G. Salvation Applied (WCF 14-18; WLC 72-73,76,79-81, 153; WSC 85-87)

Question 1

What is saving faith? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 1

Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the
gospel- WSC86

WCF 13.1- 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 the
sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.

Question 2

What is saving faith? Scripture proofs.

Answer 2

John 1.12- “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…”

John 3.16- “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life…”

Philippians 3.8-9- “I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own
that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

Galatians 2.15-16- “man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ
Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be
justified.

Question 3

Where does saving faith come from? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 3

Saving faith is worked in the heart by the Holy Spirit and the word of God.

Question 4

Where does saving faith come from? Scripture proofs.

Answer 4

2 Thessalonians 2.13 “But we ought to thank God for you brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning
God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”
Ephesians 2.8-9 “for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yoursleves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no
one can boast.”

Question 5

What does saving faith believe? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 5

Believes whatever is taught in Scripture.
WCF 13.2 “By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatever 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 are accepting, receiving, and resting
upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.”

Question 6

What does saving faith believe? Scripture proofs.

Answer 6

John 5.24- “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed
over from death to life.”
Romans 10.9- “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved.”

Question 7

Is all faith alike? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 7

No, there are degrees of weak and strong; saving and non-saving
This faith is different, weak and strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but 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.- WCF 13.3

Question 8

Is all faith alike? Scripture proofs.

Answer 8

Hebrews 5.13-14- “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not aquatinted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for
the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Matthew 6.30- “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more
clothe you, O you of little faith.”
James 2.19- “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder.”

Question 9

Define “repentance.” Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 9

Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in
Christ, does with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it, unto God with full purpose of and endeavor after new obedience. WSC
#87

Question 10

Define “repentance.” Scripture proofs.

Answer 10

Acts 2.37-38 “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “ Brothers, what
shall we do? Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins.”
Joel 2.13-14 “Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend
your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and
abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”

Question 11

. In what sense is repentance “necessary?” Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 11

Repentance is necessary in that no sinner may expect pardon without it.

WCF 15.3 “Although repentance is not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof,
which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ; it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon
without it.

Question 12

In what sense is repentance “necessary?” Scripture proofs.

Answer 12

Luke 13.3 “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Acts 17.30-31 “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he
will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.

Question 13

How ought we to confess our sins? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 13

Specifically in public or private
WCF 15.5 Men ought not content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins,
particularly.
WCF 15.6 As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon therof; upon which , and the forsaking of
them, he shall find mercy; so, he that scandalizes his brother, or the church of Christ, ought to be willing, by public or private confession, and
sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended, who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.

Question 14

How ought we to confess our sins? Scripture proofs.

Answer 14

Luke 19.8- But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have
cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.
Proverbs 28.13 “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
1 John 1.9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Question 15

What are good works? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 15

Good works are only such as God has commanded n His Holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant therof, are devised by
men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention- WCF 16.1

Question 16

What are good works? Scripture proofs.

Answer 16

Micah 6.8- He has showed you, O Man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you. To act justly and to love mercy and to
walk humbly with your God.
Hebrews 13.20-21- May the God of Peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord
Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is
pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen

Question 17

What is the relation of good works to faith? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 17

Good works are the fruit of true faith.
WCF 16.2 These are good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruit and evidences of a true and lively
faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of
the gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto,
that , having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.

Question 18

What is the relation of good works to faith? Scripture proofs.

Answer 18

James 2.18,22 But someone will say, You have faith but I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you
my faith by what I do. You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he
did.
Ephsians 2.8-10- For we are saved by grace, through faith and this is not of ourselves it is a gift from God. We are God’s
workmanship, created to do good works, which were prepared in advance for us.

Question 19

Are good works necessary for salvation? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 19

No, They are a fruit of salvation

Question 20

Are good works necessary for salvation? Scripture proofs.

Answer 20

James 2.18,22 But someone will say, You have faith but I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you
my faith by what I do. You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he
did.

