deprav1.jpg (811 bytes) “Who Are Saved?"

 

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 7

Rev. Barry Gritters

Lord's Day 7   (John 15: 1-17)                                                               June 1, 2003 AM
     A. The HC's instruction is consistently important and practical. How may man live and die happily? etc.
     B. LD 7 continues that instruction with the questions: who receives salvation? how do they receive it?

''WHO ARE SAVED?''

I. For Whom is Salvation?

     A. The HC first answer to this question is: "Not everyone is saved."

1. This continues a battle in Christianity against the heresy that all men are saved: _____________

 

2. This heresy, as do all heresies, also has its texts

 

3. But the heresy's use of these texts is improper

 

     B. Salvation is for those and those alone who are "in Christ"

            1…. By eternal election

 

2. By being engrafted into Christ by faith. This is the emphasis of the Heidelberg Catechism.

 

II. Through What is Salvation? Faith

A. Faith is an engrafting into Christ



B. As an engrafting, faith is fruitful



C. As it becomes active, faith is true knowledge



D. As it becomes active, faith is confidence



—an application regarding confession of faith:


III. From Whom is Salvation?

      A. Faith is not a work man performs (neo-nomianism, as mentioned last week), or a condition man performs in order to be saved.

1.

 

2.

 

     B. Faith is a gift of God, in very truth. "Which the Holy Ghost works in me by the gospel."

Lord's Day 7 Parallels in Reformed Creeds

 

Belgic Confession, Article 22

Article 22: Qf Faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him. ...
Art 24: Of Sanctification & Good Works: ... It is impossible that this holy faith can be unfruitful in man...

Canons of Dort

Head 1, Art. 4 The wrath of God abideth upon those who believe not this gospel. But such as receive it, & embrace Jesus the Savior by a true & living faith are by him delivered from the wrath of God & from destruction, & have the gift of eternal life conferred upon them. Art. 5: The cause..., of this unbelief is no wise in God, but in man himself whereas faith in Jesus Christ... is the free gift of God..." Art 6 That some receive the gift of faith from God, and others do not receive it proceeds from God's eternal decree.. According to which decree, he graciously softens the hearts of the elect, and inclines them to believe Heads 3&4, Art 14 Faith is... to be considered as the gift of God, not on account of its being offered by God to man to be accepted or rejected at his pleasure; but because it is... conferred, breathed, & infused into him; [n]or even because God bestows the power or ability to believe & then expects that man should by the exercise of his own free will, consent to the terms of that salvation, & actually believe in Christ; but because he who works in man both to will and to do... produces both the will to believe, and the act of believing also.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 14, Articles 1-3

I. 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 the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.
II. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word,... 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 are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory: growing up... to... a full assurance, through Christ...

Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger Catechism, Question and Answer 66

Q66: What is that union which the elect have with Christ? A66: The union which the elect have with
Christ is the work of God's grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; which is done in their effectual calling.

Second Helvetic Confession, Of Faith and Good Works; of their Reward, and of Man's Merit

XVI.1: Christian faith is not an opinion or human persuasion, but a sure trust & an evident.., assent of the mind; it is a most sure comprehension of the truth of God, set forth in the scriptures & in the Apostle's Creed; yea & of God Himself the chief blessedness; & especially of God's promise & of Christ, who is the consummation of all the promises. And this faith is the mere gift of God, because God alone of His power does give it to His elect according to measure... This faith has also its measures of increase, which, unless they were likewise given of God, the apostles would never have said, "Lord, increase our faith" (Luke 17:5).
XVI.2: .... This faith pacifies the conscience, and opens to us a free access unto God; that which confidence we may come unto Him, and may obtain at His hands whatsoever is profitable and necessary. The same faith keeps us in our duty which we owe to God and to our neighbor, and fortifies our patience in adversity; it frames and makes a true confession, and (in a word) it brings forth good fruit of all sorts.