Salvation Applied (WCF 14-18, WLC 72-73, 76, 79-81, 153; WSC 85-87) Flashcards
What is saving faith? Defend your answer with scripture.
WSC 86: “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.”
i. Hebrews 10:39, John 1:12, John 3:16; John 6:40; Galatians 2:16, Philippians 3:9
Where does saving faith come from? Use Scripture.
Saving faith comes from the grace of God.
“It is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word” (WCF 14.1)
Ephesians 2:8- 9; Rom. 10:14-15
What does saving faith believe? Use Scripture.
Saving faith is faith in the person and work of Christ
- ) Noticias (Knowledge, Receiving) - the intellectual content of what we believe (Saving faith is faith in the person and work of Christ, so we must know something about Jesus and what He has done if we are to have actual faith in Him)
- ) Assensus (Believe, Accepting)- belief that the content of the Christian gospel is true.
- ) Fiducia (Trust, Resting) - placing trust in the One revealed in the content that is believed to be true. (James 2 - even the demons believe)
But the principle 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.” (WCF 14.2)
Acts 24:14, John 4:42, 1 John 5:9-10
John 1:12, Acts 16:31, Gal. 2:20, Acts 15:11, 2 Tim. 1:9-10
Is all faith alike? Use Scripture.
WCF 14.3 – Faith is different in degrees, weak or strong, may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory.
Heb. 5:13-14, Rom. 14:1-2, Matt. 6:30, Rom. 4:19-20, Matthew 18:10, 1 Cor. 8
Define “repentance”. Use Scripture.
WSC 87: “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, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.”
- Ps. 51:1-4, Joel 2:13, Luke 15:7, 10; Acts 2:37
- 2 Cor. 7:10 – godly grief
In what sense is repentance “necessary?” Use Scripture.
Although repentance should not be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of pardon, yet It is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.” WCF 15.3
Luke 13:3 ; Acts 17:30-31, Mark 1:4
How ought we to confess our sins? Use Scripture.
WCF 15.6 –
- ) To God – Psalm 51:4
- ) To offended parties – James 5:16
- ) Not just generally, but Repent of particular sins, particularly. (1 Tim. 1:13-15)
What are good works? Use Scripture.
WCF 16.7
Good Works are works done by regenerate men;
- ) from a heart purified by faith, (Heb. 11:4, 6)
- ) done in the right manner according to the word (1 Cor. 13:3, Isa. 1:12)
- ) and to the right end the glory of God (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16; 1 Cor. 10:31)
What is the relation of good works to faith? Use Scripture.
WCF 16. 2 - “Good works are the fruits and evidence of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness.
- James 2:18-22; Ephesians 2:8-10 – saved for good works
Can our good works save us? Use Scripture.
WCF 16.5 – “We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God,
Why?
- ) Great Disproportion between them and the glory to come
- ) Great Distance - between us and God - we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins
– Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:18-22, Gal. 2:16
Can unbelievers do good works? Use Scripture.
WCF 16.7 – Works done by unbelievers, although they may be things which God commands, and seem of good use to others, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith, nor are done in a right manner, nor are to the right end, the glory of God, they are sinful and cannot please God.
- Romans 14:23 – whatever is not done in faith sins
- Jeremiah 17:9 – heart is wicked;
- Isaiah 64:6 – filthy rags
Define and Defend (Use Scripture) the doctrine of perseverance.
“God’s special redemptive grace will keep genuine converts faithful to Christ until the end.”
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 persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.”
Romans 8:28-30; Romans 35-39; Philippians 1:6, Jude 24-25
Can a saved person later be eternally lost? Use Scripture.
No, not if they are truly saved.
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
– Romans 8:29-30 (those he called, will be glorified); Philippians 1:6
On what does a believer’s preserving depend? Use Scripture.
WCF 17.2 – Not upon a person’s own free will, but upon the:
- ) Immutability of the decree of election
- ) Free and unchangeable love of God the Father
- ) Efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ
- ) Abiding of the Spirit
- ) Seed of God within them
- ) Nature of the Covenant of Grace
- John 10:28 – no one can snatch them out of my hand
- Phil. 1:6 – depends on God
Can a person be sure he is saved? Use Scripture.
Yes, WCF 18.1 – Those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace.
- 1 John 5:13 – writing to know
- Romans 8:16 – The Spirit testifies himself with the children of God
- Romans 8:1 – no condemnation
