Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Bangalore

PARA 1 – The origin and growth of faith

The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word; by which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord’s supper, prayer, and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened. ( 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:14, 17; Luke 17:5; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32 )

OUTLINE

1. Its divine origin – not in man, but in God emphasized with below highlighted words.
   • The grace of faith,
   • whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,
   • is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,
2. Primary means of saving faith
   • and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word;
3. Additional means that increase and strengthen saving faith.
   • by which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord’s supper, prayer, and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened.

PARA 2 – Secondary and Primary acts of Saving Faith.

By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself, and also apprehendeth an excellency therein above all other writings and all things in the world, as it bears forth the glory of God in his attributes, the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his workings and operations: and so is enabled to cast his soul upon the truth thus believed; and also acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come; but the principal acts of saving faith have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.  ( Acts 24:14; Psalms 27:7-10; Psalms 119:72; 2 Timothy 1:12; John 14:14; Isaiah 66:2; Hebrews 11:13; John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:11 )

OUTLINE

A. Secondary Aspects of Saving Fait

1. It believes the truth of biblical revelation
   • By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word
2. Its extent
   • “whatsoever is revealed in the Word.”
3. Its basis
   • “the authority of God Himself.”
4. It understands the incomparable excellency of scriptures
   • and also apprehendeth an excellency therein above all other writings and all things in the world, as it bears forth the glory of God in his attributes, the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his workings and operations
5. Its response to the truths of biblical revelation.
   1. Trust: 
      • and so is enabled to cast his soul upon the truth thus believed;
   2. Change/teachable
      • and also acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth;
   3. Obey the command
      • yielding obedience to the commands,
   4. Tremble
      • trembling at the threatenings, and
   5. Embrace
      • embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come; 

B. Primary Aspects of Saving Faith

1. Primary Object of Saving Faith
   • but the principal acts of saving faith have immediate relation to Christ,
2. Acts of Saving Faith: 
   1. accepting,
   2. receiving,
   3. and resting upon him alone
3. Goal of Saving Faith
   1. justification,
   2. sanctification, and
   3. eternal life,
4. Basis of Saving Faith
   • by virtue of the covenant of grace.

PARA 3 – The distinctiveness and final victory of Saving Faith.

3._____ This faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak or strong, yet it is in the least degree of it different in the kind or nature of it, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and common grace of temporary believers; and therefore, though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory, growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.
( Hebrews 5:13, 14; Matthew 6:30; Romans 4:19, 20; 2 Peter 1:1; Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4, 5; Hebrews 6:11, 12; Colossians 2:2; Hebrews 12:2 )

OUTLINE

Distinctive nature of Saving Faith.

1. It is not distinguished from weak faith.
   • This faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak or strong,
2. It is distinguished from temporary faith.
   • yet it is in the least degree of it different in the kind or nature of it, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and common grace of temporary believers
3. It wins in spite of its weakness and many attacks
   • therefore, though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory,
4. It grows to attain full assurance in many
   • growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance
5. It gloriously reaches its goal in Christ
   • through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.