The Anglican Position on "Once Saved, Always Saved"
The doctrine of "once saved, always saved," also known as perseverance of the saints, posits that once a person is genuinely saved, they can never lose their salvation, regardless of their future actions or faith. While this concept is central to many Protestant traditions, such as certain branches of Baptist and Reformed theology, Anglicanism approaches the matter differently.
Anglican Theology and Salvation
The Anglican Church, rooted in Scripture, tradition, and reason, does not explicitly endorse the doctrine of "once saved, always saved." Anglican theology emphasizes a holistic and sacramental view of salvation, seeing it as a journey rather than a one-time event. Salvation, in Anglican understanding, encompasses justification, sanctification, and eventual glorification, all of which require ongoing cooperation with God's grace.
The Role of Grace and Free Will
Anglicans affirm that salvation is entirely a gift of God’s grace, given through the redemptive work of Christ and received by faith. However, this grace does not override human free will. The Anglican tradition, influenced by both Catholic and Protestant theology, acknowledges that believers can choose to reject or fall away from the grace of God.
The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, a foundational document of Anglican doctrine, reflect this balance. Article XVI, "Of Sin After Baptism," states that while people may fall into sin after receiving grace, they can repent and be restored:
"After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God (we may) arise again, and amend our lives."
This article implicitly rejects a rigid "once saved, always saved" framework by affirming the possibility of both falling away and being restored.
Scriptural Basis
Anglicans approach the Bible with a commitment to its authority while acknowledging the necessity of interpretation within the community of faith. Key passages often cited against "once saved, always saved" include:
Hebrews 6:4-6: This passage warns about the impossibility of restoring those who "have fallen away" after receiving enlightenment and tasting the heavenly gift.
Matthew 24:13: Jesus teaches, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved," suggesting the necessity of perseverance.
1 Corinthians 9:27: Paul speaks of disciplining his body so that he does not become "disqualified" after preaching to others.
These verses, among others, highlight the conditional nature of salvation's completion, contingent on faithfulness and endurance.
The Sacramental and Communal Dimension
Anglicanism places significant emphasis on the sacraments and the life of the Church as integral to salvation. Baptism is seen as the initiation into the life of grace, while the Eucharist provides ongoing nourishment for the soul. Regular participation in these sacraments fosters a relationship with Christ and helps believers remain in God's grace.
The communal aspect of salvation also reminds Anglicans of their shared responsibility to encourage one another in faith. Salvation is not an individualistic endeavor but a corporate reality within the Body of Christ.
While Anglicans firmly affirm that salvation is a work of God’s grace, they also stress human responsibility and the need for perseverance in faith and holiness. The doctrine of "once saved, always saved" does not align neatly with Anglican theology, which views salvation as dynamic, relational, and rooted in ongoing cooperation with God’s grace. For Anglicans, the Christian life is a pilgrimage, marked by both assurance and accountability, with the ultimate goal of growing into the fullness of life in Christ.