1689 14.3

14.3. Of Saving Faith

This Faith although it be different in degrees, and may be weak, or strong; yet it is in the least degree of it, different in the kind, or nature of it (as is all other saving Grace) from the Faith, and common grace of temporary beleivers; and therefore though it may be many times assailed, and weakned; yet it 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.

Proof texts

• Hebrews 5:13, 14 — [13] for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. [14] But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
• Matthew 6:30 — [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
• Romans 4:19, 20 — [19] He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. [20] No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
• 2 Peter 1:1 — [1] Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
• Ephesians 6:16 — [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
• 1 John 5:4, 5 — [4] For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
• Hebrews 6:11, 12 — [11] And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, [12] so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
• Colossians 2:2 — [2] that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,
• Hebrews 12:2 — [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Hebrews 5:13, 14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 9 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