Reformed Confessions & Catechisms

Assurance

36 passages across 8 documents address Assurance. The full text of each is below.

About this doctrine

I. The Definition and Essence of Assurance

"The design is, that we may be led to the attainment of sure and solid comfort, both in life and death." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg] "This, therefore, is that christian comfort... a comfort consisting in the assurance of the free remission of sin, and of reconciliation with God, by and on account of Christ, and a certain expectation of eternal life, impressed upon the heart by the holy Spirit through the gospel, so that we have no doubt but that we are the property of Christ, and are beloved of God for his sake, and saved forever..."

"True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his word, but also an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the gospel in my heart; that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness, and salvation, are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"There is a twofold assurance, namely, (1) The objective assurance of faith, which is 'the certain and undoubting conviction that Christ is all He professes to be, and will do all He promises.' It is generally agreed that this assurance is of the essence of faith. (2) The subjective assurance of faith, or the assurance of grace and salvation, which consists in a sense of security and safety, rising in many instances to the height of an 'assured conviction that the individual believer has had his sins pardoned and his soul saved.'" [Louis Berkhof - Systematic Theology]

"To make assurance of personal salvation essential to faith, is contrary to Scripture and to the experience of God's people." [Charles Hodge - Systematic Theology] "Those who make assurance the essence of faith, generally reduce faith to a mere intellectual assent." [Charles Hodge - Systematic Theology]

"The Reformers reacted against the unsound and pernicious position of the Church of Rome. In their protest they occasionally stressed assurance one-sidedly as the most important element of faith. They sometimes spoke as if one who lacks the assurance of salvation, the positive conviction that his sins are forgiven, did not possess true faith." "The Westminster Confession, speaking of the full assurance of faith, asserts that this does not so belong to the essence of faith that a true believer may not have to wait for it a long time." "Many Presbyterians deny that faith itself includes assurance; and in Reformed circles some share this denial. Kuyper, Bavinck, and Vos, however, correctly hold that true faith, as including trust, carries with it a sense of security, which may vary in degree." [Louis Berkhof - Systematic Theology]

"Faith as acceptance of the benefits acquired and bestowed by Christ is not temporally separated from assurance of faith, but coincides with it immediately. Just as knowing as knowing of itself brings with it the consciousness of knowing, so faith also by its nature includes immediate certainty." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics] "But however one determines it, faith is in its essence always certainty, excluding all doubt, fear, despair." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics] "To have faith is not to fluctuate, to vary, to be carried up and down, to hesitate, remain in suspense, vacillate, in fine, to despair; it is to possess sure certainty and complete security of mind, to have whereon to rest and fix your foot." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"In the doctrine of the certainty of faith there is an important difference between Rome and the Reformation with respect to the question whether the certitudo faith also includes the certitudo salutis, the absolute assurance of one’s own salvation. From Augustine onward this certitudo salutis has been denied and contested by the Roman church and theology. Rome maintains that absolute assurance of salvation is only the portion of some believers, who have received it through a special revelation, but by no means flows from the nature of faith. Ordinary believers, with respect to their salvation, have only a certitudo moralis, conjecturalis, but no certitudo fidei." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics]

II. The Objective Grounds of Assurance

"The grounds of assurance are not so much within, as without us. They are, according to Scripture, (1.) The universal and unconditional promise of God that those who come to Him in Christ, He will in no wise cast out; that whosoever will, may take of the water of life without money and without price. We are bound to be assured that God is faithful and will certainly save those who believe. (2.) The infinite, immutable, and gratuitous love of God." [Charles Hodge - Systematic Theology]

"We should be certain of our final perseverance; for it is said: 'Being justified by faith we have peace with God.' 'I give unto them eternal life,' which could not be said if there were any doubt or uncertainty in regard to it, so that it might be lost. 'The gifts and callings of God are without repentance.' 'Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hands.' 'He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.' 'I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.'" [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"He that believes knows that he does believe, which assurance is based upon these solid arguments: 1. God, who is the author of everlasting life is unchangeable. 2. The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, 'The Lord knoweth them that are his.' 3. Christ is heard in all those things, which he asks of the Father. Now one thing for which he prays, is that the Father would keep all those whom he has given him. 4. God will not have us to ask of him those things necessary for our salvation conditionally, but positively, because he has promised it. Hence to doubt in regard to our perseverance, and the consummation of eternal life is to overthrow the truth of God, and to make the intercession of Christ unavailing."

"But whence may we be assured of the consummation of everlasting life? We reply from the fact that we have already the beginning of it: for to him that hath shall be given. The gifts of God are without repentance. God is faithful: and therefore he will perfect that which he has commenced." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"Very different is our confidence—a confidence which is not appalled by the terrors of death, and therefore not even by the judgment-seat of God." [John Calvin - Institutes] "In the fourth place, this faith brings with it the assurance of salvation, for this lies unshakably fixed in the counsel of God, in the person of Christ, in the covenant of grace." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics]

"...the covenant which God always made with his servants was this, 'I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people,'... these words, even as the prophets are wont to expound them, comprehend life and salvation, and the whole sum of blessedness." "...the prophets are constantly reminding us that no good thing and, consequently, no assurance of salvation, is wanting, provided the Lord is our God." [John Calvin - Institutes]

III. The Inward Witness of the Holy Spirit

"Our full persuasion and assurance of all these great benefits, and of eternal life. This assurance is obtained, in the first place, from the testimony of the Holy Spirit working in us true faith, and conversion, bearing witness with our spirits that we are the sons of God, and that these blessings truly pertain to us; because 'he is the earnest of our inheritance'..."

"God has made known his secret counsel through his Son, and the Holy Spirit; and also by the effects which accompany it, according as it is said: 'Being justified by faith we have peace.' 'Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.' 'The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.' 'Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.'" [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"This witness of the Spirit, suggesting that God is our Father, is not a vocal witness or voice from heaven. The Spirit in the Word witnesses: the Spirit in the Word says—he who is a hater of sin and a lover of holiness—is a child of God, and God is his Father. If I can find such qualifications wrought in my heart—it is the Spirit witnessing with my spirit that we are a child of God." [Thomas Watson - The Lord's Prayer]

"The Spirit itself, therefore, who spoke by the mouth of the prophets, must penetrate our hearts, in order to convince us that they faithfully delivered the message with which they were divinely entrusted." "...the Spirit is called an earnest and seal to confirm the faith of the godly..." "Hence the Spirit performs the part of a seal, sealing upon our hearts the very promises, the certainty of which was previously impressed upon our minds. It also serves as an earnest in establishing and confirming these promises." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"The testimonium Spiritus Sancti is first of all an assurance, that we are children of God. That is the central truth, the core and the midpoint of this testimony." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics] "...and so by that same Spirit assured of this their sonship, ib. Gal. 4:6." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics]

"Saving faith does not rest on the testimony of the Church, nor on the outward evidence of miracles and prophecy, but on the inward testimony of the Spirit with and by the truth in our hearts. He who has this inward testimony needs no other." [Charles Hodge - Systematic Theology]

IV. The Reflex Act and Evidences of Sanctification

"The benefits which do accompany and flow from the sight and sense of justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost." "Q. 5. Whence is it that all that are justified, adopted, and sanctified, do not attain these benefits? A. Because all have not a sight and sense of their justification, adoption, and sanctification, but are under doubts, and therefore fear that God doth hate them, and not love them... Q. 6. How may a child of God get a sure evidence of his justification and adoption? A. A child of God may get a sure evidence of his justification and adoption by his sanctification." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

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Question 1

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has delivered me from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, also assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Scripture proofs
  • 1 Cor. 6:19–20.

    1 Cor. 6:19–20 19 Or do you⁺ not know that your⁺ body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you⁺, whom you⁺ have from God? And you⁺ are not your own, 20 for you⁺ were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your⁺ body.

  • Rom. 14:7–9.

    Rom. 14:7–9 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. 8 For both if we should live, we live to the Lord, and if we should die, we die to the Lord. Therefore both if we should live and if we should die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For unto this Christ died and lived again, so that He might be Lord over both the dead and the living.

  • 1 Cor. 3:23; Titus 2:14.

    1 Cor. 3:23 and you⁺ [are] of Christ, and Christ [is] of God.

    Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and might purify to Himself a people specially His, zealous for good works.

  • 1 Peter 1:18–19; 1 John 1:7–9; 2:2.

    1 Peter 1:18–19 18 knowing that were you⁺ redeemed from your⁺ futile conduct handed down from [your] fathers, not with perishable things—with silver or with gold— 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless,

    1 John 1:7–9 7 But if we should walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we should say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we should confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, that He may forgive us [our] sins and may cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

    2:2 And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for [those] of the whole world.

  • John 8:34–36; Heb. 2:14–15; 1 John 3:1–11.

    John 8:34–36 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you⁺ that everyone who [is] doing sin is a slave of sin. 35 Now the slave does not remain in the house to the age; the son remains to the age. 36 Therefore if the Son shall set you⁺ free, you⁺ will be really free.

    Heb. 2:14–15 14 Therefore, since the children have shared in blood and flesh, He also likewise partook of the same things, so that through death He might render powerless the one having the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might set free those who all [their time] to live were subject to slavery through the fear of death.

    1 John 3:1–11 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God—and we are! Because of this, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we will be was not yet made manifest. We know that if He should be made manifest, we will be like Him, for we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone having this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 4 Everyone who [is] doing sin also does lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you⁺ know that He appeared so that He should take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 Everyone who [is] remaining in Him does not sin; everyone who [is] sinning has not seen Him, nor has he known Him. 7 Little children, let no one lead you⁺ astray; the one doing righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 The one doing sin is of the devil, because the devil is sinning from the beginning. For this the Son of God was made manifest, so that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: everyone not doing righteousness is not of God, and the one not loving his brother. 11 For this is the message that you⁺ heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

  • John 6:39–40; 10:27–30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Peter 1:5.

    John 6:39–40 39 Now this is the will of the One having sent Me, that all that He has given Me, I should lose none of it, but I will raise it up in the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone beholding the Son and believing in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up in the last day.”

    10:27–30 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and never shall they perish to the age, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the hand of the Father. 30 I and the Father are one.”

    2 Thess. 3:3 But faithful is the Lord, who will strengthen you⁺ and guard [you] from the evil one.

    1 Peter 1:5 who [are] being guarded in the power of God through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

  • Matt. 10:29–31; Luke 21:16–18.

    Matt. 10:29–31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your⁺ Father. 30 And even the hairs of your⁺ head are all numbered. 31 Therefore do not be afraid; you⁺ are more valuable than many sparrows.

    Luke 21:16–18 16 And you⁺ will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put to death some of you⁺. 17 And you⁺ will be hated by all because of My name. 18 And no, not a hair of your⁺ head shall perish.

  • Rom. 8:28.

    Rom. 8:28 And we know that God works together all things for good to those loving God, to those being called according to purpose,

  • Rom. 8:15–16; 2 Cor. 1:21–22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13–14.

    Rom. 8:15–16 15 For you⁺ did not receive a spirit of slavery again unto fear, but you⁺ received the Spirit of adoption as sons, in whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

    2 Cor. 1:21–22 21 Now the One establishing us with you⁺ into Christ, and having anointed us, [is] God, 22 the One also having sealed us and having given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.

    5:5 Now the One having prepared us for this very [thing] [is] God, the One having given to us the pledge of the Spirit,

    Eph. 1:13–14 13 in whom you⁺ also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your⁺ salvation, in whom also having believed, you⁺ were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance to the redemption of the acquired possession, to the praise of His glory.

  • Rom. 8:1–17.

    Rom. 8:1–17 1 Therefore [there is] now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law [was] incapable of in that it was weak through the flesh, God, having sent His Son in the likeness of flesh of sin and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, those not walking according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those being according to the flesh mind the [things] of the flesh, but those according to the Spirit the [things] of the Spirit. 6 For the mind of the flesh [is] death, but the mind of the Spirit [is] life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh [is] hostility toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for [it is] not even able. 8 And those being in the flesh are not able to please God. 9 But you⁺ are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you⁺; and if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not of Him. 10 But if Christ [is] in you⁺, the body [is] indeed dead because of sin, but the spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of the One having raised Jesus out from the dead dwells in you⁺, the One having raised Christ Jesus out from the dead will also make alive your⁺ mortal bodies through His Spirit, the One dwelling in you⁺. 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you⁺ live according to the flesh, you⁺ are about to die; but if by the Spirit you⁺ put to death the deeds of the body, you⁺ will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you⁺ did not receive a spirit of slavery again unto fear, but you⁺ received the Spirit of adoption as sons, in whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, also heirs: heirs indeed of God, and co-heirs of Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him], so that we may also be glorified with [Him].

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation14 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 16: Of Good Works13 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator8 shared proof texts · 6 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints8 shared proof texts · 4 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator6 shared proof texts · 6 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation7 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Question 44

Q. Why does the creed add, "He descended into hell"?

A. To assure me during attacks of deepest dread and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from hellish anguish and torment.

Scripture proofs
  • Isa. 53; Matt. 26:36–46; 27:45–46; Luke 22:44; Heb. 5:7–10.

    Matt. 26:36–46 36 Then Jesus comes with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He says to the disciples, “Sit here until, having gone away over there, I shall pray.” 37 And having taken with [Him] Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He says to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch with Me.” 39 And having gone forward a little, He fell upon His face, praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You.” 40 And He comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping. And He says to Peter, “So, were you⁺ not able to watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray so that you⁺ might not enter into temptation. the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh weak.” 42 Again, for a second time, having gone away, He prayed, saying, “My Father, if this is not possible to pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And having come again, He found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And having left them again, having gone away, He prayed for the third time, having said the same thing again. 45 Then He comes to the disciples and says to them, “Sleep and take your⁺ rest later on. Behold, the hour has drawn near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise up, let us go! Behold, he who is betraying Me has drawn near!”

    27:45–46 45 And from the sixth hour darkness was over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” That is, “My God, My God, why did You forsake Me?”

    Luke 22:44 And having been in agony, He was praying more earnestly. And His sweat became like large drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

    Heb. 5:7–10 7 [He] in the days of His flesh having offered both supplications and entreaties with strong crying and tears to the One being able to save Him from death, and having been heard from reverence, 8 although being a Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered, 9 and having been perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation to all those obeying Him, 10 having been designated by God [as] high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

    Isaiah 53 on BibleHub ↗

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator7 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator4 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 493 shared proof texts · shared topicBelgic Confession · Article 21: The Atonement2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 11: Of Jesus Christ, Being True God and Man, and the Only Savior of the World1 shared proof text · 5 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 382 shared proof texts · shared topic

Question 69

Q. How does holy baptism remind and assure you that Christ's one sacrifice on the cross benefits you personally?

A. In this way: Christ instituted this outward washing and with it promised that, as surely as water washes away the dirt from the body, so certainly his blood and his Spirit wash away my soul's impurity, that is, all my sins.

Scripture proofs
  • Acts 2:38.

    Acts 2:38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • Matt. 3:11; Rom. 6:3–10; 1 Peter 3:21.

    Matt. 3:11 I indeed baptize you⁺ in water unto repentance, but the One coming after me is mightier than I, of whom I am not sufficient to carry the sandals. He will baptize you⁺ in the Holy Spirit and fire,

    Rom. 6:3–10 3 Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin. 7 For the one having died has been justified from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised out from the dead, dies no more; death no longer rules over Him. 10 For that which He died, He died to sin once for all; but that which He lives, He lives to God.

    1 Peter 3:21 which also corresponds to the baptism now saving you⁺, not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the demand of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 28: Of Baptism10 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1677 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1655 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 944 shared proof texts · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 29: Of Baptism3 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1623 shared proof texts

Question 73

Q. Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the water of rebirth and the washing away of sins?

A. God has good reason for these words. To begin with, he wants to teach us that the blood and Spirit of Christ take away our sins just as water removes dirt from the body. But more importantly, he wants to assure us, by this divine pledge and sign, that we are as truly washed of our sins spiritually as our bodies are washed with water physically.

