The following study I have haf for quite sometime and am not certain of the author. I have edited the study because it is very lengthy and wanted to fit it in one post.
Perseverance of the Saints, or once saved, always saved, is a very hated doctrine along with the rest of the Doctrines of Grace. Many will call these doctrines heresy.
I have always questioned how the doctrines are heresy, when all they do is bring glory to God and not man.
Many will want to refute this doctrine and debate it, which is fine.
Those that want to refute it to please take the time and read through the study before commenting.
Please keep the comments respectful and whatever your position, lets give all the glory to our Sovereign God.
Arminian Position: All who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation.Sinners can lose their salvation by failing to keep up their faith, by falling into a state of serious sin, etc.
Antinomian Position: (Also known as "Easy Believism") All who make a profession of faith are eternally secure, whether or not they keep up their faith.
Reformed Position: All who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in Faith by the Power of Almighty God and therefore continue to persevere in faith.
PRINCIPLES THAT SHOULD GOVERN OUR THINKING ON THIS SUBJECT:
The Bible teaches that those who are born-again will continue trusting in Christ forever. God, by His own power through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, keeps or preserves the believer forever. This wonderful truth is seen in Ephesians 1:13-14:
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
When we are born again, we receive the promised indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that is God’s guarantee that He who began a good work in us will complete it:
Php 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
In order for us to lose our salvation after receiving the promised Holy Spirit, God would have to break His promise or renege on His “guarantee,” which He cannot do. Therefore the believer is eternally secure because God is eternally faithful. The teaching of the Bible is that perseverance is both absolutely necessary and absolutely certain. If we emphasize either of these truths to the exclusion of the other, we are no longer on solid biblical ground.
PERSEVERANCE IS NECESSARY -- only those who persevere in faith and holiness are truly saints (Matthew 7:21-3, 10:22, 13:18-23; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15; John 8:31-32,15:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 14, 6:4-6, 10:35-39; 2 Peter 2:20-22.
PERSEVERANCE IS CERTAIN -- all of those who are truly saints will surely persevere in faith and holiness to the end (John 6:37, 39-40, 10: 27-30; Romans 8:1, 28-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 3:3, 5:18).
The Person Who Truly Believes In Jesus Christ HAS New Life That Is ETERNAL.
Jn.3:16; Jn.3:36; Jn.5:24; Jn.6:47; Jn.6:51; Jn.11.25;1Jn.5:13;1Peter.1:23
All those who come to genuine saving faith in Christ are kept secure in him for eternity by the Power of God.John.6:35-40; Jn.17:11-12; Jn.17:15; Rom.8:29-30; Rom.8:35-39; 1Cor.1:8; Eph.1:5; Eph.1:13-14; Eph.4:30; Phil.1:6; 1Peter.1:3-5
True Believers WILL Persevere To The End In Faith And Obedience By The Power Of The Holy Spirit.
Jn.14:21; Jn.15:1-11; Eph.2:10; 1Peter.5:10; 2Peter.1:10; Phil.2:12-13; Phil.3:12-15; 1Jn.3:9; 1Jn.5:18; Heb.5:11 - Heb.6:12; 1Jn.2:19; 1Jn.2:25
THE PURPOSE, WORK, AND CHARACTER OF GOD THE FATHER MAKE THE SAINT'S PERSEVERANCE CERTAIN.
He has purposed the final salvation (as well as all the steps leading to it) of every genuine believer:
His righteous demands do not change. Once His righteous demands have been fully satisfied, we do not need to concern ourselves with further legal liability.
THE WORK OF CHRIST MAKES THE SAINT'S PERSEVERANCE CERTAIN.
Since God is righteous, He cannot charge us with those sins for which Christ has already suffered (1 John 1:9-2:1).
Not only did Christ's death for His people deliver us from the penalty of sin; it also delivered us from the reigning power of sin, thus assuring our perseverance.
The understanding of this doctrine really comes from understanding the unique and special love that God has for His children. Romans 8:28-39 tells us that:
1) no one can bring a charge against God’s elect;
2) nothing can separate the elect from the love of Christ;
3) God makes everything work together for the good of the elect; and
4) all whom God saves will be glorified. God loves His children (the elect) so much that nothing can separate them from Him. Of course this same truth is seen in many other passages of Scripture as well.
In John 10:27-30 Jesus says: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 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. I and the Father are one." Again in John 6:37-47 we see Jesus stating that everyone that the Father gives to the Son will come to Him and He will raise all of them up at the last day.
