The Westminster Confession of Faith: Of Saving Faith.

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Fourteen: Of Saving Faith.

1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,a is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,b and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word;c by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.d

a. Heb 10:39. • b. Eph 1:17-192:82 Cor 4:13. • c. Rom 10:1417. • d. Luke 17:5Acts 20:32Rom 1:16-174:111 Pet 2:2.

2. By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;a and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands,b trembling at the threatenings,c and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come.d 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.e

a. John 4:42Acts 24:141 Thes 2:131 John 5:10. • b. Rom 16:26. • c. Isa 66:2. • d. 1 Tim 4:8Heb 11:13. • e. John 1:12Acts 15:1116:31Gal 2:20.

3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;a may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory;b growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ,c who is both the author and finisher of our faith.d

a. Mat 6:308:10Rom 4:19-20Heb 5:13-14. • b. Luke 22:31-32Eph 6:161 John 5:4-5. • c. Col 2:2Heb 6:11-1210:22. • d. Heb 12:2.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

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