1689 14.2

14.2. Of Saving Faith

By this Faith, a Christian believeth to be true, whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the Authority of God himself; and also apprehendeth an excellency therein, above all other Writings; and all things in the world: as it bears forth the Glory of God in his Attributes, the excellency of Christ in his Nature and Offices; and the Power and Fullness of the Holy Spirit in his Workings, and Operations; and so is enabled to cast his Soul upon the truth thus beleived; and also acteth differently, upon that which each particular, passage thereof containeth; yeilding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatnings, and embracing the promises of God, for this life, and that which is to come: But the principal acts of Saving Faith, have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone, for Justification, Sanctification, and Eternal Life, by vertue of the Covenant of Grace.

Proof texts

• Acts 24:14 — [14] But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
• Psalms 27:7-10 — [7] Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! [8] You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” [9] Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! [10] For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
• Psalms 119:72 — [72] The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
• 2 Timothy 1:12 — [12] which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
• John 14:14 — [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
• Isaiah 66:2 — [2] All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
• Hebrews 11:13 — [13] These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
• John 1:12 — [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
• Acts 16:31 — [31] And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
• Galatians 2:20 — [20] I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
• Acts 15:11 — [11] But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Acts 24:14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 11 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q85 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q86 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q85 · WSC Q86 · WSC Q87 · WCF 14.1 · WCF 14.2 · WCF 14.3 · HC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · SD 14.1 · SD 14.2 · SD 14.3