Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church (Bible study)
Ledgewood, New Jersey
January 21, 1990
Hebrews 6:4-9
CAN SALVATION BE LOST?
I. The doctrine of "Perseverance of the Saints."
A. Groups that believe true salvation cannot be lost:
1) Presbyterians, Reformed, many Baptists
B. Groups that believe salvation can be lost:
1) Roman Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, some Baptist.
C. What the doctrine really means:
1) Those who have been truly born again by the grace of God
can never completely fall from that grace and thus fail
to receive eternal salvation.
2) They may sometimes be overcome by evil and fall in sin.
3) Even then, the marks of salvation will not completely
disappear from their lives.
4) It is not that these Christians will persevere in faith, as
that their Savior, Jesus, will persevere in "keeping" them.
5) By themselves, each believer would fall away.
II. Proof for the doctrine of perseverance.
A. Direct statements of the Bible. (see verse sheet)
1) John 10:27-29
2) Romans 11:29
3) Philippians 1:6
4) 2 Thessalonians 3:3
5) 2 Timothy 1:12, 4:8
B. Inferences from other biblical doctrines.
1) From election.
2) From redemption and intercession of Jesus.
3) From mystical union with Christ.
4) From work of Holy Spirit in the heart.
5) From the assurance of salvation.
III. Objections to the doctrine of perseverance.
A. It is inconsistent with human freedom.
B. It leads to laziness and immoral living.
C. It contradicts the Bible.
1) Warnings against apostasy.
(Apostasy is to fall away from God and salvation.)
2) Exhortations to continue in sanctification.
(Usually same as that above.)
3) Specific cases of apostasy.
IV. Practical effects of the doctrine of perseverance.
A. Denial of the doctrine makes salvation dependent on our will.
1) God's power to preserve us is eliminated.
2) If we could fall from salvation, all of us would.
3) If salvation can be lost, it cannot be regained. Hebrews 6:6
B. Perseverance should give Christians hope and power.
1) Our God will never forsake us.
2) He is strong enough to overcome any obstacle we may face.
3) God can and will keep his promises.
4) Those who are genuinely saved will desire to be close to God.
