FAQ – Assurance of Salvation
“I write to you, children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake “(1 John 2:12)
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified." (2 Corinthians 13:5)
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:13)
The GreekUnlike Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews; Acts 6:1; 9:29), Greeks, in the narrow sense of the word, come from Greece and have at least one Greek parent (Acts 16:3 in connection with... More word for assurance in the New Testament is “plerophoria” – full assurance. It occurs four times: 1 Thessalonians 1:5; Hebrews 6:11; Hebrews 10:22; and Colossians 2:2. Assurance of salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More is the firm and full conviction and knowledge of being saved, eternally secure, and of sins forgiven, once for all; the settled disposition of peace relying only on the graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More shown us based on the accomplished work of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More on the cross (see Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:5b; 1 John 5:13).
1. Does assurance automatically come with new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More?
No. Where a full gospel is preached and received, the two may well coincide in time, but in many cases, it will take time for the new-born believer to receive this assurance. This lack of assurance is not the normal condition of a believer (which is why the Bible does not speak much about this case, if at all), but, sadly, it is a frequent one today. What is stated, though, is that John wrote his first epistle with the declared objective that the recipients might “know” that they had eternal lifeEternal life is more than life without end. Eternal life is the highest conceivable quality of life. It is life in abundance (John 10:10). Christ himself is the true God... More (1 John 5:13).
2. How is assurance brought about in a believer?
Essentially, assurance is brought about through the work of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More within us. The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16). He uses the Word of God in order to bring about that assurance – just as He first uses that Word to bring about a conviction of sins, and new birthThe new birth is a unique experience at conversion. God gives new (eternal) life to people who were dead in their sins. This makes them children of God (John 1:12,... More.
3. What can I do to obtain assurance?
The first step is to take note of the fact that the believer has two natures and that the old nature is irremediably bad, beyond repair, reform, and improvement [1]. Once this is taken hold of in faith we need to stop looking at ourselves and start looking at ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More and His work. If our sins are forgiven then it is “for his name's sake” (1 John 2:12). Assurance will not be found in our feelings, our spiritual growth (we would be badly positioned to form a judgment on this anyhow), our faithfulness, or our service. We can only find assurance in considering and trusting the plain statements of God's Word. Only God is competent to judge the value of the sacrificeA sacrifice/offering to God (or deities in pagan religions) that differed in occasion, purpose, and form. The most important sacrifices required by the Old Testament law include burnt offerings, grain... More of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More. He raised Him as the signThe Gospel of John tells us about eight signs that the Lord Jesus performed. These signs, which are also miracles, point to something special. They aim to help us grow... More of His approval and appreciation, and exalted Him at His right hand (Heb. 10:12; Rom. 8:34). Already in type it was a matter of God's appreciation of the blood, and no one else's (Ex. 12:13).
4. Does 2 Corinthians 13:5 not exhort us to prove ourselves?
At first sight, it appears to do so. The verse reads: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.“ However, one needs to read the whole sentence, which actually starts in verse 3: “Since you seek a proof of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More speaking in me . . . “ As always the context gives the answer. Some questioned Paul's apostolic mission and tried to discredit him. Paul essentially says, “This is utter nonsense — just look at yourselves! The very fact that you are believers is the stamp of approval on my ministry and mission.” Paul exhorted the Corinthians to prove themselves because they were saved, not for them to find out whether they were saved.
5. What is the consequence of assurance?
Assurance gives settled peace and an appreciation of the favor in which we stand (Rom. 5:1–2). This will enable us to enjoy our salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More and to boast in the hope of the glory (Rom. 5:2b). As C H Mackintosh once said: “To be happy without this, is to be happy on the brink of a yawning gulf into which I may, at any moment, be dashed forever.” Also, it is only with assurance of salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More we can receive instruction and learn the truth. Therefore, John says: “I write to you, children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake “(1 John 2:12). Assurance of salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More is also vital if we are to be able to live in the enjoyment of access to, and communion with, the Father and the Lord, to walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8:4), and to draw near in worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More (Heb. 10:22).
