Westminster Daily

What is faith in Jesus Christ?

SHORTER CATECHISM Q 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ? A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace,1 whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.2 LARGER CATECHISM Q 72. What is justifying faith? A. Justifying faith is a saving grace,3 wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit4 and Word of God,5 whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition,6 not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel,7 but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin,8 and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.9 ---------------------------------------- 1. EPHESIANS 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ROMANS 4:16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (ESV) 2. JOHN 20:30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. GALATIANS 2:15-16 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. PHILIPPIANS 3:3-11 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (ESV) 3. HEBREWS 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (ESV) 4. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, EPHESIANS 1:17-19 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 1 CORINTHIANS 12:3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 1 PETER 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. (ESV) 5. ROMANS 10:14-17 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (ESV) 6. ACTS 2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ACTS 16:30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” JOHN 16:8-9 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; ROMANS 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. EPHESIANS 2:1 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ACTS 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (ESV) 7. EPHESIANS 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, HEBREWS 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (ESV) 8. JOHN 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ACTS 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ACTS 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” ZECHARIAH 3:8-9 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. (ESV) 9. PHILIPPIANS 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ACTS 15:11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (ESV)

Of saving faith, part 1

CONFESSION OF FAITH CHAPTER 14: OF SAVING FAITH 1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,1 is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,2 and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,3 by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.4 ---------------------------------------- 1. HEBREWS 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (ESV) 2. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, EPHESIANS 1:17-19 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might EPHESIANS 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (ESV) 3. ROMANS 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ROMANS 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV) 4. 1 PETER 2:2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ACTS 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ROMANS 4:11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, LUKE 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” ROMANS 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (ESV)

What doth God require of us that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin?

SHORTER CATECHISM Q 85. What doth God require of us that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin? A. To escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life,1 with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.2 LARGER CATECHISM Q 153. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us by reason of the transgression of the law? A. That we may escape the wrath and curse of God due to us by reason of the transgression of the law, he requireth of us repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,3 and the diligent use of the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation.4 ---------------------------------------- 1. MARK 1:15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” ACTS 20:21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) 2. ACTS 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:24-25 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” COLOSSIANS 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (ESV) 3. ACTS 20:21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. MATTHEW 3:7-8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. LUKE 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. LUKE 13:5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” ACTS 16:30-31 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” JOHN 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. JOHN 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (ESV) 4. PROVERBS 2:1-5 2:1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. PROVERBS 8:33-36 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” (ESV)

What are the benefits which in this life do accompany justification?

SHORTER CATECHISM Q 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification? A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love,1 peace of conscience,2 joy in the Holy Ghost,3 increase of grace,4 and perseverance therein to the end.5 ---------------------------------------- 1. ROMANS 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (ESV) 2. ROMANS 5:1 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) 3. ROMANS 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (ESV) 4. 2 PETER 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (ESV) 5. PHILIPPIANS 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 1 PETER 1:5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (ESV)

Wherein do justification and sanctification differ?

LARGER CATECHISM Q 77. Wherein do justification and sanctification differ? A. Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification,1 yet they differ, in that God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ;2 in sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof;3 in the former, sin is pardoned;4 in the other, it is subdued:5 the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation;6 the other is neither equal in all,7 nor in this life perfect in any,8 but growing up to perfection.9 ---------------------------------------- 1. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, (ESV) 2. ROMANS 4:6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: ROMANS 4:8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (ESV) 3. EZEKIEL 36:27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. HEBREWS 9:13-14 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (ESV) 4. ROMANS 3:24-25 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (ESV) 5. ROMANS 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. ROMANS 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (ESV) 6. ROMANS 8:33-34 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (ESV) 7. 1 JOHN 2:12-14 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. HEBREWS 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (ESV) 8. 1 JOHN 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 JOHN 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV) 9. 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (ESV)