Lord’s Day, Vol. 4 No. 30
What is Saving Faith?
The Westminster Confession of Faith, the best summary of the Christian faith in the English language states:
- The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, [a] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, [b] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, [c] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened. [d]
[a] Hebrews 10:39 “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
[b] 2 Corinthians 4:13 “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.”
Ephesians 1:17-19 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.”
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
[c] Romans 10:14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
[d] 1 Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”
Acts 20:32 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
Luke 17:5 “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”
Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
This first statement gives the elements that result in saving faith.
Saving Faith is defined as the grace from God that enables those, whom God had chosen from the beginning of the world (the elect), to believe, resulting in the salvation of their souls.
Saving faith is made possible by the working of Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer, here called the Spirit of Christ, in tandem with preaching of the Word of God, for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Saving faith is increased and strengthened by:
- Ministry of the Word.
- Administration of the sacraments – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
- Prayer.
We apply the above means of grace for our spiritual benefit.
For the unsaved, we encourage them to come under the sound of the Word of God that the Holy Spirit may use these divine words to save the soul from eternal damnation. We find opportunities to reach out to the unsaved by a tract, by a recorded sermon, by bringing the person to church, by introducing the unsaved to the pastor who can then share the gospel and lead him to salvation.
A new believer is spiritually strengthened by regular worship. Listening to the preaching of God’s Word will strengthen the new believer’s faith. He is also advised to attend the Catechism class to prepare for Baptism. The Catechism class will equip him with knowledge of God’s Word to strengthen and increase his faith. Baptism is a public confession of faith in obedience to Christ’s command for the strengthening of the new believer’s faith. He prepares a testimony of salvation to testify the faith that has been wrought in his heart. This process also helps to trace and ascertain the believer’s new life in Christ.
Upon receiving water baptism, the new believer partakes the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament instituted by Christ so that the believer may have the opportunity to evaluate his Christian walk. It is a time to make right with God. Hence, when sins are confessed and forgiven, the guilt of sin is removed and the believer moves on in renewed strength.
The Word of God and prayer remains the potent forces needed to strengthen and increase the believer’s faith. A consistent of program of Bible reading is essential for spiritual growth. Prayer is power. God’s power is manifested in the believer’s life. The mid-week prayer meeting is such a God’s appointed means to help him. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee