Of Saving Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith · 14.1–14.3
14.1. Of Saving Faith
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.
Proof texts
- Heb. 10:39 — [39] But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
- 2 Cor. 4:13 — [13] Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,
- Eph. 1:17, 18, 19 — [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
- Eph. 2:8 — [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
- Rom. 10:14, 17 — [14] How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [17] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
- 1 Pet. 2:2 — [2] Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation —
- Acts 20:32 — [32] And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
- Rom. 4:11 — [11] He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
- Luke 17:5 — [5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
- Rom. 1:16, 17 — [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Heb. 10:39 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q85 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 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 · WLC Q72 · HC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · IAR 5.6 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): This Section teaches — 1st. That saving faith rests upon the truth of the testimony of God speaking in his word. 2d. That it respects as its object all the contents of God's word, without exception. 3d. That the complex state of mind to which the epithet faith is applied in Scripture varies with the nature of the particular passage of God's word which is its object. 4th, That the specific act of saving faith which unites us to Christ, and is the sole condition or instrument of justification, involves two essential elements : {a.) Assent to what the Scriptures reveal to us concerning the person, offices and work of Christ; and (6) trust or implicit reliance upon Christ, and…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): " He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned," is the solemn announcement of the Saviour himself. The place thus assigned to faith in the matter of salvation, shows that the subject of this chapter possesses the deepest interest. If a Saviour was necessary to the recovery of lost sinners, faith in that Saviour is no less necessary to the actual enjoyment of salvation. The vast importance of having scriptural views of the nature of saving faith must, therefore, be obvious. The present section teaches us — 1. That the subjects of this faith are elect sinners. All whom God from eternity elected to everlasting life are in time brought to…
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 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.
Proof texts
- John 4:42 — [42] They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
- 1 Thess. 2:13 — [13] And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
- 1 John 5:10 — [10] Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.
- 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,
- Rom. 16:26 — [26] but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith —
- Isa. 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.
- Heb. 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.
- 1 Tim. 4:8 — [8] for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
- 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.”
- Gal. 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
- The Assembly cited John 4:42 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 12 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q85 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 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 · WLC Q72 · WLC Q73 · HC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · IAR 5.6 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): This Section teaches — 1st. That saving faith rests upon the truth of the testimony of God speaking in his word. 2d. That it respects as its object all the contents of God's word, without exception. 3d. That the complex state of mind to which the epithet faith is applied in Scripture varies with the nature of the particular passage of God's word which is its object. 4th, That the specific act of saving faith which unites us to Christ, and is the sole condition or instrument of justification, involves two essential elements : {a.) Assent to what the Scriptures reveal to us concerning the person, offices and work of Christ; and (6) trust or implicit reliance upon Christ, and…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): 1. The general object of divine faith is the whole Word of God. As faith, in general, is an assent to truth upon testimony, so divine faith is an assent to divine truth upon divine testimony. Saving faith, therefore, includes an assent of the heart to all the truths revealed in the Word of God, whether they relate to the law or to the gospel; and that, not upon the testimony of any man or Church, nor because they appear agreeable to the dictates of natural reason, but on the ground of the truth and authority of God himself, speaking in the Scriptures, and evidencing themselves, by their own distinguishing light and power, to the mind.* 2. The special and…
14.3. Of Saving Faith
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.
Proof texts
- Heb. 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.
- Rom. 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,
- Matt. 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?
- Matt. 8:10 — [10] When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
- Luke 22:31, 32 — [31] “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
- Eph. 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?
- Heb. 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.
- Heb. 10:22 — [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- Col. 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,
- Heb. 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
- The Assembly cited Heb. 5:13, 14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 11 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q85 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 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 · WLC Q73 · HC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · IAR 5.6 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section III. — 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. ^' 10 Heb. V. 13, U; Rom. iv. 19, 20; Matt. vi. 30; viii. 10.—" Luke xxii. -51, 32; Eph. vi. 16; 1 John v. 4, 5.— 12 Heb. vi. H, 12; x. 22; Col. ii. 2.— 18 Heb. xii. 2. 111 this Section it is affirmed — 1st. That this faith, although always as to essence the same, is often different in degrees in different persons, and in the…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): Different interpretations have been put on this section. Some have maintained, that " assurance is here plainly made a fruit and consequent of saving faith, and not an essential act."* Others have held that assurance is here supposed to be essential to saving faith, and that it belongs, in some degree, to every believer, strong or weak, but is always in proportion to the degree of his faith. " How faith," says the illustrious Boston, " can grow in any to a full assurance, if there be no assurance in the nature of it, I cannot comprehend." And another, amplifying this idea, says : " If there was not some degree of assurance in the nature of faith, it could…