Topical Bible: The Power of God: Saints: Kept By, to Salvation

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The concept of the saints being kept by the power of God unto salvation is a profound theme woven throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing God's sovereign ability to preserve and protect His people. This divine safeguarding is not merely a passive protection but an active, ongoing work of God in the life of the believer, ensuring their ultimate salvation and eternal security.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Peter, in his first epistle, provides a foundational text for understanding this doctrine: "who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5). Here, Peter assures believers that their inheritance is imperishable, and they are being actively guarded by God's power through faith. This protection is not contingent upon human strength but is a divine guarantee rooted in God's omnipotence.

God's Sovereign Protection

The power of God is depicted throughout Scripture as an unassailable force that ensures the perseverance of the saints. In Jude 1:24, the doxology proclaims, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy" . This verse highlights God's ability to preserve believers from falling away, presenting them faultless at the end of time.

The Role of Faith

While God's power is the ultimate source of security, the believer's faith is the means through which this power is applied. Ephesians 2:8-9 underscores that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith, and not a result of works. This faith itself is sustained by God's power, as Philippians 1:6 assures, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" .

The Intercession of Christ

The intercessory work of Christ is another critical aspect of the saints being kept by God's power. Hebrews 7:25 states, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them" . Christ's ongoing intercession ensures that believers are continually upheld by divine grace.

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the preservation of the saints. Ephesians 1:13-14 describes believers as being "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession" . This sealing signifies God's ownership and the Spirit's work in securing the believer's salvation.

The Assurance of Eternal Life

The assurance of eternal life is a recurring theme in the New Testament, providing comfort and confidence to believers. In John 10:28-29, Jesus declares, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand" . This passage affirms the unbreakable security provided by both the Son and the Father.

Conclusion

The power of God in keeping the saints unto salvation is a testament to His unwavering faithfulness and omnipotence. Through the intercession of Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the believer's faith, God ensures that His people are preserved for eternal glory. This divine protection is a source of profound assurance and hope for all who are in Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:5
Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Gott Der Vater Wohn' Uns Bei. God, the Father, with us Stay.
... 1. God, the Father, with us stay, Nor suffer us to ... From the power of hell defend;
This grace to us ... undaunted, Trusting thee unto the end; With saints of every ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/xxii gott der vater wohn.htm

Perseverance of the Saints Proved.
... is kept by the grace, and Spirit, and power of God ... was upon condition of the foreseen
fact, that God could by ... If there are any saints, at any time, who are not ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlviii perseverance of the.htm

Concerning "Power," "Righteousness," "Salvation," "Redemption" ...
... IX. 2. [424] This is meant to meet the objection that if God's power is infinite ...
[425] ie Power in the abstract. ... The Saints are made perfect through suffering. ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter viii concerning power righteousness.htm

The Power of God
... God's power is an eagle's wing, to carry the saints to heaven; but what privilege
is that to the wicked? ... We are kept by the power of God,' &c. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 the power of god.htm

The Immortal Prayers of the Saints
... petitions were made immortal by the power of the ... The Spirit enables God's people
to pray with yearnings ... he maketh intercession for the saints according to the ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 13 the immortal prayers.htm

Perseverance
... As the heathens feigned of Atlas, that he bears up the heavens from falling: the
power of God is that Atlas which bears up the saints from falling. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 perseverance.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... teaching, or unequivocally implying the fact of the fall and ruin of real saints. ...
even for one day or hoar, if not kept by the power of God through faith ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

Your Own Salvation
... Let the anxieties of saints lead you to be anxious ... shall be secured by that one simple
act of faith; and henceforward, kept by the power of God through faith ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/your own salvation.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... glory with exceeding joy." Again, Peter says, of all the elect or saints, 1 Peter
1:5: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

Article xxviii: of Ecclesiastical Power.
... new ceremonies and services in honor of saints instituted, because ... says, 2 Cor.13,
10, that the power given him ... the Sunday and like rites in the house of God? ...
/.../the augsburg confession of faith/article xxviii of ecclesiastical power.htm