Biblical Assurance
Part 3
August 20, 2025
The notes argue that saving faith (its essence) is distinct from assurance and its fruits, and that believers grow in assurance—not by feelings or extraordinary revelation—but by the Spirit working through ordinary means of grace (preaching, sacraments, prayer, fellowship, worship) as taught in Westminster Confession Chapter 18.
Summary
Using the prodigal son as a starting point, the material distinguishes the essence of saving faith from the assurance of salvation and the attendant fruits (joy, holiness, perseverance, love, etc.). It cites Westminster Confession Chapter 18 to assert that assurance is not required for salvation and that many true believers still doubt. Assurance grows primarily by the Spirit and secondarily through ordinary means of grace—faithful preaching, sacraments, corporate prayer, fellowship (including intergenerational worship) and psalms/hymns—rather than by seeking extraordinary revelations or basing faith on feelings. Believers are called to diligent self-examination and steady use of these means so assurance can increase.
Key Points
- Uses the prodigal son to illustrate returning to the Father and questions about what the son would feel
- Distinguishes the essence of saving faith from assurance and from the fruits of faith (joy, holiness, perseverance, love)
- Affirms, citing Westminster Confession Chapter 18, that assurance is not required to be saved
- Acknowledges that many true Christians still doubt and need to grow in assurance
- Primary source of assurance is the Spirit; ordinary means of grace are the secondary and necessary channels
- Ordinary means include preaching (the called minister), sacraments, corporate prayer, fellowship, and singing (psalms, hymns, spiritual songs)
- Warns against making personal feelings or extraordinary revelation the basis of assurance
- Emphasizes corporate worship and intergenerational fellowship as important for growing assurance
- Advises proper use of means of grace (not critical listening) and diligent self-examination in virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, and godliness
- Conclusion: use the Spirit and ordinary means faithfully to grow in assurance while keeping the essence of faith distinct from its evidences
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