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OVERVIEW OF PRESERVATION AND PERSEVERANCE OF THE ELECT

By Dennis Schmidt 8/2011

This paper discusses eternal security, perseverance, or being kept by God that the Elect Christian has. From God's side, it is preservation and from man's side it is perseverance. The paper will answer the question can a saved Elect person ever be lost. All scriptures are from the King James' version scriptures.

INDUCTIVE COMMENTS:

THEME:

PRESERVATION: God will protect, maintain, keep intact, make perfect in unaltered condition the elect Christian to the end of their life.

Psalms 121:3-4, 7-8

PERSEVERANCE: Man will continue to endure in a state of grace to the end of his life unto salvation.

Hebrews 4:14 G2902 Retain, hold fast, & keeps the Elect.

PURPOSE:

PRESERVATION: God will protect, maintain, keep intact, make perfect in unaltered condition the elect Christian to the end of their life.

H5337. natsal, naw-tsal'; a prim. root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense:-- X at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, X without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, X surely, take (out).

Genesis 32:30 H5337 God preserved & saves the Elects life.

H8104. shamar, shaw-mar'; a prim. root; prop. to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; gen. to protect, attend to, etc.:--beware, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep (-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch (-man).

Psalms 121:3-4, 7-8 Preserve = Keepeth = H8104

G5083. tereo, tay-reh'-o; from teros (a watch; perh. akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, prop. by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is prop. to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; fig. to fulfil a command); by impl. to detain (in custody; fig. to maintain); by extens. to withhold (for personal ends; fig. to keep unmarried):--hold fast, keep (-er), (ob-, pre-, re) serve, watch.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

G5083 God guards & watches over His Elect preserving them, holding them, & keeping them.

G4982. sozo, sode'-zo; from a prim. sos (contr. for obsol. saos, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (lit. or fig.):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

2 Timothy 4:18 G4982 Lord delivers/preserves

II) PERSEVERANCE: Man will continue to endure in a state of grace to the end of his life unto salvation.

G2722. katecho, kat-ekh'-o; from G2596 and G2192; to hold down (fast), in various applications (lit. or fig.):--have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, X make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold.

Hebrews 10:23 G2722 God promise is to hold fast & keep the Elect.

G2902. krateo, krat-eh'-o; from G2904; to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (lit. or fig.):--hold (by, fast), keep, lay hand (hold) on, obtain, retain, take (by).

Hebrews 4:14 G2902 Retain, hold fast, & keeps the Elect.

G4343. proskarteresis, pros-kar-ter'-ay-sis; from G4342 ; persistency:-- perseverance.

G4342. proskartereo, pros-kar-ter-eh'-o; from G4314 and G2594; to be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor):--attend (give self) continually (upon), continue (in, instant in, with), wait on (continually). Only found in Ephesians 6:18.

Ephesians 6:18 G4343 Perseverance for the saints

KEY VERSE:

Psalms 121:3-4, 7-8

Hebrews 4:14 Retain, hold fast, & keeps the Elect.

WHO: God mainly by Bible authors Moses, David, Matthew, John, and Paul

TO WHOM: Elected Christians

WHAT: Eternal Security for who God Calls & Elects:

A) TRUSTING IN WORKS TO SAVE THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF GOD'S GRACE THROUGH FAITH:

Either the Christian is not taught about Jesus work of the imputed righteousness of God or he may be taught wrong that his salvation is depending on himself not sinning or sinning too much. Every sin the Elect committed or ever will commit has already been placed on Jesus two thousand years ago.

2 Corinthians 5:21 Here sin bearer that we are made the righteousness of God in Jesus

John 3:36 Everlasting Life (forever) to the believer.

Ephesians 2:5-9 Even, when we were dead in sins, God's grace saves us by His gift & not our works.

B) GOD'S GRACE PRESERVES THE ELECT:

Scriptures teaches that there is a group of Christians, the Elect, who are called and predestined by God's grace. God will persevere them throughout their entire life unto salvation.