Scripture proofs
  • 1 Cor. 6:11; Rev. 1:5; 7:14.

    1 Cor. 6:11 And some [of] you⁺ were these. But you⁺ were washed, but you⁺ were sanctified, but you⁺ were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

    Rev. 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the One loving us and releasing us from our sins in His blood—

    7:14 And I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

  • Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3–4; Gal. 3:27.

    Acts 2:38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    Rom. 6:3–4 3 Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life.

    Gal. 3:27 For as many of you⁺ as were baptized into Christ, you⁺ put on Christ.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1655 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1674 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 28: Of Baptism4 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 944 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1624 shared proof textsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 29: Of Baptism3 shared proof texts · shared topic

Question 75

Q. How does the holy supper remind and assure you that you share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all his benefits?

A. In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat this broken bread and to drink this cup in remembrance of him. With this command come these promises: First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup shared with me, so surely his body was offered and broken for me and his blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of him who serves, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, given me as sure signs of Christ's body and blood, so surely he nourishes and refreshes my soul for eternal life with his crucified body and poured-out blood.

Scripture proofs
  • Matt. 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:19–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–25.

    Matt. 26:26–28 26 Now [while] they are eating, Jesus, having taken bread and having blessed [it], broke [it], and having given [it] to the disciples, He said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And having taken a cup and having given thanks, He gave [it] to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the covenant, being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

    Mark 14:22–24 22 And [in] their eating, having taken bread, having spoken a blessing, He broke [it] and gave to them and said, “Take; this is My body.” 23 And having taken the cup, having given thanks, He gave to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many.

    Luke 22:19–20 19 And having taken the bread, having given thanks, He broke [it] and gave to them, saying, “This is My body, which is given for you⁺; do this in remembrance of Me,” 20 and the cup likewise, after the supping, saying, “This cup [is] the new covenant in My blood, which is being poured out for you⁺.

    1 Cor. 11:23–25 23 For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you⁺, that the Lord Jesus, in the night in which He was delivered up, took bread, 24 and having given thanks, He broke [it] and said, “This is My body, which [is] for you⁺; do this to the remembrance of Me.” 25 Likewise also the cup after having supped, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you⁺ may drink [it], to the remembrance of Me.”

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper11 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 16211 shared proof textsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 16910 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 928 shared proof textsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1687 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 27: Of the Sacraments7 shared proof texts

Question 78

Q. Do the bread and wine become the real body and blood of Christ?

A. No. Just as the water of baptism is not changed into Christ's blood and does not itself wash away sins but is simply a divine sign and assurance of these things, so too the holy bread of the Lord's Supper does not become the body of Christ itself, even though it is called the body of Christ in keeping with the nature and language of sacraments.

Scripture proofs
  • Eph. 5:26; Titus 3:5.

    Eph. 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed [her] by the washing of water in the word,

    Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,

  • Matt. 26:26–29.

    Matt. 26:26–29 26 Now [while] they are eating, Jesus, having taken bread and having blessed [it], broke [it], and having given [it] to the disciples, He said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And having taken a cup and having given thanks, He gave [it] to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the covenant, being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 And I say to you⁺ [that] I shall not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it anew with you⁺ in the kingdom of My Father.”

  • 1 Cor. 10:16–17; 11:26–28.

    1 Cor. 10:16–17 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is [it] not a fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is [it] not a fellowship of the body of Christ? 17 Because [there is] one loaf, we the many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

    11:26–28 26 For as often as you⁺ may eat this bread and may drink the cup, you⁺ proclaim the death of the Lord until He should come. 27 Therefore, whoever may eat the bread or may drink the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and thus let him eat of the bread, and let him drink of the cup.

  • Gen. 17:10–11; Ex. 12:11, 13; 1 Cor. 10:1–4.

    Gen. 17:10–11 10 This [is] My covenant, which you⁺ shall keep between Me, and between you⁺, and between your seed after you: Every male child among you⁺ shall be circumcised. 11 And you⁺ shall be circumcised in the flesh of your⁺ foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and between you⁺.

    Ex. 12:11, 13 11 And thus you⁺ shall eat it: your⁺ loins girded, your⁺ sandals on your⁺ feet, and your⁺ staff in your⁺ hand; and you⁺ shall eat it in haste. It [is] YHWH's Passover. 13 And the blood shall be a sign for you⁺ on the houses where you⁺ are, and I will see the blood, and I will pass over you⁺, and there shall not be among you⁺ a plague for destruction, in my striking in the land of Egypt.

    1 Cor. 10:1–4 1 For I do not want you⁺ to be ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea. 2 And all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they were drinking from the spiritual rock accompanying [them], and the rock was Christ.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 27: Of the Sacraments12 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper11 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 30: Of the Lord's Supper8 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1627 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1686 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1706 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Question 79

Q. Why then does Christ call the bread his body and the cup his blood, or the new covenant in his blood, and Paul use the words, a participation in Christ's body and blood?

A. Christ has good reason for these words. He wants to teach us that just as bread and wine nourish the temporal life, so too his crucified body and poured-out blood are the true food and drink of our souls for eternal life. But more important, he wants to assure us, by this visible sign and pledge, that we, through the Holy Spirit's work, share in his true body and blood as surely as our mouths receive these holy signs in his remembrance, and that all of his suffering and obedience are as definitely ours as if we personally had suffered and made satisfaction for our sins.

Scripture proofs
  • John 6:51, 55.

    John 6:51, 55 51 I am the living bread having come down out of heaven. If anyone shall eat of this bread, he will live to the age. And the bread also that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.

  • 1 Cor. 10:16–17; 11:26.

    1 Cor. 10:16–17 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is [it] not a fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is [it] not a fellowship of the body of Christ? 17 Because [there is] one loaf, we the many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

    11:26 For as often as you⁺ may eat this bread and may drink the cup, you⁺ proclaim the death of the Lord until He should come.

  • Rom. 6:5–11.

    Rom. 6:5–11 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin. 7 For the one having died has been justified from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised out from the dead, dies no more; death no longer rules over Him. 10 For that which He died, He died to sin once for all; but that which He lives, He lives to God. 11 So also you⁺, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but living to God in Christ Jesus.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 28: Of Baptism7 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 21: Of the Holy Supper of the Lord3 shared proof texts · 6 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1674 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper3 shared proof texts · 4 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1703 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 963 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics

Question 86

Q. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works?

A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, is also renewing us by his Spirit into his image, so that with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God for his benefits, and that he may be praised through us, and further, so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ.

Scripture proofs
  • Rom. 6:13; 12:1–2; 1 Peter 2:5–10.

    Rom. 6:13 Neither present your⁺ members to sin [as] instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as living out from the dead, and your⁺ members to God [as] instruments of righteousness.

    12:1–2 1 Therefore I exhort you⁺, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your⁺ bodies [as] a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your⁺ reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for you⁺ to discern what [is] the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.

    1 Peter 2:5–10 5 you yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house into a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen [and] precious cornerstone; and the one believing on Him shall never be put to shame.” 7 Therefore the preciousness [is] to you⁺ who [are] believing. But [to] [those] disbelieving, “The stone that those building rejected, this became into the head of the corner,” 8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” [They] stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. 9 But you⁺ [are] a chosen kindred, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [His] possession, so that you⁺ may proclaim the excellencies of the One having called you⁺ out of darkness into His marvelous light, 10 who once [were] not a people, but now [are] the people of God—those not having received mercy, but now having received mercy.

  • Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 6:19–20.

    Matt. 5:16 Thus let your⁺ light shine before men, so that they may see your⁺ good works and may glorify your⁺ Father who [is] in the heavens.

    1 Cor. 6:19–20 19 Or do you⁺ not know that your⁺ body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you⁺, whom you⁺ have from God? And you⁺ are not your own, 20 for you⁺ were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your⁺ body.

  • Matt. 7:17–18; Gal. 5:22–24; 2 Peter 1:10–11.

    Matt. 7:17–18 17 Thus every good tree produces good fruits, but the rotten tree produces evil fruits. 18 A good tree is not able to produce evil fruits, nor a rotten tree to produce good fruits.

    Gal. 5:22–24 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those of Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with the passions and the desires.

    2 Peter 1:10–11 10 Therefore, brothers, be diligent, rather, to make your⁺ calling and election sure. For [in] doing these things, never at any time shall you⁺ stumble. 11 For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you⁺.

  • Matt. 5:14–16; Rom. 14:17–19; 1 Peter 2:12; 3:1–2.

    Matt. 5:14–16 14 You⁺ are the light of the world. A city lying on a hill is not able to be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under the basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines to all those in the house. 16 Thus let your⁺ light shine before men, so that they may see your⁺ good works and may glorify your⁺ Father who [is] in the heavens.

    Rom. 14:17–19 17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For the one serving Christ in in this [is] well-pleasing to God and approved by men. 19 So then, may we pursue the [things] of peace, and the [things] of building up one another.

    1 Peter 2:12 having your⁺ conduct among the Gentiles good, so that wherein which they speak against you⁺ as evildoers, out of having witnessed the good works, they may glorify God in the day of visitation.

    3:1–2 1 Likewise, wives, be subject to [your] own husbands, so that even if any are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without word by the conduct of the wives, 2 having witnessed your⁺ respectful, pure conduct,

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 16: Of Good Works9 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 16: Of Good Works6 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation3 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation3 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree2 shared proof texts · 6 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Article 26: The Intercession of Christ

We believe that we have no access to God except through the one and only Mediator and Intercessor: Jesus Christ the Righteous. He therefore was made man, uniting together the divine and human natures, so that we human beings might have access to the divine Majesty. Otherwise we would have no access. But this Mediator, whom the Father has appointed between himself and us, ought not terrify us by his greatness, so that we have to look for another one, according to our fancy. For neither in heaven nor among the creatures on earth is there anyone who loves us more than Jesus Christ does. Although he was "in the form of God," he nevertheless "emptied himself," taking the form of "a man" and "a servant" for us; and he made himself "completely like his brothers." Suppose we had to find another intercessor. Who would love us more than he who gave his life for us, even though "we were his enemies"? And suppose we had to find one who has prestige and power. Who has as much of these as he who is seated "at the right hand of the Father," and who has all power "in heaven and on earth"? And who will be heard more readily than God's own dearly beloved Son?

So then, sheer unbelief has led to the practice of dishonoring the saints, instead of honoring them. That was something the saints never did nor asked for, but which in keeping with their duty, as appears from their writings, they consistently refused. We should not plead here that we are unworthy—for it is not a question of offering our prayers on the basis of our own dignity but only on the basis of the excellence and dignity of Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is ours by faith.

Since the apostle for good reason wants us to get rid of this foolish fear—or rather, this unbelief—he says to us that Jesus Christ was "made like his brothers in all things," that he might be a high priest who is merciful and faithful to purify the sins of the people. For since he suffered, being tempted, he is also able to help those who are tempted. And further, to encourage us more to approach him he says, "Since we have a high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who has entered into heaven, we maintain our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to have compassion for our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in all things, just as we are, except for sin. Let us go then with confidence to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace, in order to be helped."

The same apostle says that we "have liberty to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus. Let us go, then, in the assurance of faith. . . ." Likewise, "Christ's priesthood is forever. By this he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him who always lives to intercede for them." What more do we need? For Christ himself declares: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to my Father but by me." Why should we seek another intercessor? Since it has pleased God to give us his Son as our Intercessor, let us not leave him for another—or rather seek, without ever finding. For when God gave him to us he knew well that we were sinners.

Therefore, in following the command of Christ we call on the heavenly Father through Christ, our only Mediator, as we are taught by the Lord's Prayer, being assured that we shall obtain all we ask of the Father in his name.

Scripture proofs
  • 1 John 2:1.

    1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you⁺ so that you⁺ might not sin. And if anyone might sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

  • Phil. 2:6–8.

    Phil. 2:6–8 6 Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider to be equal with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, having taken the form of a servant, having been made in the likeness of men. 8 And having been found in appearance as a man He humbled Himself, having become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

  • Heb. 2:17.

    Heb. 2:17 Hence it was necessary to be made like the brothers in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest [in] the things relating to God, in order to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

  • Rom. 5:10.

    Rom. 5:10 For if, being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we will be saved in His life!

  • Rom. 8:34; Heb. 1:3.

    Rom. 8:34 Who [is] the one condemning? Christ Jesus the One having died, now rather having been raised, [is] He who is also at the right hand of God, and who is interceding for us.

    Heb. 1:3 who, being the radiance of [His] glory and the exact imprint of His substance and bearing all things by the word of power—through His having made purification of sins—sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

  • Matt. 28:18.

    Matt. 28:18 And having come near, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on the earth was given to Me.

  • Heb. 2:17.

    Heb. 2:17 Hence it was necessary to be made like the brothers in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest [in] the things relating to God, in order to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

  • Heb. 2:18.

    Heb. 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, having been tempted, He is able to help those being tempted.

  • Heb. 4:14–16.

    Heb. 4:14–16 14 Therefore, having a great high priest having passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to [our] confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest not being able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one having been tempted in all things by the same way, without sin. 16 Therefore let us come with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

  • Heb. 10:19, 22.

    Heb. 10:19, 22 19 Therefore, brothers, having confidence for entrance to the holy places in the blood of Jesus, 22 we should come near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, the hearts having been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and the body having been washed with pure water.

  • Heb. 7:24–25.

    Heb. 7:24–25 24 But because of His remaining to the age, He has the permanent priesthood, 25 wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost those drawing near to God through Him, always living to intercede for them.

  • John 14:6.

    John 14:6 Jesus says to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father if not through Me.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator10 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification7 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 366 shared proof texts · 4 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 395 shared proof texts · 4 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 11: Of Jesus Christ, Being True God and Man, and the Only Savior of the World4 shared proof texts · 7 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator4 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics

First Head, Article 12: The Assurance of Election

Assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election to salvation is given to the chosen in due time, though by various stages and in differing measure. Such assurance comes not by inquisitive searching into the hidden and deep things of God, but by noticing within themselves, with spiritual joy and holy delight, the unmistakable fruits of election pointed out in God's Word—such as a true faith in Christ, a childlike fear of God, a godly sorrow for their sins, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and so on.

First Head, Article 13: The Fruit of This Assurance

In their awareness and assurance of this election God's children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God, to adore the fathomless depth of his mercies, to cleanse themselves, and to give fervent love in return to him who first so greatly loved them. This is far from saying that this teaching concerning election, and reflection upon it, make God's children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured. By God's just judgment this does usually happen to those who casually take for granted the grace of election or engage in idle and brazen talk about it but are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen.

First Head: Rejection of the Errors

Having set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of those

Error I.

Who teach that the will of God to save those who would believe and persevere in faith and in the obedience of faith is the whole and entire decision of election to salvation, and that nothing else concerning this decision has been revealed in God's Word.

For they deceive the simple and plainly contradict Holy Scripture in its testimony that God does not only wish to save those who would believe, but that he has also from eternity chosen certain particular people to whom, rather than to others, he would within time grant faith in Christ and perseverance. As Scripture says, "I have revealed your name to those whom you gave me" (John 17:6). Likewise, "All who were appointed for eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48), and "He chose us before the foundation of the world so that we should be holy" (Eph. 1:4).

Error II.

Who teach that God's election to eternal life is of many kinds: one general and indefinite, the other particular and definite; and the latter in turn either incomplete, revocable, nonperemptory (or conditional), or else complete, irrevocable, and peremptory (or absolute). Likewise, who teach that there is one election to faith and another to salvation, so that there can be an election to justifying faith apart from a peremptory election to salvation.

For this is an invention of the human brain, devised apart from the Scriptures, which distorts the teaching concerning election and breaks up this golden chain of salvation: "Those whom he predestined, he also called; and those whom he called, he also justified; and those whom he justified, he also glorified" (Rom. 8:30).

Error III.

Who teach that God's good pleasure and purpose, which Scripture mentions in its teaching of election, does not involve God's choosing certain particular people rather than others, but involves God's choosing, out of all possible conditions (including the works of the law) or out of the whole order of things, the intrinsically unworthy act of faith, as well as the imperfect obedience of faith, to be a condition of salvation; and it involves his graciously wishing to count this as perfect obedience and to look upon it as worthy of the reward of eternal life.

