CD 1.24

1.24. First Head of Doctrine, Rejection of Errors 6

That not every election unto salvation is unchangeable, but that some of the elect, any decree of God notwithstanding, can yet perish and do indeed perish. By which gross error they make God to be changeable, and destroy the comfort which the godly obtain out of the firmness of their election, and contradict the Holy Scripture which teaches that the elect cannot be led astray: "Insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt. 24:24); that Christ does not lose those whom the Father gave Him: "And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing" (John 6:39); and that God hath also glorified those whom He foreordained, called and justified: "Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified" (Rom. 8:30).

Proof texts

• John 6:39 — [39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
• Matt. 24:24 — [24] For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
• Rom. 8:30 — [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited John 6:39 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q7 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q8 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q7 · WSC Q8 · WLC Q12 · WLC Q13 · WLC Q14 · WCF 3.1 · BC 5.1 · 1689 3.1