Assurance: The resurrection of Jesus
(Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis,
generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his
revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr.
plerophoria, 'full bearing'] of faith"
(Hebrews 10:22) is a fulness of
faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of
understanding"
(Colossians 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the
truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the
part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The
"full assurance of hope"
(Hebrews 6:11) is a sure and well-grounded
expectation of eternal glory
(2 Timothy 4:7,8) This assurance of hope is the
assurance of a man's own particular salvation. This infallible
assurance, which believers may attain unto as to their own personal
salvation, is founded on the truth of the promises
(Hebrews 6:18) on the
inward evidence of Christian graces, and on the testimony of the
Spirit of adoption
(Romans 8:16) That such a certainty may be attained
appears from the testimony of Scripture
(Romans 8:16; 1 John 2:3; 3:14) from
the command to seek after it
(Hebrews 6:11; 2 Peter 1:10) and from the fact
that it has been attained
(2 Timothy 1:12; 4:7,8; 1 John 2:3; 4:16) This full
assurance is not of the essence of saving faith. It is the result of
faith, and posterior to it in the order of nature, and so frequently
also in the order of time. True believers may be destitute of it.
Trust itself is something different from the evidence that we do
trust. Believers, moreover, are exhorted to go on to something beyond
what they at present have when they are exhorted to seek the grace of
full assurance
(Hebrews 10:22; 2 Peter 1:5-10) The attainment of this grace is
a duty, and is to be diligently sought. "Genuine assurance naturally
leads to a legitimate and abiding peace and joy, and to love and
thankfulness to God; and these from the very laws of our being to
greater buoyancy, strength, and cheerfulness in the practice of
obedience in every department of duty." This assurance may in various
ways be shaken, diminished, and intermitted, but the principle out of
which it springs can never be lost.
