The 1689 Baptist Confession [Chapters 10-20] PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES! (Merely silencing them is not sufficient to remove interference.)

Symbolics 2 The 1689 Baptist Confession [Chapters 10-20] Chapter 17 Of the Perseverance of the Saints {Lecture 1}

Of the Perseverance of the Saints Chapters deal specifically with the great truths related to the application of salvation. Chapters deal specifically with the great truths related to the application of salvation. Chapters 10-13: the acts of God toward us: calling, justification, adoption, sanctification. Chapters 10-13: the acts of God toward us: calling, justification, adoption, sanctification. Chapters the graces of God in us. Chapters the graces of God in us. Chapter 14 Faith Chapter 14 Faith Chapter 15 Repentance Chapter 15 Repentance Chapter 16 Good Works Chapter 16 Good Works Chapter 17 Perseverance of the Saints. Chapter 17 Perseverance of the Saints. Chapter 18 Assurance of Salvation Chapter 18 Assurance of Salvation

Of the Perseverance of the Saints This subject has been a battlefield. This subject has been a battlefield. Historically between Arminians and Calvinists Historically between Arminians and Calvinists {Will true Christians persevere?} {Will true Christians persevere?} Currently between Easy-Believism and Reformed Christianity. Currently between Easy-Believism and Reformed Christianity. {Is it necessary for Christians to persevere in order to be finally saved?} {Is it necessary for Christians to persevere in order to be finally saved?}

Of the Perseverance of the Saints 1aThose whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, whence he still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality; 1aThose whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, whence he still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality;

Of the Perseverance of the Saints 1b and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them, yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity. 1b and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them, yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.

Of the Perseverance of the Saints I.The Fact of Perseverance (par 1) I.The Fact of Perseverance (par 1) A.Stated A.Stated 1.The Subjects of Perseverance 1.The Subjects of Perseverance 2.The Significance of Perseverance 2.The Significance of Perseverance B.Expanded B.Expanded 1.The Cause of Perseverance 1.The Cause of Perseverance 2.The Obstacles to Perseverance 2.The Obstacles to Perseverance 3.The Assurances of Perseverance 3.The Assurances of Perseverance

Of the Perseverance of the Saints 2This 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 and union with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof. 2This 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 and union with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

Of the Perseverance of the Saints II.The Grounds of Perseverance (par 2) II.The Grounds of Perseverance (par 2) A.Their Presupposition A.Their Presupposition B.Their Identity B.Their Identity The Immutability of the Decree of Election The Immutability of the Decree of Election The Efficacy of Work of Christ The Efficacy of Work of Christ The Perpetuity of the Indwelling Spirit The Perpetuity of the Indwelling Spirit The Dependability of the Oath of God The Dependability of the Oath of God The Infallibility of the Covenant of Grace The Infallibility of the Covenant of Grace C.Their Result C.Their Result

Of the Perseverance of the Saints 3aAnd though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein, 3aAnd though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein,

Of the Perseverance of the Saints 3b 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 shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end. 3b 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 shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.

Of the Perseverance of the Saints III.The Difficulty with Perseverance, par. 3 III.The Difficulty with Perseverance, par. 3 A.The Various Causes of Backsliding A.The Various Causes of Backsliding B.The Tragic Fruits of Backsliding B.The Tragic Fruits of Backsliding C.The Positive Resolution of Backsliding C.The Positive Resolution of Backsliding

I. The Perseverance of the Saints Here is the outline of my exposition: Here is the outline of my exposition: I.The Fact of Perseverance I.The Fact of Perseverance A.The Subjects of Perseverance A.The Subjects of Perseverance B.The Significance of Perseverance B.The Significance of Perseverance II.The Grounds of Perseverance II.The Grounds of Perseverance A.Their Presupposition A.Their Presupposition B.Their Identity B.Their Identity C.Their Result C.Their Result

The Subjects of Perseverance Who are they that persevere? Who are they that persevere? Those given perseverance in the faith are: Those given perseverance in the faith are: accepted in the beloved—not those who have merely accepted Jesus as their Savior. accepted in the beloved—not those who have merely accepted Jesus as their Savior. effectually called—not merely those who respond in some way to the gospel. effectually called—not merely those who respond in some way to the gospel. sanctified by the Spirit—not merely those with outward reformation of life. sanctified by the Spirit—not merely those with outward reformation of life. given the precious faith of (God's) elect—not every sort of believer. given the precious faith of (God's) elect—not every sort of believer.

The Subjects of Perseverance The Perseverance of the Saints does not mean that all who claim to be or appear to be Christians persevere. The Perseverance of the Saints does not mean that all who claim to be or appear to be Christians persevere. This is the conclusive response to the argument from experience against this doctrine. This is the conclusive response to the argument from experience against this doctrine. “But I know someone who …” “But I know someone who …”

The Significance of Perseverance In what do they persevere? In what do they persevere? How long do they persevere? How long do they persevere? To what do they persevere? To what do they persevere? How certainly do they persevere? How certainly do they persevere? Why is it necessary to persevere? Why is it necessary to persevere?

