--- title: "Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith | RP Testimony" description: "Chapter 14 of the RP Testimony: Of Saving Faith. Read the 2026 RPCNA Constitution text, Scripture proofs, and the corresponding Westminster Confession chapter." canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=51" --- # Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith | RP Testimony 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. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowSaving faithReceiving and resting on Jesus Christ for salvation, rather than merely agreeing with facts about him.SacramentsBaptism and the Lord’s Supper: visible signs and seals Christ gave his church.RejectsSays that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.RepentanceTurning 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 →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-1) ### 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 →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-2) ### Testimony 14.3 Faith ordinarily shows itself in openly confessing Christ within the church. [Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-3) ### Testimony 14.4 The Testimony rejects universal salvation: the claim that everyone will eventually be saved. [Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-4) ### Testimony 14.5 The Testimony rejects any way of salvation apart from trusting Jesus Christ. [Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-5) ### 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 →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-6) ### 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 →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-7) ### 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 →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-8) ### Testimony 14.9 God’s invitation to salvation is sincere, even when people refuse it. [Read original point 9 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-9) ### 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 →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/#point-10) ### Talk about it How is trusting Jesus different from only knowing facts about him? ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - Who do we trust for salvation? - How is trusting Jesus different from only knowing facts about Him? #### Scripture to remember Ephesians 2:8–9 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Ephesians%202%3A8%E2%80%939) 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 Tell an adult what you are learning about depending on Christ. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=51) ## Related reading - [Salvation by grace through faith](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/) - [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 29: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-29-how-are-we-made-partakers-of-the-redemption-purchased/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 67: What is effectual calling?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-67-what-is-effectual-calling/) - [Westminster Confession · Chapter 14](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-14-saving-faith/) - [Chapter 13](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-13-sanctification/) - [Chapter 15](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/