Assurance of Salvation for Lapsed Believers
The assurance of salvation, particularly for those who may have lapsed in their faith, is a concept explored across various theological traditions. The Westminster Confession of Faith asserts that true believers "may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace" [3]. This assurance is not a vain hope or carnal presumption, which hypocrites might possess, but a genuine conviction rooted in faith in Jesus and a sincere effort to live righteously [3].
The biblical understanding of "assurance" (Greek pistis) implies a pledge from God, as seen in the resurrection of Jesus, which serves as a guarantee that God's revelation is true [1]. The "full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22) signifies a complete trust in God that leaves no room for doubt, while the "full assurance of understanding" (Colossians 2:2) refers to an unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture [1].
Charles Hodge emphasizes that the grounds for assurance are not primarily internal introspection, which can lead to doubt, but rather external, resting on the promises of God [4]. one tradition notes that many sincere believers become too introspective, basing their hope on the degree of evidence of regeneration they find within themselves, which rarely leads to full assurance [4]. Instead, Hodge points to God's promises and the work of Christ as the foundation [4]. For instance, baptism is seen not only as a sign but also as a "seal and pledge" of God's promise to save through Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit [2].
John Calvin similarly argues that while some may have a temporary, fading faith, only the elect possess the "full assurance" that enables them to cry, "Abba, Father" [5]. one tradition states that God regenerates the elect eternally, and the "seed of life once sown in their hearts never perishes," effectively sealing the grace of adoption within them [5]. Calvin also highlights that justification, which is by faith, was the method of salvation from the beginning, as God justified Abraham because he believed in the promise of redemption through the Messiah [9].
The concept of salvation is intrinsically linked to faith in Christ and belief in his resurrection, which is considered the "earnest and pledge" of the resurrection of saints [7]. The victory of faith is rooted in Christ's resurrection, through which sin was taken away and righteousness was renewed [6]. While God invites all without distinction, Calvin acknowledges that only a few are elected, a point that some find puzzling but which he addresses by affirming the distinction of special grace [8].
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 ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 65: a pledge of the promise which He had made. When he promised to Abraham to be a God to him and to his seed after him, He appointed circumcision as the seal and pledge of that promise. So when He promised to save men 589 by the blood of Christ and by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, he appointed baptism to be, not only the sign, but also the seal and pledge of those exceeding great and precious promises. No believer in the Bible can look on the rainbow without having his faith strengthened in the promise that a deluge shall never again destr”
- 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”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 16: plan of salvation. Many sincere believers are too introspective. They look too exclusively within, so that their hope is graduated by the degree of evidence of regeneration which they find in their own experience. This, except in rare cases, can never lead to the assurance of hope. We may examine our hearts with all the microscopic care prescribed by President Edwards in his work on “The Religious Affections,” and never be satisfied that we have eliminated every ground of misgiving and doubt. The grounds of assurance are not so much withi”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: believers have no stronger testimony to assure them of their adoption, I answer, that though there is a great resemblance and affinity between the elect of God and those who are impressed for a time with a fading faith, yet the elect alone have that full assurance which is extolled by Paul, and by which they are enabled to cry, Abba, Father. Therefore, as God regenerates the elect only for ever by incorruptible seed, as the seed of life once sown in their hearts never perishes, so he effectually seals in them the grace of his adopt”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 52: his death, but by his resurrection, that we are said to be begotten again to a living hope ( 1 Pet. 1:3 ); because, as 447 he, by rising again, became victorious over death, so the victory of our faith consists only in his resurrection. The nature of it is better expressed in the words of Paul, “Who (Christ) was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification,” ( Rom. 4:25 ); as if he had said, By his death sin was taken away, by his resurrection righteousness was renewed and restored. For how could he by dyi”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 15:2: By which also ye are saved,.... It was the means of their salvation, and had been made the power of God unto salvation to them. Salvation is inseparably connected with true faith in Christ as a Saviour, and with a hearty belief of his resurrection from the dead, which is the earnest and pledge of the resurrection of the saints; and because of the certainty of it in the promise of God, through the obedience and death of Christ, and in the faith and hope of believers, which are sure and certain things, they are said to be saved already. To which the apostle puts ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 77: 10. Some object that God would be inconsistent with himself, in inviting all without distinction while he elects only a few. Thus, according to them, the universality of the promise destroys the distinction of special grace. Some moderate men speak in this way, not so much for the purpose of suppressing the truth, as to get quit of puzzling questions, and curb excessive curiosity. The intention is laudable, but the design is by no means to be approved, dissimulation being at no time excusable. In those Again who display their petul”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 23: and yet the justifier of them that believe. The Apostle teaches that such has been the method of justification from the beginning. It was witnessed by the law and the prophets. There had never, since the fall, been any other way of justification possible for men. As God justified Abraham because he believed in the promise of redemption through the Messiah; so He justifies those now who believe in the fulfilment 153 of that promise. ( Rom. iv. 3, 9, 24 .) It was not Abraham’s believing state of mind that was taken for righteousness. It is ”