1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 17
Of The Perseverance of the Saints
Those 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) 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 fastned 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
John 10:2828I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
John 10:2929My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
Philippians 1:66being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1919Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
1 John 2:1919They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.
Psalms 89:3131if they violate My statutes and fail to keep My commandments,
Psalms 89:3232I will attend to their transgression with the rod, and to their iniquity with stripes.
1 Corinthians 11:3232But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
Malachi 3:66“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.
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 oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit & the seed of God within them, and the nature of the Covenant of Grace from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
Scripture references for paragraph 2
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Romans 8:3030And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
Romans 9:1111Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,
Romans 9:1616So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Romans 5:99Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!
Romans 5:1010For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
John 14:1919In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live.
Hebrews 6:1717So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
Hebrews 6:1818Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.
1 John 3:99Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Jeremiah 32:4040I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from Me.
And 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; whereby they incur Gods 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 judgements upon themselves: yet they shall renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 26:7070But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”
Matthew 26:7272And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”
Matthew 26:7474At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
Isaiah 64:55You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins?
Isaiah 64:99Do not be angry, O LORD, beyond measure; do not remember our iniquity forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray; we are all Your people!
Ephesians 4:3030And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Psalms 51:1010Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalms 51:1212Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.
Psalms 32:33When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
Psalms 32:44For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah
2 Samuel 12:1414Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”
Luke 22:3232But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:6161And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
Luke 22:6262And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Source and edition
1689 London Baptist Confession. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
Unlicense. Source transcription.
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