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The Final Perseverance of the Saints
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London Confession of 1644
23. Those that have
this precious faith wrought in them by the Spirit, can never finally nor
totally fall away; and though many storms and floods do 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, but shall be kept by the
power of God to salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession,
they being formerly engraven upon the palms of God's hands.
31. That all believers
in the time of this life are in continual warfare, combat, and opposition
against sin, self, the world, and the devil, and liable to all manner of
afflictions, tribulations and persecutions, and so shall continue until
Christ comes in His kingdom, being predestinated and appointed thereunto
and whatsoever the saints, any of them do possess or enjoy of God in this
life, is only by faith.
32. That the only strength
by which the saints are enabled to encounter with all opposition and to
overcome all afflictions, temptations, persecutions, and trials, is only
by Jesus Christ, who is the captain of their salvation, being made perfect
through sufferings, who hath engaged His strength to assist them in all
their afflictions and to uphold them under all their temptations, and to
preserve them by His power to His everlasting kingdom.
The Orthodox Creed of 1679 Of Perseverance
Those that are effectually
called, according to God's eternal purpose, being justified by faith, do
receive such a measure of the holy unction from the Holy Spirit, by which
they shall certainly persevere unto eternal life.
The Philadelphia Confession
of Faith of 1742 Chapter 17:
Of Perseverance of the
Saints
1.
Those whom God hath accepted in thc 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); 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 God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them, yet
lie is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of
God 'into salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession,
they being engraven upon the palin of His hands, and their names having
been written in the book of life from all eternity. 2.
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 and union with Him, 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.
3.
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 in grievous sins, and for a time continue
therein, whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve
His Holy Spirit, CofliC 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 shall renew
their repentance and be preserved, through faith in Christ Jesus, to the
end.
New Hampshire Confession
of 1833
9. Of the Perseverance
of the Saints That such only are real believers
as endure unto the end; that their perserving attachment to Christ is the
grand mark which distinguishes them from mere professors; that a special
providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of
God through faith unto salvation.
Abstract of Principles
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1858
XIII. PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.
Those whom God hath accepted
in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally
fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the
end; and though they may fall, through neglect and temptation, into sin,
whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring
reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they
they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of
God through faith unto salvation.
Baptist Faith and Message
Statement of 1925
11. PERSEVERANCE
All real believers endure to the end. Their continuance in well-doing is the mark which distinguishes them from mere professors. A special Providence cares for them, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Baptist Faith and Message
Statement of 1963
V. God's Purpose of Grace Election is the gracious purpose
of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners.
It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means
in connection with the end. It is a glorious display of God's sovereign
goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting
and promotes humility. All true believers endure to
the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit,
will never fall away from the State of grace, but shall persevere to the
end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby
they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach
on the cause of Christ, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they
shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 19:5-8; 1
Sam. 8:4-7, 19-22; Isa. 5:1-7; Jer. 31:31 ff.; Matt. 16:18-19; 21:28-45;
24:22, 31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14;
3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45, 65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6, 12, 17-18; Acts 20:32;
Rom. 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7. 26-36; 1 Cor. 1:1-2; 15:24-28;
Eph. 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Col. 1:12-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 1:12;
2:10, 19; Heb. 11:39 - 12:2; 1 Peter 1:2-5, 13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19;
3:2
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