Question 21

Can our good works save us? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 21

NO

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 we can,
we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants: and because as they are good, they proceed from His
Spirit; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that
they cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment- WCF 16.5

Question 22

Can our good works save us? Scripture proofs.

Answer 22

Romans 3.20- Therefore no will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Ephesians 2.8-9 for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God- not by works, so that no one
can boast.
Titus 3.4-5 But when the kindness and love of God our savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of
his mercy

Question 23

Can unbelievers do good works? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 23

No, though unbelievers might do that which is perceived by fellow man to be good (and even commanded by God), the
unbelievers heart is so impure as that nothing untainted by sin may proceed from them, and therefore nothing which God
considers good.
Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands; and of
good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith; nor are done in
a right manner, according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful, and cannot
please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God: and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and
displeasing to God- WCF 16.7

Question 24

Can unbelievers do good works? Scripture proofs.

Answer 24

Genesis 6.5- The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.
Jeremiah 17.9- The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Romans 3.10-12 There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Romans 8.7,8 …The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those
controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
Ephesians 2.1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you
followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those
who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of the sinful nature and
following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest we were by nature objects of wrath.

Question 25

Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of “perseverance.”

Answer 25

WCF 17.1- They, whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor
finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly preserve therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

Question 26

Define and defend Scripture proofs the doctrine of “perseverance.”

Answer 26

John 6.44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.
John 10.28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Philippians 1.6 …being confident of this, he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Romans 8.29-30 For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son, that he
might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also
justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
1 John 2.19 they went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained
with us, but their going showed that none of them belonged to us

Question 27

Can a saved person later be eternally lost? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 27

NO!
WLC #79 True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance,
their inseparable union with Christ, his continual intercession for them, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can
neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation

Question 28

Can a saved person later be eternally lost? Scripture proofs.

Answer 28

1 John 2.19 they went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained
with us, but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
John 10.28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand
John 6.44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day
Philippians 1.6 …being confident of this, he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Romans 8.29-30 For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son, that he
might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also
justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Question 29

. On what does a believer’s persevering depend? Defend with Scripture proofs.

Answer 29

The immutability of God’s free election of them in Christ.
WCF 17.2 This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of
God’s free 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 the seed of God with them, and the nature of the covenant of grace:
from all which arises also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

Question 30

. On what does a believer’s persevering depend? Scripture proofs.

Answer 30

John 10.28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand
John 6.44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day
Philippians 1.6 …being confident of this, he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Question 31

Can a person be sure he is saved? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 31

Yes,
Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him, may without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded
upon the truth of God’s promises, and only by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are
made, and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God, be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall
persevere therein unto salvation- WLC #80

Question 32

Can a person be sure he is saved? Scripture proofs.

Answer 32

1 John 5.13- I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Romans 8.16- The Spirit himself testifies with your spirit that we are God’s children

Question 33

Should a person be sure he is saved? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.

Answer 33

WCF 18.3- …And therefore it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be
enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the
proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness

Question 34

Should a person be sure he is saved? Scripture proofs.

Answer 34

1 John 5.13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life
2 Peter 1.10-11 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never
fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Question 35

How could a person know he is saved? On what could such assurance be based?

Answer 35

• By examining one’s heart to see if one has true belief
• By clinging to God’s promises
• By the Spirit’s testimony
• Disciple – tells us that we are children of God (Hebrews 12)
• Good works- know them by their fruit(Matt 7.16-17)
• Love for our brothers (1 John 3.14)
WLC #80 Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him, may without extraordinary revelation, by faith
grounded upon the truth of God’s promises, and only by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of
life are made, and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God, be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and
shall persevere therein unto salvation- WLC #80

Question 36

What should a person do who lacks assurance of salvation?

Answer 36

Avail oneself to the means of grace
WSC #88 The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the
word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
2 Peter 1. 10-11 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never
fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.