The Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints—is it Biblical?

One of the key verses is John 10:28-29, where Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” This passage emphasizes the security of the believer’s salvation, as it is protected by the power of God the Father and the person of Jesus Christ.

Another key verse is Romans 8:38-39, where Paul writes, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This passage similarly emphasizes the believer’s security in salvation, as nothing in all creation can separate the elect from the love of God.

The doctrine is best understood when you view faith as a gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9), which God sustains (Heb. 12:2; 1 Pet. 1:5). Namely, if the faith is sustained, the salvation secured by it will also be sustained.

Several well-known Protestant theologians have held to the doctrine of eternal security, including John Calvin, Martin Luther, and Charles Spurgeon. One famous quote on the subject comes from Spurgeon, who said, “Once in grace, always in grace.”

In conclusion, the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is rooted in several key biblical passages and has been upheld by prominent Protestant theologians. While Christians are called to persevere in faith and good works, the doctrine of eternal security teaches that the security of a believer’s salvation is ultimately in the hands of a sovereign and loving God.

More From This Series

• The Doctrine of Total Depravity
• The Doctrine of Unconditional Election—is it Biblical?
• The Doctrine of Limited Atonement—is it Biblical?
• The Doctrine of Irresistible Grace—is it Biblical?

Other Resources on This Doctrine

• Romans 3:23-25a: The Three-Piece Plan of Salvation
• Romans 1:17: The Doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone