Chapter 14

 

OF SAVING FAITH

 

Paragraph 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,1 and is ordinarily* wrought by the ministry of the Word;2 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.3

1 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8

2 Romans 10:14,17

3 Luke 17:5;  1 Peter 2:2;  Acts 20:32

 

Paragraph 2. By this faith a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself,4 and also apprehends an excellency therein above all other writings and all things in the world,5 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 consequently believed;6 and also acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands,7 trembling at the threatenings,8 and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come;9 but the principle 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.10

4 Acts 24:14

5 Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119:72

6 2 Timothy 1:12

7 John 15:14

8 Isaiah 66:2

9 Hebrews 11:13

10 John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:11

 

Paragraph 3. This faith, although it be in different stages, and may be weak or strong,11 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;12 and therefore, though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory,13 growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ,14 who is both the author and finisher of our faith.15

11 Hebrews 5:13,14; Matthew 6:30; Romans 4:19,20

122 Peter 1:1

13 Ephesians 6:16;  1 John 5:4,5

14 Hebrews 6:11,12; Colossians 2:2

15 Hebrews 12:2

 

*Editor’s Notes

Chapter 14 and paragraph 1, speaks of the Holy Spirit’s work of enabling the Elect to have faith and that it is “ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the Word”.

Romans 10 reads:

 

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

If there is some other way, by which the Lord saves His people, other than through the Ministry of the Word, He hasn’t told us about it. He has every right to save His people any way He desires. We, on the other hand, do not have the right to start assuming things about Him that He has not revealed to us.

There is no proof text for the word “ordinarily”; therefore it should not be included.

 

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2 Corinthians 4:13
13We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Ephesians 2:8
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Romans 10:14,17
14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Luke 17:5
5And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
1 Peter 2:2
2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Acts 20:32
32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Acts 24:14
14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Psalm 19:7-10
7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 119:72
72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
2 Timothy 1:12
12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
John 15:14
14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Isaiah 66:2
2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Hebrews 11:13
13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
John 1:12
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Acts 16:31
31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Galatians 2:20
20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Acts 15:11
11But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Hebrews 5:13,14
13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Matthew 6:30
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Romans 4:19,20
19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
2 Peter 1:1
1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 6:16
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
1 John 5:4,5
4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Hebrews 6:11,12
11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Colossians 2:2
2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Hebrews 12:2
2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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