Do we have assurance re our salvation?

[Johann!@#]

ASSURANCE

A. Can Christians know they are saved (cf. 1 John 5:13)? 1 John has three tests or evidences.

1. Doctrinal (belief, 1 John 1:1,5,10; 2:18-25; 4:1-6,14-16; 5:11-12)

2. Lifestyle (obedience, 1 John 2:2-3; 2:3-6; 3:1-10; 5:18)

3. Social (love, 1 John 1:2-3; 2:7-11; 3:11-18; 4:7-12, 16-21)



B. Assurance has become a denominational issue

1. John Calvin based assurance on God's election. He said that we can never be certain in this life.

2. John Wesley based assurance on religious experience. He believed that we have the ability to live above known sin.

3. Roman Catholics and the Church of Christ base assurance on an authoritative Church. The group to which one belongs is the key to assurance.

4. Most evangelicals base assurance on the promises of the Bible, linked to the fruit of the Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22-23) in the life of the believer (i.e., daily Christlikeness).



C. Believers' primary assurance is linked to the character of the Triune God

1. God the Father's love

a. John 3:16; 10:28-29

b. Romans 8:31-39

c. Ephesians 2:5,8-9

d. Philippians 1:6

e. 1 Peter 1:3-5

f. 1 John 4:7-21

2. God the Son's actions

a. death on our behalf

1) Acts 2:23

2) Romans 5:6-11

3) 2 Corinthians 5:21

4) 1 John 2:2; 4:9-10

b. high priestly prayer (John 17:12)

c. continuing intercession

1) Romans 8:34

2) Hebrews 7:25

3) 1 John 2:1

3. God the Spirit's ministry

a. calling (John 6:44,65)

b. sealing

1) 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5

2) Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:3

c. assuring

1) Romans 8:16-17

2) 1 John 5:7-13



D. But humans must respond to God's covenant offer (both initially and continually)

1. believers must turn from sin (repentance) and to God through Jesus (faith)

a. Mark 1:15

b. Acts 3:16,19; 20:21

2. believers must receive God's offer in Christ (see Special Topic: What Does It Mean to "receive," "believe," "confess/profess," "call upon"?)

a. John 1:12; 3:16

b. Romans 5:1 (and by analogy 10:9-13)

c. Ephesians 2:5,8-9

3. believers must continue in the faith (see Special Topic: Perseverance)

a. Mark 13:13

b. 1 Corinthians 15:2

c. Galatians 6:9

d. Hebrews 3:14

e. 2 Peter 1:10

f. Jude 20-21

g. Revelation 2:2-3,7,10,17,19,25-26; 3:5,10,11,21



E. Assurance is difficult because

1. often believers seek certain experiences not promised in the Bible

2. often believers do not fully understand the gospel

3. often believers continue to willfully sin (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 9:27; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 4:10; 2 Pet. 1:8-11)

4. certain personality types (i.e., perfectionists) can never accept God's unconditional acceptance and love

5. in the Bible there are examples of false professions (cf. Matt. 13:3-23; 7:21-23; Mark 4:14-20; 2 Pet. 2:19-20; 1 John 2:18-19, see Special Topic: Apostasy)

See Special Topic: Christian Assurance for a different outline of this doctrine.

 

[Who Me]

2cor 13:5:Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Do you want to please God, to attend church, read the bible, pray etc etc.?
Does the idea of disappointing God concern you?
Not great Mar,ers but markers of ones spiritual condition.

 

[Johann!@#]

2cor 13:5:Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Do you want to please God, to attend church, read the bible, pray etc etc.?
Does the idea of disappointing God concern you?
Not great Mar,ers but markers of ones spiritual condition.

Context-

2Co 13:1 This is the third time I am coming unto you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand.
2Co 13:2 I told you before, and foretell you, as being present, the second time; and being absent now to them which have sinned before, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
2Co 13:3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, Who unto you is not weak, but is mighty in you.
2Co 13:4 For indeed He was crucified out of weakness, yet He liveth out of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God unto you.
2Co 13:5 Try yourselves, if ye be in the faith; examine your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, if not ye be rejects ?
2Co 13:6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are not rejects.
2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye should not do anything bad in nature; not in order that we should appear approved, but in order that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as rejects.
2Co 13:8 For we can do not anything against the truth, but on behalf of the truth.
2Co 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this we pray also, even your perfection.
2Co 13:10 On account of this I write these things being absent, in order that not being present I should act severely, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for edification, and not to destruction.

Topic is on assurance-

 

[Who Me]

Topic is on assurance

What assurance does one have is Christ is not in one?

 

[gordon777]

Context-

2Co 13:1 This is the third time I am coming unto you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand.
2Co 13:2 I told you before, and foretell you, as being present, the second time; and being absent now to them which have sinned before, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
2Co 13:3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, Who unto you is not weak, but is mighty in you.
2Co 13:4 For indeed He was crucified out of weakness, yet He liveth out of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God unto you.
2Co 13:5 Try yourselves, if ye be in the faith; examine your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, if not ye be rejects ?
2Co 13:6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are not rejects.
2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye should not do anything bad in nature; not in order that we should appear approved, but in order that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as rejects.
2Co 13:8 For we can do not anything against the truth, but on behalf of the truth.
2Co 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this we pray also, even your perfection.
2Co 13:10 On account of this I write these things being absent, in order that not being present I should act severely, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for edification, and not to destruction.

Topic is on assurance-

Do you think you have any context when the context you show speaks against the context told in this chapter ?

Do you think it should be believed by what you try to say, instead of what the scripture says, witho0ut trying ?



"4. certain personality types (i.e., perfectionists) can never accept God's unconditional acceptance and love"


2Co 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this we pray also, even your perfection.



Everybody knows Satan is subtle but it is not a truthful spirit, and its only motivation is to speak against God. ( subtly)



Lets go the opposite way. Can Christians know they are not saved ?


Yes, the fact of many called and few chosen, the fact of Satan coming immediately to take the word away that is sown in the heart, the fact of many false prophet/teachers here now, the fact of many hearing their pernicious ways of the devil, and not forgetting they are given over to debate, contention, dispute, and how men are lovers of their own selves now, having a form of godliness.

2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.




pernicious
/pəˈnɪʃəs/
https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...2ahUKEwiW77yIoLGBAxW3VUEAHejtDRYQ3eEDegQIGxAI
adjective

1. having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or SUBTLE way.