Vyfde Hoofstuk: Van die Volharding van die Heiliges
Paragraaf 1
Die uitverkorenes wat wedergebaar is, kan nie heeltemal uit die genade val nie, want God bewaar hulle¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Johannes 10:28-29; Filippense 1:6
Paragraaf 2
Die gelowiges bly nie vry van sonde nie, maar val soms in sonde¹. Tog laat God hulle nie heeltemal val nie².
Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 7:18-25; 1 Johannes 1:8 ² Psalm 37:24; Hebreërs 7:25
Paragraaf 3
Deur hul sondes verdien die gelowiges God se tugtiging, maar nie sy verwerping nie¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Hebreërs 12:5-7; 1 Korintiërs 11:32
Paragraaf 4
Selfs in tye van sonde bly die wedergeborenes in Christus, en God bring hulle terug tot bekering¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Lukas 22:31-32; 1 Johannes 2:1
Paragraaf 5
Hierdie volharding is nie die verdienste van die mens nie, maar die genade van God¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Filippense 1:6; 2 Timoteus 1:12
Paragraaf 6
God se getrouheid verseker dat die uitverkorenes nooit uit sy hand sal val nie¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Johannes 10:28; Romeine 8:38-39
Paragraaf 7
Hierdie leer van volharding bring troos en blydskap aan die gelowiges¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Hebreërs 6:11-12; 1 Johannes 5:13
Paragraaf 8
Die versekering van volharding lei nie tot sorgeloosheid nie, maar tot ywer en heiligheid¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ 2 Petrus 1:10; Titus 2:11-12
Paragraaf 9
Die gelowiges ontvang hierdie versekering deur geloof, gebed en die gebruik van die sakramente¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 10:17; 1 Korintiërs 11:24-25
Paragraaf 10
Hierdie versekering is nie altyd ewe sterk nie, maar God versterk dit deur sy Gees¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Psalm 51:11-12; Efesiërs 3:16-17
Paragraaf 11
Die versoeking tot sonde bly, maar God gee krag om dit te weerstaan¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ 1 Korintiërs 10:13; Jakobus 4:7
Paragraaf 12
Die leer van volharding laat die gelowiges God loof en hulself verootmoedig¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 11:20; Efesiërs 3:20-21
Paragraaf 13
Die volharding van die heiliges is ‘n geestelike leer wat die eer van God bevorder¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Filippense 2:12-13; Judas 24-25
Paragraaf 14
God gebruik middele, soos die prediking van die Woord en gebed, om die gelowiges te bewaar¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ Romeine 10:14-15; Kolossense 4:2
Paragraaf 15
Hierdie leer is ‘n troos vir die kerk en ‘n getuienis van God se getrouheid¹.
Skrifverwysings ¹ 1 Johannes 5:13; Hebreërs 13:5
Verwerping van Foute
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Fout: Dat die uitverkorenes uit genade kan val en verlore gaan. Weerlegging: Die Skrif leer dat God se uitverkorenes onfeilbaar bewaar word¹. Skrifverwysings ¹ Johannes 10:28-29; Romeine 8:30
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Fout: Dat die versekering van volharding tot sorgeloosheid lei. Weerlegging: Die Skrif leer dat volharding ywer en heiligheid aanmoedig¹. Skrifverwysings ¹ 2 Petrus 1:10; Hebreërs 12:14
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Fout: Dat wedergeboorte herhaaldelik verlore kan gaan en herwin word. Weerlegging: Die Skrif leer dat die saad van wedergeboorte onverganklik is¹. Skrifverwysings ¹ 1 Petrus 1:23; 1 Johannes 3:9
Fifth Head of Doctrine: Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Article 1
The elect who are regenerated can never totally fall from grace, for God preserves them¹.
Scripture References ¹ John 10:28-29; Philippians 1:6
Article 2
Believers do not remain free from sin, but sometimes fall into sin¹. Yet God does not allow them to fall completely².
Scripture References ¹ Romans 7:18-25; 1 John 1:8 ² Psalm 37:24; Hebrews 7:25
Article 3
Through their sins believers deserve God’s chastisement, but not His rejection¹.
Scripture References ¹ Hebrews 12:5-7; 1 Corinthians 11:32
Article 4
Even in times of sin the regenerate remain in Christ, and God restores them to repentance¹.
Scripture References ¹ Luke 22:31-32; 1 John 2:1
Article 5
This perseverance is not the merit of man, but the grace of God¹.
Scripture References ¹ Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12
Article 6
God’s faithfulness ensures that the elect will never fall from His hand¹.
Scripture References ¹ John 10:28; Romans 8:38-39
Article 7
This doctrine of perseverance brings comfort and joy to believers¹.
Scripture References ¹ Hebrews 6:11-12; 1 John 5:13
Article 8
The assurance of perseverance does not lead to carelessness, but to zeal and holiness¹.
Scripture References ¹ 2 Peter 1:10; Titus 2:11-12
Article 9
Believers receive this assurance through faith, prayer, and the use of the sacraments¹.
Scripture References ¹ Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
Article 10
This assurance is not always equally strong, but God strengthens it through His Spirit¹.
Scripture References ¹ Psalm 51:11-12; Ephesians 3:16-17
Article 11
The temptation to sin remains, but God gives strength to resist it¹.
Scripture References ¹ 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7
Article 12
The doctrine of perseverance causes believers to praise God and to humble themselves¹.
Scripture References ¹ Romans 11:20; Ephesians 3:20-21
Article 13
The perseverance of the saints is a spiritual doctrine that promotes the glory of God¹.
Scripture References ¹ Philippians 2:12-13; Jude 24-25
Article 14
God uses means, such as the preaching of the Word and prayer, to preserve believers¹.
Scripture References ¹ Romans 10:14-15; Colossians 4:2
Article 15
This doctrine is a comfort to the Church and a testimony of God’s faithfulness¹.
Scripture References ¹ 1 John 5:13; Hebrews 13:5
Rejection of Errors
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Error: That the elect can fall from grace and be lost. Refutation: Scripture teaches that God’s elect are infallibly preserved¹. Scripture References ¹ John 10:28-29; Romans 8:30
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Error: That the assurance of perseverance leads to carelessness. Refutation: Scripture teaches that perseverance encourages zeal and holiness¹. Scripture References ¹ 2 Peter 1:10; Hebrews 12:14
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Error: That regeneration can be repeatedly lost and regained. Refutation: Scripture teaches that the seed of regeneration is imperishable¹. Scripture References ¹ 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9