Plain-language reading guide
READING HELP
Read this chapter alongside the Confession chapter on the same subject. The Testimony states what the church teaches, applies that teaching, and identifies views it rejects. Read each statement with its Scripture proofs and the surrounding paragraphs.
To find explicit rejections in this chapter, go to point 2, point 4, point 5, point 6, point 7, point 10. Read each full point to see exactly which teaching is rejected.
This reading guide is separate from the official text below.
Read the official text, or choose a simpler explanation to explore together.
Westminster Confession
1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts; and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word: by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.
Scripture proofs: Heb. 10:39; 2 Cor. 4:13; Eph. 1:17-19; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 10:14, 17; 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 20:32; Rom. 4:11; Luke 17:5; Rom. 1:16-17.
2. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
Scripture proofs: John 4:42; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 John 5:10; Acts 24:14; Rom. 16:26; Isa. 66:2; Heb. 11:13; 1 Tim. 4:8; John 1:12; Acts 16: 31; Gal. 2:20; Acts 15:11.
3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory; growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.
Scripture proofs: Heb. 5:13-14; Rom. 4:19-20; Matt. 6:30; Matt. 8:10; Luke 22:31-32; Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4-5; Heb. 6:11-12; Heb. 10:22; Col. 2:2; Heb. 12:2.
Words to know
- Saving faith
- Receiving and resting on Jesus Christ for salvation, rather than merely agreeing with facts about him.
- Sacraments
- Baptism and the Lord’s Supper: visible signs and seals Christ gave his church.
WCF 14.1 · God gives and strengthens faith
The Spirit gives God’s chosen people saving faith, ordinarily through hearing his Word. He also strengthens that faith through the Word, the sacraments, and prayer. These are ordinary gifts God uses; we should make use of them.
Hebrews 10:39; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 1:17-19.
What ordinary gifts does God use to strengthen faith?
WCF 14.2 · Trusting and resting in Christ
Faith believes Scripture because God speaks in it. It responds to commands with obedience, warnings with serious attention, and promises with trust. Above all, saving faith receives and rests on Christ alone for acceptance with God, growth in holiness, and eternal life. It relies on his covenant grace.
John 4:42; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 John 5:10.
What is the difference between knowing a promise and trusting its giver?
WCF 14.3 · Weak faith can grow
Faith can be weak or strong. It may be attacked and shaken, but God brings it through the struggle. Many believers grow into fuller assurance through Christ. He begins their faith and brings it to completion. The strength of our Savior matters more than boasting about our own strength.
Hebrews 5:13-14; Romans 4:19-20; Matthew 6:30.
Where should someone with weak faith look for help?
1. Saving faith is the gift of the triune God. It is the Father’s will that the elect should be united to Christ by faith. The Son, by His death, provided that saving faith should be freely granted to them. The Holy Spirit, therefore, regenerates each one of them, enabling them to receive Jesus Christ by faith as their Lord and Savior. Rom. 3:25-26; Rom. 1:16-17; Col. 2:12; Phil. 1:29; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:3; Eph. 1:3-14; Rom. 8:28-29.
2. We reject the teaching that regeneration is the result of saving faith.
3. Saving faith will normally come to expression in a public confession of Christ within the visible church. Rom. 10:9.
4. We reject the doctrine of universal salvation. Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29; Rom. 2: 6-13.
5. We reject the idea that a man can be saved by any means other than faith in Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 3:28; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Heb. 11:24-26.
6. We reject the idea that unregenerate people can be persuaded to believe without the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 9:16; Titus 3:5.
7. We reject the concept that saving faith is merely agreeing that the Bible is historically accurate, and that the doctrines of the Bible are true. Jas. 2:19.
8. The proper basis for believing is the infinite sufficiency of Christ to save, the unrestricted free invitation to come to Him for salvation, God’s command to all to repent and believe, and the promise of salvation to those who believe and obey the Gospel. Heb. 7:25; Isa. 55:1, 5, 7; Rev. 22:17; 1 John 3:23; Acts 16:31; Heb. 5:9.
9. God’s offer of salvation is genuine, regardless of man’s response. John 6:35-37; Matt. 11:28-30; John 7:37; Rom. 3:4.
10. We reject the idea that saving faith is a man’s persuading himself that he is elect, and that he has already been saved. Prov. 14:12; 1 John 1:6-7; 1 John 2:4-5.
Words to know
- Saving faith
- Receiving and resting on Jesus Christ for salvation, rather than merely agreeing with facts about him.
- Sacraments
- Baptism and the Lord’s Supper: visible signs and seals Christ gave his church.
- Rejects
- Says that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.
- Repentance
- Turning from sin to God with sorrow for sin and a desire to obey him.
Testimony 14.1
Saving faith is God’s gift: the Father plans our union with Christ, the Son secures it, and the Spirit gives us new life so we can believe.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 14.2
The Testimony rejects the idea that faith causes the new birth. The Spirit first gives new spiritual life, enabling a person to believe.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 14.3
Faith ordinarily shows itself in openly confessing Christ within the church.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 14.4
The Testimony rejects universal salvation: the claim that everyone will eventually be saved.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 14.5
The Testimony rejects any way of salvation apart from trusting Jesus Christ.
Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 14.6
The Testimony rejects the idea that persuasion alone can produce saving faith without the Holy Spirit’s work.
Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 14.7
The Testimony rejects reducing faith to agreeing that biblical facts and doctrines are true. Saving faith involves receiving and trusting Christ.
Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 14.8
We may come to Christ because he is fully able to save, freely invites sinners, commands repentance and faith, and promises salvation to those who receive him.
Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 14.9
God’s invitation to salvation is sincere, even when people refuse it.
Read original point 9 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 14.10
The Testimony rejects defining faith as convincing yourself that you are chosen and already saved. Faith looks to Christ rather than to that assumption.
Read original point 10 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-43, A-44, A-45.