For by this pernicious error the good pleasure of God and the merit of Christ are robbed of their effectiveness and people are drawn away, by unprofitable inquiries, from the truth of undeserved justification and from the simplicity of the Scriptures. It also gives the lie to these words of the apostle: "God called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of works, but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time" (2 Tim. 1:9).

Error IV.

Who teach that in election to faith a prerequisite condition is that man should rightly use the light of nature, be upright, unassuming, humble, and disposed to eternal life, as though election depended to some extent on these factors.

For this smacks of Pelagius, and it clearly calls into question the words of the apostle: "We lived at one time in the passions of our flesh, following the will of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive with Christ, by whose grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with him and seated us with him in heaven in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages we might show the surpassing riches of his grace, according to his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God) not by works, so that no one can boast" (Eph. 2:3–9).

Error V.

Who teach that the incomplete and nonperemptory election of particular persons to salvation occurred on the basis of a foreseen faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness, which has just begun or continued for some time; but that complete and peremptory election occurred on the basis of a foreseen perseverance to the end in faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness. And that this is the gracious and evangelical worthiness, on account of which the one who is chosen is more worthy than the one who is not chosen. And therefore that faith, the obedience of faith, holiness, godliness, and perseverance are not fruits or effects of an unchangeable election to glory, but indispensable conditions and causes, which are prerequisite in those who are to be chosen in the complete election, and which are foreseen as achieved in them.

This runs counter to the entire Scripture, which throughout impresses upon our ears and hearts these sayings among others: "Election is not by works, but by him who calls" (Rom. 9:11–12); "All who were appointed for eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48); "He chose us in himself so that we should be holy" (Eph. 1:4); "You did not choose me, but I chose you" (John 15:16); "If by grace, not by works" (Rom. 11:6); "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son" (1 John 4:10).

Error VI.

Who teach that not every election to salvation is unchangeable, but that some of the chosen can perish and do in fact perish eternally, with no decision of God to prevent it.

By this gross error they make God changeable, destroy the comfort of the godly concerning the steadfastness of their election, and contradict the Holy Scriptures, which teach that "the elect cannot be led astray" (Matt. 24:24), that "Christ does not lose those given to him by the Father" (John 6:39), and that "those whom God predestined, called, and justified, he also glorifies" (Rom. 8:30).

Error VII.

Who teach that in this life there is no fruit, no awareness, and no assurance of one's unchangeable election to glory, except as conditional upon something changeable and contingent.

For not only is it absurd to speak of an uncertain assurance, but these things also militate against the experience of the saints, who with the apostle rejoice from an awareness of their election and sing the praises of this gift of God; who, as Christ urged, "rejoice" with his disciples "that their names have been written in heaven" (Luke 10:20); and finally who hold up against the flaming arrows of the devil's temptations the awareness of their election, with the question "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?" (Rom. 8:33).

Error VIII.

Who teach that it was not on the basis of his just will alone that God decided to leave anyone in the fall of Adam and in the common state of sin and condemnation or to pass anyone by in the imparting of grace necessary for faith and conversion.

For these words stand fast: "He has mercy on whom he wishes, and he hardens whom he wishes" (Rom. 9:18). And also: "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given" (Matt. 13:11). Likewise: "I give glory to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and have revealed them to little children; yes, Father, because that was your pleasure" (Matt. 11:25–26).

Error IX.

Who teach that the cause for God's sending the gospel to one people rather than to another is not merely and solely God's good pleasure, but rather that one people is better and worthier than the other to whom the gospel is not communicated.

For Moses contradicts this when he addresses the people of Israel as follows: "Behold, to Jehovah your God belong the heavens and the highest heavens, the earth and whatever is in it. But Jehovah was inclined in his affection to love your ancestors alone, and chose out their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as at this day" (Deut. 10:14–15). And also Christ: "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! for if those mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes" (Matt. 11:21).

Scripture proofs
  • John 17:6

    John 17:6 I revealed Your name to the men whom You gave to Me out of the world. They were Yours, and to Me You gave them, and they have kept Your word.

  • Acts 13:48

    Acts 13:48 And the Gentiles hearing were rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

  • Eph. 1:4

    Eph. 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world for us to be holy and blameless before Him, in love

  • Rom. 8:30

    Rom. 8:30 And whom He predestined, these also He called; and whom He called, these also He justified; and whom He justified, these also He glorified.

  • 2 Tim. 1:9

    2 Tim. 1:9 the One having saved us and having called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, having been given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

  • Eph. 2:3–9

    Eph. 2:3–9 3 among whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the desires of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of [its] thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His much love with which He loved us, 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved— 6 and He raised [us] up together and seated [us] together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages that are coming, He might display the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one may boast.

  • Rom. 9:11–12

    Rom. 9:11–12 11 for they not yet having been born nor having done anything good or evil, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand— 12 not of works but of the One calling, it was said to her, “The greater will serve the lesser.”

  • John 15:16

    John 15:16 You⁺ did not choose Me, but I chose you⁺, and I appointed you⁺ so that you⁺ should go and bear fruit, and [that] your⁺ fruit should remain, so that whatever you⁺ might ask the Father in My name, He may give you⁺.

  • Rom. 11:6

    Rom. 11:6 and if by grace, no longer out of works; otherwise grace no longer is grace.

  • 1 John 4:10

    1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [as] a propitiation for our sins.

  • Matt. 24:24

    Matt. 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen.

  • John 6:39

    John 6:39 Now this is the will of the One having sent Me, that all that He has given Me, I should lose none of it, but I will raise it up in the last day.

  • Luke 10:20

    Luke 10:20 But do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you⁺; but rejoice that your⁺ names have been written in the heavens.”

  • Rom. 8:33

    Rom. 8:33 Who will bring an accusation against the chosen ones of God? God [is] the One justifying.

  • Rom. 9:18

    Rom. 9:18 So then, He has mercy on whom He wants, and He hardens whom He wants.

  • Matt. 13:11

    Matt. 13:11 And answering, He said to them, “Because to you⁺ it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but to these it has not been given.

  • Matt. 11:25–26

    Matt. 11:25–26 25 In that time, answering, Jesus said, “I acknowledge You, Father, Lord of the heaven and of the earth, because You hid these things from the wise and intelligent, and You revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, because of this it was good pleasure before You.

  • Deut. 10:14–15

    Deut. 10:14–15 14 Behold, unto YHWH your God [are] the heavens and the heavens of the heavens, the earth and all that [is] in it. 15 Yet in your fathers YHWH delighted to love them, and He chose their seed after them, you⁺, above all peoples, as [it is] this day.

  • Matt. 11:21

    Matt. 11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles having happened in you⁺ had happened in Tyre and Sidon, long ago in sackcloth and ashes they would have repented.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree14 shared proof texts · 12 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling11 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree8 shared proof texts · 11 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling7 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 677 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification5 shared proof texts · 7 shared topics

Fifth Head, Article 9: The Assurance of This Preservation

Concerning this preservation of those chosen to salvation and concerning the perseverance of true believers in faith, believers themselves can and do become assured in accordance with the measure of their faith, by which they firmly believe that they are and always will remain true and living members of the church, and that they have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Parallel passages (6+)Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 17: Of the Catholic and Holy Church of God, and of the One Only Head of the Church8 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 10: Of the Predestination of God, and the Election of the Saints7 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 18: Of the Ministers of the Church, Their Institution and Offices7 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints7 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 546 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 796 shared topics

Fifth Head, Article 10: The Ground of This Assurance

Accordingly, this assurance does not derive from some private revelation beyond or outside the Word, but from faith in the promises of God which he has very plentifully revealed in his Word for our comfort, from the testimony "of the Holy Spirit testifying with our spirit that we are God's children and heirs" (Rom. 8:16–17), and finally from a serious and holy pursuit of a clear conscience and of good works. And if God's chosen ones in this world did not have this well-founded comfort that the victory will be theirs and this reliable guarantee of eternal glory, they would be of all people most miserable.

Scripture proofs
  • Rom. 8:16–17

    Rom. 8:16–17 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, also heirs: heirs indeed of God, and co-heirs of Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him], so that we may also be glorified with [Him].

Parallel passages (6+)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 12 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 332 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 12: Of Adoption2 shared proof textsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 742 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation1 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 801 shared proof text · shared topic

Fifth Head, Article 11: Doubts concerning This Assurance

Meanwhile, Scripture testifies that believers have to contend in this life with various doubts of the flesh and that under severe temptation they do not always experience this full assurance of faith and certainty of perseverance. But God, the Father of all comfort, "does not let them be tempted beyond what they can bear, but with the temptation he also provides a way out" (1 Cor. 10:13), and by the Holy Spirit revives in them the assurance of their perseverance.

Scripture proofs
  • 1 Cor. 10:13

    1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you⁺ except [what is] human. And faithful [is] God, who will not allow you⁺ to be tempted beyond what you⁺ are able, but He will also provide with the temptation the escape, to be able to bear up under [it].

Parallel passages (6+)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 1271 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1951 shared proof text · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 941 shared proof textWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1061 shared proof textWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith3 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 803 shared topics

Fifth Head, Article 12: This Assurance as an Incentive to Godliness

This assurance of perseverance, however, so far from making true believers proud and carnally self-assured, is rather the true root of humility, of childlike respect, of genuine godliness, of endurance in every conflict, of fervent prayers, of steadfastness in crossbearing and in confessing the truth, and of well-founded joy in God. Reflecting on this benefit provides an incentive to a serious and continual practice of thanksgiving and good works, as is evident from the testimonies of Scripture and the examples of the saints.

Parallel passages (2)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith3 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 363 shared topics

Fifth Head, Article 13: Assurance No Inducement to Carelessness

Neither does the renewed confidence of perseverance produce immorality or lack of concern for godliness in those put back on their feet after a fall, but it produces a much greater concern to observe carefully the ways of the Lord which he prepared in advance. They observe these ways in order that by walking in them they may maintain the assurance of their perseverance, lest, by their abuse of his fatherly goodness, the face of the gracious God (for the godly, looking upon his face is sweeter than life, but its withdrawal is more bitter than death) turn away from them again, with the result that they fall into greater anguish of spirit.

Fifth Head, Article 15: Contrasting Reactions to the Teaching of Perseverance

This teaching about the perseverance of true believers and saints, and about their assurance of it—a teaching which God has very richly revealed in his Word for the glory of his name and for the comfort of the godly and which he impresses on the hearts of believers—is something which the flesh does not understand, Satan hates, the world ridicules, the ignorant and the hypocrites abuse, and the spirits of error attack. The bride of Christ, on the other hand, has always loved this teaching very tenderly and defended it steadfastly as a priceless treasure; and God, against whom no plan can avail and no strength can prevail, will ensure that she will continue to do this. To this God alone, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.

Parallel passages (6+)Belgic Confession · Article 23: The Justification of Sinners3 shared topicsBelgic Confession · Article 26: The Intercession of Christ3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith3 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 803 shared topics

Fifth Head: Rejection of the Errors

Having set forth the orthodox teaching, the Synod rejects the errors of those

Error I.

Who teach that the perseverance of true believers is not an effect of election or a gift of God produced by Christ's death, but a condition of the new covenant which man, before what they call his "peremptory" election and justification, must fulfill by his free will.

For Holy Scripture testifies that perseverance follows from election and is granted to the chosen by virtue of Christ's death, resurrection, and intercession: "The chosen obtained it; the others were hardened" (Rom. 11:7); likewise, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not, along with him, grant us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised—who also sits at the right hand of God, and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. 8:32–35).

Error II.

Who teach that God does provide the believer with sufficient strength to persevere and is ready to preserve this strength in him if he performs his duty, but that even with all those things in place which are necessary to persevere in faith and which God is pleased to use to preserve faith, it still always depends on the choice of man's will whether or not he perseveres.

For this view is obviously Pelagian; and though it intends to make men free it makes them sacrilegious. It is against the enduring consensus of evangelical teaching which takes from man all cause for boasting and ascribes the praise for this benefit only to God's grace. It is also against the testimony of the apostle: "It is God who keeps us strong to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1:8).

Error III.

Who teach that those who truly believe and have been born again not only can forfeit justifying faith as well as grace and salvation totally and to the end, but also in actual fact do often forfeit them and are lost forever.

For this opinion nullifies the very grace of justification and regeneration as well as the continual preservation by Christ, contrary to the plain words of the apostle Paul: "If Christ died for us while we were still sinners, we will therefore much more be saved from God's wrath through him, since we have now been justified by his blood" (Rom. 5:8–9); and contrary to the apostle John: "No one who is born of God is intent on sin, because God's seed remains in him, nor can he sin, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:9); also contrary to the words of Jesus Christ: "I give eternal life to my sheep, and they shall 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 my Father's hand" (John 10:28–29).

Error IV.

Who teach that those who truly believe and have been born again can commit the sin that leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit).

For the same apostle John, after making mention of those who commit the sin that leads to death and forbidding prayer for them (1 John 5:16–17), immediately adds: "We know that anyone born of God does not commit sin" [that is, that kind of sin], "but the one who was born of God keeps himself safe, and the evil one does not touch him" (v. 18).

Error V.

Who teach that apart from a special revelation no one can have the assurance of future perseverance in this life.

For by this teaching the well-founded consolation of true believers in this life is taken away and the doubting of the Romanists is reintroduced into the church. Holy Scripture, however, in many places derives the assurance not from a special and extraordinary revelation but from the marks peculiar to God's children and from God's completely reliable promises. So especially the apostle Paul: "Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:39); and John: "They who obey his commands remain in him and he in them. And this is how we know that he remains in us: by the Spirit he gave us" (1 John 3:24).

Error VI.

Who teach that the teaching of the assurance of perseverance and of salvation is by its very nature and character an opiate of the flesh and is harmful to godliness, good morals, prayer, and other holy exercises, but that, on the contrary, to have doubt about this is praiseworthy.

For these people show that they do not know the effective operation of God's grace and the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and they contradict the apostle John, who asserts the opposite in plain words: "Dear friends, now we are children of God, but what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he is made known, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure" (1 John 3:2–3). Moreover, they are refuted by the examples of the saints in both the Old and the New Testament, who though assured of their perseverance and salvation yet were constant in prayer and other exercises of godliness.

Error VII.

Who teach that the faith of those who believe only temporarily does not differ from justifying and saving faith except in duration alone.

For Christ himself in Matthew 13:20ff. and Luke 8:13ff. clearly defines these further differences between temporary and true believers: he says that the former receive the seed on rocky ground, and the latter receive it in good ground, or a good heart; the former have no root, and the latter are firmly rooted; the former have no fruit, and the latter produce fruit in varying measure, with steadfastness, or perseverance.

Error VIII.

Who teach that it is not absurd that a person, after losing his former regeneration, should once again, indeed quite often, be reborn.

For by this teaching they deny the imperishable nature of God's seed by which we are born again, contrary to the testimony of the apostle Peter: "Born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable" (1 Peter 1:23).

Error IX.

Who teach that Christ nowhere prayed for an unfailing perseverance of believers in faith.

For they contradict Christ himself when he says: "I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:32); and John the gospel writer when he testifies in John 17 that it was not only for the apostles, but also for all those who were to believe by their message that Christ prayed: "Holy Father, preserve them in your name" (v. 11); and "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you preserve them from the evil one" (v. 15).

Scripture proofs
  • Rom. 11:7

    Rom. 11:7 What then? What Israel seeks after, this it did not obtain, but the elect obtained [it]. And the rest were hardened,

  • Rom. 8:32–35

    Rom. 8:32–35 32 He who indeed did not spare [His] own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring an accusation against the chosen ones of God? God [is] the One justifying. 34 Who [is] the one condemning? Christ Jesus the One having died, now rather having been raised, [is] He who is also at the right hand of God, and who is interceding for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

  • 1 Cor. 1:8

    1 Cor. 1:8 who also will confirm you⁺ until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Rom. 5:8–9

    Rom. 5:8–9 8 But God demonstrates His own love to us, that [in] our being still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore much more, having been justified now by His blood, we will be saved by Him from wrath!