John 10:28-29 Elect have eternal life/never perish.

Romans 8:28-30 All things work for good to them. God's Elect -> foreknow -> predestine -> called -> justified -> glorified

1 Corinthians 1:7-8 Jesus shall confirm you to the end that you be blameless on that day.

C) CAN A SAVED PERSON EVER BE LOST?: There are several Church teachings shown below.

1) Bible/Calvinists Teaches the Elect will persevere to the end because God preserves the Elect.

2) Pentecostals Teach any saved person can lose his salvation by sin.

3) Protestants In general, teaches that salvation may be lost by sin or apostasy.

4) Roman Catholics Teaches that salvation can be lost by a mortal sin such as murder.

D) MERE & CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVERS: What about the believer who falls?

E) PARABLE OF THE SOWER: Sower Parable shows the unbeliever, mere, carnal, & Elect believer

Luke 8:5-15 Matthew 13:3-23

Four types of people are shown in this parable where the seed represents the Word of God. The non believer is type 1 group. The mere believer is types 2 group. The carnal Christian will not endure to the end is type 3 group. The Elect Christian will endure to the end is type 4 group.

1) Way side -> trodden down -> fowls devour it -> people hear Word -> Devil takes away Word -> out of their hearts -> lest they believe & be saved

The Sower Parable shows four groups of hearer of the Word. Non believers never receive the Word, the Devil takes the Word away from their heart, so they never believe or act on it. They are from the Sower Parable as group 1.

2) Rock -> sprung up -> withered away -> lack moisture -> Mere believer's hear the Word -> receive with joy -> no root -> for awhile believe -> in time of temptation -> fall away

There is a distinction between a mere believer who simply follows Christianity professes faith who receives the Word, acts on it, endures for a time, tempted, & falls away. They are from the Sower Parable as group 2.

3) Thorns -> sprung up -> thorns choked it -> Carnal worldly believer's heard Word -> go forth -> choked with cares and riches -> pleasures of this life -> bring no fruit -> to perfection

There are carnal followers of Christianity who receives the Word, acts on it, looked as if they were the Elect, endure for a time. However, the cares, riches, and deceitful pleasures of the world means they don't produce Christian faith fruits nor go on to perfection. They are from the Sower Parable as group 3.

4) Good ground -> sprang up -> bare fruit -> hundred fold -> Elect believer's with a honest and good heart -> heard the Word -> keep it -> bring forth faith fruits with patience

The Elect believer will receives the Word, act on it to the end, & bring forth fruit. The scriptures teach that Elect people will persevere because God will preserve them. They are from the Sower Paravle as group 4.

F) ELECT BELIEVER'S PLEASE GOD BY FAITH NOT WORKS OR LAW:

Their life is centered on Jesus and not the world system. They have not lost their first love. They talk about Jesus, study, pray, discuss, and meet with others of like mind faith.

Romans 3:21-24 Faith in Jesus imputed righteousness to sinners by God's grace.

Hebrews 11:6 Faith is the way.

G) MERE BELIEVER'S BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:

The mere believer's initially are in Jesus, have no faith fruit, & later fall away due to temptations.

John 15:2 "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." Both branches are in Jesus.

H) CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVER'S EXAMPLES?:

WHY: ELECT BELIEVER'S PLEASE GOD BY FAITH NOT WORKS OR LAW:

Their life is centered on Jesus and not the world system. They have not lost their first love. They talk about Jesus, study, pray, discuss, and meet with others of like mind faith.

Romans 3:21-24 Faith in Jesus imputed righteousness to sinners by God's grace.

Hebrews 11:6 Faith is the way.

WAY: GOD'S GRACE PRESERVES THE ELECT:

Scriptures teaches that there is a group of Christians, the Elect, who are called and predestined by God's grace. God will persevere them throughout their entire life unto salvation.

John 10:28-29 Elect have eternal life/never perish.

