Calvinism-5 I John 4:1

Introduction-1 John wrote exhorting Christians to “test the spirits” Even then many false teachers were at work teaching error and trying to lead disciples astray Calvinism contains the most pervasive religious errors among those who claim to be Christians today It consists of five points sometimes represented by the acronym, TULIP

Introduction-2 T- total hereditary depravity U- unconditional election L- limited atonement I- Irresistible grace P- Perseverance of the saints These teachings are found in the handbooks, manuals and disciplines of the various denominations And many of their members believe these erroneous teachings

Introduction-3 John Calvin was an influential French theologian who preached during the Protestant reformation These teachings did not originate with him, but he popularized them through his teaching and writings during the 1500’s Knowing the truth about these teachings can prevent us from believing them, and also help us lead others out of error This afternoon I want to the last of the five tenets of Calvinism which is perseverance of the saints

Meaning of the Perseverance of the Saints It is the tenet of Calvinism that is most commonly believed and taught today It is also called, “Once saved, always saved”, “Eternal security of the saints” and the “Impossibility of apostasy” It says that one who has been saved has the imputed righteousness of Christ, and he/she can never be lost Nothing good they may do can make their soul any safer, nor can any sins they commit cause them to be eternally lost

Perseverance of the Saints Stated- 1 They, whom God has 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. II. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which arises also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

Perseverance of the Saints Stated-2 III. Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations 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 be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves. (Westminister Confession of Faith, chapter 17)

Proof Texts Claimed-1 John 10:28- “And I give them eternal life and they never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. It does not say that Jesus’ sheep can never depart from Him and be lost in eternity It emphasizes the saving power of Christ- Heb. 7:25 It says no one can snatch them out of His hand And states the security of those who stay in His hand by continuing to follow Him- Jn. 10:27

Proof Texts Claimed-2 John 5:24- “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. The claim is that if the believer now possesses life that is everlasting, He/she cannot possibly lose it Eternal life is used in two senses in the New Testament: 1.To describe the spiritual life that a Christian now has- I Jn. 5:11

Proof Texts Claimed-3 2. The life that we hope to have in eternity- Titus 1:2 This is the life that the faithful will enjoy in Heaven Jesus is using everlasting life in the first sense It is the life that is eternal not the possession of it One may possess spiritual life that is eternal now and lose it Having eternal life is conditional on our obedience to God’s word- Heb. 5:9

Proof Texts Claimed-4 Romans 8: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proof Texts Claimed-5 The claim is that if one cannot be separated from God’s love he cannot be lost God loves the whole world, but all in it will not be saved- Jn. 3:16 This passage addresses our love for God not our salvation God does not control our will so that we must continue to love Him and obey His word- Jn. 14:15 No outside force or thing that can keep us from loving Christ But we may stop loving and obeying Him and be lost

Refutation of Perseverance of the Saints-1 1.The scriptures contain numerous warnings against apostasy These are all unnecessary if the elect can never be lost 2. The scriptures warn against departing from God- Heb. 3:12 One cannot depart from Him with whom he /she has never been One who turns back an erring Christian will save a soul from death- Jas. 5: Paul said that the Galatians who were trusting in the Law of Moses for justification had become “estranged from Christ” and had “fallen from grace”- Gal. 5:4

Refutation of Perseverance of the Saints-2 4. The scriptures teach that we obtain the righteousness of Christ by doing His will not by having it being imputed or given to us- I John 3:7 5.The scriptures describe the condition of Christians who apostatize- II Pet. 2:20 The scriptures tell us that they may reach a point where they cannot be restored- Heb. 6: Simon the sorcerer provides one example- Acts 8:13-24

In Conclusion “Once saved always saved” is contrary to the plain teachings of the Bible Like the other teachings of Calvinism, it makes people robots without the ability to choose It leads to a false sense of security, neglect of duty and will cause many to be eternally lost Our souls are secure as long as we obey the Lord- II Pet. 1:10 All Christians can and should persevere, but it is up to each of us to choose to do so