Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Savoy Declaration · 17.1–17.3
17.1. Of the Perseverance of the Saints
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.
Proof texts
- Phil. 1:6 — [6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
- 2 Pet. 1:10 — [10] Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
- John 10:28, 29 — [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
- 1 John 3:9 — [9] No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
- 1 Pet. 1:5, 9 — [5] who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [9] obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Phil. 1:6 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 17.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 17.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
17.2. Of the Perseverance of the Saints
This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election; from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, and union with him; the oath of God; the abiding of his Spirit; and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
Proof texts
- 2 Tim. 2:18, 19 — [18] who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. [19] But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
- Jer. 31:3 — [3] the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
- Heb. 10:10, 14 — [10] And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [14] For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
- Heb. 13:20, 21 — [20] Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, [21] equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
- Heb. 9:12, 13, 14, 15 — [12] he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. [13] For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, [14] how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. [15] Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
- Rom. 8:33 to the end — [1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. [6] For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. [8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. [10] But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. [12] So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. [13] For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. [19] For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. [20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. [23] And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. [26] Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27] And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [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. [31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? [33] Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36] As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- John 17:11, 24 — [11] And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. [24] Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
- Luke 22:32 — [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
- Heb. 7:25 — [25] Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
- John 14:16, 17 — [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, [17] even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
- 1 John 2:27 — [27] But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him.
- 1 John 3:9 — [9] No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
- Jer. 32:40 — [40] I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.
- John 10:28 — [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
- 2 Thess. 3:3 — [3] But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
- 1 John 2:19 — [19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 2 Tim. 2:18, 19 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 16 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 17.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 17.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
17.3. Of the Perseverance of the Saints
And though they may, through the temptation 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 have their graces and comforts impaired; have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves; yet they are and shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Proof texts
- Matt. 26:70, 72, 74 — [70] But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” [72] And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” [74] Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.
- Isa. 64:5, 7, 9 — [5] You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? [7] There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. [9] Be not so terribly angry, O LORD, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people.
- 2 Sam. 11:27 — [27] And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
- Eph. 4:30 — [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
- Ps. 51:8, 10, 12 — [8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
- Rev. 2:4 — [4] But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
- Song. 5:2, 3, 4, 6 — [2] I slept, but my heart was awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking. “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.” [3] I had put off my garment; how could I put it on? I had bathed my feet; how could I soil them? [4] My beloved put his hand to the latch, and my heart was thrilled within me. [6] I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned and gone. My soul failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer.
- Isa. 63:17 — [17] O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage.
- Mark 6:52 — [52] for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
- Mark 16:14 — [14] Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.
- Ps. 32:3, 4 — [3] For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. <i>Selah</i>
- Ps. 51:8 — [8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
- 2 Sam. 12:14 — [14] Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die.”
- Ps. 89:31, 32 — [31] if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, [32] then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes,
- 1 Cor. 11:32 — [32] But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 26:70, 72, 74 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 15 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 17.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 17.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?