Preservation of the saints
Preservation of the saints teaches that those who are saved (the elect), though they may from time to time waver in their faith, cannot ultimately lose their salvation but are kept by God and will persevere to the end.
- Election, predestination are irrevocable
- Ro 8:28–39; 11:28–29
- Elect are predestined to persevere
- Jn 15:16
- Christ intercedes for the elect
- Lk 22:31–32; Jn 17:9, 11, 15, 20; Ro 8:33–34; Heb 7:25; 9:11–12, 24; 1Jn 2:1; Rev 3:5 — and the Father grants every prayer of Jesus: Ps 2:7–8; Jn 11:41–42
- Holy Spirit seals and guarantees
- 2Co 1:21–22; 5:5; Eph 1:11–14; 4:30
- God is able to preserve
- Ro 14:4; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 2:18; 7:25; 2Pe 2:7–9; Jude 24–25
- God is faithful, finishes what he starts
- 1Co 1:7–9; Php 1:6; 1Th 5:23–24; 2Th 3:3–5
- God preserves, guards, keeps, rescues
- 1Sa 2:9; Ps 31:23; 32:7; 34:7; 89:30–33; 94:14; 97:10; 121:7; Pr 2:8; Isa 42:6; 54:4–10; Jer 31:3; Mt 18:12–14; Jn 6:37–40; 10:28–29; 1Pe 1:3–5; Jude 1
- Scripture encourages perseverance
- 1Co 10:12; Heb 6:1–12; 10:19–39; 12:1–29; Jas 5:10–11
- God grants means of perseverance
- Jer 32:38–42; Eze 11:19–20; 1Co 10:13
- Elect actually do persevere
- Job 17:9; Ps 84:5–7; 125:1; Pr 4:18
- Impossible to lead elect astray
- Mt 24:22–24
- A house built on a rock cannot fall
- Mt 7:24–27 (cf. Lk 6:47–49)
- Election, salvation (or lack thereof) evidenced by perseverance
- Mt 10:22; Mt 24:13 (cf. Mk 13:13; Lk 21:19); Jn 8:31–32; Heb 3:14; 1Jn 2:19–20; 3:9; Rev 2:10