There is really very little scriptural basis that can be used to argue against the eternal security of the believer. While there are a few verses that, if not considered in their context, might give the impression that one could “fall from grace” or lose their salvation, when these verses are carefully considered in context it is clear that is not the case. Many people know someone who at one time expressed faith in Christ and who might have appeared to be a genuine Christian who later departed from the faith and now wants to have nothing to do with Christ or His church. These people might even deny the very existence of God. For those that do not want to accept what the Bible says about the security of the believer these types of people are proof that the doctrine of eternal security cannot be right. However, the Bible indicates otherwise and it teaches that people such as those who profess Christ as Savior at one time only to later walk away and deny Christ, were never truly saved in the first place. For example 1 John 2:19 says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out from us, in order that it might be made manifest that they all are not truly of us." The Bible is also clear that not everyone who professes to be a Christian truly is. Jesus Himself says that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21-22). Rather than proving we can lose our salvation, those people who profess Christ and fall away simply reinforces the importance of testing our salvation to make sure we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) and making our calling and election sure by continually examining our lives to make sure we are growing in godliness (2 Peter 1:10).
One of the misconceptions about the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is that it will lead to “carnal Christians” who believe that since they are eternally secure they can live whatever licentious lifestyle they wish and still be saved. But that is a misunderstanding of the doctrine and what the Bible teaches. A person who believes they can live any way they want because they have professed Christ is not demonstrating true saving faith (1 John 2:3-4). Our eternal security rests on the biblical teaching that those whom God justifies, He will also glorify (Romans 8:29-30). Those who are saved will indeed be conformed to the image of Christ through the process of sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11). When a person is saved, the Holy Spirit breaks the bondage of sin and gives the believer a new heart and a desire to seek holiness. Therefore a true Christian will desire to be obedient to God and will be convicted by the Holy Spirit when they sin. They will never “live any way they want” because such behavior is impossible for someone who has been given a new nature (1 Corinthians 5:17).
By perseverance the snail reached the ark.- C.H. Spurgeon
How comforting it is to know that we as Christians can never lose our salvation. The Lord is continually holding us up, as Holy Spirit leads us through trials and tribulations. Many will,and have said that T.U.L.I.P is heresey, a false and evil teaching. God making man a robot, this is what I say, Lord use me as a puppetmaster would use a puppet. This is complete love the Creator has for His creation.
Westminster Confession of Faith XVII, 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.
Perseverance of the Saints, or once saved, always saved, is a very hated doctrine along with the rest of the Doctrines of Grace. Many will call these doctrines heresy.
I have always questioned how the doctrines are heresy, when all they do is bring glory to God and not man.
Many will want to refute this doctrine and debate it, which is fine.
Those that want to refute it to please take the time and read through the study before commenting.
Please keep the comments respectful and whatever your position, lets give all the glory to our Sovereign God.
Arminian Position: All who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation.Sinners can lose their salvation by failing to keep up their faith, by falling into a state of serious sin, etc.
Antinomian Position: (Also known as "Easy Believism") All who make a profession of faith are eternally secure, whether or not they keep up their faith.
Reformed Position: All who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in Faith by the Power of Almighty God and therefore continue to persevere in faith.
PRINCIPLES THAT SHOULD GOVERN OUR THINKING ON THIS SUBJECT:
The Bible teaches that those who are born-again will continue trusting in Christ forever. God, by His own power through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, keeps or preserves the believer forever. This wonderful truth is seen in Ephesians 1:13-14:
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
When we are born again, we receive the promised indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that is God’s guarantee that He who began a good work in us will complete it:
Php 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
In order for us to lose our salvation after receiving the promised Holy Spirit, God would have to break His promise or renege on His “guarantee,” which He cannot do. Therefore the believer is eternally secure because God is eternally faithful. The teaching of the Bible is that perseverance is both absolutely necessary and absolutely certain. If we emphasize either of these truths to the exclusion of the other, we are no longer on solid biblical ground.
PERSEVERANCE IS NECESSARY -- only those who persevere in faith and holiness are truly saints (Matthew 7:21-3, 10:22, 13:18-23; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15; John 8:31-32,15:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 14, 6:4-6, 10:35-39; 2 Peter 2:20-22.
PERSEVERANCE IS CERTAIN -- all of those who are truly saints will surely persevere in faith and holiness to the end (John 6:37, 39-40, 10: 27-30; Romans 8:1, 28-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 3:3, 5:18).
The Person Who Truly Believes In Jesus Christ HAS New Life That Is ETERNAL.
Jn.3:16; Jn.3:36; Jn.5:24; Jn.6:47; Jn.6:51; Jn.11.25;1Jn.5:13;1Peter.1:23
All those who come to genuine saving faith in Christ are kept secure in him for eternity by the Power of God.John.6:35-40; Jn.17:11-12; Jn.17:15; Rom.8:29-30; Rom.8:35-39; 1Cor.1:8; Eph.1:5; Eph.1:13-14; Eph.4:30; Phil.1:6; 1Peter.1:3-5
True Believers WILL Persevere To The End In Faith And Obedience By The Power Of The Holy Spirit.
