God's Preservation Of The Saints – Perseverance Of The Saints
Author: . Bass, Jr." href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/ralph-e.-bass,-jr./303969.htm">Ralph E. Bass, Jr.
What we call here Gods preservationof the saints is sometimes called the Doctrine of the Perseveranceof the Saints. Like so many of the other terms commonly used in ReformedTheology this one is often misunderstood as well. There is a subtle suggestion in the term perseverance of the saints that makes one think that the continuity of the saint in his faithis a product of his own effort. This is not the case. We persevere because God preserves us. Loraine Boettner, the Reformedtheologian, made an important point when he said, This doctrine does not stand alone but is a necessary part of the Calvinisticsystem of theology. The doctrines of Election and Efficacious Grace logically imply the certain salvation of those who receive these blessings. If God has chosen men absolutely and unconditionally to eternal life, and if His Spirit effectively applies to them the benefits of redemption, the inescapable conclusion is that these persons shall be saved. The Westminster Confessionof Faithadds this: They, whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectively called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fallaway from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. Chapter 17, Paragraph 1 There is a plethora of Scripture that teach this doctrine. Consider these few verses: For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenantof peace will not be shaken, says the Lord who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24, 25 http://www.living-hope-press.com/Gods-Preservation-of-the-Saints.html [1] Loraine Boettner, The ReformedDoctrine of Predestination, Presbyterianand Reformed Publishing Co., 182.About the Author:
Ralph E. Bass, Jr. has an undergraduate degree, BA, in Bible from Bob Jones University, and several graduate degrees: a M.A. in Counseling from Webster University, a M.Div. in divinity studies from Erskine Theological Seminary, a Th.M. in theological studies from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and a Th.D. in theological studies from Reformation International Theological Seminary.
Dr. Bass was for a number of years a biblical counselor, a pastor, and as a teacher and school administrator in several Christian schools. He is married and has five children and seventeen grandchildren. Nfl Tickets - Injuries Mount In Week 10 Action Error "1114 A Dynamic Link Library Initialization Routine Failed" - Fix ! Who's Watching Out For Us? UMC Hospital in Las Vegas Clearly Doesn't Understand EMTALA Rules Great Britain's Crown Jewels It's official Luvs suicidal The Spirit's Effective Call – Irresistible Grace Don't Get Stuck With The Wrong Pair Of Nighttime Driving Glasses Discover How To Choose The Best Auto Shipping Company Must Do The Math- 'only 100 Calories' Aloe Vera, It's not just a Plant Save Me Money and I'll Buy from You Glimpse of hope for Alzheimer's Disease Patients