Churchwork
06-03-2006, 12:56 PM
V. THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
My sentiments respecting the perseverance of the saints are, that those persons who have been grafted into Christ by true faith, and have thus been made partakers of his life-giving Spirit, possess sufficient powers [or strength] to fight against Satan, sin, the world and their own flesh, and to gain the victory over these enemies—yet not without the assistance of the grace of the same Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ also by his Spirit assists them in all their temptations, and affords them the ready aid of his hand; and, provided they stand prepared for the battle, implore his help, and be not wanting to themselves, Christ preserves them from falling. So that it is not possible for them, by any of the cunning craftiness or power of Satan, to be either seduced or dragged out of the hands of Christ. But I think it is useful and will be quite necessary in our first convention, [or Synod] to institute a diligent inquiry from the Scriptures, whether it is not possible for some individuals through negligence to desert the commencement of their existence in Christ, to cleave again to the present evil world, to decline from the sound doctrine which was once delivered to them, to lose a good conscience, and to cause Divine grace to be ineffectual.
Though I here openly and ingenuously affirm, I never taught that a true believer can, either totally or finally fall away from the faith, and perish; yet I will not conceal, that there are passages of scripture which seem to me to wear this aspect; and those answers to them which I have been permitted to see, are not of such a kind as to approve themselves on all points to my understanding. On the other hand, certain passages are produced for the contrary doctrine [of unconditional perseverance] which are worthy of much consideration.
Somebody inserted "perseverance"; probably a Calvinist. The insertion should read preservation not perseverance.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/arminius/works1.all.html
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/arminius/works2.all.html
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/arminius/works3.all.html
A help for calvinists,
http://www3.telus.net/trbrooks/calvinists.htm
Let us understand something clearly here. Humbly, Arminius admits he is unclear on the issue but he wants to hold to OSAS, just as Luther was confused because he held parts of calvinism and arminian which contradict each other.
How do we resolve these things? Very simply, they are resolved by realizing those portions of Scripture Arminius considers as possibly losing salvation, must therefore, refer to loss of rewards during the millennial kingdom, not loss of eternal life.
Isn't that easy? His yoke is so easy. To understand what was just explained requires premillennialism, even partial rapture premillennialism.
It makes you ask what is all the fuss about? Isn't it wonderful to be able to see more clearly than Arminius, Luther, Calvin, Augustine, Darby, and the rest?
Who can you place evenly with such clarity? I only know of two writers - Watchman Nee, Jessie-Penn Lewis - who I can speak of that confidently got this matter (OSAS arminian) right in their hearts. If you know of any other writers that you are certain are OSAS, let me know.
My sentiments respecting the perseverance of the saints are, that those persons who have been grafted into Christ by true faith, and have thus been made partakers of his life-giving Spirit, possess sufficient powers [or strength] to fight against Satan, sin, the world and their own flesh, and to gain the victory over these enemies—yet not without the assistance of the grace of the same Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ also by his Spirit assists them in all their temptations, and affords them the ready aid of his hand; and, provided they stand prepared for the battle, implore his help, and be not wanting to themselves, Christ preserves them from falling. So that it is not possible for them, by any of the cunning craftiness or power of Satan, to be either seduced or dragged out of the hands of Christ. But I think it is useful and will be quite necessary in our first convention, [or Synod] to institute a diligent inquiry from the Scriptures, whether it is not possible for some individuals through negligence to desert the commencement of their existence in Christ, to cleave again to the present evil world, to decline from the sound doctrine which was once delivered to them, to lose a good conscience, and to cause Divine grace to be ineffectual.
Though I here openly and ingenuously affirm, I never taught that a true believer can, either totally or finally fall away from the faith, and perish; yet I will not conceal, that there are passages of scripture which seem to me to wear this aspect; and those answers to them which I have been permitted to see, are not of such a kind as to approve themselves on all points to my understanding. On the other hand, certain passages are produced for the contrary doctrine [of unconditional perseverance] which are worthy of much consideration.
Somebody inserted "perseverance"; probably a Calvinist. The insertion should read preservation not perseverance.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/arminius/works1.all.html
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/arminius/works2.all.html
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/arminius/works3.all.html
A help for calvinists,
http://www3.telus.net/trbrooks/calvinists.htm
Let us understand something clearly here. Humbly, Arminius admits he is unclear on the issue but he wants to hold to OSAS, just as Luther was confused because he held parts of calvinism and arminian which contradict each other.
How do we resolve these things? Very simply, they are resolved by realizing those portions of Scripture Arminius considers as possibly losing salvation, must therefore, refer to loss of rewards during the millennial kingdom, not loss of eternal life.
Isn't that easy? His yoke is so easy. To understand what was just explained requires premillennialism, even partial rapture premillennialism.
It makes you ask what is all the fuss about? Isn't it wonderful to be able to see more clearly than Arminius, Luther, Calvin, Augustine, Darby, and the rest?
Who can you place evenly with such clarity? I only know of two writers - Watchman Nee, Jessie-Penn Lewis - who I can speak of that confidently got this matter (OSAS arminian) right in their hearts. If you know of any other writers that you are certain are OSAS, let me know.