Jn.14:21; Jn.15:1-11; Eph.2:10; 1Peter.5:10; 2Peter.1:10; Phil.2:12-13; Phil.3:12-15; 1Jn.3:9; 1Jn.5:18; Heb.5:11 - Heb.6:12; 1Jn.2:19; 1Jn.2:25
THE PURPOSE, WORK, AND CHARACTER OF GOD THE FATHER MAKE THE SAINT'S PERSEVERANCE CERTAIN.
He has purposed the final salvation (as well as all the steps leading to it) of every genuine believer:
- He has marked out a people to be redeemed by Christ.
- He has foreknown (set His love on) His people from eternity.
- He has predestined all His people to glory.
- His purpose is always accomplished (Isaiah 46:9-11; Daniel 4:35; Proverbs 19:21;Psalm 115:3)
His righteous demands do not change. Once His righteous demands have been fully satisfied, we do not need to concern ourselves with further legal liability.
THE WORK OF CHRIST MAKES THE SAINT'S PERSEVERANCE CERTAIN.
Since God is righteous, He cannot charge us with those sins for which Christ has already suffered (1 John 1:9-2:1).
Not only did Christ's death for His people deliver us from the penalty of sin; it also delivered us from the reigning power of sin, thus assuring our perseverance.
The understanding of this doctrine really comes from understanding the unique and special love that God has for His children. Romans 8:28-39 tells us that:
1) no one can bring a charge against God’s elect;
2) nothing can separate the elect from the love of Christ;
3) God makes everything work together for the good of the elect; and
4) all whom God saves will be glorified. God loves His children (the elect) so much that nothing can separate them from Him. Of course this same truth is seen in many other passages of Scripture as well.
In John 10:27-30 Jesus says: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 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. I and the Father are one." Again in John 6:37-47 we see Jesus stating that everyone that the Father gives to the Son will come to Him and He will raise all of them up at the last day.
There is really very little scriptural basis that can be used to argue against the eternal security of the believer. While there are a few verses that, if not considered in their context, might give the impression that one could “fall from grace” or lose their salvation, when these verses are carefully considered in context it is clear that is not the case. Many people know someone who at one time expressed faith in Christ and who might have appeared to be a genuine Christian who later departed from the faith and now wants to have nothing to do with Christ or His church. These people might even deny the very existence of God. For those that do not want to accept what the Bible says about the security of the believer these types of people are proof that the doctrine of eternal security cannot be right. However, the Bible indicates otherwise and it teaches that people such as those who profess Christ as Savior at one time only to later walk away and deny Christ, were never truly saved in the first place. For example 1 John 2:19 says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out from us, in order that it might be made manifest that they all are not truly of us." The Bible is also clear that not everyone who professes to be a Christian truly is. Jesus Himself says that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21-22). Rather than proving we can lose our salvation, those people who profess Christ and fall away simply reinforces the importance of testing our salvation to make sure we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) and making our calling and election sure by continually examining our lives to make sure we are growing in godliness (2 Peter 1:10).
One of the misconceptions about the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is that it will lead to “carnal Christians” who believe that since they are eternally secure they can live whatever licentious lifestyle they wish and still be saved. But that is a misunderstanding of the doctrine and what the Bible teaches. A person who believes they can live any way they want because they have professed Christ is not demonstrating true saving faith (1 John 2:3-4). Our eternal security rests on the biblical teaching that those whom God justifies, He will also glorify (Romans 8:29-30). Those who are saved will indeed be conformed to the image of Christ through the process of sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11). When a person is saved, the Holy Spirit breaks the bondage of sin and gives the believer a new heart and a desire to seek holiness. Therefore a true Christian will desire to be obedient to God and will be convicted by the Holy Spirit when they sin. They will never “live any way they want” because such behavior is impossible for someone who has been given a new nature (1 Corinthians 5:17).
By perseverance the snail reached the ark.- C.H. Spurgeon
How comforting it is to know that we as Christians can never lose our salvation. The Lord is continually holding us up, as Holy Spirit leads us through trials and tribulations. Many will,and have said that T.U.L.I.P is heresey, a false and evil teaching. God making man a robot, this is what I say, Lord use me as a puppetmaster would use a puppet. This is complete love the Creator has for His creation.
Westminster Confession of Faith XVII, 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.
…
️ itself seemed to play a huge role in the Pentecostal believers life and faith. Some Pentecostal believers seemed to really truly believe in the power of church itself to instill faith and build faith and sustain faith. 
if there isn’t too much emo manipulation going on in the charismatic churches and ministries…