Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)

Chapter 18
ASSURANCE OF GRACE AND SALVATION

18.1 Temporary believers and other unregenerate people may deceive themselves with futile and false hopes and unspiritual presumptions that they are in favour with God and in a state of salvation, but their hope will perish.¹ Yet those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him, may be certainly assured in this life that they are in the state of grace; they may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, knowing that such hope will never make them ashamed.²

(1) Jer 17:9; Mat 7:21-23; Luk 18:10-14; Joh 8:41; Eph 5:6-7; Gal 6:3,7-9
(2) Rom 5:2,5; 8:16; 1Jo 2:3; 3:14,18-19,24; 5:13; 2Pe 1:10

18.2 This certainty is not mere conjecture or probability based on a fallible hope. Rather it is an infallible assurance of faith1 based on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel,² on the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit (about which promises have been made),³ and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption who witnesses with our spirits that we are the children of God.⁴ As the fruit of this assurance, the Spirit keeps our hearts both humble and holy.⁵

(1) Rom 5:2,5; Heb 6:11,19-20; 1Jo 3:2,14; 4:16; 5:13,19-20
(2) Heb 6:17-18; 7:22; 10:14,19
(3) Mat 3:7-10; Mar 1:15; 2Pe 1:4-11; 1Jo 2:3; 3:14,18-19,24; 5:13
(4) Rom 8:15-16; 1Co 2:12; Gal 4:6-7
(5) 1Jo 3:1-3

18.3 This infallible assurance is not an essential part of faith, for a true believer may wait a long time, and struggle with many difficulties before obtaining it.¹ Yet we may obtain it without extraordinary revelation and by the right use of ordinary means, for we are enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given to us by God.² Therefore it is the duty of everyone to be as diligent as possible to make their calling and election sure, so that their hearts may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in carrying out the duties of obedience. These duties are the natural fruits of this assurance, for it is far from inclining people to loose living.³

(1) Act 16:30-34; 1Jo 5:13
(2) Rom 8:15-16; 1Co 2:12; Gal 4:4-6 with 3:2; 1Jo 4:13; Eph 3:17-19; Heb 6:11-12; 2Pet 1:5-11
(3) 2Pe 1:10; Psa 119:32; Rom 15:13; Neh 8:10; 1Jo 4:19,16; Rom 6:1-2,11-13; 14:17; Tit 2:11-14

18.4 In various ways true believers may have their assurance of salvation shaken, diminished, or interrupted. This may be because of their negligence in preserving it,¹ or by falling into some particular sin which wounds the conscience and grieves the Spirit,²or by some sudden or forceful temptation,³ or by God withdrawing the light of his countenance and causing even those who fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light.⁴ Yet believers are never destitute of the seed of God⁵ and the life of faith, the love of Christ and the brethren, sincerity of heart and conscience of duty. Out of these things, this assurance may in due time be revived by the operation of the Spirit, and in the mean time they are preserved from utter despair.⁶

(1) Heb 6:11-12; 2Pe 1:5-11
(2) Psa 51:8,12,14; Eph 4:30
(3) Psa 30:7; 31:22; 77:7-8; 116:11
(4) Isa 50:10
(5) or, the divine nature
(6) 1Jo 3:9; Luk 22:32; Rom 8:15-16; Gal 4:5; Psa 42:5,11

Chapter 1: The Holy Scriptures
Chapter 2: God and the Holy Trinity
Chapter 3: God’s Decree
Chapter 4: Creation
Chapter 5: Divine Providence
Chapter 6: The Fall, Sin and its Punishment
Chapter 7: God’s Covenant
Chapter 8: Christ the Mediator
Chapter 9: Free Will
Chapter 10: Effectual Calling
Chapter 11: Justification
Chapter 12: Adoption
Chapter 13: Sanctification
Chapter 14: Saving Faith
Chapter 15: Repentance to Life and Salvation
Chapter 16: Good Works
Chapter 17: The Perseverance of Believers
Chapter 18: The Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 19: The Law of God
Chapter 20: The Gospel and its Gracious Extent
Chapter 21: Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
Chapter 22: Worship and the Lord’s Day
Chapter 23: Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter 24: Civil Government
Chapter 25: Marriage
Chapter 26: The Church
Chapter 27: The Fellowship of Believers
Chapter 28: The Ordinances
Chapter 29: Baptism
Chapter 30: The Lord’s Supper
Chapter 31: The State of People after Death and the Resurrection of the Dead
Chapter 32: The Last Judgment
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