The perseverance of the saints, persecution and mission, and its implications for Reformed churches

Pieter Verster

doi:10.4102/ids.v53i3.2446

Abstract

The confession of saints’ perseverance in the Canons of Dort gives much comfort to the Christian. This was one of the most important challenges the Synod of Dort had to address. It also has many implications for the mission of the church. Not only does it highlight the message that God, in his salvation, will always complete his act of redemption, but also that he will not reject the believer once he or she has become a true Christian. It also comforts many in times of persecution, because God, in his faithfulness, will be the One to empower the believer to remain steadfast and also to vow for those who doubt and even struggle to keep the faith. For Reformed churches, this means that, in the endeavour of mission, a message of great comfort can be proclaimed to all. In Jesus Christ there is certainty of eternal life not because of human power or godliness, but because of God’s faithfulness. Theologically it is, however, also important to challenge philosophical views where certainty of faith is rejected for a worldview of uncertainty. The truth of faith is, however, found in God, not in the human possibilities. In this regard, Dort is important for the church to be guided to the fullness of service to the triune God. Mission becomes a wonderful act of peace for the troubled soul in a troubled world.

Highlights

The confession of the perseverance of the saints in the Canons of Dort gives much comfort to the Christian
It is a confession that God will keep the believer safe under all circumstances and for eternity
It would be possible to lose one’s faith and eternal salvation if God chose by way of the excepted faith and not radically by grace alone

Summary

Introduction

The confession of the perseverance of the saints emphasises that whatever may come upon them, God will not reject the true believer. The Canons are deeply Christological and explain election and perseverance absolutely from the perspective of Christ’s death and resurrection as well as the sovereignty of God in this regard This confession rejects the views of Arminius. Grell (2011) explains how Calvinism spread throughout the world by believers keeping the faith in the sovereignty of God amidst persecution: This international Calvinist network, including the theology which underpinned it, could not, in my opinion, have emerged without the prolonged experience of persecution and subsequent exile which came to characterise early modern Calvinism Holding unto their confession they influenced the world. Challenging these concepts and the perseverance in faith of the believers emphasises that the Christological explanation of election serves to give full assurance in a world full of doubt and uncertainty.

Conclusion

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