are united to Christ. Being united to Christ produces fruit. Fruit is not borne through the self-righteous efforts of the moralist. It is borne through union with Jesus.

Most of those who deny perseverance of the saints are moralists who are depending on their own strength to produce their righteousness, in my experience. Moralism is generated by the flesh, whereas holiness is generated by union with Christ.

Notice the focus on the individual's ability to keep himself in salvation. His dependence on his strength, and not on God, is apparent.

Maybe he has tamed himself. You can tame a bear, and get some short-term obedience, but the bear is still a bear, and will likely revert back to bear behavior (especially if you starve him and he gets hungry).

The nature needs changed, and only God can do that. And, none of us have the nature that is needed to please God until this occurs. It's called being born-again. It involves being united with Christ, which produces spiritual fruit.

I listed a lot of Scriptures which support my position in the above post. I would recommend studying John 6, in particular.

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9 (KJV 1900)

Eternal salvation is wholly dependent upon Christ. God would not entrust so great a matter to men. God committed the matter to Christ.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

And yet we all sin.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:6‭-‬10 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/1jn.1.6-10.NASB

Not habitually. You can defeat sin at the temptation stage by walking in the Spirit.

Read the passage. There is no conversation to be had about it. Read it all together and see what it says, because it says it all. I will not break it down from my phone in a forum. We can in person you are a smart Christian so you can read the full context and see what it says.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4 (KJV 1900)

isn't it interesting how Calvinists take a BIBLICAL doctrine and then baptize it in the name of 'reformed'?

it's nice we do agree on some things

Are you back to trolling for Five Point Calvinism?

So should it be PERSEVERANCE or PRESERVATION?

Or is it about the ETERNAL SECURITY of the believer?