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The Westminster Confession of Faith and Larger Catechism
1. The gift of faith makes it possible for the souls of the elect to be saved by believing in Jesus Christ. This gift is the work of the Spirit of Christ in the hearts of the elect[1] and is ordinarily accomplished by the ministry of the word.[2] It is also increased and strengthened by the word, by prayer, and by the administration of the sacraments.[3]
[1] Heb 10:39, 2 Cor 4:13, Eph 1:17-20, 2:8, 1 Cor 12:3, Heb 12:2; see proofs under Chapter 11.
[2] Rom 10:14,17, Mt 28:19-20, 1 Cor 1:21.
[3] 1 Pt 2:2, Acts 20:32, Rom 4:11, Lk 17:5, Rom 1:16-17, Mt 28:19, 1 Cor 11:23-29, 2 Cor 12:8-10, Lk 22:19, Jn 6:54-56, Lk 22:32.
2. By this faith a Christian believes whatever is revealed in the word to be the true, authentic, authoritative statement of God himself.[4] By this faith the believer also acts according to what particular passages in the word say. By faith the believer humbly submits to and obeys God's various commands.[5] He trembles at God's awesome threats,[6] and eagerly embraces his promises about this life and the life to come.[7] But the chief actions of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting on Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, in the power of the covenant of grace.[8]
[4] Jn 4:42, 1 Thes 2:13, 1 Jn 5:10, Acts 24:14.
[8] Jn 1:12, Acts 16:31, Gal 2:20, Acts 15:11.
3. This faith has different degrees of strength and weakness.[9] It may be attacked and weakened often and in many ways, but it gets the victory.[10] In many believers it matures and becomes completely assured through Christ,[11] who both creates and perfects our faith.[12]
[9] Heb 5:13-14, Rom 4:19-20, Mt 6:30, 8:10.
[10] Lk 22:31-32, Eph 6:16, 1 Jn 5:4-5, 1 Cor 10:13.
[11] Heb 6:11-12, 10:22, Col 2:2, 2 Tm 1:12; see proofs under Chapter 18.
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