Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

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REVIEW

In part one and part two of this series, our focus was on; 1 Timothy 2:4 and the belief that Calvinist or Reformed theologians do not believe the phrase, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. In that process, we covered the 5 Solas of the Reformation, Total Depravity, and Unconditional election. I hope we did a sufficient job of covering each topic.

In part three we looked at the arguments against and for Limited Atonement. Then in the last installment, part 4, we explored the “I” in T.U.L.I.P. or Irresistible Grace. Today we examine the final initial in “T.U.L.I.P.”, the Perseverance of the Saints.

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DEFINITIONS

PERSEVERANCE. The strictly biblical, as distinct from the later theological, significance of this term is indicated by the context of its sole occurrence in AV as a rendering of proskarterēsis in Eph. 6:18. The implication of steadfastness, patience, and persistence is confirmed by the use of the verb proskartereō, to attend constantly, continue unswervingly, adhere firmly, hold fast to (MM, p. 548). It is used in Mk. 3:9 to describe a skiff quietly waiting to carry Jesus from the surging crowd, and in Acts 10:7 of the soldiers in Cornelius’ bodyguard who were in uninterrupted attendance upon him. In its spiritual application, it always has to do with continuance in the Christian way, particularly in relation to prayer (cf. Acts 1:14; 2:42, 46; 6:4; 8:13; Rom. 12:12; 13:6; Col. 4:2). RSV translates hypomonē as ‘perseverance’ in Heb. 12:1.

No doctrinal undertones are attached to the term in the NT. It relates simply to the continual and patient dependence of the Christian upon Christ. Our Lord’s parable of the importunate widow is the most relevant commentary (cf. Lk. 18:1–8). Christian perseverance is only a quality in the believer because initially, it is a gift of God. It is by his power that those who trust in him are ‘guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time’ (1 Pet. 1:5).

A. S. Wood, “Perseverance,” ed. D. R. W. Wood et al., New Bible Dictionary (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 903.

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Perseverance of the Saints. – A *doctrine not only emphasizing the necessity for Christians to endure in the *faith but also highlighting God’s preservation of his adopted children. *Reformed theology asserts that since God initiates, accomplishes and applies *salvation, it is impossible for the regenerate to lose their *salvation, and therefore this concept is grounded in the doctrines of *election and God’s *sovereignty. Although true believers may temporarily backslide, this doctrine affirms that such instances of rebellion are not final. Rather than providing an excuse for *antinomianism, this doctrine was intended to bring comfort to struggling believers and to encourage obedience through reliance on God’s *grace.

Kelly M. Kapic and Wesley Vander Lugt, Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition, The IVP Pocket Reference Series (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2013), 86.

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Perseverance of the Saints – (Lat. perseverantia sanctorum) The belief that God’s elect who believe in Jesus Christ are held secure by God’s power, despite temptation and sin. Their salvation will not be lost (see John 10:28). It was one of the five canons of the Calvinistic Synod of Dort (1618–19) and part of TULIP. See also Dort, Synod of; elect; TULIP.

Donald K. McKim, The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014), 235.

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Elect – (Gr. eklektos, “chosen”) Those who are chosen by God to receive salvation (Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; Titus 1:1).

Donald K. McKim, The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014), 100.

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ELECT. – We meet with this word so very often in Scripture, that one might have been led to conclude, that it would have been received in the church with implicit faith, referring the act itself, as becometh sinful ignorant creatures to do, into the sovereignty and good pleasure of God. It is in the first and highest instance spoken of, and applied to, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Christ of God. (Isa. 42:1 with Matt. 12:17, 18, &c.) It is specially spoken of the church of Israel. (Isa. 45:4. 66:22.) It is also spoken of in relation to the Gentile church, gathered out of all nations. (Matt. 24:31. Rom. 11:5. Tit. 1:1.) And what endears this sovereign act of grace the more is, that it is all in, and for, Christ. (Eph. 1:4.) The Scriptures uniformly declaring while in the very moment of establishing the truth itself, that it is all of free grace, no merit, no pretensions of merit here or hereafter, becoming in the least instrumental to this distinguishing mercy, but wholly resulting from the sovereign will and purpose of the Lord. (Deut. 7:1. Rom. 9:11–16. 2 Tim. 1:9. Ephes. 1:6.) Hence the everlasting security of the church, and of the blessings of the church, are all sure, certain and irrevocable. (Rom. 8:33.) Here also the interest the Lord takes in his church, and all her concerns. Do any afflict them? he saith, “Shall not God avenge his own elect who cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. (Luke 18:7, 8.) Yea, the Lord declares, that he will “shorten the days of affliction for the elects’ sake.” (See Matt. 24:22.) And these blessings are heightened in their personal nature. John speaks of an elect lady and her sister. (2 John 1:13.) And Peter speaks of the elect church at Babylon. (1 Pet. 5:13.) I must not overlook, under this article, what is said in Scripture of elect angels, also. (1 Tim. 5:21.) No doubt they owe their steadfastness to Christ, as their Head and Sovereign, in election and dominion; while Christ’s seed, the church, are preserved by union. But without this preservation in Christ, by election, angels are no more secure from falling than men, who have fallen. For as some angels have fallen, so might all, if not upheld by a superior power to themselves. For as we read, (Job 4:18.) “God putteth no trust in his servants, and his angels he chargeth with folly,” that is, with weakness; so it is plain that their preservation is not in themselves, but in the Lord. And when we read of the elect angels, it implies their election, and upholding in Christ. Think what a glorious, blessed Almighty Lord the christian’s Lord is! Well might the apostle Peter, under the deep impression of this sacred truth made upon his heart, cry out with holy rapture, “Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, through the sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, grace unto you, and peace be multiplied.” (1 Pet. 1:2.)

Robert Hawker, The Poor Man’s Concordance and Dictionary to the Sacred Scriptures (London: Ebenezer Palmer, 1828), 217–219.

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STUDY

The Grounds of Perseverance, Joel Beeke and Mark Jones

The Perseverance of The Saints, Gise J. Van Baren

Eternal Security: The Perseverance of the Saints (eBook), A.W. Pink

Perseverance, J. C. Ryle

Perseverance, Thomas Watson