  • 1 John 3:9

    1 John 3:9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.

  • John 10:28–29

    John 10:28–29 28 And I give them eternal life, and never shall they perish to the age, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the hand of the Father.

  • 1 John 5:16–17

    1 John 5:16–17 16 If anyone should see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and He will give to him life—to those sinning not unto death. There is a sin unto death; I do not say that he should implore concerning that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not unto death.

  • Rom. 8:39

    Rom. 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that [is] in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • 1 John 3:24

    1 John 3:24 And the one keeping His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. And in this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit whom He gave to us.

  • 1 John 3:2–3

    1 John 3:2–3 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we will be was not yet made manifest. We know that if He should be made manifest, we will be like Him, for we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone having this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

  • Matthew 13:20

    Matthew 13:20 And that having been sown upon the rocky [places], this is the one hearing the word and immediately receiving it with joy.

  • Luke 8:13

    Luke 8:13 And the ones upon the rock [are] those who, when they may hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a time, and in time of testing they fall away.

  • 1 Peter 1:23

    1 Peter 1:23 having been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, by the word of God, living and abiding,

  • Luke 22:32

    Luke 22:32 But I begged for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

  • John 17
Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification9 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints8 shared proof texts · 8 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree6 shared proof texts · 7 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints5 shared proof texts · 9 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 15 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation5 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics

Conclusion: Rejection of False Accusations

And so this is the clear, simple, and straightforward explanation of the orthodox teaching on the five articles in dispute in the Netherlands, as well as the rejection of the errors by which the Dutch churches have for some time been disturbed. This explanation and rejection the Synod declares to be derived from God's Word and in agreement with the confessions of the Reformed churches. Hence it clearly appears that those of whom one could hardly expect it have shown no truth, equity, and charity at all in wishing to make the public believe:

• that the teaching of the Reformed churches on predestination and on the points associated with it by its very nature and tendency draws the minds of people away from all godliness and religion, is an opiate of the flesh and the devil, and is a stronghold of Satan where he lies in wait for all people, wounds most of them, and fatally pierces many of them with the arrows of both despair and self-assurance;

• that this teaching makes God the author of sin, unjust, a tyrant, and a hypocrite; and is nothing but a refurbished Stoicism, Manicheism, Libertinism, and Mohammedanism;

• that this teaching makes people carnally self-assured, since it persuades them that nothing endangers the salvation of the chosen, no matter how they live, so that they may commit the most outrageous crimes with self-assurance; and that on the other hand nothing is of use to the reprobate for salvation even if they have truly performed all the works of the saints;

• that this teaching means that God predestined and created, by the bare and unqualified choice of his will, without the least regard or consideration of any sin, the greatest part of the world to eternal condemnation; that in the same manner in which election is the source and cause of faith and good works, reprobation is the cause of unbelief and ungodliness; that many infant children of believers are snatched in their innocence from their mothers' breasts and cruelly cast into hell so that neither the blood of Christ nor their baptism nor the prayers of the church at their baptism can be of any use to them;

• and very many other slanderous accusations of this kind which the Reformed churches not only disavow but even denounce with their whole heart.

Therefore this Synod of Dort in the name of the Lord pleads with all who devoutly call on the name of our Savior Jesus Christ to form their judgment about the faith of the Reformed churches, not on the basis of false accusations gathered from here or there, or even on the basis of the personal statements of a number of ancient and modern authorities—statements which are also often either quoted out of context or misquoted and twisted to convey a different meaning—but on the basis of the churches' own official confessions and of the present explanation of the orthodox teaching which has been endorsed by the unanimous consent of the members of the whole Synod, one and all.

Moreover, the Synod earnestly warns the false accusers themselves to consider how heavy a judgment of God awaits those who give false testimony against so many churches and their confessions, trouble the consciences of the weak, and seek to prejudice the minds of many against the fellowship of true believers.

Finally, this Synod urges all fellow ministers in the gospel of Christ to deal with this teaching in a godly and reverent manner, in the academic institutions as well as in the churches; to do so, both in their speaking and writing, with a view to the glory of God's name, holiness of life, and the comfort of anxious souls; to think and also speak with Scripture according to the analogy of faith; and, finally, to refrain from all those ways of speaking which go beyond the bounds set for us by the genuine sense of the Holy Scriptures and which could give impertinent sophists a just occasion to scoff at the teaching of the Reformed churches or even to bring false accusations against it.

May God's Son Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of God and gives gifts to men, sanctify us in the truth, lead to the truth those who err, silence the mouths of those who lay false accusations against sound teaching, and equip faithful ministers of his Word with a spirit of wisdom and discretion, that all they say may be to the glory of God and the building up of their hearers. Amen.

Parallel passages (6+)Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 18: Of the Ministers of the Church, Their Institution and Offices7 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 11: Of Jesus Christ, Being True God and Man, and the Only Savior of the World6 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 19: Of the Sacraments of the Church of Christ6 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith5 shared topicsScots Confession · Chapter XXV: The Gifts Freely Given to the Church5 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 13: Of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Also of Promises; of the Spirit and of the Letter5 shared topics

Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith

1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.

2. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory: growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.

Scripture proofs
  • Titus 1:1; Heb. 10:39.

    Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of the chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth that [is] according to godliness,

    Heb. 10:39 But we are not of [those] shrinking back to destruction, but of faith to the preserving [of] the soul.

  • 1 Cor. 12:3; John 3:5; Titus 3:5; John 6:44–45, 65; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29; 2 Peter 1:1. (See 1 Peter 1:2.)

    1 Cor. 12:3 Therefore I make known to you⁺ that no one speaking in the Spirit of God says, “Jesus [is] accursed,” and no one is able to say, “Jesus [is] Lord,” except in the Holy Spirit.

    John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one would be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.

    Titus 3:5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit,

    John 6:44–45, 65 44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father, the One having sent Me, should draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught of God.’ Everyone having heard from the Father and having learned comes to Me. 65 And He was saying, “Because of this, I have said to you⁺ that no one is able to come to Me unless it shall have been given to him from the Father.”

    Eph. 2:8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,

    Phil. 1:29 For it was granted to you⁺ on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on behalf of Him,

    2 Peter 1:1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those having obtained a faith equally precious with ours, through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

    1 Peter 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you⁺.

  • Matt. 28:19–20; Rom. 10:14, 17; 1 Cor. 1:21.

    Matt. 28:19–20 19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things, as much as I commanded you⁺. And behold, I am with you⁺ all the days, until the consummation of the age.”

    Rom. 10:14, 17 14 How then can they call upon One in whom they did not believe? And how can they believe in One of whom they did not hear? And how can they hear apart from one preaching? 17 So faith [is] by hearing, and hearing [is] through the word of Christ.

    1 Cor. 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through wisdom did not know God, God was well pleased through the foolishness of the preaching to save those believing.

  • 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32; Rom. 1:16–17; Matt. 28:19 (see Acts 2:38); 1 Cor. 10:16; 1 Cor. 11:23–29; Luke 17:5; Phil. 4:6–7.

    1 Peter 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the reasonable, unspoiled milk, so that in it you⁺ may grow up into salvation,

    Acts 20:32 And now I commit you⁺ to God and to the word of His grace, being able to build [you] up and to give you an inheritance among all those having been sanctified.

    Rom. 1:16–17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone believing—both to Jew first, and to Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it has been written: “And the righteous one will live by faith.”

    Matt. 28:19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

    Acts 2:38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    1 Cor. 10:16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is [it] not a fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is [it] not a fellowship of the body of Christ?

    1 Cor. 11:23–29 23 For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you⁺, that the Lord Jesus, in the night in which He was delivered up, took bread, 24 and having given thanks, He broke [it] and said, “This is My body, which [is] for you⁺; do this to the remembrance of Me.” 25 Likewise also the cup after having supped, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you⁺ may drink [it], to the remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you⁺ may eat this bread and may drink the cup, you⁺ proclaim the death of the Lord until He should come. 27 Therefore, whoever may eat the bread or may drink the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and thus let him eat of the bread, and let him drink of the cup. 29 For the one eating and drinking, not discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.

    Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Add to our faith!”

    Phil. 4:6–7 6 Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your⁺ requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, that is surpassing all understanding, will guard your⁺ hearts and your⁺ minds in Christ Jesus.

  • 2 Peter 1:20–21; John 4:42; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 John 5:9–10; Acts 24:14.

    2 Peter 1:20–21 20 knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture is not of its own interpretation. 21 For not by the will of man was prophecy brought forth at any time, but being carried by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.

    John 4:42 And they were saying to the woman, “No longer because of your speech do we believe; for we ourselves have heard, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

    1 Thess. 2:13 And because of this, we also give thanks to God unceasingly that, having received the word of God, hearing from us, you⁺ accepted, not the word of men, but just as truly it is, the word of God, which also works in you⁺, those believing.

    1 John 5:9–10 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, because this is the testimony of God that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one believing in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one not believing God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has testified concerning His Son.

    Acts 24:14 But I confess this to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things throughout the Law and that have been written in the Prophets,

  • Ps. 119:10–11, 48, 97–98, 167–168; John 14:15.

    Ps. 119:10–11, 48, 97–98, 167–168 10 With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. 11 In my heart I have hidden Your word, that I should not sin against You. 48 And I will lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I have loved, and I will meditate on Your statutes. 97 Oh, how I love Your law! All the day, it [is] my meditation. 98 [By] Your commandment You make me wiser than my enemies; for, it [is] with me forever. 167 My soul has kept Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. 168 I have kept Your precepts and Your testimonies, because all my ways [are] before You.

    John 14:15 If you⁺ love Me, you⁺ will keep My commandments.

  • Ezra 9:4; Isa. 66:2; Heb. 4:1.

    Ezra 9:4 And they assembled to me—everyone trembling at the words of the God of Israel, because of the trespass of the exiles. And I sat appalled until the sacrifice of the evening.

    Isa. 66:2 And all these [things] My own hand has made, and all these [things] have come to be!” a declaration of YHWH. “And to this one I will look: To the poor and stricken one in spirit, and [who] trembles at My word.

    Heb. 4:1 Therefore we should fear, lest ever, the promise to enter into His rest left remaining, any of you⁺ should seem to have fallen short.

  • Heb. 11:13; 1 Tim. 4:8.

    Heb. 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar, and having welcomed [them], and having confessed that they are strangers and sojourners on the earth.

    1 Tim. 4:8 For bodily exercise is to a little profit, but godliness is profitable for everything, having the promise of the present life and of the one about to be.

  • John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal. 2:20; Acts 15:11; 2 Tim. 1:9–10.

    John 1:12 But as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become children of God—to those believing in His name,

    Acts 16:31 And they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your house.”

    Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And that which I now live in the flesh, I live in faith of the Son of God, the One having loved me and having given up Himself for me.

    Acts 15:11 But we believe to be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner [as] they also.”

    2 Tim. 1:9–10 9 the One having saved us and having called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, having been given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, 10 and now having been made manifest through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, having indeed abolished death and having brought to light life and immortality through the gospel,

  • Heb. 5:13–14; Rom. 14:1–2; Matt. 6:30; Rom. 4:19–20; Matt. 8:10.

    Heb. 5:13–14 13 For everyone partaking of milk [is] inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, the ones by constant use having trained the senses for distinguishing both good and evil.

    Rom. 14:1–2 1 And receive the one being weak in the faith, not for passing judgment on reasonings. 2 Indeed, one believes to eat all things, but the one being weak eats vegetables.

    Matt. 6:30 But if God thus clothes the grass of the field, being today and tomorrow being thrown into the furnace, [will He] not much more you⁺, O little of faith?

    Rom. 4:19–20 19 And not having become weak in the faith, he considered his body already having become dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 Yet he did not doubt in unbelief in the promise of God, but was empowered in faith, having given glory to God,

    Matt. 8:10 And having heard, Jesus marveled and said to those following, “Truly I say to you⁺, with no one in Israel did I find such great faith.

  • Luke 22:31–32; Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4–5.

    Luke 22:31–32 31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked for all of you⁺ to sift like wheat. 32 But I begged for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

    Eph. 6:16 in all, having taken up the shield of faith, in which you⁺ will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

    1 John 5:4–5 4 For everyone having been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory having overcome the world: our faith. 5 Now who is the one overcoming the world, except the one believing that Jesus is the Son of God?

  • Heb. 6:11–12; Heb. 10:22; Col. 2:2.

    Heb. 6:11–12 11 And we desire each of you⁺ to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of the hope until the end, 12 so that you⁺ may not be sluggish, but imitators of those through faith and patience inheriting the promises.

    Heb. 10:22 we should come near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, the hearts having been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and the body having been washed with pure water.

    Col. 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God: Christ,

  • Heb. 12:2.

    Heb. 12:2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of [our] faith, who in view of the joy lying before Him endured the cross, having despised [its] shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Parallel passages (6+)London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith26 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 7210 shared proof texts · 4 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 10810 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 219 shared proof texts · 4 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1779 shared proof texts · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 30: Of the Lord's Supper8 shared proof texts · shared topic

Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and estate of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish): yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.

2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God, which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.

3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties, before he be partaker of it: yet, being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of ordinary means, attain thereunto. And therefore it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness.

4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light: yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be revived; and by the which, in the meantime, they are supported from utter despair.

Scripture proofs
  • Mic. 3:11; Deut. 29:19; John 8:41.

    Mic. 3:11 Her heads give judgment for a bribe, and her priests give instruction for a price, and her prophets practice divination for silver. And on YHWH they lean, and say, “Is not YHWH among us? No harm can come upon us.”

    Deut. 29:19 and it will come to pass in his hearing the words of this oath, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart,’ so that the wet are swept away with the dry.

    John 8:41 You⁺ are doing the works of your⁺ father.” Therefore they said to Him, “We have not been born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—God.”

  • Amos 9:10; Matt. 7:22–23.

    Amos 9:10 By the sword they will die—all the sinful ones of My people, those saying, ‘This evil will not come near or meet with us.’”

    Matt. 7:22–23 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and [in] Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many miracles?’ 23 And then I will profess to them, ‘I never knew you⁺; depart from Me, [you] working lawlessness!’

  • 1 John 5:13; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14, 18–19, 21, 24.

    1 John 5:13 I wrote these things to you⁺, the ones believing in the name of the Son of God, so that you⁺ may know that you⁺ have eternal life.

    1 John 2:3 And by this we know that we have known Him, if we may keep His commandments.

    1 John 3:14, 18–19, 21, 24 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love [our] brothers. The one not loving remains in death. 18 Little children, may we love not in word nor in tongue, but in work and in truth. 19 And in this we will know that we are of the truth, and we will assure our heart before Him, 21 Beloved, if our heart may not condemn [us], we have confidence toward God, 24 And the one keeping His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. And in this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit whom He gave to us.

  • Rom. 5:2, 5.

    Rom. 5:2, 5 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. 5 And hope does not put [us] to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One having been given to us.

  • Heb. 6:11, 19.

    Heb. 6:11, 19 11 And we desire each of you⁺ to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of the hope until the end, 19 which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and firm and entering into that within the veil,

  • Heb. 6:17–18.

    Heb. 6:17–18 17 in which God, willing to show more abundantly the unchangeableness of His purpose to the heirs of the promise, guaranteed [it] by an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which [it is] impossible [for] God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, having fled for refuge to take hold of the hope being set before [us],

  • 2 Peter 1:4–11; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14; 2 Cor. 1:12.

    2 Peter 1:4–11 4 through which He has given to us the precious and magnificent promises, so that through these you⁺ might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world in evil desire. 5 Now also for this very [reason], having brought in all diligence, supply in your⁺ faith virtue, and in virtue knowledge, 6 and in knowledge self-control, and in self-control perseverance, and in perseverance godliness, 7 and in godliness brotherly affection, and in brotherly affection love. 8 For these things being in you⁺ and abounding make [you] neither idle nor unfruitful in regard to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For in whomever these things are not present, he is blind, being shortsighted, having received forgetfulness of the cleansing [from] his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be diligent, rather, to make your⁺ calling and election sure. For [in] doing these things, never at any time shall you⁺ stumble. 11 For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you⁺.

