The assurance of believers is based upon the certain knowledge of God revealed in creation and his mighty acts in history, upon the certainty of his promises, the vindication and resurrection of Christ and the inward testimony and outward demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Assurance is based upon the certain knowledge of God
Assurance comes from knowing God through creation
Romans 1:19–20 See also Psalm 19:1–4; Acts 14:17
For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Assurance comes from knowing God through his mighty acts
Exodus 6:7; Ezekiel 37:13–14 See also Exodus 16:12, Exodus 29:46; Joshua 3:10–13; 1 Kings 20:13; Isaiah 49:23, Isaiah 60:16; Ezekiel 20:42, Ezekiel 28:26
I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.’”
Assurance is based upon the certainty of God's word
Assurance because of God's oath
Hebrews 6:17 See also Genesis 50:24; Deuteronomy 4:31, Deuteronomy 7:7–9; Acts 2:30; Hebrews 7:21
So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
Assurance because of God's promise
Joshua 1:9; Romans 4:20–21 See also Joshua 23:10, Joshua 23:14; 2 Samuel 7:25–26 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:23–24; 1 Kings 8:56; Psalm 145:13; Isaiah 33:6; Hebrews 13:5; James 1:12, James 2:5
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.
Assurance is based upon God's vindication of his Son
Assurance because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Acts 2:32, Acts 17:31 See also Acts 1:3, Acts 1:22, Acts 10:39–41, Acts 13:30–31; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3–7; 1 Peter 1:3
God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
Assurance because of the miracles of Jesus Christ
Matthew 11:2–6 parallel Luke 7:18–23; John 4:48, John 10:38, John 14:11, John 20:30–31
Assurance comes through the work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit assures believers by enabling outward demonstrations of God's power
Hebrews 2:4 See also Mark 16:17–18; 2 Corinthians 3:2–3; 1 Thessalonians 1:5
and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.
The Holy Spirit assures believers by giving inward conviction
Romans 8:16; 1 John 4:13 See also John 15:26, John 16:8–11; Acts 5:32; Galatians 4:6
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.
The Holy Spirit assures believers by sealing God's promise
Ephesians 1:13–14 See also Acts 15:8; Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:22, 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 3:24
And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth — the gospel of your salvation — you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.
Assurance based upon the testimony of God's people
Assurance because of the testimony of eye-witnesses
2 Peter 1:16–19 See also Exodus 10:2; Luke 1:2–4; John 1:32–34, John 15:27, John 19:35; Acts 1:22, Acts 4:20; 1 Peter 5:1
For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Assurance because of the testimony of the apostles
Acts 22:14–15; 1 Corinthians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:5–7; Revelation 1:2
Assurance is based upon godly living
1 John 2:3–5 See also 1 John 2:23 right belief about Jesus Christ; 1 John 2:29 righteousness1 John 3:9, 1 John 5:18 1 John 3:14–20 love for fellow believers; 1 John 5:1 love for God the Father and God the Son
By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.