Plain-language reading guide
READING HELP
Read this chapter alongside the Confession chapter on the same subject. The Testimony states what the church teaches, applies that teaching, and identifies views it rejects. Read each statement with its Scripture proofs and the surrounding paragraphs.
To find explicit rejections in this chapter, go to point 2, point 4, point 5. Read each full point to see exactly which teaching is rejected.
This reading guide is separate from the official text below.
Read the official text, or choose a simpler explanation to explore together.
Westminster Confession
1. They, whom God hath accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally, nor finally, fall away from the state of grace: but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.
Scripture proofs: Phil. 1:6; 2 Pet. 1:10; John 10:28-29; 1 John 3:9; 1 Pet. 1:5, 9.
2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
Scripture proofs: 2 Tim. 2:18-19; Jer. 31:3; Heb. 10:10, 14; Heb. 13:20-21; Heb. 9:12-15; Rom. 8:33-39; John 17:11, 24; Luke 22:32; Heb. 7:25; John 14:16-17; 1 John 2: 27; 1 John 3:9; Jer. 32:40; John 10:28; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 John 2:19.
3. Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and, for a time, continue therein: whereby they incur God’s displeasure, and grieve His Holy Spirit, come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded, hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.
Scripture proofs: Matt. 26:70, 72, 74; Ps. 51:title and vs. 14; Isa. 64:5, 7, 9; 2 Sam. 11:27; Eph. 4:30; Ps. 51:8, 10, 12; Rev. 2:4; Song of Sol. 5:2-4, 6; Isa. 63:17; Mark 6:52; Mark 16:14; Ps. 32:3-4; Ps. 51:8; 2 Sam. 12:14; Ps. 89:31-32; 1 Cor. 11:32.
Words to know
- Perseverance
- Continuing in faith to the end because God keeps his people.
- Saints
- God’s people made holy in Christ, rather than only unusually famous Christians.
WCF 17.1 · God keeps his people
Those God has accepted in Christ, brought to faith, and made holy cannot completely or finally lose salvation. They will continue in his grace to the end and be saved forever. God’s promise of keeping them is stronger than their weakness.
Philippians 1:6; 2 Peter 1:10; John 10:28-29.
What gives believers hope that they will reach the end?
WCF 17.2 · Our safety rests on God
Believers persevere because of God’s unchanging love and choice, Christ’s saving work and intercession, and the Spirit’s continuing presence. The covenant of grace secures them. Their safety does not depend on their own will being strong enough without him.
2 Timothy 2:18-19; Jeremiah 31:3; Hebrews 10:10.
Is your ultimate safety in your grip on God or his faithful care for you?
WCF 17.3 · Sin still causes real harm
True believers can fall into serious sins and remain in them for a time, especially when they neglect God’s help. This displeases God, grieves the Spirit, hurts their consciences, robs comfort, harms others, and can bring consequences in this life. God’s keeping does not make sin harmless.
Matthew 26:70; Isaiah 64:5; 2 Samuel 11:27.
Why is “God will keep me” never an excuse to sin?
1. Men may profess faith in Jesus Christ and have the outward appearance of being regenerate, for a time, and yet finally fall away from this profession. Heb. 6:4-8; 2 Pet. 2:20-22.
2. We reject the view that, because it appears to happen in human observation, true believers can fall away and be eternally lost. 1 John 2:19.
3. The Church cannot discern hypocrites so long as they continue to profess the true religion, and appear obedient to the law of God. 1 Sam. 16:7.
4. We reject the view that the Church is able to judge the hearts of men. Ps. 7:9; Ps. 75:7; Jer. 17:9-10.
5. We reject the accusation that the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is opposed to the believers’ responsibility to pursue their own growth in holiness.
Words to know
- Perseverance
- Continuing in faith to the end because God keeps his people.
- Saints
- God’s people made holy in Christ, rather than only unusually famous Christians.
- Rejects
- Says that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.
Testimony 17.1
Someone can profess faith and appear to be a Christian for a time, then abandon that profession. Outward appearances do not prove new spiritual life.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 17.2
The Testimony rejects concluding from someone’s departure that a person truly saved by God can finally be lost.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 17.3
The church cannot always tell who truly believes. Some people speak and act like Christians without truly trusting Christ. God knows their hearts.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 17.4
The Testimony rejects claiming that the church can see or judge a person’s hidden heart as God can.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 17.5
The Testimony rejects the charge that God’s preservation of believers removes their responsibility to grow in holiness.
Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-51, A-52.