--- title: "Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation | Westminster Confession of Faith" description: "Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation 1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes, and carnal presumptions of " canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-18-assurance-of-grace-and-salvation/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=61" --- # Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation | Westminster Confession of Faith 1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes, and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God, and estate of salvation; which hope of theirs shall perish: yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love Him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before Him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed. Scripture proofs: Job 8:13-14; Mic. 3:11; Deut. 29:19; John 8:41; Matt. 7:22-23; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14, 18-19, 21, 24; 1 John 5:13; Rom. 5:2, 5. 2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith, founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God: which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption. Scripture proofs: Heb. 6:11, 19; Heb. 6:17-18; 2 Pet. 1:4-5, 10-11; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14; 2 Cor. 1:12; Rom. 8:15-16; Eph. 1:13-14; Eph. 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:21-22. 3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it: yet, being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of ordinary means, attain thereunto. And therefore it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure; that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness. Scripture proofs: 1 John 5:13; Isa. 50:10; Mark 9:24; Ps. 88; Ps. 77:1-12; 1 Cor. 2:12; 1 John 4: 13; Heb. 6:11-12; Eph. 3:17-19; 2 Pet. 1:10; Rom. 5:1-2, 5; Rom. 14:17; Rom. 15:13; Eph. 1:3-4; Ps. 4:6-7; Ps. 119:32; 1 John 2:1-2; Rom. 6:1-2; Titus 2:11-12, 14; 2 Cor. 7:1; Rom. 8:1, 12; 1 John 3: 2-3; Ps. 130:4; 1 John 1:6-7. 4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin, which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God’s withdrawing the light of His countenance, and suffering even such as fear Him to walk in darkness and to have no light: yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be revived; and by the which, in the mean time, they are supported from utter despair. Scripture proofs: Song of Sol. 5:2-3, 6; Ps. 51:8, 12, 14; Eph. 4:30-31; Ps. 77:1-10; Matt. 26:69- 72; Ps. 31:22; Ps. 88; Isa. 50:10; 1 John 3:9; Luke 22:32; Job 13:15; Ps. 73:15; Ps. 51:8, 12; Isa. 50:10; Mic. 7:7-9; Jer. 32:40; Isa. 54:7-10; Ps. 22:1; Ps. 88. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowAssuranceA grounded confidence that we belong to Christ and share his salvation.ConscienceOur sense of right and wrong, which needs to be trained by God’s Word. ### WCF 18.1 · Real assurance is possible Someone can wrongly assume they are saved. But people who truly trust Christ, love him, and seek to obey him may genuinely know that they belong to God. They can rejoice in a sure hope of sharing his glory. Confidence should rest on real faith, not wishful thinking. Explore the ScripturesJob 8:13-14; Micah 3:11; Deuteronomy 29:19. Talk about itHow is real assurance different from simply assuming everything is fine? [Read original paragraph 1 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-18-assurance-of-grace-and-salvation/#paragraph-1) ### WCF 18.2 · What supports assurance? Assurance rests on God’s true promises, evidence of his grace in our lives, and the Spirit’s witness that we are his children. The Spirit is God’s pledge of our future inheritance. Our confidence is more than a guess, because God himself is trustworthy. Explore the ScripturesHebrews 6:11; Hebrews 6:17-18; 2 Peter 1:4-5. Talk about itWhy are God’s promises a stronger foundation than changing feelings? [Read original paragraph 2 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-18-assurance-of-grace-and-salvation/#paragraph-2) ### WCF 18.3 · Assurance can take time A person can have genuine faith while still struggling to feel sure of salvation. Assurance may take time. God gives it through ordinary means, without requiring a special revelation. We should seek it through Scripture and faithful living. It produces peace, joy, gratitude, and willing obedience rather than carelessness. Explore the Scriptures1 John 5:13; Isaiah 50:10; Mark 9:24. Talk about itCan a Christian belong to Christ while struggling with doubts? [Read original paragraph 3 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-18-assurance-of-grace-and-salvation/#paragraph-3) ### WCF 18.4 · Hope when confidence is shaken Sin, neglect, temptation, or a dark season can weaken a believer’s assurance. Yet God does not remove every trace of faith, love, and sincere desire to obey. Through the Spirit these can support the believer and, in time, restore confidence. A loss of assurance is not necessarily a loss of salvation. Explore the ScripturesSong of Solomon 5:2-3; Psalm 51:8; Ephesians 4:30-31. Talk about itWhere can a doubting believer seek help and renewed hope? [Read original paragraph 4 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-18-assurance-of-grace-and-salvation/#paragraph-4) ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - What promises can help a believer who struggles with doubt? - Why are feelings alone not a reliable measure of belonging to Christ? #### Scripture to remember 1 John 5:13 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=1%20John%205%3A13) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Talk with a trusted adult about a question you have about faith. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=61) ## Related reading - [Assurance of salvation](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/assurance-of-salvation/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 36: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-36-what-are-the-benefits-which-in-this-life-do/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 79: May not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many temptations and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-79-may-not-true-believers-by-reason-of-their-imperfections/) - [Read RP Testimony chapter 18](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-18-assurance-of-grace-and-salvation/) - [Chapter 17](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-17-perseverance-of-the-saints/) - [Chapter 19](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-19-law-of-god/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-18-assurance-of-grace-and-salvation/