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New Hampshire Confession of Faith #11

December 17, 2000 - Pastor Ronnie Wolfe

Rev. 2:7 -- He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 

XI. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. 

  1. DEFINITIONS
    1. Saint - In the New Testament, the term saint includes every believer.
      1. The Psalmist says in Psalms 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
      2. 1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
    2. Perseverance - displaying perseverance; resolutely persistent; steadfast
      1. There is a difference between the word preservation and the word perseverence.
      2. Preservation speaks of the Lord's keeping our souls throughout eternity
      3. The word perseverence indicates our faithfulness to him as believers, "persistent; steadfast."


  2. THE TEST FOR ALL NOMINAL SAINTS
    1. The test of perseverence is to all saints through temptation unto the end of their lives.
      1. Wheat is always wheat, from its germination to its death. So every saint is a saint every day of his life, from his regeneration to the end - and even through eternity.
      2. The wheat never becomes a tare.
    2. The truth of whether a person is or is not a saint may be hidden to men for many years; but it will be revealed in the end.
      1. The wheat and tares "grow together until the harvest" (Matt. 13:30).
      2. The tares will be gathered to burn; the wheat will be gathered in the Father's barn.
      3. While they were growing, the tares and wheat grew together and were difficult to differentiate.
    3. A false security has brought lethargy (laziness) to many today. The security of the believers implies perseverence or faithfulness to the Lord.
    4. Bro. Berlin Hisel gives the illustration that "The real believer is like the stream that flows from a living fountain. The spurious believer is like the flow of water from an overturned cup. This illustrates perseverence."


  3. THE HELP FOR ALL ACTUAL SAINTS
    1. Saints Are Aided By The Holy Spirit
      1. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
      2. We are born of the Spirit (John 3:5)
      3. The Spirit is our Comforter (John 14:16-17; 15:26)
      4. The Spirit guides us into the truth (John 16:13)
      5. The Spirit gives us wisdom (Acts 6:10)
      6. The believer walks after the Spirit (Romans 8:1, 4)
      7. By the Spirit we mortify the deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:11)
      8. Believers are led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14)
      9. The Spirit helps our infirmities in prayer and makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:26)
      10. The Spirit searches all things (1 Cor. 2:10)
    2. Saints Are Aided By God's Watchcare
      1. God's watchcare is comprehensive (1 Cor. 2:10). He knows the way we go, our path and our end.
      2. God's wathcare is sympathetic - Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
    3. God's Power Is Obtained By Faith
      1. We must be saved through faith in Jesus Christ
      2. We must be sanctified in our daily lives by faith in Jesus Christ.
    4. Saints Are Not Passive In This Perseverence
      1. Some claim to be saved, but they are not faithful to work in His vineyard. There is something wrong with this.
      2. Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.
    5. Along With Perseverence Comes Preservation of the Saints
      1. God is day-by-day keeping us unto salvation - 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
      2. Preservation is once for all; perseverence is performed day-by-day.


  4. THE PROOF OF THE SAINT'S FAITH
    1. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
      1. Our faithfulness to God is one of the best proofs of our salvation and our relationship with God.
      2. If a person is not faithful, then he cannot know for sure that he is a child of God.
      3. The promises of God are for those who are faithful.
      4. A one-time emotional experience will not suffice for salvation, preservation or perseverence.
    2. See Colossians 1:21-24

 

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