Perseverance(endurance, overcoming)
Summary
Perseverance is the continuance in faith and holiness to the end, debated as whether the truly regenerate will certainly persevere (Calvinist) or may fall away finally (Arminian)—with Scripture presenting both assurances of permanence and warnings against falling, together requiring humble reliance on God rather than presumption.
☩The Doctrine Stated
Perseverance of the saints teaches that those truly converted by the Holy Spirit shall never finally and totally fall from grace but shall hold out to the end and be saved. The Westminster Confession states: 'They whom God hath accepted in his beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.' This perseverance depends not upon free will but upon 'the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them.'
☩Biblical Foundation
Advocates found the doctrine upon God's perfections: His unchangeable love, faithfulness to promise, wisdom foreseeing obstacles, and insuperable power displayed in believers' preservation. Scripture abounds with assurances of perseverance as fact, intimating that exulting anticipation is the intended Christian experience. 'My sheep hear my voice... and they shall never perish' and 'nothing shall separate us from the love of God' are foundational passages. Union with Christ, purchase by His death, and His ongoing intercession guarantee that believers cannot finally be lost. God is called 'the God of patience' as able to grant the grace of perseverance to those depending on Him.
☩Arminian Objection
Arminian theology holds that the Spirit is equally willing to act upon all hearts, and its efficacy depends upon free will choosing Christ. If believers thereafter reject Christ and resist the Spirit, they can fall from grace. Arminians cite Hebrews 6:4-6, the many warnings against falling away, predictions that some would fall, and examples like David, Solomon, and Peter who committed grave sins. They argue that Scripture's warnings and exhortations would be meaningless if believers could not actually fall. The Arminian-Wesleyan position affirms the possibility of 'total and final fall from grace' for those once regenerated.
☩Reconciling the Evidence
Scripture presents both assurances of perseverance and urgent warnings requiring careful handling. The teacher dealing with actual cases should apply positive assurances to the true but timid disciple, while applying warnings to the self-confident. Both Calvinist and Arminian agree that one may give all external evidences of Christian life yet fall away—the difference being whether such persons were ever truly converted. Notably, no biblical biography shows a person 'at one time certainly a saint' who was 'later certainly a castaway.' Hebrews 6:4-6 appears to describe cases of much light but no loving life. The watchword should be 'the Perseverance of the Saviour' rather than merely the perseverance of saints.
☩Practical Implications
Certainty of perseverance is 'so far from exciting a spirit of pride or rendering believers carnally secure, that it is the real source of humility, filial reverence, true piety, patience in tribulation, fervent prayers, constancy in suffering, and solid rejoicing in God.' The apostolic doctrine combines religious persuasion with moral endeavor—firm belief in perseverance excludes carnal security and is ever accompanied by deep sense of possible failure and absolute necessity of utmost effort. There is no perseverance without conscious determined persevering. Grace engirds every faculty, 'working mightily unto every good word and work.' Christians must 'give diligence to make your calling and election sure.'
Related Verses125 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Perseverance," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Perseverance," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Perseverance of the Saints," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. VIII (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 4.James Orr (ed.), "Perseverance," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).