Calvinism-5
I John 4:1
Introduction-1
• John wrote exhorting Christians to “test the spirits”
• Even then many false teachers were at work teaching error
and trying to lead disciples astray
• Calvinism contains the most pervasive religious errors
among those who claim to be Christians today
• It consists of five points sometimes represented by the
acronym, TULIP
Introduction-2
• T- total hereditary depravity
• U- unconditional election
• L- limited atonement
• I- Irresistible grace
• P- Perseverance of the saints
• These teachings are found in the handbooks, manuals and
disciplines of the various denominations
• And many of their members believe these erroneous teachings
Introduction-3
• John Calvin was an influential French theologian who preached
during the Protestant reformation
• These teachings did not originate with him, but he popularized
them through his teaching and writings during the 1500’s
• Knowing the truth about these teachings can prevent us from
believing them, and also help us lead others out of error
• This afternoon I want to the last of the five tenets of Calvinism
which is perseverance of the saints
Meaning of the Perseverance of the Saints
• It is the tenet of Calvinism that is most commonly believed
and taught today
• It is also called, “Once saved, always saved”, “Eternal security
of the saints” and the “Impossibility of apostasy”
• It says that one who has been saved has the imputed
righteousness of Christ, and he/she can never be lost
• Nothing good they may do can make their soul any safer, nor
can any sins they commit cause them to be eternally lost
Perseverance of the Saints Stated-1
• They, whom God has 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.
• II. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own
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, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which
arises also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
Perseverance of the Saints Stated-2
• III. Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan
and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in
them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall
into grievous sins; and, for a time, continue therein: whereby
they incur God's displeasure, and grieve His Holy Spirit, come to
be deprived of some measure of their graces and
comforts, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences
wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal
judgments upon themselves. (Westminister Confession of Faith,
chapter 17)
Proof Texts Claimed-1
• John 10:28- “And I give them eternal life and they never perish;
neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
• It does not say that Jesus’ sheep can never depart from Him and
be lost in eternity
• It emphasizes the saving power of Christ- Heb. 7:25
• It says no one can snatch them out of His hand
• And states the security of those who stay in His hand by
continuing to follow Him- Jn. 10:27
Proof Texts Claimed-2
• John 5:24- “Most assuredly , I say to you, he who hears My word
and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life , and shall
not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
• The claim is that if the believer now possesses life that is
everlasting, He/she cannot possibly lose it
• Eternal life is used in two senses in the New Testament:
1. To describe the spiritual life that a Christian now has- I Jn. 5:11
Proof Texts Claimed-3
2. The life that we hope to have in eternity- Titus 1:2
• This is the life that the faithful will enjoy in Heaven
• Jesus is using everlasting life in the first sense
• It is the life that is eternal not the possession of it
• One may possess spiritual life that is eternal now and lose it
• Having eternal life is conditional on our obedience to God’s
word- Heb. 5:9
Proof Texts Claimed-4
• Romans 8:35-38- Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution or famine, or
nakedness, or peril or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we
are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the
slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither
death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor
things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any
other created thing , shall be able to separate us from the love
of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Proof Texts Claimed-5
• The claim is that if one cannot be separated from God’s love he
cannot be lost
• God loves the whole world, but all in it will not be saved- Jn. 3:16
• This passage addresses our love for God not our salvation
• God does not control our will so that we must continue to love
Him and obey His word- Jn. 14:15
• No outside force or thing that can keep us from loving Christ
• But we may stop loving and obeying Him and be lost
Refutation of Perseverance of the Saints-1
1. The scriptures contain numerous warnings against apostasy
• These are all unnecessary if the elect can never be lost
2. The scriptures warn against departing from God- Heb. 3:12
• One cannot depart from Him with whom he /she has never been
• One who turns back an erring Christian will save a soul from
death- Jas. 5:19-20
3. Paul said that the Galatians who were trusting in the Law of
Moses for justification had become “estranged from Christ” and
had “fallen from grace”- Gal. 5:4
Refutation of Perseverance of the Saints-2
4. The scriptures teach that we obtain the righteousness of Christ
by doing His will not by having it being imputed or given to usI John 3:7
5. The scriptures describe the condition of Christians who
apostatize- II Pet. 2:20
• The scriptures tell us that they may reach a point where they
cannot be restored- Heb. 6:4-6
6. Simon the sorcerer provides one example- Acts 8:13-24
In Conclusion
• “Once saved always saved” is contrary to the plain teachings of
the Bible
• Like the other teachings of Calvinism, it makes people robots
without the ability to choose
• It leads to a false sense of security, neglect of duty and will cause
many to be eternally lost
• Our souls are secure as long as we obey the Lord- II Pet. 1:10
• All Christians can and should persevere, but it is up to each of us
to choose to do so