Romans 8:28-30 All things work for good to them. God's Elect -> foreknow -> predestine -> called -> justified -> glorified

1 Corinthians 1:7-8 Jesus shall confirm you to the end that you be blameless on that day.

WHEREAS:

A) CAN A ELECT PERSON EVER BE LOST? NO! The Bible shows that the Elect will persevere because God will preserve them.

Romans 6:22-23 Elect are changed, focusing on Jesus having fruits of holness, & free from sin (earn by works or effort) etenal life.

Hebrews 12:2 Jesus is the author and finisher of the Elect's faith.

1 John 5:13 You believe on Jesus and you may know that you have eternal life. The Elect know, without any doubt, that you have eternal life.

B) GOD IS THE PRESERVER OF HIS ELECT:

Psalms 121:7-8 Lord -> Elect preserve -> from all evil -> any movement -> all times -> for ever more.

WHERE: Earth

WHEN: All Times

PAPER OUTLINE:

I) PRESERVATION:

II) PERSEVERANCE:

III) Eternal Security for who God Calls & Elects:

A) TRUSTING IN WORKS TO SAVE THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF GOD'S GRACE THROUGH FAITH:

B) GOD'S GRACE PRESERVES THE ELECT:

C) CAN A SAVED PERSON EVER BE LOST?:

D) MERE & CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVERS:

E) PARABLE OF THE SOWER:

F) ELECT BELIEVER'S PLEASE GOD BY FAITH NOT WORKS OR LAW:

G) MERE BELIEVER'S BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:

H) CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVER'S EXAMPLES?:

1) THE BIBLE WARNS OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF NO FAITH, SIN, & WORLD PLEASURE TO SHOW THEY ARE REALLY THE NON-ELECT:

2) PAUL, AN ELECT, STAYS TO THE END:

3) DEMAS FORSAKES GOD'S CALLING:

4) SOME CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVERS INCLUDE:

I) WHO ARE THE ELECT?:

J) WHAT ABOUT THE ELECT WHO SIN?:

K) THE ELECT HAVE ETERNAL (EVERLASTING AND PERPETUAL) LIFE & WILL NEVER PERISH:

L) GOD'S PART IN KEEPING THE ELECT PRESERVED UNTO ETERNAL LIFE:

M) WHAT IS GOD'S PART IN SAVING THE ELECT?:

N) GOD IS FAITHFUL TO DO WHAT HE PROMISED:

O) WHAT IS THE ELECT'S PART?:

IV) CONCLUSION:

A) CAN A ELECT PERSON EVER BE LOST? NO!

B) GOD IS THE PRESERVER OF HIS ELECT:

I) PRESERVATION: God will protect, maintain, keep intact, make perfect in unaltered condition the elect Christian to the end of their life.

Genesis 32:30 H5337 God preserved & saves the Elects life.

Psalms 121:3-4, 7-8 Preserve = Keepeth = H8104

1 Thessalonians 5:23

G5083 God guards & watches over His Elect preserving them, holding them, & keeping them.

G4982. sozo, sode'-zo; from a prim. sos (contr. for obsol. saos, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (lit. or fig.):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

2 Timothy 4:18 G4982 Lord delivers/preserves

II) PERSEVERANCE: Man will continue to endure in a state of grace to the end of his life unto salvation.

Hebrews 10:23 G2722 God promise is to hold fast & keep the Elect.

G2902. krateo, krat-eh'-o; from G2904; to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (lit. or fig.):--hold (by, fast), keep, lay hand (hold) on, obtain, retain, take (by).

Hebrews 4:14 G2902 Retain, hold fast, & keeps the Elect.

G4343. proskarteresis, pros-kar-ter'-ay-sis; from G4342 ; persistency:-- perseverance.

Ephesians 6:18 G4343 Perseverance for the saints

III) Eternal Security for who God Calls & Elects:

A) TRUSTING IN WORKS TO SAVE THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF GOD'S GRACE THROUGH FAITH:

2 Corinthians 5:21 Here sin bearer that we are made the righteousness of God in Jesus

John 3:36 Everlasting Life (forever) to the believer.

