The 1689 Baptist ConfessionThe 1689 Baptist Confession[Chapters 10-20][Chapters 10-20]

PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES! PHONES!

(Merely silencing them is not (Merely silencing them is not sufficient to remove interference.) sufficient to remove interference.)

Symbolics 2Symbolics 2The 1689 Baptist ConfessionThe 1689 Baptist Confession

[Chapters 10-20][Chapters 10-20]Chapter 17Chapter 17

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the Saints

{Lecture 1}{Lecture 1}

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the SaintsChapters 10-18 deal specifically with the great Chapters 10-18 deal specifically with the great

truths related to the application of salvation. truths related to the application of salvation. Chapters 10-13: the acts of God toward us: Chapters 10-13: the acts of God toward us:

calling, justification, adoption, sanctification. calling, justification, adoption, sanctification. Chapters 14-18 the graces of God in us.Chapters 14-18 the graces of God in us.

Chapter 14 FaithChapter 14 FaithChapter 15 RepentanceChapter 15 RepentanceChapter 16 Good WorksChapter 16 Good WorksChapter 17 Perseverance of the Saints. Chapter 17 Perseverance of the Saints. Chapter 18 Assurance of SalvationChapter 18 Assurance of Salvation

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the SaintsThis subject has been a battlefield.This subject has been a battlefield.Historically Historically between Arminians and Calvinists between Arminians and Calvinists {Will true Christians persevere?}{Will true Christians persevere?}Currently Currently between Easy-Believism and between Easy-Believism and

Reformed Christianity. Reformed Christianity. {Is it necessary for Christians to persevere in {Is it necessary for Christians to persevere in

order to be finally saved?}order to be finally saved?}

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the Saints1a1a Those whom God hath accepted in the Those whom God hath accepted in the

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

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the Saints1b and though many storms and floods arise and 1b and though many storms and floods arise and

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

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the SaintsI.I. The Fact of Perseverance (par 1)The Fact of Perseverance (par 1)A.A. Stated Stated

1.1. The Subjects of PerseveranceThe Subjects of Perseverance2.2. The Significance of PerseveranceThe Significance of Perseverance

B.B. ExpandedExpanded1.1. The Cause of PerseveranceThe Cause of Perseverance2.2. The Obstacles to PerseveranceThe Obstacles to Perseverance3.3. The Assurances of PerseveranceThe Assurances of Perseverance

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the Saints22 This perseverance of the saints depends This perseverance of the saints depends

not upon their own free will, but upon the not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit, and the the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them, and the nature of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.the certainty and infallibility thereof.

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the SaintsII.II. The Grounds of Perseverance (par 2)The Grounds of Perseverance (par 2)A.A. Their PresuppositionTheir PresuppositionB.B. Their IdentityTheir Identity

The Immutability of the Decree of ElectionThe Immutability of the Decree of ElectionThe Efficacy of Work of ChristThe Efficacy of Work of ChristThe Perpetuity of the Indwelling Spirit The Perpetuity of the Indwelling Spirit The Dependability of the Oath of GodThe Dependability of the Oath of GodThe Infallibility of the Covenant of GraceThe Infallibility of the Covenant of Grace

C.C. Their ResultTheir Result

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the Saints3a3a And though they may, through the And though they may, through the

temptation of Satan and of the world, the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation, fall the neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein, therein,

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the Saints3b whereby they incur God's displeasure and 3b whereby they incur God's displeasure and

grieve his Holy Spirit, come to have their graces grieve his Holy Spirit, come to have their graces and comforts impaired, have their hearts and comforts impaired, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded, hurt hardened, and their consciences wounded, hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves, yet shall they judgments upon themselves, yet shall they renew their repentance and be preserved renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.

Of the Perseverance of the SaintsOf the Perseverance of the SaintsIII.III. The Difficulty with Perseverance, par. 3The Difficulty with Perseverance, par. 3

A.A. The Various Causes of BackslidingThe Various Causes of BackslidingB.B. The Tragic Fruits of BackslidingThe Tragic Fruits of BackslidingC.C. The Positive Resolution of BackslidingThe Positive Resolution of Backsliding

I. The Perseverance of the SaintsI. The Perseverance of the SaintsHere is the outline of my exposition:Here is the outline of my exposition:I.I. The Fact of PerseveranceThe Fact of Perseverance

A.A. The Subjects of PerseveranceThe Subjects of PerseveranceB.B. The Significance of PerseveranceThe Significance of Perseverance

II.II. The Grounds of PerseveranceThe Grounds of PerseveranceA.A. Their PresuppositionTheir PresuppositionB.B. Their IdentityTheir IdentityC.C. Their ResultTheir Result

The Subjects of PerseveranceThe Subjects of PerseveranceWho 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 belovedaccepted in the beloved——not those who have not those who have

merely merely accepted Jesus as their Savioraccepted Jesus as their Savior. . effectually calledeffectually called—not merely those who —not merely those who

respond in some way to the gospel. respond in some way to the gospel. sanctified by the Spiritsanctified by the Spirit—not merely those with —not merely those with

outward reformation of life. outward reformation of life. given the precious faith of (God's) electgiven the precious faith of (God's) elect—not —not

every sort of believer. every sort of believer.

The Subjects of PerseveranceThe Subjects of PerseveranceThe Perseverance of the Saints does not mean The Perseverance of the Saints does not mean

that all who claim to be or appear to be that all who claim to be or appear to be Christians persevere. Christians persevere.

This is the conclusive response to the This is the conclusive response to the argument from experience against this argument from experience against this doctrine.doctrine.

““But I know someone who …” But I know someone who …”

The Significance of PerseveranceThe Significance of PerseveranceIn 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? In what do they persevere? Perseverance must be perseverance in Perseverance must be perseverance in

something. something. The Confession tells us that it is perseverance The Confession tells us that it is perseverance

in a state of grace. in a state of grace. This means …This means …

objectively, the state of being delivered from God's objectively, the state of being delivered from God's wrath and brought under His fatherly love and grace. wrath and brought under His fatherly love and grace.

subjectively, the state of having the Spirit and his subjectively, the state of having the Spirit and his fruits fruits

In what do they persevere? In what do they persevere? Scripturally, the believer perseveres in …Scripturally, the believer perseveres in …faith faith (1 John 5:1-5; I Cor. 15:1,2; Col. 1:23; (1 John 5:1-5; I Cor. 15:1,2; Col. 1:23;

Heb. 10:39) Heb. 10:39) repentance repentance (1 John. 1:7-9; Ezek. 16:60; Matt. (1 John. 1:7-9; Ezek. 16:60; Matt.

5:4)5:4) love love (1 John. 3:14, 15; John 15:9) (1 John. 3:14, 15; John 15:9) hope hope (Col. 1:23; 1 Thess. 1:3)(Col. 1:23; 1 Thess. 1:3) joy joy (Matt. 13:44) (Matt. 13:44)

In what do they persevere? In what do they persevere? These graces may become to the Christian These graces may become to the Christian

himself and invisible to others.himself and invisible to others.Yet, grace is not eradicated by grievous sins.Yet, grace is not eradicated by grievous sins.Is perseverance a Is perseverance a license to sin?license to sin? Not if perseverance is perseverance in faith, Not if perseverance is perseverance in faith,

repentance, love, hope, and joy in the gospel. repentance, love, hope, and joy in the gospel. One who is uncertain of presently having these One who is uncertain of presently having these

graces can draw no comfort from this doctrine.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?How long do they persevere?The Confession states the answer, "to the The Confession states the answer, "to the

end." end." The meaning is that they persevere till death The meaning is that they persevere till death

or the second coming of Christ or the second coming of Christ Matthew 24:13 Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the But the one who endures to the

end, he will be saved.end, he will be saved.2 Timothy 4:7 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I I have fought the good fight, I

have finished the course, I have kept the faith.have finished the course, I have kept the faith.

