CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE
Assurance is (1) a biblical truth, (2) a believer's faith experience, and (3) and lifestyle evidence.
A. The biblical basis for assurance is
1. God the Father's character and purpose
a. Exodus 34:6-7 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Characteristics of Israel's God )
b. Nehemiah 9:17
c. John 3:16; 10:28-29 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan)
d. Romans 8:38-39
e. Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:5,8-9
f. Philippians 1:6
g. 2 Timothy 1:12
h. 1 Peter 1:3-5
2. God the Son's work
a. His priestly prayer, John 17:9-24, especially v. 12; Hebrews 7-9
b. His substitutionary sacrifice (cf. Isa. 52:13-53:12)
1) Mark 10:45
2) 2 Corinthians 5:21
3) 1 John 2:2; 4:9-10
c. His continuing intercession
1) Romans 8:34
2) Hebrews 7:25
3) 1 John 2:1
3. God the Spirit's enabling
a. His calling, John 6:44,65
b. His sealing
1) 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5
2) Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30
c. His personal assurance
1) Romans 8:16-17
2) 1 John 5:7-13
B. The necessary believer's covenantal response is (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Covenant)
1. initial and continuing repentance and faith (see SPECIAL TOPIC: What Does It Mean to "believe," "receive," "confess/profess," and "call upon"?)
a. Mark 1:15
b. John 1:12
c. Acts 3:16; 20:21
d. Romans 10:9-13
2. remembering that the goal of salvation is Christlikeness
a. Romans 8:28-29
b. 2 Corinthians 3:18
c. Galatians 4:19
d. Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; 4:13
e. 1 Thessalonians
f. 2 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:3; 5:23
g. Titus 2:14
h. 1 Peter 1:15
3. remembering that assurance is confirmed by lifestyle
a. James
b. 1 John
4. remembering that assurance is confirmed by active faith and perseverance (see Special Topic: Perseverance)
a. Mark 13:13
b. 1 Corinthians 15:2
c. Hebrews 3:14; 4:14
d. 2 Peter 1:10
e. Jude 1:20-21
Assurance is (1) a biblical truth, (2) a believer's faith experience, and (3) and lifestyle evidence.
A. The biblical basis for assurance is
1. God the Father's character and purpose
a. Exodus 34:6-7 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Characteristics of Israel's God )
b. Nehemiah 9:17
c. John 3:16; 10:28-29 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan)
d. Romans 8:38-39
e. Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:5,8-9
f. Philippians 1:6
g. 2 Timothy 1:12
h. 1 Peter 1:3-5
2. God the Son's work
a. His priestly prayer, John 17:9-24, especially v. 12; Hebrews 7-9
b. His substitutionary sacrifice (cf. Isa. 52:13-53:12)
1) Mark 10:45
2) 2 Corinthians 5:21
3) 1 John 2:2; 4:9-10
c. His continuing intercession
1) Romans 8:34
2) Hebrews 7:25
3) 1 John 2:1
3. God the Spirit's enabling
a. His calling, John 6:44,65
b. His sealing
1) 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5
2) Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30
c. His personal assurance
1) Romans 8:16-17
2) 1 John 5:7-13
B. The necessary believer's covenantal response is (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Covenant)
1. initial and continuing repentance and faith (see SPECIAL TOPIC: What Does It Mean to "believe," "receive," "confess/profess," and "call upon"?)
a. Mark 1:15
b. John 1:12
c. Acts 3:16; 20:21
d. Romans 10:9-13
2. remembering that the goal of salvation is Christlikeness
a. Romans 8:28-29
b. 2 Corinthians 3:18
c. Galatians 4:19
d. Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; 4:13
e. 1 Thessalonians
f. 2 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:3; 5:23
g. Titus 2:14
h. 1 Peter 1:15
3. remembering that assurance is confirmed by lifestyle
a. James
b. 1 John
4. remembering that assurance is confirmed by active faith and perseverance (see Special Topic: Perseverance)
a. Mark 13:13
b. 1 Corinthians 15:2
c. Hebrews 3:14; 4:14
d. 2 Peter 1:10
e. Jude 1:20-21
SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE
Christian Assurance -- Special Topic by Dr. Bob Utley, professor of hermeneutics (retired).
www.freebiblecommentary.org
