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This is adapted from a paper by Dr. DuWayne Lee. I have changed some wording and added some, but it is in essence the same. I have chosen to employ several Bible versions, without cherry picking them, just for some variety and not to lean too heavily on any single version. What is the Perseverance of the Saints? - Part 1 This particular wording comes to us from the acronym T.U.L.I.P. The tulip is a set of 5 beliefs that distinguish reformed theology of the Puritans and other early protestants. The letters stand for: Total depravity Unconditional election Limited atonement Irresistible grace Perseverance of the saints. The doctrine of perseverance is debated among Christians, and unfortunately the immature and prideful ones make it a divisive subject. Some do so out of ignorance, not understanding what it is or whether or not is it Biblical. Sometimes it is just a matter of group think ("my pastor said", or "my denomination teaches") instead of careful and studied examination. Some people just come to conclusions based on their understanding (which may or may not be correct) of a verse of group of verses without being aware of other verses that also relate to the topic. So what is the doctrine specifically? According to Dr. Clarence Bass (Dr. Clarence Bass, professor emeritus at Bethel Theological Seminary): "That act of God by which, on the basis of the completed work of redemption through the meritorious work of Christ, He preserves the believer in continuing faith through the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit unto eternal life." To paraphrase Dr. Lorraine Boettner for the sake of brevity: Those whom God has chosen in Christ, He has effectively called and set apart, cannot totally or finally fall from His grace. The will persist to the end and be eternally saved. While a true Christian may fall into sin temporarily, they will eventually return and will be saved. Implications First, what it is not: It is NOT the idea that a person is eternally saved no matter what they may become in terms of character. 1 Cor 6: 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. ESV Gal 5 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. NASB EPH 5 3 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. BSB It also does not mean that the Christian will be saved whether he/she persists in faith or not. Mark 13 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. NKJ The doctrine also does not teach that one is saved by their faith, but then kept safe by their works. In other words the doctrine does not maintain that to be saved, one must earn or keep salvation by living a good life after one has been saved by faith. This is the end of Part One, which was a little history and definition of the doctrine, and clarification of what the doctrine does not teach. In the next installment, we will examine what the doctrine does teach.