Articles

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 17 Of the Perseverance of the Saints (Part  2) II. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant ...

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 17 Of the Perseverance of the Saints (Part  1) This chapter on the perseverance of the saints falls between chapters dealing with the order of salvation and chapters concerned with living the Christian life. In summary, we can say that this chapter teaches that the elect, due to the immutability of God's decree, will persevere, or be preserved in a state of grace, to the end of their lives and be eternally ...

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 16 Of Good Works (Part  2) V. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins, but when we have done all ...

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 16 Of Good Works (Part  1) I. Good works are only such as God has commanded in His holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention. This subject naturally follows the previous topic of repentance. Genuine repentance must result in “good works.” The first point made here is that only God can define “good works,” ...

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 15 Of Repentance Unto Life I. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ. Repentance is that initial turning from sin to God which occurs in connection with regeneration. It is described here as “an evangelical grace” meaning that it is the work of God. This phrasing reflects the Scripture’s teaching concerning ...

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 14 Of Saving Faith (Part  2) II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein; and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; 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 ...

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 14 Of Saving Faith (Part  1) This section of the Confession covers the matter of salvation, from the effectual call of God through the matter of our initial and life-long sanctification. This particular chapter deals with something that has been assumed up to this point and that is saving faith. Thus far, no definition has been given for saving faith, although these chapters, of course, presuppose the operation of saving faith. In ...

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 13 Of Sanctification (Part  2) II. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. Throughout the history of the Church, there have been those who taught what has come to be known as “perfectionism.” Generally speaking, this is ...

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 13 Of Sanctification (Part  1) I. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they more ...

Survey of the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 12 Of Adoption I. All those that are justified, God vouchsafes, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have His name put upon them, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry, Abba, Father, ...