Ephesians 2:5-9 Even, when we were dead in sins, God's grace saves us by His gift & not our works.

B) GOD'S GRACE PRESERVES THE ELECT:

Scriptures teaches that there is a group of Christians, the Elect, who are called and predestined by God's grace. God will persevere them throughout their entire life unto salvation.

John 10:28-29 Elect have eternal life/never perish.

Romans 8:28-30 All things work for good to them. God's Elect -> foreknow -> predestine -> called -> justified -> glorified

1 Corinthians 1:7-8 Jesus shall confirm you to the end that you be blameless on that day.

C) CAN A SAVED PERSON EVER BE LOST?: There are several Church teachings shown below.

1) Bible/Calvinists Teaches the Elect will persevere to the end because God preserves the Elect.

2) Pentecostals Teach any saved person can lose his salvation by sin.

3) Protestants In general, teaches that salvation may be lost by sin or apostasy.

4) Roman Catholics Teaches that salvation can be lost by a mortal sin such as murder.

D) MERE & CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVERS: What about the believer who falls?

E) PARABLE OF THE SOWER: Sower Parable shows the unbeliever, mere, carnal, & Elect believer

Luke 8:5-15 Matthew 13:3-23

1) Way side -> trodden down -> fowls devour it -> people hear Word -> Devil takes away Word -> out of their hearts -> lest they believe & be saved

2) Rock -> sprung up -> withered away -> lack moisture -> Mere believer's hear the Word -> receive with joy -> no root -> for awhile believe -> in time of temptation -> fall away

3) Thorns -> sprung up -> thorns choked it -> Carnal worldly believer's heard Word -> go forth -> choked with cares and riches -> pleasures of this life -> bring no fruit -> to perfection

4) Good ground -> sprang up -> bare fruit -> hundred fold -> Elect believer's with a honest and good heart -> heard the Word -> keep it -> bring forth faith fruits with patience

F) ELECT BELIEVER'S PLEASE GOD BY FAITH NOT WORKS OR LAW:

Their life is centered on Jesus and not the world system. They have not lost their first love. They talk about Jesus, study, pray, discuss, and meet with others of like mind faith.

Romans 3:21-24 Faith in Jesus imputed righteousness to sinners by God's grace.

Hebrews 11:6 Faith is the way.

G) MERE BELIEVER'S BIBLICAL EXAMPLES:

The mere believer's initially are in Jesus, have no faith fruit, & later fall away due to temptations.

John 15:2 Both branches are in Jesus.

H) CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVER'S EXAMPLES?:

1) THE BIBLE WARNS OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF NO FAITH, SIN, & WORLD PLEASURE TO SHOW THEY ARE REALLY THE NON-ELECT:

Matthew 22:37 The whole person puts God first.

Romans 8:5-8 Carnal worldly believer's are enmity against God which leads to death.

Revelation 2:3-4 First love is Jesus who we are to love with all our heart, soul, & mind.

2) PAUL, AN ELECT, STAYS TO THE END:

1 Timothy 4:1 Some depart from faith.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

3) DEMAS FORSAKES GOD'S CALLING:

2 Timothy 4:10 See difference from Paul just a two verses earlier.

Colossians 4:14 Demas labored with Paul who consided him saved

Philemon 1:24 "Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers."Demas fellowlabourer

1 John 2:15-17

4) SOME CARNAL WORLDLY BELIEVERS INCLUDE:

Matthew 7:21-23 Carnal worldly believer trust in their works not not the true gospel for salvation by the imputed righteousness of Jesus alone.

Hebrews 6:4-6 Hebrews 10:26-31. The carnal worldly believer does not keep a saving faith to the end of his life but trust in his own works. These have falling away and can not return.

I) WHO ARE THE ELECT?:

Romans 8:31-33 God is for the Elect whom He justifies. They shall go on in faith to the end of their life.

