Perseverance of the Saints

Perseverance of the Saints

Calvinism Exposed (5)

2005037

Topic # 1798 (Calvinism)

Introduction:

A. Perseverance of the saints is a logical conclusion to the doctrine of Calvinism.

1. If salvation comes solely by God’s election, then it is necessary to conclude that the same individual who is helpless to save himself would also be helpless to refuse God’s election and so live as to be lost.

B. There are many who believe in the doctrine of “once saved, always saved,” but do not believe the basic premise of Calvinism that denies the free will of man.

1. These religionists agree that God is no respecter of persons and has given man a free will

2. yet they believe the doctrine of perseverance which has roots in a system of theology that denies the truth in so many ways.

I. The doctrine defined:

A. God’s elect are not only given faith but are kept in the faith.

B. Those who profess faith and then fall away were never in grace.

II. Bible Texts used to uphold this doctrine:

A. Calvinists believe Christians Cannot Sin: 1 Jn 3:9

1. There are two key words in this passage: commit and cannot.

2. Commit is from a Greek word (POIEO) referring:

a) to what one does repeatedly, continually, habitually.

b) It does not mean that a person does not occasionally sin, but will not make a constant practice of sin.

3. Cannot is from the Greek word (OUDUNAMAI) meaning:

a) This means morally unable and not that which is physically impossible.

4. The Greek words literally mean, "cannot continue to PRACTICE sin"

5. John plainly says that Christians do sin: 1 Jn 1:8-10; 2:1-2

6. The passage is saying that a Christian cannot sin and be consistent with Christ.

7. Some "never cease from sin" 2 Pe 2:14 does not mean they are forced to sin, but choose to remain there.

B. Eternal Life Argument: Jn 3:16; 3:36; 5:24

1. The above texts prove Christians can be lost

2. Eternal life is conditional upon our obedience to God's word prior to judgment: Heb 3:6,14

C. Power Of God Argument: Jn 10:29; Rom 8:35-39

1. The above texts prove Christians can be lost...salvation is conditional prior to judgment.

2. Being a sheep and being in the hand of God is conditional.

a) Hearing Christ (v. 27)

b) Believing Christ (v. 26)

c) Following Christ (v. 27)

3. What these passages are really teaching is that nothing can harm the Christian who submits to God and obeys His commandments.

a) But if we willingly disobey and openly practice sin in rebellion to God we will be lost.

b) Jesus plainly said he would to unfaithful Christians "I will spit you out of My mouth" Rev 3:16

4. Jesus said he would "throw away branches that do not abide in Him" Jn 15:6

5. Romans 8:35, 39 - faithful follower of Christ, "they shall never perish." The argument is: We cannot be separated from the love of Christ.

a) This verse does not teach that we can never be separated from the salvation that is in Christ.

b) Christ's love for man and salvation in Christ are two different things.

c) We can separate ourselves from Christ, but not from His love.

D. If They Fall Away, They Weren't Saved In The First Place: 1 Jn 2:19

1. The Bible clearly teaches a Christian can fall away

III. Implications if "eternal security" is true.

A. Every Bible passage that says, "If you hold fast the word" must be deleted.

1. To the Calvinist, there are no ifs. These passages make no sense to them.

B. All passages for watchfulness should be deleted: "be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life."

1. Why be faithful if you already have and can't lose?

C. It would certainly lessen a Christian's fear of sin and lead to increased sin.

1. Historically, such an increase of sin based upon this theology has been documented.

IV. A Scriptural refutation of "eternal Security"

Children of God can:
1. Fall from grace - Gal. 5:1-4,13
2. Be led away with error - 2 Pet. 3:17
3. Err from the truth - James 5:19-20
4. Weak brother may perish - 1 Cor. 8:11
5. Fall into condemnation - James 5:12
6. Be moved away from the hope - Col. 1:21-23
7. Deny the Lord who bought them - 2 Pet. 2:1
8. Depart from the living God - Heb. 3:12
9. Can be a castaway - 1 Cor. 9:27
10. Can become accursed children - 2 Pet. 2:14
Other scriptural arguments that refute "Eternal Security"
1. 1 Cor. 15:58 - The fact the Bible exhorts to faithfulness proves one can be lost.
2. If these qualities are yours...2 Pe 1:5-11
3. we will reap if we do not grow weary: Gal 6:9
4. be faithful unto death and I will give crown of life: Rev 2:10
5. practice these things and God will be with you: Phil 4:9

Conclusion:

A. Hope you have enjoyed this series on Calvinism.

B. Do you need to obey the gospel?

C. Do so today!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Perseverance of the Saints Calvinism Exposed (5) 2005037 Topic # 1798 (Calvinism) Introduction: A. Perseverance of the saints is a logical conclusion to the doctrine of Calvinism. 1. If salvation comes solely by God’s election, then it is necessary to conclude that the same individual who is helpless to save himself would also be helpless to refuse God’s election and so live as to be lost. B. There are many who believe in the doctrine of “once saved, always saved,” but do not believe the basic premise of Calvinism that denies the free will of man. 1. These religionists agree that God is no respecter of persons and has given man a free will 2. yet they believe the doctrine of perseverance which has roots in a system of theology that denies the truth in so many ways. I. The doctrine defined: A. God’s elect are not only given faith but are kept in the faith. B. Those who profess faith and then fall away were never in grace. II. Bible Texts used to uphold this doctrine: A. Calvinists believe Christians Cannot Sin: 1 Jn 3:9 1. There are two key words in this passage: commit and cannot. 2. Commit is from a Greek word (POIEO) referring: a) to what one does repeatedly, continually, habitually. b) It does not mean that a person does not occasionally sin, but will not make a constant practice of sin. 3. Cannot is from the Greek word (OUDUNAMAI) meaning: a) This means morally unable and not that which is physically impossible. 4. The Greek words literally mean, "cannot continue to PRACTICE sin" 5. John plainly says that Christians do sin: 1 Jn 1:8-10; 2:1-2 6. The passage is saying that a Christian cannot sin and be consistent with Christ. 7. Some "never cease from sin" 2 Pe 2:14 does not mean they are forced to sin, but choose to remain there. B. Eternal Life Argument: Jn 3:16; 3:36; 5:24 1. The above texts prove Christians can be lost 2. Eternal life is conditional upon our obedience to God's word prior to judgment: Heb 3:6,14 C. Power Of God Argument: Jn 10:29; Rom 8:35-39 1. The above texts prove Christians can be lost...salvation is conditional prior to judgment. 2. Being a sheep and being in the hand of God is conditional. a) Hearing Christ (v. 27) b) Believing Christ (v. 26) c) Following Christ (v. 27) 3. What these passages are really teaching is that nothing can harm the Christian who submits to God and obeys His commandments. a) But if we willingly disobey and openly practice sin in rebellion to God we will be lost. b) Jesus plainly said he would to unfaithful Christians "I will spit you out of My mouth" Rev 3:16 4. Jesus said he would "throw away branches that do not abide in Him" Jn 15:6 5. Romans 8:35, 39 - faithful follower of Christ, "they shall never perish." The argument is: We cannot be separated from the love of Christ. a) This verse does not teach that we can never be separated from the salvation that is in Christ. b) Christ's love for man and salvation in Christ are two different things. c) We can separate ourselves from Christ, but not from His love. D. If They Fall Away, They Weren't Saved In The First Place: 1 Jn 2:19 1. The Bible clearly teaches a Christian can fall away III. Implications if "eternal security" is true. A. Every Bible passage that says, "If you hold fast the word" must be deleted. 1. To the Calvinist, there are no ifs. These passages make no sense to them. B. All passages for watchfulness should be deleted: "be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life." 1. Why be faithful if you already have and can't lose? C. It would certainly lessen a Christian's fear of sin and lead to increased sin. 1. Historically, such an increase of sin based upon this theology has been documented. IV. A Scriptural refutation of "eternal Security" Children of God can: Fall from grace - Gal. 5:1-4,13 Be led away with error - 2 Pet. 3:17 Err from the truth - James 5:19-20 Weak brother may perish - 1 Cor. 8:11 Fall into condemnation - James 5:12 Be moved away from the hope - Col. 1:21-23 Deny the Lord who bought them - 2 Pet. 2:1 Depart from the living God - Heb. 3:12 Can be a castaway - 1 Cor. 9:27 Can become accursed children - 2 Pet. 2:14 Other scriptural arguments that refute "Eternal Security" 1 Cor. 15:58 - The fact the Bible exhorts to faithfulness proves one can be lost. If these qualities are yours...2 Pe 1:5-11 we will reap if we do not grow weary: Gal 6:9 be faithful unto death and I will give crown of life: Rev 2:10 practice these things and God will be with you: Phil 4:9 Conclusion: A. Hope you have enjoyed this series on Calvinism. B. Do you need to obey the gospel? C. Do so today! D. I N V I T A T I O N