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Reformed Theology and Assurance of Salvation

In Reformed theology, assurance of salvation refers to a believer's confidence that they are truly saved and will persevere in faith until the end. This assurance is understood not as a presumption based on human merit, but as a gift from God, rooted in the work of Christ and the witness of the Holy Spirit. The concept of "full assurance" (Greek: plerophoria) implies a conviction that leaves no room for doubt, an unwavering belief in the truth of Scripture's declarations [1].

The foundation of assurance in Reformed thought is God's grace, which initiates and sustains salvation. Salvation is "not because . . . but because" of God's mercy alone, received through faith [3]. Believers are "given life" and "made alive together with Christ" through God's grace, not through their own works [2]. This union with Christ means believers share in his resurrection, both now and in the future [2, 7]. The transforming work of God's Spirit is an integral part of this gift of salvation [8].

Good works are considered the result, not the cause, of salvation [4]. God creates believers anew in Christ Jesus so that they can perform the good things He has planned for them [4]. This new life signifies a complete departure from a life of sin and death, transferring the believer into a realm of life and purity [3]. The believer's "old sinful nature" is stripped off, and a "new nature" is put on, allowing Christ to guide their life [6]. This new nature is God's Spirit expressing His life within the believer [8].

The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance, serving as a basis for assurance [1]. Through faith in Christ's death and resurrection, believers are considered already saved, due to the certainty of God's promise [10]. The "word of reconciliation" and the "doctrine of faith in his death and resurrection" are proclaimed as effectual for salvation, making the way of salvation plain and easy [11].

Assurance is also tied to the believer's new identity in Christ. Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers but are fully accepted into God's family, becoming children of God alongside believing Jews [5]. This new status brings with it blessings and glory shared with Christ [7]. The transforming work of the Holy Spirit, producing fruits like love, joy, and peace, further confirms this new identity [4, 8].

The concept of assurance is often contrasted with the insufficiency of legal sacrifices to take away sin, emphasizing that access to God is now through the blood of Jesus and the new covenant He established [13]. Believers are encouraged to give thanks for all things, even adversities, recognizing them as part of God's plan and blessings received through Christ [9]. Those who partake in the "first resurrection" are described as blessed and holy, having received spiritual blessings, justification, pardon, and regenerating grace [12].

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
  3. Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
  4. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
  5. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:19: 2:19 Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers and foreigners (2:11-12, 17). Through Christ, they are fully accepted into God’s family. They become children of God, just like believing Jews (see Rom 8:14-17).”
  6. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
  7. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
  8. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
  9. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:20: thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”
  10. 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 ”
  11. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 10:8: But what saith it? The word is nigh thee - There is no occasion to seek high or low for the saving power; the word of reconciliation is nigh. The way of salvation is now both plain and easy. The law is magnified and made honorable by the death of Christ; and the doctrine of faith in his death and resurrection is fully proclaimed, and amply proved to be effectual to the purpose for which it was revealed. By the preaching of the Gospel the doctrine of salvation is nigh thee, and the saving influence is at hand: it is in thy mouth, easy to be understood, easy to be pro”
  12. Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 20:6: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection,.... This may be considered either as descriptive of the persons that shall partake of this privilege; as that they are only such who are blessed with spiritual blessings, with a justifying righteousness, with pardon of sin, and regenerating grace, and who are sanctified by the Spirit of God; these, and these only, will be first raised, and will be called to inherit the kingdom prepared for them, Mat 25:34 or else as expressive of their happiness and holiness when raised; they shall be perfectly bless”
  13. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 10 (introduction): The insufficiency of the legal sacrifices to take away sin, Heb 10:1-4. The purpose and will of God, as declared by the Psalmist, relative to the salvation of the world by the incarnation of Christ; and our sanctification through that will, Heb 10:5-10. Comparison between the priesthood of Christ and that of the Jews, Heb 10:11-14. The new covenant which God promised to make, and the blessings of it, Heb 10:15-17. The access which genuine believers have to the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:18-20. Having a High Priest over the Church of God, we ”
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