In Calvinist theology, “perseverance of the saints” denotes the unalterable continuance of the new life in Christ, as the experience of those who have, presumably, been elected by God to salvation. This special power to persevere, so Calvin taught, preserves them from ever falling into sin. This theological concept has found expression in the popular affirmation, “once in grace, always in grace.” This doctrine was first clearly set forth by Augustine in the fourth century, and is held by churches in the Calvinistic tradition as a logical consequence of the doctrine of election. See Predestination .
Seventh-day Adventists have never held this theory, inasmuch as the Scriptures explicitly state that persons may fall away after they have accepted Christ as Saviour and thus forfeit the gift of eternal life ( Heb. 6:4–6 ; cf. Eze. 3:20 ). In fact, Seventh-day Adventists reject both the Calvinist theory of election and its corollary, the perseverance of the saints. They believe, instead, that God purposed, or predestined, all persons to salvation in Christ Jesus ( 1 Tim. 2:4 ; Eph. 1:3–5 ), but that this purpose becomes effective only as people respond in faith to God’s gracious invitation, of their own free will ( John 3:16 ; 1:12 , 13 ; etc.). This new life in Christ is maintained, strengthened, and deepened as Christians live lives of continual voluntary submission to the will of Christ in all things ( Rom. 6:8–13 ; 2 Cor. 5:14 ; Gal. 2:20 ; Phil. 2:12 , 13 ; James 4:7 ; 1 John 5:18 ).
Ellen White wrote in 1889: “The Word of God lays down the condition of our salvation, and it rests wholly with ourselves whether or not we will comply with Him” ( 5T 692). Again, in 1900, she said: “The Scriptures make it plain that those who once knew the way of life and rejoiced in the truth are in danger of falling through apostasy, and being lost. Therefore, there is need of a decided, daily conversion” ( SDACom 6:1114, 1115).
That it is possible for a man once saved by grace to fall away from Christ and forfeit salvation is evident from such passages as Eze. 33:13 ; 1 Cor. 9:27 ; Heb. 6:4–6 ; 10:26–27 .
To be sure, sinners saved by grace must persevere, or endure, to the end in order to be saved ( Matt. 10:22 ; 2 Peter 1:10 , 11 ). But this endurance results from their continued voluntary cooperation with divine grace in the life, not from an irresistible power taking possession of them, as Calvin taught.