In what do they persevere? Perseverance must be perseverance in something. Perseverance must be perseverance in something. The Confession tells us that it is perseverance in a state of grace. The Confession tells us that it is perseverance in a state of grace. This means … This means … objectively, the state of being delivered from God's wrath and brought under His fatherly love and grace. objectively, the state of being delivered from God's wrath and brought under His fatherly love and grace. subjectively, the state of having the Spirit and his fruits subjectively, the state of having the Spirit and his fruits

In what do they persevere? Scripturally, the believer perseveres in … Scripturally, the believer perseveres in … faith (1 John 5:1-5; I Cor. 15:1,2; Col. 1:23; Heb. 10:39) faith (1 John 5:1-5; I Cor. 15:1,2; Col. 1:23; Heb. 10:39) repentance (1 John. 1:7-9; Ezek. 16:60; Matt. 5:4) repentance (1 John. 1:7-9; Ezek. 16:60; Matt. 5:4) love (1 John. 3:14, 15; John 15:9) love (1 John. 3:14, 15; John 15:9) hope (Col. 1:23; 1 Thess. 1:3) hope (Col. 1:23; 1 Thess. 1:3) joy (Matt. 13:44) joy (Matt. 13:44)

In what do they persevere? These graces may become to the Christian himself and invisible to others. These graces may become to the Christian himself and invisible to others. Yet, grace is not eradicated by grievous sins. Yet, grace is not eradicated by grievous sins. Is perseverance a license to sin? Is perseverance a license to sin? Not if perseverance is perseverance in faith, repentance, love, hope, and joy in the gospel. Not if perseverance is perseverance in faith, repentance, love, hope, and joy in the gospel. One who is uncertain of presently having these graces can draw no comfort from this doctrine. One who is uncertain of presently having these graces can draw no comfort from this doctrine. It does not encourage anyone to press on in sin. It does not encourage anyone to press on in sin.

How long do they persevere? The Confession states the answer, "to the end." The Confession states the answer, "to the end." The meaning is that they persevere till death or the second coming of Christ The meaning is that they persevere till death or the second coming of Christ Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.

To what do they persevere? The Confession answers that they persevere to eternal salvation. The Confession answers that they persevere to eternal salvation. This is classically affirmed in Hebrews: This is classically affirmed in Hebrews: Perseverance is not optional. Perseverance is not optional. We persevere not to extra rewards, but to salvation itself. We persevere not to extra rewards, but to salvation itself.

To what do they persevere? 3:6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house -- whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. 3:6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house -- whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

How certainly do they persevere? The Confession specifies that saints "shall certainly persevere therein to the end." The Confession specifies that saints "shall certainly persevere therein to the end." Perseverance of the saints does not mean that Perseverance of the saints does not mean that most will make it most will make it in general Christians persevere, in general Christians persevere, God has made every provision that we should persevere, God has made every provision that we should persevere, the possibility is very hopeful, the possibility is very hopeful, But that every true Christian really perseveres. But that every true Christian really perseveres. The reasons for this certainty are in par 2. The reasons for this certainty are in par 2.

Why is it necessary to persevere? Perseverance means "to continue doing something in spite of difficulty, opposition." Perseverance means "to continue doing something in spite of difficulty, opposition." The Confession emphasizes this implication in the 2 nd half of par(s) 1 and 3. The Confession emphasizes this implication in the 2 nd half of par(s) 1 and 3. Perseverance is necessary because the Christian life is a fight ‑ -a war against many enemies who would keep us from being saved in the end. Perseverance is necessary because the Christian life is a fight ‑ -a war against many enemies who would keep us from being saved in the end.

Why is it necessary to persevere? 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. It is running, fighting, guarding. It is running, fighting, guarding. We must not be surprised or doubt that we are saved when our Christian life seems filled with obstacles, setbacks, and sins. We must not be surprised or doubt that we are saved when our Christian life seems filled with obstacles, setbacks, and sins.

II.The Grounds of Perseverance A.Their Presupposition A.Their Presupposition People often read the Scriptures with assumptions not scrutinized in light of Scripture. People often read the Scriptures with assumptions not scrutinized in light of Scripture. One is that free will is ultimate in salvation. One is that free will is ultimate in salvation. To appreciate the evidence for perseverance, this idea must be scrutinized and rejected. To appreciate the evidence for perseverance, this idea must be scrutinized and rejected. We must understand that perseverance does not depend on free will, but on free grace that moves our wills. We must understand that perseverance does not depend on free will, but on free grace that moves our wills.

II.The Grounds of Perseverance A.Their Presupposition A.Their Presupposition Phil 2:12f work out your salvation…for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Phil 2:12f work out your salvation…for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Rom 9:16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. Rom 9:16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. John 6:37f All that the Father gives Me will come to Me …. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him... John 6:37f All that the Father gives Me will come to Me …. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him...

II.The Grounds of Perseverance A.Their Presupposition A.Their Presupposition The Confession says, This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will. The Confession says, This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will. This is the only presupposition from which the biblical evidence may be clearly seen. This is the only presupposition from which the biblical evidence may be clearly seen. Otherwise, we will read the ultimacy of free will into all the evidence mentioned by the Confession. Otherwise, we will read the ultimacy of free will into all the evidence mentioned by the Confession.

II.The Grounds of Perseverance A.Their Presupposition A.Their Presupposition We will read our presupposition of free will into We will read our presupposition of free will into the immutability of the decree of election … the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit … and the nature of the covenant of grace the immutability of the decree of election … the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit … and the nature of the covenant of grace Consequently, all of this will prove nothing to us, because we misinterpret it all in light of our notion what free will means. Consequently, all of this will prove nothing to us, because we misinterpret it all in light of our notion what free will means.