Lesson 13 - The Doctrine of Persevering Grace

Question 1

Define Persevering Grace

Answer 1

God’s special redemptive grace will keep genuine converts faithful to Christ until end.

Question 2

Scriptural Basis for Persevering Grace

Answer 2

Philippians 1:6, John 6:22-65, Romans 8:28-30, 35-39, 1 John 2:18-20

Question 3

Theological Basis for Persevering Grace

Answer 3

1. ) If God is sovereign over the ends, he will be sovereign over the means.
2. ) God’s purpose is that chosen people will be saved.
3. ) Therefore, God has the power to ensure that his chosen people will be saved.
4. ) Therefore, God has the power to ensure that his chosen people will never finally fall away, but will persevere to the end in faith and good works.

Question 4

What are some important implication of persevering grace?

Answer 4

1. ) If a person is truly converted to Christ, they will surely gain eternal life (Romans 8:30)
2. ) If a person utterly renounces their faith in Christ, they were never truly converted.
3. ) If a person preserves in faith to the end, it is ultimately due to divine grace alone.
4. ) No matter how hard the trials believers face in life, God’s grace will sustain them.
5. ) Human freedom is compatible with comprehensive divine sovereignty.

Question 5

Once saved, always saved?

Answer 5

Too often this means I was saved back then, so I can live any way I want and go to heaven. (Phil 2, and 1 Cor. 15) speak against this explicitly.

Question 6

Scripture support for persevering grace?

Answer 6

Jeremiah 32:38-40 - everlasting covenant
Philippians 1:6 - what He starts, he finishes
John 10:27-30 - no one will snatch them out of my hand
Romans 8:28-30; 35-39
1 John 2:18-20

Question 7

Isn’t Hebrews 6:4-6 against this doctrine of persevering grace?

Answer 7

1. ) There’s nothing here that implies regenernation of a person (tasted the spirit, but hasn’t swallowed)
2. ) God’s warnings are what God uses to keep his elect until the end. In this way even this warning is a means to his ultimate end of perseverance.