Assurance of Salvation After Repentance of Sin
Assurance of Salvation After Repentance of Sin
The concept of assurance of salvation after repentance of sin is rooted in biblical teachings and has been a subject of theological discussion across various Christian traditions. According to the New Testament, believers have redemption through Christ's blood, which includes the forgiveness of sins [2, 3].
The biblical basis for assurance of salvation is found in passages such as Hebrews 10:22, which mentions the "full assurance of faith," and Colossians 2:2, which refers to the "full assurance of understanding" [1]. These verses indicate that assurance is linked to faith and understanding of God's revelation.
Theological traditions have articulated the concept of assurance in different ways. The Reformed tradition, as represented by the Westminster Confession of Faith, affirms that true believers can be "certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God" [7]. This assurance is grounded in the believer's faith in Jesus Christ and their love for Him, as well as their endeavor to walk in good conscience before Him.
In contrast, the Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, views the sacrament of penance as necessary for salvation for those who have fallen into sin after baptism. According to Aquinas, this sacrament is necessary "on a supposition" — that is, for those who have committed sin after baptism [4].
The Lutheran tradition, as reflected in Luther's Small Catechism, emphasizes the role of faith in receiving forgiveness of sins. The catechism states that forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given through the words "given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins" in the context of the Lord's Supper [8].
The Reformed tradition also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in providing assurance of salvation. According to John Calvin, the Spirit testifies to believers that they are children of God, and this testimony is the basis for their assurance [5]. Charles Hodge, representing the Old Princeton school of Reformed theology, notes that the work of Christ secures for believers the promise of salvation, and that the Holy Spirit's influence enables them to persevere in faith [6].
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, emphasizes the importance of repentance and confession of sins in receiving forgiveness. Gill notes that repentance is a gift of God and that confession of sins is a necessary step in obtaining forgiveness [9, 10].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Colossians “Colossians 1:14 (LITV) — in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins;”
- King James Version “[KJV] Ephesians 1:7 — In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Sacrament of Penance, Art. 5: Article: Whether this sacrament is necessary for salvation? I answer that, A thing is necessary for salvation in two ways: first, absolutely; secondly, on a supposition. A thing is absolutely necessary for salvation, if no one can obtain salvation without it, as, for example, the grace of Christ, and the sacrament of Baptism, whereby a man is born again in Christ. The sacrament of Penance is necessary on a supposition, for it is necessary, not for all, but for those who are in sin. For it is written (2 Pa”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 58: being previously enamored of righteousness. This view, as it is the simplest of all, seemed to me also to accord best with Scripture truth. 21. Moreover, that repentance is a special gift of God, I trust is too well understood from the above doctrine to require any lengthened discourse. Hence the Church 321 321 French, “L’Eglise primitive du temps des Apostres;”—the primitive Church of the Apostles’ time. extols the goodness of God, and looks on in wonder, saying, “Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life,” ( ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 70: the Spirit’s influence, and the grace of the gospel above the standard adopted by the Remonstrants. The two systems, however, are essentially the same. The work of Christ has equal reference to all men. It secures for all the promise of salvation on the condition of evangelical obedience; and it obtains for all, Jews and Gentiles, enough measures of divine grace to render such obedience practicable. The salvation of each individual man depends on the use which he makes of this sufficient grace. 4. The Lutherans also hold that God had the ”
- Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 18 (part 1): CHAPTER 18 Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation 1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God, and estate of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish): yet such as 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, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope sh”
- Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran) “Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran, 1529), –Answer: 3bThat is shown us in these words: _Given_, _and shed for: –Answer: 3bThat is shown us in these words: _Given_, _and shed for you_, _for the remission of sins_; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 24:44: And that repentance and remission of sins,.... Which are the sum of the Gospel ministry; see Act 20:21 the doctrine of "repentance" is not of the law, which neither requires, nor admits of it, but of the Gospel. The Persic version calls it, "the Gospel of repentance"; a doctrine preached by John the Baptist, Christ, and his apostles; and the thing itself is a blessing of the covenant, a gift of God's grace, and in the hands of Christ to bestow; and therefore the doctrine of it is published in his name, as well as remission of sins; which, though it springs from the fre”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins,.... Not to one other; for though it is our duty to confess our faults to our fellow creatures and fellow Christians which are committed against them, yet are under no obligation to confess such as are more immediately against God, and which lie between him and ourselves; or at least it is sufficient to confess and acknowledge in general what sinful creatures we are, without entering into particulars; for confession of sin is to be made to God, against whom it is committed, and who only can pardon: and a man that truly confesses his sin is one th”