Refuting Perseverance of the Saints: Can a True Believer Fall Away?

Refuting Perseverance of the Saints: Can a True Believer Fall Away?

The doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints (the "P" in the Calvinist TULIP acronym) teaches that those whom God has truly saved will never fall away from the faith. It asserts that a genuine believer cannot lose their salvation and will inevitably persevere to the end. While this doctrine aims to provide security for believers, a thorough examination of Scripture reveals that salvation requires ongoing faith and that it is possible for someone to depart from the faith.

1. The Bible Warns Against Falling Away

Scripture repeatedly warns believers about the danger of apostasy (falling away). If perseverance were guaranteed, such warnings would be unnecessary.

Hebrews 6:4-6 – "For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt."

This passage clearly describes individuals who had experienced salvation but later fell away. If perseverance were inevitable, this scenario would be impossible.

Hebrews 10:26-27 – "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment."

The warning here is to those who have received knowledge of the truth but choose to continue in sin, showing that one can forfeit their salvation.

2 Peter 2:20-22 – "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first."

This passage describes individuals who had escaped sin through Christ but later returned to their old ways, resulting in worse judgment than before.

2. Salvation Requires Continual Faith

The Bible teaches that faith is an ongoing condition for salvation. It is not a one-time event, but something that must be maintained.

Colossians 1:22-23 – "He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard."

The word "if" implies that perseverance is conditional, not guaranteed.

John 15:5-6 – Jesus says: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."

Remaining (abiding) in Christ is necessary for salvation. A branch can be cut off if it does not remain in Him.

Revelation 3:5 – "The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life."

If names cannot be removed from the Book of Life, why would Jesus say this? The implication is that some may fail to conquer and be blotted out.

3. Examples of People Who Fell Away

The Bible gives several examples of individuals who once walked in faith but later turned away.

Judas Iscariot – He was chosen as a disciple, preached the gospel, and performed miracles (Matthew 10:1-4), yet he later betrayed Jesus and perished (John 17:12).

Demas – Paul writes, "For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica." (2 Timothy 4:10) Demas was once a co-laborer with Paul but abandoned the faith.

Hymenaeus and Alexander – "Some have rejected [faith] and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." (1 Timothy 1:19-20) If faith can be "shipwrecked," perseverance is not automatic.

4. What About Eternal Security?

Many proponents of perseverance of the saints cite verses such as:

John 10:28 – "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."

This verse promises security against external forces ("no one will snatch them"), but it does not say that a person cannot walk away by their own choice.

Philippians 1:6 – "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

This is a general statement of God's faithfulness, but it does not negate human responsibility in remaining faithful.

These verses affirm God’s faithfulness, but they do not contradict the numerous warnings about falling away. Salvation is secure for those who continue in faith, but apostasy remains a real possibility.

Conclusion

The doctrine of perseverance of the saints oversimplifies salvation by assuming that a believer can never fall away. However, the Bible teaches:

1. A believer can fall away if they choose to reject Christ (Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-27).

2. Faith must be maintained (Colossians 1:22-23, John 15:5-6).

3. There are real examples of apostasy in Scripture (Judas, Demas, Hymenaeus).

4. Eternal security is conditional upon abiding in Christ (Revelation 3:5).

Rather than assuming that perseverance is automatic, believers must actively remain in Christ and guard their faith. The Bible does not support a passive approach to salvation. Therefore, true security is found not in an irreversible decree, but in a continual relationship with God.