    1 John 2:3 And by this we know that we have known Him, if we may keep His commandments.

    1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love [our] brothers. The one not loving remains in death.

    2 Cor. 1:12 For our boasting is this: The testimony of our conscience, that in the simplicity and sincerity of God, and not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we conducted ourselves in the world and more abundantly toward you⁺.

  • Rom. 8:15–16.

    Rom. 8:15–16 15 For you⁺ did not receive a spirit of slavery again unto fear, but you⁺ received the Spirit of adoption as sons, in whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

  • Eph. 1:13–14; Eph. 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:21–22.

    Eph. 1:13–14 13 in whom you⁺ also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your⁺ salvation, in whom also having believed, you⁺ were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance to the redemption of the acquired possession, to the praise of His glory.

    Eph. 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you⁺ were sealed for the day of redemption.

    2 Cor. 1:21–22 21 Now the One establishing us with you⁺ into Christ, and having anointed us, [is] God, 22 the One also having sealed us and having given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.

  • 1 John 5:13.

    1 John 5:13 I wrote these things to you⁺, the ones believing in the name of the Son of God, so that you⁺ may know that you⁺ have eternal life.

  • 1 Cor. 2:12; 1 John 4:13; Heb. 6:11–12; Eph. 3:17–18.

    1 Cor. 2:12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, so that we may know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God,

    1 John 4:13 In this we know that we remain in Him and He in us: because from out of His Spirit He has given to us.

    Heb. 6:11–12 11 And we desire each of you⁺ to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of the hope until the end, 12 so that you⁺ may not be sluggish, but imitators of those through faith and patience inheriting the promises.

    Eph. 3:17–18 17 [for] Christ to dwell in your⁺ hearts through faith, having been rooted and having been founded in love, 18 that you⁺ may be fully able, with all the saints, to comprehend what [is] the breadth and length and height and depth,

  • 2 Peter 1:10.

    2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be diligent, rather, to make your⁺ calling and election sure. For [in] doing these things, never at any time shall you⁺ stumble.

  • Rom. 5:1–2, 5; Rom. 14:17; Rom. 15:13; Eph. 1:3–4; Ps. 4:6–7; Ps. 119:32.

    Rom. 5:1–2, 5 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. 5 And hope does not put [us] to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One having been given to us.

    Rom. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

    Rom. 15:13 And may the God of hope fill you⁺ with all joy and peace in believing, for you⁺ to abound in hope in the power [of] the Holy Spirit.

    Eph. 1:3–4 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One having blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ in the heavenly realms, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world for us to be holy and blameless before Him, in love

    Ps. 4:6–7 6 Many are saying, “Who will show us good?” Lift upon us the light of Your face, O YHWH. 7 You have put joy in my heart, more than the time when their grain and their new wine have increased.

    Ps. 119:32 The way of Your commandments I will run, for You will enlarge my heart.

  • 1 John 2:1–2; Rom. 6:1–2; Titus 2:11–12, 14; 2 Cor. 7:1; Rom. 8:1, 12; 1 John 3:2–3; Ps. 130:4; 1 John 1:6–7.

    1 John 2:1–2 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you⁺ so that you⁺ might not sin. And if anyone might sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One. 2 And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for [those] of the whole world.

    Rom. 6:1–2 1 What then will we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? 2 Never may it be! [We] who died to sin, how shall we still live in it?

    Titus 2:11–12, 14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us that having denied ungodliness and worldly passions, we should live sound-mindedly and righteously and godlily in the present age, 14 who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and might purify to Himself a people specially His, zealous for good works.

    2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

    Rom. 8:1, 12 1 Therefore [there is] now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

    1 John 3:2–3 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we will be was not yet made manifest. We know that if He should be made manifest, we will be like Him, for we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone having this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

    Ps. 130:4 But with You [is] forgiveness, so that You may be feared.

    1 John 1:6–7 6 If we should say that we have fellowship with Him and should walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we should walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

  • Ps. 51:8, 12, 14; Eph. 4:30–31; Ps. 77:1–10; Ps. 31:22. (Cf. Matt. 26:69–72 and Luke 22:31–34.)

    Ps. 51:8, 12, 14 8 Make me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me [by a] willing spirit. 14 Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

    Eph. 4:30–31 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you⁺ were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and rage and wrath and outcry and slander be removed from you⁺, with all malice.

    Ps. 77:1–10 1 For the one directing. According to Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A Psalm. My voice [is] to God—indeed I cry out [with] my voice to God—and He has given ear to me. 2 In the day of my distress I sought the Lord; my hand in the night has been stretched out, and it does not slacken; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 I remember God, and I groan; I meditate, and my spirit becomes faint. Selah 4 You hold the lids of my eyes; I am troubled, and I cannot speak. 5 I consider the days of old, the years of ages [past]. 6 I remember, my song in the night; with my heart I converse, and my spirit searches. 7 “Will the Lord forever reject [us], and not anymore will He add to show favor? 8 Has His loving devotion ceased forever? Has [His] speech come to an end to generation and generation? 9 Or has God forgotten to show favor? Has He shut up in anger His compassion?” Selah 10 and I said, “I am grieved. Has it changed—the right hand of the Most High?”

    Ps. 31:22 For I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes!” Surely You heard the voice of my supplications, in my crying out to You.

    Matt. 26:69–72 69 And Peter was sitting outside in the court, and one servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 And he denied [it] before all, saying, “I do not know what you say.” 71 And having gone out to the gateway, another saw him and says to those there, “This [man] was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied [it] with an oath: “I do not know the man.”

    Luke 22:31–34 31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked for all of you⁺ to sift like wheat. 32 But I begged for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 And he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death.” 34 But He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you shall deny three times knowing Me.”

  • 1 John 3:9; Luke 22:32; Ps. 51:8, 12. (See Ps. 73:15.)

    1 John 3:9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.

    Luke 22:32 But I begged for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

    Ps. 51:8, 12 8 Make me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me [by a] willing spirit.

    Ps. 73:15 If I had said, “I will speak like this,” behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your sons.

  • Mic. 7:7–9; Jer. 32:40; Isa. 54:7–14; 2 Cor. 4:8–10.

    Mic. 7:7–9 7 And I, for YHWH I will watch, I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. 8 Do not rejoice, O my enemy, over me when I fall; I will arise; when I sit in the darkness, YHWH [is be] a light for me. 9 The indignation of YHWH I will bear, because I have sinned against Him, until when He will fight my fight, and execute justice by me; He will bring me forth to the light, [and] I will look on His righteousness.

    Jer. 32:40 And I will make with them a covenant forever, that I will not turn away from them My doing good, and My fear I will put in their hearts, and that they will not turn aside from Me.

    Isa. 54:7–14 7 “For a small moment I have forsaken you, and with great compassion I will gather you; 8 in a flood of wrath I hid My face [for] a moment from you, and with kindness everlasting I will have compassion on you,” says YHWH your Redeemer. 9 “For to Me this [is] the days of Noah, as when I swore to keep from passing the waters of Noah again over the earth—so have I sworn from being be angry with you and from giving rebuke to you. 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills may be shaken, and My loving devotion will not depart from you, and the covenant of My peace will not be shaken [off],” says YHWH, the One having compassion on you. 11 “O afflicted one, tossed with tempest, not comforted! Behold, I am spreading [over] your stones in antimony, and I lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 And I will make your pinnacles of rubies, and your gates of sparkling of stones, and all of your walls of precious stones. 13 And all your sons [will be] taught by YHWH, and great [will be] the peace of your sons. 14 In righteousness you will be established. You will be far away from oppression—for you will not fear, and from terror—for it will not come near to you.

    2 Cor. 4:8–10 8 being pressed in every [way] but not being crushed, being perplexed but not despairing, 9 being persecuted but not being forsaken, being struck down but not being destroyed, 10 always carrying around the death [of] Jesus in the body, so that the life of Jesus also may be revealed in our body.

Parallel passages (6+)London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation49 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 8125 shared proof texts · 4 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 8021 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 114 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 17214 shared proof texts · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 16: Of Good Works10 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Question 36

Q. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

Scripture proofs
  • Rom. 5:5.

    Rom. 5:5 And hope does not put [us] to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One having been given to us.

  • Rom. 5:1.

    Rom. 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

  • Rom. 14:17.

    Rom. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

  • 2 Peter 3:18.

    2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

  • Phil. 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5.

    Phil. 1:6 being persuaded of this very thing, that the One having begun a good work in you⁺ will complete [it] until the day of Christ Jesus.

    1 Peter 1:5 who [are] being guarded in the power of God through faith for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 834 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints2 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification2 shared proof texts · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints1 shared proof text · 4 shared topics

Question 107

Q. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?

A. The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen, teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him; and, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.

Scripture proofs
  • Dan. 9:4, 7–9, 16–19; Luke 18:1, 7–8.

    Dan. 9:4, 7–9, 16–19 4 And I prayed to YHWH my God, and I made confession and said: “O Lord God, the great and fearsome One, the One keeping the covenant and the loving devotion to those loving Him and those keeping His commandments. 7 Unto You, O Lord, [is] the righteousness, and unto us [is] shame of face, as [on] this day, to the men of Judah, and to those dwelling in Jerusalem, and to all of Israel—those near, and those far off—in all the lands to which You have driven them there because of their unfaithfulness with which they were unfaithful to You! 8 O YHWH, unto us [is] shame of face—to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers—because we have sinned against You. 9 Unto the Lord our God [are] compassion and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him, 16 O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, let be turned back, please, Your anger and Your fury from Your city Jerusalem, the mountain of Your holiness! For because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people [are] a reproach to all around us. 17 And now, listen, our God, to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and cause to shine Your face on Your sanctuary that [is] desolate—for the sake of the Lord! 18 Incline, O my God, Your ear, and hear; open Your eyes, and see our desolations and the city upon which Your name is called. For [it is] not because of our righteous acts [that] we are letting fall our supplications before Your face, but because of Your many mercies. 19 O Lord, may You hear! O Lord, may You forgive! O Lord, may You be attentive and act! Do not delay, for Your sake, O my God, for Your name is called upon Your city and upon Your people!”

    Luke 18:1, 7–8 1 And He was speaking a parable to them that it is necessary for them always to pray and not to grow fainthearted, 7 And shall not God execute the avenging of His chosen—the ones crying out to Him day and night—and be deferring in regard to them? 8 I say to you⁺ that He will execute their avenging in quickness. Nevertheless, the Son of Man having come, will He find the faith on the earth?”

  • 1 Chron. 29:10–13; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 5:11–13.

    1 Chron. 29:10–13 10 And David blessed YHWH before all the assembly, and David said, “Blessed are You, O YHWH, God of Israel, our Father, from forever and even to forever. 11 To You, O YHWH, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty, because of everything in the heavens and on earth. To You, O YHWH, [is] the kingdom, and You are exalted over all as head. 12 And the riches and the honor [are] from before You, and You reign over all, and in Your hand [is] power and might, and in Your hand [is] to exalt and to give strength to all. 13 And now, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name.

    1 Tim. 1:17 Now to the King of the ages, the immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

    Rev. 5:11–13 11 And I saw, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and of the living creatures, and of the elders; and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb having been slain to receive the power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature that is in heaven and upon the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and everything in them, saying: “To the One sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb, blessing and honor and glory and might to the ages of the ages!”

  • 1 Cor. 14:16; Rev. 22:20.

    1 Cor. 14:16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will the one filling up the place of the uninstructed say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you say?

    Rev. 22:20 The One testifying these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 19618 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1788 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day4 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1124 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1943 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Question 52

Q. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?

A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death, (of which it was not possible for him to be held,) and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof, (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life,) really united to his soul, he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice, to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it, and to be Lord of quick and dead: all which he did as a public person, the head of his church, for their justification, quickening in grace, support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.

Scripture proofs
  • Acts 2:24, 27.

    Acts 2:24, 27 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the agony of death, inasmuch as it was not possible [for] Him to be held by it. 27 for You will not abandon my soul into Hades, nor will You give Your Holy One to see decay.

  • Luke 24:39.

    Luke 24:39 See My hands and My feet, that I am He. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you⁺ see Me having.”

  • Rom. 6:9; Rev. 1:18.

    Rom. 6:9 knowing that Christ, having been raised out from the dead, dies no more; death no longer rules over Him.

    Rev. 1:18 and the Living One. And I became dead, and behold I am living to the ages of the ages, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

  • John 10:18.

    John 10:18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

  • Rom. 1:4.

    Rom. 1:4 the One having been determined the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by resurrection [from] the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord,

  • Rom. 8:34; Rom. 3:25–26; Heb. 9:13–14.

    Rom. 8:34 Who [is] the one condemning? Christ Jesus the One having died, now rather having been raised, [is] He who is also at the right hand of God, and who is interceding for us.

    Rom. 3:25–26 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins having taken place beforehand in the forbearance of God, 26 for the demonstration of His righteousness in the present time, for Him to be just and justifying the one of the faith from Jesus.

    Heb. 9:13–14 13 For if the blood of goats and of bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the ones having been defiled sanctify [them] for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our conscience from dead works, in order to serve the living God!

  • Heb. 2:14.

    Heb. 2:14 Therefore, since the children have shared in blood and flesh, He also likewise partook of the same things, so that through death He might render powerless the one having the power of death, that is, the devil,

  • Rom. 14:9.

    Rom. 14:9 For unto this Christ died and lived again, so that He might be Lord over both the dead and the living.

  • 1 Cor. 15:21–22; Isa. 53:10–11.

    1 Cor. 15:21–22 21 For since death [is] through a man, also through a man [is] the resurrection of the dead. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive—

    Isa. 53:10–11 10 And YHWH has delighted to bruise Him [and] Make [Him] weak; if his soul is made a guilt offering, He will see [his] seed; He will prolong His days; and the delight of YHWH will prosper in His hand. 11 He will see [the light of life] after the anguish of His soul [and] be satisfied; By His knowledge My Servant, the righteous one, will bring righteousness to many, and He will bear their iniquities.

  • Eph. 1:20–23; Col. 1:18.

    Eph. 1:20–23 20 which He worked in Christ, having raised Him out from the dead, and having seated [Him] at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above every principality and authority and power and lordship and every name being named, not only in this age, but also in the one about to be. 22 And He subjected all things under His feet and gave Him [to be] head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of the One filling all in all.

    Col. 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, firstborn out from the dead, so that He might be having preeminence in all things,

  • Rom. 4:25.

    Rom. 4:25 who was delivered over because of our trespasses, and was raised because of our justification.

  • Eph. 2:1, 5–6; Col. 2:12.

    Eph. 2:1, 5–6 1 And you⁺, being dead in your⁺ trespasses and sins— 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved— 6 and He raised [us] up together and seated [us] together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

    Col. 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which also you⁺ were raised with [Him] through the faith from the working of God, the One having raised Him out from the dead.

  • 1 Cor. 15:25–27; Ps. 2:7–9.

    1 Cor. 15:25–27 25 For it is necessary for Him to reign until He shall have put all the enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be made null [is] death. 27 For “He has subjected all things under His feet.” But when it may be said that all things have been subjected, [it is] evident that the One having subjected all things to Him [is] excepted.

    Ps. 2:7–9 7 I will recount the decree of YHWH; He has said to Me: “You [are] My Son; today I have begotten You. 8 Ask from Me and I will give the nations [as] Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth [for] Your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron; You will shatter them like a vessel of a potter.”

  • 1 Cor. 15:20; 1 Thess. 4:14.

    1 Cor. 15:20 But now Christ has been raised out from the dead, the firstfruit of those having fallen asleep.

    1 Thess. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also through Jesus God will bring with Him those having fallen asleep.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator14 shared proof texts · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator12 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 457 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification6 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 505 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 26: Of the Church5 shared proof texts · shared topic

Question 80

Q. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation?

A. Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him, may, without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God's promises, and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made, and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God, be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation.

Scripture proofs
  • 1 John 2:3; Heb. 10:19–23.

    1 John 2:3 And by this we know that we have known Him, if we may keep His commandments.

    Heb. 10:19–23 19 Therefore, brothers, having confidence for entrance to the holy places in the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way, which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and [having] a great priest over the house of God, 22 we should come near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, the hearts having been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and the body having been washed with pure water. 23 We should hold fast to the confession of [our] hope, unwavering; for the One having promised [is] faithful.

  • 1 Cor. 2:12; 1 John 3:14, 18–19, 21, 24; 1 John 4:13, 16; Heb. 6:11–12.

    1 Cor. 2:12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, so that we may know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God,

    1 John 3:14, 18–19, 21, 24 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love [our] brothers. The one not loving remains in death. 18 Little children, may we love not in word nor in tongue, but in work and in truth. 19 And in this we will know that we are of the truth, and we will assure our heart before Him, 21 Beloved, if our heart may not condemn [us], we have confidence toward God, 24 And the one keeping His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. And in this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit whom He gave to us.

    1 John 4:13, 16 13 In this we know that we remain in Him and He in us: because from out of His Spirit He has given to us. 16 And we have known and have believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and the one remaining in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

    Heb. 6:11–12 11 And we desire each of you⁺ to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of the hope until the end, 12 so that you⁺ may not be sluggish, but imitators of those through faith and patience inheriting the promises.

  • Rom. 8:15–16.

    Rom. 8:15–16 15 For you⁺ did not receive a spirit of slavery again unto fear, but you⁺ received the Spirit of adoption as sons, in whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

  • 1 John 5:13; Heb. 6:19–20. (See 2 Peter 1:5–11.)

    1 John 5:13 I wrote these things to you⁺, the ones believing in the name of the Son of God, so that you⁺ may know that you⁺ have eternal life.

    Heb. 6:19–20 19 which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and firm and entering into that within the veil, 20 where Jesus, the forerunner for us, entered according to the order of Melchizedek, having become a high priest to the age.

    2 Peter 1:5–11 5 Now also for this very [reason], having brought in all diligence, supply in your⁺ faith virtue, and in virtue knowledge, 6 and in knowledge self-control, and in self-control perseverance, and in perseverance godliness, 7 and in godliness brotherly affection, and in brotherly affection love. 8 For these things being in you⁺ and abounding make [you] neither idle nor unfruitful in regard to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For in whomever these things are not present, he is blind, being shortsighted, having received forgetfulness of the cleansing [from] his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be diligent, rather, to make your⁺ calling and election sure. For [in] doing these things, never at any time shall you⁺ stumble. 11 For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you⁺.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation21 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation16 shared proof texts · 5 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 16: Of Good Works10 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 16: Of Good Works10 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience5 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 21: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience4 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics

Question 81

Q. Are all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate of grace, and that they shall be saved?

A. Assurance of grace and salvation not being of the essence of faith, true believers may wait long before they obtain it; and, after the enjoyment thereof, may have it weakened and intermitted, through manifold distempers, sins, temptations, and desertions; yet are they never left without such a presence and support of the Spirit of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despair.

Scripture proofs
  • Eph. 1:13.

    Eph. 1:13 in whom you⁺ also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your⁺ salvation, in whom also having believed, you⁺ were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

  • Isa. 50:10; Ps. 88:1–3, 6–7, 9–10, 13–15.

    Isa. 50:10 Who among you⁺ fears YHWH, listening to the voice of His Servant, who has walked in darkness, and there is no no brightness unto him? Let him trust in the name of YHWH, and lean on his God.

    Ps. 88:1–3, 6–7, 9–10, 13–15 1 A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, for the one directing. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O YHWH, God of my salvation, [by] day I have cried out, [and] in the night before You. 2 May my prayer come before Your face; incline Your ear to my cry! 3 For my soul is filled with troubles, and my life has reached to Sheol. 6 You have set me in the lowest Pit, in darkness in the depths. 7 Upon me Your wrath has grabbed hold, and [with] all Your waves You have afflicted. Selah 9 My eye languishes from [this] affliction; I have called to You, O YHWH, all the day; I have stretched out to You my hands. 10 Will You work wonders for the dead? And if departed spirits rise up, do they thank You? Selah 13 And I, O YHWH, cry for help to You, and in the morning my prayer comes before You. 14 Why, O YHWH, do You reject my soul? You hide Your face from me. 15 I [am] afflicted and dying from my youth; I bear Your terrors; I am in despair.

  • Ps. 77:1–12; Ps. 51:8, 12; Ps. 31:22; Ps. 22:1; Eph. 4:30; Luke 22:31–34.

    Ps. 77:1–12 1 For the one directing. According to Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A Psalm. My voice [is] to God—indeed I cry out [with] my voice to God—and He has given ear to me. 2 In the day of my distress I sought the Lord; my hand in the night has been stretched out, and it does not slacken; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 I remember God, and I groan; I meditate, and my spirit becomes faint. Selah 4 You hold the lids of my eyes; I am troubled, and I cannot speak. 5 I consider the days of old, the years of ages [past]. 6 I remember, my song in the night; with my heart I converse, and my spirit searches. 7 “Will the Lord forever reject [us], and not anymore will He add to show favor? 8 Has His loving devotion ceased forever? Has [His] speech come to an end to generation and generation? 9 Or has God forgotten to show favor? Has He shut up in anger His compassion?” Selah 10 and I said, “I am grieved. Has it changed—the right hand of the Most High?” 11 I will remember the deeds of YAH; indeed, I will remember Your wonder of old. 12 And I have meditated on all Your work, and I put forth Your deeds.

    Ps. 51:8, 12 8 Make me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me [by a] willing spirit.

    Ps. 31:22 For I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes!” Surely You heard the voice of my supplications, in my crying out to You.

    Ps. 22:1 For the one directing. According to “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me, far away from my salvation, [from] the words of my roaring?

    Eph. 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you⁺ were sealed for the day of redemption.

    Luke 22:31–34 31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked for all of you⁺ to sift like wheat. 32 But I begged for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 And he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death.” 34 But He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you shall deny three times knowing Me.”

  • 1 John 3:9; Ps. 73:15, 23; Isa. 54:7–10; 1 Peter 4:12–14.

    1 John 3:9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.

    Ps. 73:15, 23 15 If I had said, “I will speak like this,” behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your sons. 23 And I [am] always with You; You hold my right hand.

    Isa. 54:7–10 7 “For a small moment I have forsaken you, and with great compassion I will gather you; 8 in a flood of wrath I hid My face [for] a moment from you, and with kindness everlasting I will have compassion on you,” says YHWH your Redeemer. 9 “For to Me this [is] the days of Noah, as when I swore to keep from passing the waters of Noah again over the earth—so have I sworn from being be angry with you and from giving rebuke to you. 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills may be shaken, and My loving devotion will not depart from you, and the covenant of My peace will not be shaken [off],” says YHWH, the One having compassion on you.

    1 Peter 4:12–14 12 Beloved, do not think strange the fiery ordeal among you⁺ taking place for a trial to you⁺, as if a strange thing were happening to you⁺. 13 But as you⁺ share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that also in the revelation of His glory you⁺ may rejoice, exulting. 14 If you⁺ are reproached in the name of Christ, [you are] blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you⁺.

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Question 167

Q. How is our baptism to be improved by us?

A. The needful but much neglected duty of improving our baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.

Scripture proofs
  • Col. 2:11–12; Rom. 6:4, 6, 11.

    Col. 2:11–12 11 in whom also you⁺ were circumcised with the circumcision done without hands in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which also you⁺ were raised with [Him] through the faith from the working of God, the One having raised Him out from the dead.

    Rom. 6:4, 6, 11 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin. 11 So also you⁺, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but living to God in Christ Jesus.

  • Rom. 6:3–5; 1 Peter 3:21.

    Rom. 6:3–5 3 Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection,

    1 Peter 3:21 which also corresponds to the baptism now saving you⁺, not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the demand of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

  • 1 Cor. 1:11–13; Rom. 6:2–3.

    1 Cor. 1:11–13 11 For it was revealed to me concerning you⁺, my brothers, by those of Chloe, that there are contentions among you⁺. 12 Now I say this, that each of you⁺ says, “I am indeed of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you⁺? Or were you⁺ baptized into the name of Paul?

    Rom. 6:2–3 2 Never may it be! [We] who died to sin, how shall we still live in it? 3 Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

  • Rom. 6:4–7, 22; 1 Peter 3:21; Rom. 5:1–2; Jer. 33:8.

    Rom. 6:4–7, 22 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin. 7 For the one having died has been justified from sin. 22 But now, having been set free from sin and having become slaves to God, you⁺ have your⁺ fruit unto sanctification, and the end [is] eternal life.

    1 Peter 3:21 which also corresponds to the baptism now saving you⁺, not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the demand of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

    Rom. 5:1–2 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God.

    Jer. 33:8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will forgive all their iniquities by which they have sinned against Me and by which they have transgressed against Me.

  • Rom. 6:3–5.

    Rom. 6:3–5 3 Or are you⁺ ignorant that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection,

  • Gal. 3:26–27.

    Gal. 3:26–27 26 For you⁺ are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you⁺ as were baptized into Christ, you⁺ put on Christ.

  • Rom. 6:22.

    Rom. 6:22 But now, having been set free from sin and having become slaves to God, you⁺ have your⁺ fruit unto sanctification, and the end [is] eternal life.

  • Acts 2:38 (cf. Gal. 2:20). (See also Rev. 2:17.)

    Acts 2:38 And Peter says to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you⁺, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your⁺ sins, and you⁺ will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And that which I now live in the flesh, I live in faith of the Son of God, the One having loved me and having given up Himself for me.

    Rev. 2:17 The one having an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one overcoming, I will give to him the hidden manna, and I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except the one receiving [it].

  • 1 Cor. 12:13, 25.

    1 Cor. 12:13, 25 13 For also in one Spirit we all were baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have the same concern for one another.

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Question 172

Q. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord's Supper?

A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; and in God's account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity: in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief, and labor to have his doubts resolved; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord's Supper, that he may be further strengthened.

Scripture proofs
  • Isa. 50:10; 1 John 5:13; Ps. 88; Ps. 77:1–4, 7–10; Jonah 2:4.

    Isa. 50:10 Who among you⁺ fears YHWH, listening to the voice of His Servant, who has walked in darkness, and there is no no brightness unto him? Let him trust in the name of YHWH, and lean on his God.

    1 John 5:13 I wrote these things to you⁺, the ones believing in the name of the Son of God, so that you⁺ may know that you⁺ have eternal life.

    Ps. 77:1–4, 7–10 1 For the one directing. According to Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A Psalm. My voice [is] to God—indeed I cry out [with] my voice to God—and He has given ear to me. 2 In the day of my distress I sought the Lord; my hand in the night has been stretched out, and it does not slacken; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 I remember God, and I groan; I meditate, and my spirit becomes faint. Selah 4 You hold the lids of my eyes; I am troubled, and I cannot speak. 7 “Will the Lord forever reject [us], and not anymore will He add to show favor? 8 Has His loving devotion ceased forever? Has [His] speech come to an end to generation and generation? 9 Or has God forgotten to show favor? Has He shut up in anger His compassion?” Selah 10 and I said, “I am grieved. Has it changed—the right hand of the Most High?”

    Jonah 2:4 And I said, ‘I have been driven out from before Your eyes; yet I will add to look toward the temple of Your holiness.’

    Psalm 88 on BibleHub ↗

  • Isa. 54:7–10; Matt. 5:3–4; Ps. 31:22; Ps. 73:13, 22–23.

    Isa. 54:7–10 7 “For a small moment I have forsaken you, and with great compassion I will gather you; 8 in a flood of wrath I hid My face [for] a moment from you, and with kindness everlasting I will have compassion on you,” says YHWH your Redeemer. 9 “For to Me this [is] the days of Noah, as when I swore to keep from passing the waters of Noah again over the earth—so have I sworn from being be angry with you and from giving rebuke to you. 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills may be shaken, and My loving devotion will not depart from you, and the covenant of My peace will not be shaken [off],” says YHWH, the One having compassion on you.

    Matt. 5:3–4 3 “Blessed [are] the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. 4 Blessed [are] those mourning, because they will be comforted.

    Ps. 31:22 For I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes!” Surely You heard the voice of my supplications, in my crying out to You.

    Ps. 73:13, 22–23 13 Surely [in] vain I have cleansed my heart, and I have washed my hands in innocence. 22 And I [was] brutish and could not know; I was a beast before You. 23 And I [am] always with You; You hold my right hand.

  • Phil. 3:8–9; Ps. 10:17; Ps. 42:1–2, 5, 11.

    Phil. 3:8–9 8 But indeed, therefore, I also deem all things to be loss because of the surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, because of whom I have lost all things and deem [them] rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and may be found in Him, not having my own righteousness that [is] of the law, but that which [is] through faith from Christ, the righteousness of God upon faith,

    Ps. 10:17 The desire of the afflicted ones You have heard, O YHWH; You will make firm their hearts; You will incline Your ear,

    Ps. 42:1–2, 5, 11 1 For the one directing. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before the face of God? 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and in commotion within me? Wait for God, for still I will praise Him, for the salvation of His face. 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in commotion within me? Wait for God, for still I will praise Him, the salvation of my face, and my God.

  • 2 Tim. 2:19; Isa. 50:10; Ps. 66:18–20.

    2 Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God has stood, having this seal: “The Lord knows those being His,” and, “Let everyone naming the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”

    Isa. 50:10 Who among you⁺ fears YHWH, listening to the voice of His Servant, who has walked in darkness, and there is no no brightness unto him? Let him trust in the name of YHWH, and lean on his God.

    Ps. 66:18–20 18 If I had seen iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 19 Surely God has heard; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed [be] God, who has not turned aside my prayer, or His loving devotion from me.

  • Isa. 40:11, 29, 31; Matt. 11:28; Matt. 12:20; Matt. 26:28.

    Isa. 40:11, 29, 31 11 Like a shepherd He will pasture His flock; He gathers the lambs with His arm, and in His bosom He carries [them], the nursing ones He leads. 29 He gives power to the weary, and to those with no might, He increases strength. 31 and those waiting on YHWH will renew [their] strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

    Matt. 11:28 Come to Me, all those toiling and burdened, and I will give you⁺ rest.

    Matt. 12:20 A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench, until He should put forth judgment to victory.

    Matt. 26:28 For this is My blood of the covenant, being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

  • Mark 9:24.

    Mark 9:24 Immediately, having cried out, the father of the child was saying, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

  • Acts 2:37; Acts 16:30.

    Acts 2:37 And having heard, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Men, brothers, what shall we do?”

    Acts 16:30 And having brought them out, he was saying, “Sirs, what is necessary for me to do so that I may be saved?”

  • Rom. 4:11; 1 Cor. 11:28.

    Rom. 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that [he had while] in the uncircumcision, for him to be father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for the righteousness to be reckoned also to them,

    1 Cor. 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and thus let him eat of the bread, and let him drink of the cup.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation14 shared proof texts · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation13 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 5: Of Providence11 shared proof textsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 603 shared proof textsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 782 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Question 194

Q. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

A. In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) acknowledging, that we and all others are guilty both of original and actual sin, and thereby become debtors to the justice of God; and that neither we, nor any other creature, can make the least satisfaction for that debt: we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, acquit us both from the guilt and punishment of sin, accept us in his Beloved; continue his favor and grace to us, pardon our daily failings, and fill us with peace and joy, in giving us daily more and more assurance of forgiveness; which we are the rather emboldened to ask, and encouraged to expect, when we have this testimony in ourselves, that we from the heart forgive others their offenses.

Scripture proofs
  • Matt. 6:12. (Cf. Luke 11:4.)

    Matt. 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

    Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

  • Rom. 3:9–22; Matt. 18:24–25; Ps. 130:3–4.

