The Book of Confessions - The Presbyterian Leader

WHAT IS FAITH? Christian faith is not an opinion or human conviction, but a most firm
trust and a clear and steadfast assent of the mind, and then a most certain apprehension of the
truth of God presented in the Scriptures and in the Apostles' Creed, and thus also of God himself,
the greatest good, and especially of God's promise and of Christ who is the fulfilment of all
promises.
FAITH IS THE GIFT OF GOD. But this faith is a pure gift of God which God alone of
his grace gives to his elect according to his measure when, to whom and to the degree he wills.
And he does this by the Holy Spirit by means of the preaching of the Gospel and steadfast prayer.
THE INCREASE OF FAITH. This faith also has its increase, and unless it were given by God,
the apostles would not have said: "Lord, increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). And all these things
which up to this point we have said concerning faith, the apostles have taught before us. For Paul
said: "For faith is the υποστασις or sure subsistence, of things hoped for, and the ελεγχος, that
is, the clear and certain apprehension" (Heb. 11:1). And again he says that all the promises of
God are Yes through Christ and through Christ are Amen (II Cor. 1:20). And to the Philippians
he said that it has been given to them to believe in Christ (Phil. 1:29). Again, God assigned to
each the measure of faith (Rom. 12:3). Again: "Not all have faith" and, "Not all obey the Gospel"
(II Thess. 3:2; Rom. 10:16). But Luke also bears witness, saying: "As many as were ordained to
life believed" (Acts 13:48). Wherefore Paul also calls faith "the faith of God's elect" (Titus 1:1),
and again: "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
Elsewhere he often commands men to pray for faith.
FAITH EFFICACIOUS AND ACTIVE. The same apostle calls faith efficacious and
active through love (Gal. 5:6). It also quiets the conscience and opens a free access to God, so
that we may draw near to him with confidence and may obtain from him what is useful and
necessary. The same [faith] keeps us in the service we owe to God and our neighbor, strengthens
our patience in adversity, fashions and makes a true confession, and in a word, brings forth good
fruit of all kinds, and good works.
CONCERNING GOOD WORKS. For we teach that truly good works grow out of a
living faith by the Holy Spirit and are done by the faithful according to the will or rule of God's
Word. Now the apostle Peter says: "Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and
virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self- control," etc. (II Peter 1:5 ff.). But we have
said above that the law of God, which is his will, prescribes for us the pattern of good works.
And the apostle says: "This is the will of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from
immorality . . . that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in business" (I Thess. 4:3 ff.).
WORKS OF HUMAN CHOICE. And indeed works and worship which we choose
arbitrarily are not pleasing to God. These Paul calls θλεεοθρησκειας (Col. 2:23--"self-devised
worship"). Of such the Lord says in the Gospel: "In vain do they worship me, teaching as
doctrines the precepts of men" (Matt. 15:9). Therefore, we disapprove of such works, and
approve and urge those that are of God's will and commission.
Copyright © 1996 by the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)