Of Saving Faith and Repentance unto Life and Salvation

Saving Faith and Repentance are necessary for Salvation from Sin and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. What is true saving Faith and Repentance?

From the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Chapter 14 : Saving Faith

14.1 The grace of faith (by which the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls) is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts. It is normally brought into being by the ministry of the Word. [1] It is increased and strengthened by the ministry of the Word, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's supper, prayer, and other means appointed by God. [2]

1. John 6:37,44 Acts 11:21,24 Acts 13:48 Acts 14:27 Acts 15:9 2 Corinthians 4:13 Ephesians 2:8 Philippians 1:29 2 Thessalonians 2:13 1 Peter 1:2
2. Romans 10:14,17 Luke 17:5 Acts 20:32 Romans 4:11 1 Peter 2:2

14.2 By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatever is revealed in the Word for it is the authority of God himself. We also perceive an excellency in the Word above all other writings and everything else in the world, because it shows forth the glory of God and his attributes, the excellency of Christ and his nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his works and operations.

So believers are enabled to trust implicitly the truth they have believed, [1] and to respond appropriately to each particular passage in Scripture, yielding obedience to the commands, [2] trembling at the threatenings, [3] and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. [4]

But the principal acts of saving faith are those directly to do with Christ—accepting, receiving, and resting on him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace. [5]

1. Acts 24:14 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Psalms 19:7-10 Psalms 119:72
2. John 15:14 Romans 16:26
3. Isaiah 66:2
4. 1 Timothy 4:8 Hebrews 11:13
5. John 1:12 Acts 15:11 Acts 16:31 Galatians 2:20

14.3 This faith may differ in degree, and may be weak or strong, [1] yet even at its weakest it is different in kind and nature (as is all saving grace) from the faith and common grace of temporary believers. [2] Therefore, though it may be frequently attacked and weakened, it gains the victory, [3] and develops in many until they attain full assurance [4] through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith. [5]

1. Matthew 6:30 Matthew 8:10,26 Matthew 14:31 Matthew 16:8 Matthew 17:20 Hebrews 5:13-14 Romans 4:19-20
2. James 2:14 2 Peter 1:1 1 John 5:4
3. Luke 22:31-32 Ephesians 6:16 1 John 5:4-5
4. Psalms 119:114 Hebrews 6:11-12 Hebrews 10:22-23
5. Hebrews 12:2

From Chapter 15 "Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation":

15.1 Some of the elect are converted in later years, having lived for some time in their natural state [1] in which they have served various lusts and pleasures. Then God gives them repentance to life by effectually calling them. [2]

1. Titus 3:2-5
2. 2 Chronicles 33:10-20 Acts 9:1-19 Acts 16:29-30

15.2 There is no one who does good and does not sin, [1] and the best of people may fall into great sins and provocations [against God] through the power and deceitfulness of their indwelling corruption and the strength of temptation. [2] Therefore God has mercifully provided in the covenant of grace that when believers sin and fall they shall be restored to salvation through repentance. [3]

1. Psalms 130:3 Psalms 143:2 Proverbs 20:9 Ecclesiastes 7:20
2. 2 Samuel 11:1-27 Luke 22:54-62
3. Jeremiah 32:40 Luke 22:31-32 1 John 1:9

15.3 Saving repentance is a gospel grace [1] by which we are made aware of the many evils of our sin by the Holy Spirit. [2] By faith in Christ [3] we humble ourselves over our sin with godly sorrow, hatred of it, and self-loathing. We pray for pardon and strength of grace, [4] and determine and endeavour, by [the power] supplied by the Spirit, to walk before God and to please him in all things. [5]

1. Acts 5:31 Acts 11:18 2 Timothy 2:25
2. Psalms 51:1-6 Psalms 130:1-3 Luke 15:17-20 Acts 2:37-38
3. Psalms 130:4 Matthew 27:3-5 Mark 1:15
4. Ezekiel 16:60-63 Ezekiel 36:31-32 Zechariah 12:10 Matthew 21:29 Acts 15:19 Acts 20:21 Acts 26:20 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 1 Thessalonians 1:9
5. Proverbs 28:13 Ezekiel 36:25 Ezekiel 18:30-31 Psalms 119:59,104,128 Matthew 3:8 Luke 3:8 Acts 26:20 1 Thessalonians 1:9

15.4 Repentance is to continue through the whole course of our lives because of our 'body of death' and its activities. [1] So it is everyone's duty to repent of particular known sins with particular care. [2]

1. Ezekiel 16:60 Matthew 5:4 1 John 1:9
2. Luke 19:8 1 Timothy 1:13,15

15.5 In the covenant of grace God has made full provision through Christ for the preservation of believers in their salvation, so, although even the smallest sin deserves damnation, [1] yet there is no sin great enough to bring damnation on those who repent. This makes the constant preaching of repentance essential. [2]

1. Psalms 130:3 Psalms 143:2 Romans 6:23
2. Isaiah 1:16-18 Isaiah 55:7 Acts 2:36-38

Related articles:

"The Meaning of Saving Faith and Repentance"

The Comments of the Following Evangelical Theologians: Louis Berkhof, James Montgomery Boice, Martin Bucer, John Calvin, Walter Chantry, R.L. Dabney, John R. DeWitt, Jonathan Edwards, John Flavel, John Gerstner, William Hendriksen, A.A. Hodge, Charles Hodge, D. James Kennedy, R.C.H. Lenski, J.B. Lightfoot, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John MacArthur, G. Campbell Morgan, Handley Moule, John Murray, J.I. Packer, A.W. Pink, J.C. Ryle, Charles Spurgeon, John Stott, Augustus Strong, Henry Thiessen, Griffith Thomas, A.W. Tozer, B.B. Warfield, Thomas Watson, The Westminter Confession of Faith

"Studies in Saving Faith" by A.W. Pink

"Sum of Saving Knowledge" by Two Scottish Puritan Presbyterian Theologians, David Dickson and James Durham (1650)