To what do they persevere?To what do they persevere?The Confession answers that they persevere The Confession answers that they persevere

to eternal salvation.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 We persevere not to extra rewards, but to

salvation itself. salvation itself.

To what do they persevere?To what do they persevere?3:6 3:6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His but Christ was faithful as a Son over His

house -- whose house we are, if we hold fast house -- whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.until the end.

3:14 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,firm until the end,

10:39 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.the preserving of the soul.

How certainly do they persevere?How certainly do they persevere?The Confession specifies that saints "shall The Confession specifies that saints "shall

certainly persevere therein to the end." 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 itmost will make itin general Christians persevere,in general Christians persevere,God has made every provision that we should God has made every provision that we should

persevere,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?Why is it necessary to persevere?Perseverance means "to continue doing Perseverance means "to continue doing

something in spite of difficulty, opposition." something in spite of difficulty, opposition." The Confession emphasizes this implication in The Confession emphasizes this implication in

the 2the 2ndnd half of par(s) 1 and 3. half of par(s) 1 and 3. Perseverance is necessary because the Perseverance is necessary because the

Christian life is a fight‑-a war against many Christian life is a fight‑-a war against many enemies who would keep us from being saved enemies who would keep us from being saved in the end.in the end.

Why is it necessary to persevere?Why is it necessary to persevere?2 Timothy 4:7 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I I have fought the good fight, I

have finished the course, I have kept the faith.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 We must not be surprised or doubt that we are

saved when our Christian life seems filled with saved when our Christian life seems filled with obstacles, setbacks, and sins. obstacles, setbacks, and sins.

II.II. The Grounds of PerseveranceThe Grounds of PerseveranceA.A. Their PresuppositionTheir PresuppositionPeople often read the Scriptures with People often read the Scriptures with

assumptions not scrutinized in light of Scripture. 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, To appreciate the evidence for perseverance,

this idea must be scrutinized and rejected. this idea must be scrutinized and rejected. We must understand that perseverance does We must understand that perseverance does

not depend on free will, but on free grace that not depend on free will, but on free grace that moves our wills. moves our wills.

II.II. The Grounds of PerseveranceThe Grounds of PerseveranceA.A. Their PresuppositionTheir PresuppositionPhil 2:12f work out your salvation…for it is God Phil 2:12f work out your salvation…for it is God

who is at work in you, both to will and to work for who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His His good pleasure.good pleasure.

Rom 9:16 So then it Rom 9:16 So then it does does not not depend depend on the on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.who has mercy.

John 6:37f All that the Father gives Me will John 6:37f All that the Father gives Me will come to Me …. No one can come to Me unless come to Me …. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him ...the Father who sent Me draws him ...

II.II. The Grounds of PerseveranceThe Grounds of PerseveranceA.A. Their PresuppositionTheir PresuppositionThe Confession says, The Confession says, This perseverance of the This perseverance of the

saints depends not upon their own free will.saints depends not upon their own free will. This is the only presupposition from which the This is the only presupposition from which the

biblical evidence may be clearly seen. biblical evidence may be clearly seen. Otherwise, we will read the ultimacy of free will Otherwise, we will read the ultimacy of free will

into all the evidence mentioned by the into all the evidence mentioned by the Confession.Confession.

II.II. The Grounds of PerseveranceThe Grounds of PerseveranceA.A. Their PresuppositionTheir PresuppositionWe will read our presupposition of free will intoWe will read our presupposition of free will into

the immutability of the decree of election … the merit the immutability of the decree of election … the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit … and the the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit … and the nature of the covenant of gracenature of the covenant of grace

Consequently, all of this will prove nothing to Consequently, all of this will prove nothing to us, because we misinterpret it all in light of our us, because we misinterpret it all in light of our notion what free will means.notion what free will means.