Romans 11:5-7 Elect have obtained and the rest blinded.

2 Timothy 2:10 The elect will obtain salvation in Jesus.

1 Peter 1:2-5 Kept by the power of God

God's Elect -> foreknowledge -> sanctified -> obedience -> begotten us again -> inheritance incorruptible -> reserved in heaven -> kept -> faith -> salvation

J) WHAT ABOUT THE ELECT WHO SIN?:

The Elect should live a righteous, pure, & holy life. However, God has ways of dealing with the Elect who sin. They are chastised, loose rewards, and may be taken by God.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 God judges the God judges the Elect's good or poor works and rewards or punishes the results. They are still saved by their faith in the righteousness of Jesus imputed to them.

1 Corinthians 11:29-32 God chastises the Elect so they will not be condemned with the world. In {30} sleep = death by God's chastening.

Hebrews 12:5-6 The Lord chasten His Elect sons for their benefit.

K) THE ELECT HAVE ETERNAL (EVERLASTING AND PERPETUAL) LIFE & WILL NEVER PERISH:

John 3:15-16 Elect -> believe -> have eternal life -> will not perish

John 5:24 Everlasting life who shall not come into condemnation even after they sin.

John 10:28 Never means perpetually or eternal life and never perish

John 11:26

John 17:2 Jesus gives eternal life to as many as the Father has given Him.

L) GOD'S PART IN KEEPING THE ELECT PRESERVED UNTO ETERNAL LIFE:

John 17:11-12 Kept or preserved by God through God's name with none lost.

Ephesians 1:4-5 God choose Elect before world's foundation & predestines to adoption children His pleasure.

Ephesians 1:13-14 You were sealed with Holy Spirit as inheritance redeemed.

Ephesians 5:26-27 He = God presents them sanctified & cleanse to Himself as a glorious Church holy & without blemish.

Philippians 1:6 God begun the good work & will perform it.

2 Timothy 4:18 Preserve unto heaven

Jude 1:1, 24 Preserved in Jesus who will present you faultless & keep from falling.

M) WHAT IS GOD'S PART IN SAVING THE ELECT?:

John 6:39 Never lose but raise up again

Titus 3:5-7 God's mercy saved us by grace to eternal life.

Hebrews 10:14 God has perfected forever the Elect who He has also sanctified.

N) GOD IS FAITHFUL TO DO WHAT HE PROMISED:

Deuteronomy 7:9 God keeps His covenant and mercy to them that love Him.

Numbers 23:19

1 Thessalonians 5:24 God will do it.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 God establish you and will keep you from evil.

O) WHAT IS THE ELECT'S PART?: Persevering

John 15:4-6, 8, 12-13, 16, 19 The Elect will abide in Jesus, centered on Him, showing His love, & not be part of world.

Ephesians 4:30 Grieve not the Holy Spirit wherby you are sealed unto that day.

Philippians 2:12-13 God working in you to work out your salvation

2 Timothy 2:20-22 Can purge himself of sin and do good work following righteousness, faith, charity (love), & peace.

Hebrews 6:9-12 Elect will do things accompany salvation unto end.

2 Peter 1:10 Give diligence to assure your calling & never fall.

IV) CONCLUSION:

A) CAN A ELECT PERSON EVER BE LOST? NO! The Bible shows that the Elect will persevere because God will preserve them.

Romans 6:22-23 Elect are changed, focusing on Jesus having fruits of holness, & free from sin (earn by works or effort) etenal life.

Hebrews 12:2 Jesus is the author and finisher of the Elect's faith.

1 John 5:13 You believe on Jesus and you may know that you have eternal life. The Elect know, without any doubt, that you have eternal life.

B) GOD IS THE PRESERVER OF HIS ELECT:

Psalms 121:7-8 Lord -> Elect preserve -> from all evil -> any movement -> all times -> for ever more.

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This page is maintained by Dennis Schmidt. Please send your questions or comments to (dennisaschmidt1@gmail.com)