    Rom. 3:9–22 9 What then? Are we better? Not at all. For we charged before both Jews and Greeks with being all under sin. 10 As it has been written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one understanding; there is no one seeking out God. 12 All turned away; together they became worthless; there is none who is doing kindness, there is not even one.” 13 “Their throat [is] a grave having been opened; they keep practicing deceit with their tongues;” “the poison of vipers [is] under their lips,” 14 “of whom the mouth is full of cursing and of bitterness;” 15 “their feet [are] swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery [are] in their paths; 17 and a way of peace they did not know.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that as much as the law says, it speaks to those in the law, so that every mouth may be shut, and all the world may be under judgment to God. 20 Therefore by works of the law, not any flesh will be justified before Him; for through the law [is] knowledge of sin. 21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified to by the Law and the Prophets. 22 And the righteousness of God [is] through faith from Jesus Christ toward all those believing. For there is no distinction,

    Matt. 18:24–25 24 And [on] his having begun to settle, one was brought to him, a debtor of ten thousand talents. 25 And [on] his having nothing to repay, the master commanded him to be sold—and the wife and the children and all of whatever he had—and repayment to be made.

    Ps. 130:3–4 3 If You were to mark iniquities, O YAH, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with You [is] forgiveness, so that You may be feared.

  • Rom. 3:24–26; Heb. 9:22.

    Rom. 3:24–26 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that [is] in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins having taken place beforehand in the forbearance of God, 26 for the demonstration of His righteousness in the present time, for Him to be just and justifying the one of the faith from Jesus.

    Heb. 9:22 And almost all things are purified with blood according to the law, and without blood-shedding there is no forgiveness.

  • Eph. 1:6–7.

    Eph. 1:6–7 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously gave us in the Beloved One, 7 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

  • 2 Peter 1:2.

    2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you⁺ in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

  • Hos. 14:2; Jer. 14:7; 1 John 1:9. (See Dan. 9:17–19.)

    Hos. 14:2 Take with you⁺ words, and return to YHWH. Say to Him: “Lift away all iniquity, and receive what is good, and we offer the fruit of our lips.

    Jer. 14:7 Though our iniquities testify against us, O YHWH, may You act for the sake of Your name! For many are our backslidings; we have sinned against You.

    1 John 1:9 If we should confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, that He may forgive us [our] sins and may cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

    Dan. 9:17–19 17 And now, listen, our God, to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and cause to shine Your face on Your sanctuary that [is] desolate—for the sake of the Lord! 18 Incline, O my God, Your ear, and hear; open Your eyes, and see our desolations and the city upon which Your name is called. For [it is] not because of our righteous acts [that] we are letting fall our supplications before Your face, but because of Your many mercies. 19 O Lord, may You hear! O Lord, may You forgive! O Lord, may You be attentive and act! Do not delay, for Your sake, O my God, for Your name is called upon Your city and upon Your people!”

  • Rom. 15:13; Ps. 51:7–10, 12.

    Rom. 15:13 And may the God of hope fill you⁺ with all joy and peace in believing, for you⁺ to abound in hope in the power [of] the Holy Spirit.

    Ps. 51:7–10, 12 7 Cleanse my sin with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 9 May You hide Your face from my sins, and wipe out all my iniquities. 10 Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me [by a] willing spirit.

  • Luke 11:4; Matt. 6:14–15; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13. (See Matt. 18:21–35.)

    Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

    Matt. 6:14–15 14 For if you⁺ forgive men their trespasses, your⁺ heavenly Father will also forgive you⁺. 15 But if you⁺ do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your⁺ Father forgive your⁺ trespasses.

    Eph. 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as also God in Christ forgave you⁺.

    Col. 3:13 bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone may have a complaint toward another. Just as also the Lord forgave you⁺, so also you⁺.

    Matt. 18:21–35 21 Then, having come, Peter said to Him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I will forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus says to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times! 23 Because of this, the kingdom of the heavens was likened to to a man, a king, who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And [on] his having begun to settle, one was brought to him, a debtor of ten thousand talents. 25 And [on] his having nothing to repay, the master commanded him to be sold—and the wife and the children and all of whatever he had—and repayment to be made. 26 Therefore the servant, having fallen down, was bowing on his knees to him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay all to you.’ 27 And having been moved with compassion, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But having gone out, that servant found one of his fellow servants who was owing him a hundred denarii. And having seized him, he was choking [him], saying, ‘Repay what you owe!’ 29 Therefore, having fallen down, his fellow servant was calling on him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you.’ 30 But he was not willing. Rather, having gone, he cast him into prison until he should repay what was owed. 31 Therefore his fellow servants, having seen the things having happened, were deeply grieved, and having gone, they made clear to their master all the things having happened. 32 Then, having summoned him, his master says to him, ‘Evil servant! I forgave you all that debt because you called on me. 33 Was it not necessary for you also to have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I also had mercy on you?’ 34 And having become angry, his master delivered him to the tormenters until he should repay everything being owed to him. 35 Thus also My heavenly Father will do to you⁺ unless each of you⁺ should forgive his brother from your⁺ hearts.”

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 10522 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 12618 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 512 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof11 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof10 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 15: Of Repentance unto Life9 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics

Question 196

Q. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?

A. The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, (which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.) teacheth us to enforce our petitions with arguments, which are to be taken, not from any worthiness in ourselves, or in any other creature, but from God; and with our prayers to join praises, ascribing to God alone eternal sovereignty, omnipotency, and glorious excellency; in regard whereof, as he is able and willing to help us, so we by faith are emboldened to plead with him that he would, and quietly to rely upon him, that he will fulfill our requests. And, to testify this our desire and assurance, we say, Amen.

Scripture proofs
  • Matt. 6:13.

    Matt. 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

  • Rom. 15:30.

    Rom. 15:30 Now I exhort you⁺, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in the prayers for me to God,

  • Dan. 9:4, 7–9, 16–19.

    Dan. 9:4, 7–9, 16–19 4 And I prayed to YHWH my God, and I made confession and said: “O Lord God, the great and fearsome One, the One keeping the covenant and the loving devotion to those loving Him and those keeping His commandments. 7 Unto You, O Lord, [is] the righteousness, and unto us [is] shame of face, as [on] this day, to the men of Judah, and to those dwelling in Jerusalem, and to all of Israel—those near, and those far off—in all the lands to which You have driven them there because of their unfaithfulness with which they were unfaithful to You! 8 O YHWH, unto us [is] shame of face—to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers—because we have sinned against You. 9 Unto the Lord our God [are] compassion and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him, 16 O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, let be turned back, please, Your anger and Your fury from Your city Jerusalem, the mountain of Your holiness! For because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people [are] a reproach to all around us. 17 And now, listen, our God, to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and cause to shine Your face on Your sanctuary that [is] desolate—for the sake of the Lord! 18 Incline, O my God, Your ear, and hear; open Your eyes, and see our desolations and the city upon which Your name is called. For [it is] not because of our righteous acts [that] we are letting fall our supplications before Your face, but because of Your many mercies. 19 O Lord, may You hear! O Lord, may You forgive! O Lord, may You be attentive and act! Do not delay, for Your sake, O my God, for Your name is called upon Your city and upon Your people!”

  • Phil. 4:6.

    Phil. 4:6 Be anxious about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your⁺ requests be made known to God.

  • 1 Chron. 29:10–13; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 5:11–13.

    1 Chron. 29:10–13 10 And David blessed YHWH before all the assembly, and David said, “Blessed are You, O YHWH, God of Israel, our Father, from forever and even to forever. 11 To You, O YHWH, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty, because of everything in the heavens and on earth. To You, O YHWH, [is] the kingdom, and You are exalted over all as head. 12 And the riches and the honor [are] from before You, and You reign over all, and in Your hand [is] power and might, and in Your hand [is] to exalt and to give strength to all. 13 And now, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name.

    1 Tim. 1:17 Now to the King of the ages, the immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

    Rev. 5:11–13 11 And I saw, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and of the living creatures, and of the elders; and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb having been slain to receive the power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature that is in heaven and upon the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and everything in them, saying: “To the One sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb, blessing and honor and glory and might to the ages of the ages!”

  • Eph. 3:20–21; Luke 11:13.

    Eph. 3:20–21 20 Now to the One being able to do exceedingly above all things that we ask or think, according to the power that [is] working in us, 21 to Him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen.

    Luke 11:13 Therefore if you⁺, being evil, know to give good gifts to your⁺ children, how much more will the Father who [is] from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those asking Him!”

  • 2 Chron. 20:6, 11.

    2 Chron. 20:6, 11 6 and he said, “O YHWH, God of our fathers, are You not He, the God in the heavens? And You are ruling over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand [are] power and might, and there is no one to stand against You. 11 And behold, they are recompensing to us by coming to throw us out of Your possession, which You have given us to inherit.

  • 2 Chron. 14:11.

    2 Chron. 14:11 And Asa cried out to YHWH his God and said, “O YHWH, [it is] nothing for You to help, whether with many or with no power. Help us, O YHWH our God, for on You we rest, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O YHWH, You [are] our God; do not let man prevail against You.”

  • 1 Cor. 14:16; Rev. 22:20–21.

    1 Cor. 14:16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will the one filling up the place of the uninstructed say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you say?

    Rev. 22:20–21 20 The One testifying these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus [be] with all the saints. Amen.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 10718 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 989 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day5 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 544 shared proof textsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1053 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1173 shared proof texts · shared topic

Chapter III: Of Original Sin

By which transgression, commonly called original sin, was the image of God utterly defaced in man. And he and his posterity of nature became enemies to God, slaves to Satan, and servants to sin (Eph. 2; Rom. 5), that death everlasting has had, and insofar will have, power and domination over all that have not been, are not, or will not be regenerated from above (John 3). Which regeneration is wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost (Rom. 5–6) working in the hearts of the elect of God, an assured faith in the promises of God revealed to us in His Word, by which faith they apprehend Christ Jesus with the graces and benefits promised in Him.

Scripture proofs
Parallel passages (6+)Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors9 shared topicsCanons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head, Article 3: Total Inability8 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 9: Of Free Will, and So of Man's Power and Ability8 shared topicsCanons of Dort · Fifth Head: Rejection of the Errors7 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 677 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 20: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof7 shared topics

Chapter XIV: What Works Are Reputed Good before God

We confess and acknowledge that God has given to man His holy law (Ex. 20; Deut. 4–5) in which not only are forbidden all such works as displease and offend His godly majesty, but also are commanded all such as please Him and as He has promised to reward. And these works be of two sorts. The one are done to the honor of God; the other to the profit of our neighbors; and both have the revealed will of God for their assurance. To have one God, to worship and honor Him, to call upon Him in all our troubles, reverence His holy name, to hear His Word, to believe the same, to communicate with His holy sacraments are the works of the first table. To honor father and mother (Eph. 6), princes, rulers and superior powers (Rom. 13; 1 Tim. 2, 6), to love them, to support them, yes to obey their charges (not repugnant to the commandments of God), to save the lives of innocents (Ezek. 22), to repress tyranny (Jer. 22), to defend the oppressed (Isa. 58), to keep our bodies clean and holy (1 Thess. 4), to live in sobriety and temperance (Luke 2), to deal justly with all men both in word and deed, and finally to repress all appetite of our neighbor's hurt, are the good works of the second table which are most pleasing and acceptable unto God as those works that are commanded by Himself. The contrary of which is sin most odious which always displeases Him and provokes Him to anger (Eph. 5). As not to call upon Him alone when we have need, not to hear His Word with reverence, to condemn and despise it, to have or to worship idols, to maintain and defend idolatry, lightly to esteem the revered name of God, to profane, abuse, or condemn the sacraments of Christ Jesus, to disobey or resist any that God has placed in authority (while they pass not over the bounds of their office) (Rom. 13), to murder, to consent thereto, to bear hatred or to suffer innocent blood to be shed, if we may withstand it (Ezek. 22), and finally the transgression of any other commandment in the first or second table, we confess and affirm to be sin by which God's hot displeasure is kindled against the proud and unthankful world.

So that good works we affirm to be these only that are done in faith, at God's commandment, who in His law has expressed what are the things that please Him. And evil works we affirm [are] not only those that expressly are done against God's commandment, but those also that in matters of religion and worshipping of God have no other assurance but the invention and opinion of man, which God from the beginning has ever rejected. As by the prophet Isaiah and by our master Christ Jesus, we are taught in these words, "In vain do they worship Me, teaching the doctrines and precepts of men" (Isa. 29; Matt. 13).

Scripture proofs
Parallel passages (6+)Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 19: Of the Sacraments of the Church of Christ5 shared topicsCanons of Dort · First Head: Rejection of the Errors5 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith5 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture5 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 864 shared topicsCanons of Dort · Conclusion: Rejection of False Accusations4 shared topics

Chapter XXI: Of the Sacraments

As the fathers under the Law (besides the verity of the sacrifices) had two chief sacraments, to wit, circumcision and the Passover, the despisers and contemners whereof were not reputed for God's people (Gen. 17), so we do acknowledge and confess that we now in the time of the gospel have two sacraments only, instituted by the Lord Jesus and commanded to be used of all those that will be reputed members of His body (Matt. 26, 28), to wit, baptism and the Supper or table of the Lord Jesus called the communion of His body and blood. And these sacraments (as well of the Old as of the New Testament) were instituted of God, not only to make a visible difference betwixt His people and those that were without His league, but also to exercise the faith of His children and by participation of the same sacraments to seal in their hearts the assurance of His promises and of that most blessed conjunction, union and society which the elect have with their head, Christ Jesus.

And thus we utterly damn the vanity of those that affirm sacraments to be nothing else but naked and bare signs (Rom. 8). No, we assuredly believe that by baptism we are engrafted in Christ Jesus to be made partakers of His justice by which our sins are covered and remitted (1 Cor. 10). And also that in the Supper rightly used, Christ Jesus is so joined with us (John 6) that He becomes the very nourishment and food of our souls. Not that we imagine any transubstantiation of bread in Christ's natural body and of wine in His natural blood (as the papists have perniciously taught and damnably believe), but this union and conjunction which we have with the body and blood of Christ Jesus in the right use of the sacraments is wrought by operation of the Holy Ghost, who by true faith carries us above all things that are visible, carnal, and earthly, and makes us to feed upon the body and blood of Christ Jesus which was once broken and shed for us which now is in heaven (Heb. 6, 10) and appears in the presence of His Father for us; and yet notwithstanding the far distance of the place which is betwixt His body now glorified in heaven and us now mortal in this earth, yet we most assuredly believe that the bread that we break is the communion of Christ's body (1 Cor. 10), and the cup which we bless is the communion of His blood. So that we confess and undoubtedly believe that the faithful, in the right use of the Lord's table do so eat the body and drink the blood of the Lord Jesus (John 6) that He remains in them and they in Him, yes that they are so made flesh of His flesh and bone of His bones that as the eternal Godhead has given to the flesh of Christ Jesus (which of its own condition and nature was mortal and corruptible) life and immortality (Eph. 5), so does Christ Jesus, His flesh and blood eaten and drunk by us, give to us the same prerogatives (John 6). Which albeit we confess are neither given unto us at that only time neither yet by the proper power and virtue of the sacrament only, yet we affirm that the faithful in the right use of the Lord's table have such conjunction with Christ Jesus as the natural man can not apprehend. Yes and farther we affirm that albeit the faithful oppressed by negligence and manly infirmity do not profit so much as they would in the very instant action of the Supper, yet will it after bring forth fruit as lively seed sown in good ground. For the Holy Spirit (which can never be divided from the right institution of the Lord Jesus) will not frustrate the faithful of the fruit of that mystical action, but all this we say comes by true faith which apprehends Christ Jesus who only makes His sacrament effectual unto us. And, therefore, whosoever slanders us, as that we affirmed or believed sacraments to be only naked and bare signs, do injury unto us and speak against a manifest truth. But this liberally and frankly we must confess, that we make a distinction betwixt Christ Jesus in His natural substance and betwixt the elements in the sacramental signs. So that we will neither worship the signs in place of that which is signified by them, neither yet do we despise and interpret them as unprofitable and vain, but do use them with all reverence, examining ourselves diligently before, that so we do because we are assured by the mouth of the apostle that such as eat of the bread and drink of that cup unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 11).

