Topical Bible: Eternal Life: Saints are Preserved To

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Topical Encyclopedia

Eternal life is a central tenet of Christian theology, representing the everlasting life that believers are promised through faith in Jesus Christ. This concept is not merely an unending existence but a quality of life that begins in the present and continues into eternity, characterized by a relationship with God. The preservation of the saints to eternal life is a doctrine that emphasizes God's role in maintaining the salvation of believers, ensuring that they will ultimately inherit eternal life.

Biblical Foundation

The assurance of eternal life for the saints is rooted in numerous passages throughout the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28). This verse underscores the security of the believer, highlighting the divine protection that ensures their perseverance.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in his epistles. In Romans 8:38-39, he writes, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" . This passage reassures believers that their eternal destiny is secure in the love of God, which is unbreakable and all-encompassing.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the preservation of the saints. Ephesians 1:13-14 states, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory" . The sealing of the Holy Spirit acts as a guarantee of the believer's inheritance, marking them as God's own and ensuring their ultimate redemption.

Perseverance and Assurance

The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is closely linked to the assurance of eternal life. Philippians 1:6 affirms, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" . This verse emphasizes God's faithfulness in completing the work of salvation He has started in each believer, providing assurance that they will be preserved to eternal life.

The Nature of Eternal Life

Eternal life is not only a future promise but a present reality for believers. In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" . This relationship with God, initiated through faith in Christ, is the essence of eternal life and begins the moment one believes.

Conclusion

The preservation of the saints to eternal life is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people. Through the work of Christ, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, and the promises of Scripture, believers can rest assured in the security of their salvation and the hope of eternal life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 10:28,29
And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That the Saints Lose Nothing in Losing Temporal Goods.
... Book I. Chapter 10."That the Saints Lose Nothing ... that they may lay hold on eternal
life." [57] They ... to love Him rather who enriches with eternal felicity all ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 that the saints lose.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... as much real danger of ultimately failing of eternal life, as if ... a ground for hope
of impunity in a life of sin. ... that all who are at any time true saints of God ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlvii perseverance of saints.htm

Life in Christ
... Like the life of God himself"eternal, and ever ... here stated is univeral, in application
to all spiritual life. ... such a promised given to eminent saints who live ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/life in christ.htm

'The Whole Family'
... In the eternal feast, which is spread above, the bread as well as the ... and thoughts
of Christian life on earth and of the perfect life of Saints above are one ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the whole family.htm

Perseverance
... The Lord preserved Israel from perishing in the wilderness ... and I give unto them eternal
life, there is ... memorial eternalised, who keepeth the feet of his saints. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 perseverance.htm

Roman Catholics.
... by Christ to his apostles, have been preserved by constant ... to the angels of God and
his saints; that they ... law, but that we thereby likewise merit eternal life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/roman catholics.htm

So Likewise Ye, when Ye Shall have done all those Things
... most rewards until He glorifies saints after this ... to the adversaries that works merit
eternal life, they spin ... righteousness of faith, must surely be preserved. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 10 so likewise ye.htm

The Immortal Prayers of the Saints
... preserved for us in His plan of eternal salvation ... He breathed the power of His endless
life into His ... because he maketh intercession for the saints according to ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 13 the immortal prayers.htm

Letter Liii. --Second Letter to Monks.
... in Him, that ye too may have with the saints eternal life. ... We read in the Life of
Pachomius, 88 (the story ... down to the words along with'...) is preserved in a ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter liii second letter to monks.htm

Easter Wednesday Also Suited to Easter Tuesday.
... expectation of living with him in eternal glory; the ... the earthly environment of
Christians and saints, for he ... unto worldly things and possessing life in Christ ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter wednesday also suited to.htm