WCF 17.1
Westminster Confession of Faith
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?
- WSC Q36 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q79 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q36 · WLC Q79 · WLC Q80 · WLC Q81 · CD 4.1 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · IAR 5.6 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): This Chapter teaches the following propositions : 1st. The true believer, having been once regenerated and justified by God, can never afterward totally nor finally fall away from grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end. 2d. That the principle of this certain perseverance is not in any degree in the free will of the saints, but altogether (1) in the inherent immutability of the eternal decree of election ; (2) in the provisions of the eternal covenant of grace; (3) in the merits and intercession of Christ ; and (4) in the constant indwelling and preserving power of the Holy Ghost. 3d. The true believer may nevertheless fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein, the…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): The perseverance of the saints is one of the articles by which the creed of the followers of Calvin is distinguished from that of the followers of Arminius. The latter hold, that true believers may fall into sins inconsistent with a state of grace, and may continue in apostasy to the end of life, and consequently may finally fall into perdition. The same doctrine is avowedly supported by the Church of Rome; for the Council of Trent has decreed, that " If any person shall say that a man who has been justified cannot lose grace, and that, therefore, he who falls and sins was never truly justified, he shall be accursed." * In opposition to this tenet, our Confession…