Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 18)

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter 18

Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation

(Part 1)

I. 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, endeavouring 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.

This opening paragraph deals with the question of whether a human being can know for certain that he is saved. Is it possible to move beyond “I hope I’m saved” to “I know I’m saved”? The Confession says that such confidence is possible. The central issue introduced in this first paragraph is that of confidence. Under what circumstances may a sinner believe that he is born again?

Rome taught a doctrine of much uncertainty regarding one’s spiritual state. An elaborate system of penance, the practical of effect of which was to leave the sinner in a constant state of doubt regarding his standing before God, was in place at the time of the Reformation. The Reformers, following the teaching of Scripture were uniform in their declaration that assurance of salvation could be had if sought according to Biblical grounds.

The writers of the Confession begin this chapter by recognizing that even the unregenerate may espouse some belief in their salvation. This distinction between the unbeliever and the believer has to do with evidence. Note that the writers describe the confidence of the unregenerate as “vainly deceiving themselves” and as entertaining “false hopes” and “carnal presumptions.” (cf. Jer. 17:9) The implication is clear: the boasting of the unbeliever is groundless.

The one having a legitimate confidence, on the other hand, is defined as one who “truly believes in the Lord Jesus” and who is living in a manner that is acceptable to the Savior. It is, therefore, both the belief and the evidence of belief that serve as grounds for the redeemed sinner’s confidence regarding his spiritual state. His confidence is distinguished from that of the pretender by the presence of observable signs in addition to his vocal assertions.

This paragraph indicates that the “proof” of a regenerated heart is seen in the conduct of the individual. That conduct, which is Christ-like, assures the redeemed sinner that he has, indeed, passed from death into life. Therefore, as the Confession adds, the redeemed sinner may “rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” The conversion of the heart inevitably results in evidence that can be seen; that evidence, in turn, not only assures the redeemed sinner of his standing in Christ, but also serves as the ground for his hope regarding a future existence with God.

II. 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.

The second paragraph elaborates on the nature of the assurance we can have. Our assurance that we are, indeed, in the state of grace is based upon the promises of God, the presence of the fruits of grace and the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit with our spirits that we are children of God.

(To be continued)