Scripture proofs
Parallel passages (6+)Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 21: Of the Holy Supper of the Lord6 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 796 shared topicsBelgic Confession · Article 33: The Sacraments5 shared topicsBelgic Confession · Article 35: The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper5 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 28: Of Baptism5 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 19: Of the Sacraments of the Church of Christ5 shared topics

Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture

1. The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience: although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will, which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterward for the better preserving, and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.

2. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written; are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:

Of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

Of the New Testament: The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Paul's Epistles to the Romans, Corinthians I, Corinthians II, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians I, Thessalonians II, to Timothy I, to Timothy II, to Titus, to Philemon, The Epistle to the Hebrews, The Epistle of James, The first and second Epistles of Peter, The first, second, and third Epistles of John, The Epistle of Jude, The Revelation of John.

3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon (or rule) of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of, than other human writings.

4. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.

5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God, to a high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion, and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.

6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture; unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church common to human actions and societies; which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.

7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.

8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation, unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.

9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.

10. The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.

Scripture proofs
  • 2 Tim. 3:15–17; Isa. 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Eph. 2:20.

    2 Tim. 3:15–17 15 and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 Every Scripture [is] God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, [and] for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, having been completely equipped toward every good work.

    Isa. 8:20 to the law and to the testimony?" If they do not speak this according to the word, [it is] because there is not in them dawn.

    Luke 16:29, 31 29 But Abraham says, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, not even will they be persuaded if one should rise out from the dead.’”

    Eph. 2:20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,

  • Rom. 1:19–21; Rom. 2:14–15; Ps. 19:1–3.

    Rom. 1:19–21 19 because that which [is] known of God is manifest among them, for God has revealed [it] to them. 20 For from the creation of the world His invisible [qualities], both His eternal power and divinity, are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, for them to be without excuse. 21 For having known God, not as God did they glorify [Him], or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their foolish heart was darkened.

    Rom. 2:14–15 14 For when Gentiles, not having the law, may do by nature the things of the law, these not having a law are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also testifying, and the thoughts between one another accusing or also defending [them]

    Ps. 19:1–3 1 For the one directing. A Psalm of David. The heavens are recounting the glory of God, and the firmament is declaring the work of and His hands. 2 Day after day it pours forth speech, and night after night it shows forth knowledge. 3 Without speech and without words, their voice not being heard,

  • Heb. 1:1.

    Heb. 1:1 God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,

  • Prov. 22:19–21; Rom. 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19–20.

    Prov. 22:19–21 19 For your trust to be in YHWH, I have caused you to know this day—even you. 20 Have I not written to you thirty sayings of counsels and knowledge, 21 to make you know the truth of the words of faithfulness, to return words of faithfulness to those sending you?

    Rom. 15:4 For as much as was written before was all written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have the hope.

    2 Peter 1:19–20 19 And we have the more certain prophetic word, to which you⁺ do well taking heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until this day shall have dawned and the morning star shall have arisen in your⁺ hearts, 20 knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture is not of its own interpretation.

  • 2 Tim. 3:16.

    2 Tim. 3:16 Every Scripture [is] God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, [and] for training in righteousness,

  • Luke 24:27, 44; Rom. 3:2.

    Luke 24:27, 44 27 And having begun from Moses and from all the Prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 44 And He said to them, “These [are] My words, which I spoke to you⁺ being still with you⁺, that it is necessary to be fulfilled all things having been written concerning Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms.”

    Rom. 3:2 Much in every way. For first indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

  • 2 Peter 1:19–21; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 John 5:9.

    2 Peter 1:19–21 19 And we have the more certain prophetic word, to which you⁺ do well taking heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until this day shall have dawned and the morning star shall have arisen in your⁺ hearts, 20 knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture is not of its own interpretation. 21 For not by the will of man was prophecy brought forth at any time, but being carried by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.

    2 Tim. 3:16 Every Scripture [is] God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, [and] for training in righteousness,

    2 Thess. 2:13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,

    1 John 5:9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, because this is the testimony of God that He has testified concerning His Son.

  • John 16:13–14; 1 Cor. 2:10–12; 1 John 2:20, 27.

    John 16:13–14 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, shall come, He will guide you⁺ into all the truth. For He will not speak from Himself, but whatever He may hear, He will speak. And He will declare to you⁺ the things coming. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take from that which [is] Mine and will declare [it] to you⁺.

    1 Cor. 2:10–12 10 For God revealed [it] to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who of men knows the [things] of the man except the spirit of the man that [is] in him? So also, no one has known the [things] of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, so that we may know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God,

    1 John 2:20, 27 20 And you⁺ have the anointing from the Holy One, and all [of] you⁺ know. 27 And you⁺, the anointing that you⁺ received from Him remains in you⁺, and you⁺ have no need that anyone should teach you⁺. But as the same anointing teaches you⁺ concerning all things and is true and is not a lie, and just as it taught you⁺, remain in Him.

  • 2 Tim. 3:15–17; Gal. 1:8–9.

    2 Tim. 3:15–17 15 and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 Every Scripture [is] God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, [and] for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, having been completely equipped toward every good work.

    Gal. 1:8–9 8 But even if we or an angel out of heaven should preach a gospel to you⁺ contrary to what we preached to you⁺, let him be accursed! 9 As we have said before, even now I say again: If anyone preaches a gospel [to] you⁺ contrary to what you⁺ received, let him be accursed!

  • John 6:45; 1 Cor. 2:9–12.

    John 6:45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught of God.’ Everyone having heard from the Father and having learned comes to Me.

    1 Cor. 2:9–12 9 But as it has been written: “What no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and has not gone up upon the heart of man—as much as God prepared for those loving Him.” 10 For God revealed [it] to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who of men knows the [things] of the man except the spirit of the man that [is] in him? So also, no one has known the [things] of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who [is] from God, so that we may know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God,

  • 1 Cor. 11:13–14; 1 Cor. 14:26, 40.

    1 Cor. 11:13–14 13 Judge in yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you⁺ that indeed if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,

    1 Cor. 14:26, 40 26 What then is it, brothers? When you⁺ may come together, each has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 40 But let all things be done properly and according to order.

  • 2 Peter 3:16.

    2 Peter 3:16 as also in all the letters, speaking in them concerning these things, in which some things are difficult to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable distort, as also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

  • Ps. 19:7; Ps. 119:130.

    Ps. 19:7 The law of YHWH [is] perfect, refreshing the soul; the testimony of YHWH [is] sure, making wise the simple.

    Ps. 119:130 The opening of Your words gives light, giving understanding to the simple ones.

  • Rom. 3:2.

    Rom. 3:2 Much in every way. For first indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

  • Isa. 8:20; Acts 15:15.

    Isa. 8:20 to the law and to the testimony?" If they do not speak this according to the word, [it is] because there is not in them dawn.

    Acts 15:15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

  • John 5:39.

    John 5:39 You⁺ search the Scriptures because you⁺ think to have eternal life in them, and these are they testifying concerning Me;

  • 1 Cor. 14:6, 9, 11–12, 24, 28.

    1 Cor. 14:6, 9, 11–12, 24, 28 6 But now, brothers, if I should come to you⁺ speaking in tongues, what will I profit you⁺, unless I should speak to you⁺ either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching? 9 So also you⁺, unless you⁺ give intelligible speech through the tongue, how will it be known what [is] being spoken? For you⁺ will be speaking into the air. 11 Therefore unless I know the power of the voice, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking, a barbarian to me. 12 So also you⁺, since you⁺ are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek for the edification of the church, so that you⁺ may abound. 24 But if all prophesy and some unbeliever or uninstructed one should come in, he is convicted by all, he is examined by all, 28 But if there may be no interpreter, let him be silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

  • Col. 3:16.

    Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you⁺ richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing each other in psalms, hymns, [and] spiritual songs, in grace singing in your⁺ hearts to God.

  • 2 Peter 1:20–21; Acts 15:15–16.

    2 Peter 1:20–21 20 knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture is not of its own interpretation. 21 For not by the will of man was prophecy brought forth at any time, but being carried by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.

    Acts 15:15–16 15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: 16 ‘After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David that has fallen, and its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it upright,

  • Matt. 22:29, 31–32; Eph. 2:20; Acts 28:23.

    Matt. 22:29, 31–32 29 And answering, Jesus said to them, “You⁺ go astray, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, did you⁺ not read what has been spoken to you⁺ by God, saying, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

    Eph. 2:20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,

    Acts 28:23 Then, having appointed to him a day, many came to him to the lodging, to whom he expounded from morning to evening, fully testifying to the kingdom of God and persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture43 shared proof texts · 10 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 312 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 210 shared proof texts · 4 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 210 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 47 shared proof texts · 4 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1567 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

1. Although temporary believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes, and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and in a state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace; and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.

2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith, founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the gospel; and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; and as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.

3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer, may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may without extraordinary revelation in the right use of means attain thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one, to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness.

4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin, which woundeth the conscience, and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light; yet are they never destitute of the seed of God and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty, out of which by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived: and by the which in the meantime they are preserved from utter despair.

Scripture proofs
  • Job 8:13–14; Matt. 7:22–23.

    Job 8:13–14 13 So [are] the paths of all those forgetting God; and the hope of the godless will perish, 14 for whom his confidence shall be cut off, and his trust the house of a spider.

    Matt. 7:22–23 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and [in] Your name cast out demons, and in Your name do many miracles?’ 23 And then I will profess to them, ‘I never knew you⁺; depart from Me, [you] working lawlessness!’

  • 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14, 18–19, 21, 24; 1 John 5:13.

    1 John 2:3 And by this we know that we have known Him, if we may keep His commandments.

    1 John 3:14, 18–19, 21, 24 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love [our] brothers. The one not loving remains in death. 18 Little children, may we love not in word nor in tongue, but in work and in truth. 19 And in this we will know that we are of the truth, and we will assure our heart before Him, 21 Beloved, if our heart may not condemn [us], we have confidence toward God, 24 And the one keeping His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. And in this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit whom He gave to us.

    1 John 5:13 I wrote these things to you⁺, the ones believing in the name of the Son of God, so that you⁺ may know that you⁺ have eternal life.

  • Rom. 5:2, 5.

    Rom. 5:2, 5 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. 5 And hope does not put [us] to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One having been given to us.

  • Heb. 6:11, 19.

    Heb. 6:11, 19 11 And we desire each of you⁺ to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of the hope until the end, 19 which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and firm and entering into that within the veil,

  • Heb. 6:17–18.

    Heb. 6:17–18 17 in which God, willing to show more abundantly the unchangeableness of His purpose to the heirs of the promise, guaranteed [it] by an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which [it is] impossible [for] God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, having fled for refuge to take hold of the hope being set before [us],

  • 2 Peter 1:4–5, 10–11.

    2 Peter 1:4–5, 10–11 4 through which He has given to us the precious and magnificent promises, so that through these you⁺ might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world in evil desire. 5 Now also for this very [reason], having brought in all diligence, supply in your⁺ faith virtue, and in virtue knowledge, 10 Therefore, brothers, be diligent, rather, to make your⁺ calling and election sure. For [in] doing these things, never at any time shall you⁺ stumble. 11 For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you⁺.

  • Rom. 8:15–16.

    Rom. 8:15–16 15 For you⁺ did not receive a spirit of slavery again unto fear, but you⁺ received the Spirit of adoption as sons, in whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

  • 1 John 3:1–3.

    1 John 3:1–3 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God—and we are! Because of this, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we will be was not yet made manifest. We know that if He should be made manifest, we will be like Him, for we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone having this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

  • Isa. 50:10; Ps. 88; Ps. 77:1–12.

    Isa. 50:10 Who among you⁺ fears YHWH, listening to the voice of His Servant, who has walked in darkness, and there is no no brightness unto him? Let him trust in the name of YHWH, and lean on his God.

    Ps. 77:1–12 1 For the one directing. According to Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A Psalm. My voice [is] to God—indeed I cry out [with] my voice to God—and He has given ear to me. 2 In the day of my distress I sought the Lord; my hand in the night has been stretched out, and it does not slacken; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 I remember God, and I groan; I meditate, and my spirit becomes faint. Selah 4 You hold the lids of my eyes; I am troubled, and I cannot speak. 5 I consider the days of old, the years of ages [past]. 6 I remember, my song in the night; with my heart I converse, and my spirit searches. 7 “Will the Lord forever reject [us], and not anymore will He add to show favor? 8 Has His loving devotion ceased forever? Has [His] speech come to an end to generation and generation? 9 Or has God forgotten to show favor? Has He shut up in anger His compassion?” Selah 10 and I said, “I am grieved. Has it changed—the right hand of the Most High?” 11 I will remember the deeds of YAH; indeed, I will remember Your wonder of old. 12 And I have meditated on all Your work, and I put forth Your deeds.

    Psalm 88 on BibleHub ↗

  • 1 John 4:13; Heb. 6:11–12.

    1 John 4:13 In this we know that we remain in Him and He in us: because from out of His Spirit He has given to us.

    Heb. 6:11–12 11 And we desire each of you⁺ to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of the hope until the end, 12 so that you⁺ may not be sluggish, but imitators of those through faith and patience inheriting the promises.

  • Rom. 5:1–2, 5; Rom. 14:17; Ps. 119:32.

    Rom. 5:1–2, 5 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. 5 And hope does not put [us] to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One having been given to us.

    Rom. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

    Ps. 119:32 The way of Your commandments I will run, for You will enlarge my heart.

  • Rom. 6:1–2; Titus 2:11–12, 14.

    Rom. 6:1–2 1 What then will we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? 2 Never may it be! [We] who died to sin, how shall we still live in it?

    Titus 2:11–12, 14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us that having denied ungodliness and worldly passions, we should live sound-mindedly and righteously and godlily in the present age, 14 who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and might purify to Himself a people specially His, zealous for good works.

  • Song 5:2–3, 6.

    Song 5:2–3, 6 2 I [was] asleep, and my heart was aroused. A sound! My beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. For my head is full of dew, my locks of the drops of the night.” 3 I have taken off my garment—how do I put it on? I have washed my feet—how do I soil them? 6 I opened for my beloved, and my beloved had turned away [and] had gone! My heart went forth at his speaking. I sought him, and could not find him; I called [to] him, and he did not answer me.

  • Ps. 51:8, 12, 14.

    Ps. 51:8, 12, 14 8 Make me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me [by a] willing spirit. 14 Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

  • Ps. 116:11; Ps. 77:7–8; Ps. 31:22.

    Ps. 116:11 I said in my hastening, “Every man is a liar.”

    Ps. 77:7–8 7 “Will the Lord forever reject [us], and not anymore will He add to show favor? 8 Has His loving devotion ceased forever? Has [His] speech come to an end to generation and generation?

    Ps. 31:22 For I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before Your eyes!” Surely You heard the voice of my supplications, in my crying out to You.

  • Ps. 30:7.

    Ps. 30:7 O YHWH, by Your favor You made my mountain stand strong; You have hidden Your face—I was dismayed.

  • 1 John 3:9.

    1 John 3:9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.

  • Luke 22:32.

    Luke 22:32 But I begged for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

  • Ps. 42:5, 11.

    Ps. 42:5, 11 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and in commotion within me? Wait for God, for still I will praise Him, for the salvation of His face. 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in commotion within me? Wait for God, for still I will praise Him, the salvation of my face, and my God.

  • Lam. 3:26–31.

    Lam. 3:26–31 26 And [it is] good to wait and be silent for the salvation of YHWH; 27 [it is] good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his youth. 28 Let him sit alone and be silent when it is laid upon him. 29 Let him put in the dust his mouth; perhaps there is hope! 30 Let him give [his] cheek to the one striking him; let him be filled with reproach! 31 For the Lord will not reject [us] forever;

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