Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith
1. 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 baptism and the Lord's supper, prayer,
and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened.
(
2 Corinthians 4:13;
Ephesians 2:8;
Romans 10:14, 17;
Luke 17:5;
1 Peter 2:2;
Acts 20:32
)
2. By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is
revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself, and also
apprehendeth an excellency therein above all other writings and all
things in the world, as it bears forth the glory of God in his attributes,
the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices, and the power and
fullness of the Holy Spirit in his workings and operations: and so is
enabled to cast his soul upon the truth thus believed; and also 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 have immediate relation to Christ,
accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone for justification,
sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
(
Acts 24:14;
Psalms 27:7-10;
Psalms 119:72;
2 Timothy 1:12;
John 14:14;
Isaiah 66:2;
Hebrews 11:13;
John 1:12;
Acts 16:31;
Galatians 2:20;
Acts 15:11
)
3. This faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be
weak or strong, yet it is in the least degree of it different in the
kind or nature of it, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and
common grace of temporary believers; and therefore, though it may be
many times assailed and weakened, yet it 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.
(
Hebrews 5:13, 14;
Matthew 6:30;
Romans 4:19, 20;
2 Peter 1:1;
Ephesians 6:16;
1 John 5:4, 5;
Hebrews 6:11, 12;
Colossians 2:2;
Hebrews 12:2
)
Back to the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith
|
