Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8100 The life of faith  »  8104 assurance  »  8105 assurance, basis of

The assurance of believers is based upon the certain knowledge of God revealed in creation and his mighty acts in history, upon the certainty of his promises, the vindication and resurrection of Christ and the inward testimony and outward demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Assurance is based upon the certain knowledge of God

Assurance comes from knowing God through creation

Romans 1:19-20 See also Psalm 19:1-4; Acts 14:17

Assurance comes from knowing God through his mighty acts

Exodus 6:7; Ezekiel 37:13-14 See also Exodus 16:12; Exodus 29:46; Joshua 3:10-13; 1 Kings 20:13; Isaiah 49:23; Isaiah 60:16; Ezekiel 20:42; Ezekiel 28:26

Assurance is based upon the certainty of God's word

John 17:8; 1 John 5:9-10

Assurance because of God's oath

Hebrews 6:17 See also Genesis 50:24; Deuteronomy 4:31; Deuteronomy 7:7-9; Acts 2:30; Hebrews 7:21

Assurance because of God's promise

Joshua 1:9; Romans 4:20-21 See also Joshua 23:10,14; 2 Samuel 7:25-26 pp 1 Chronicles 17:23-24; 1 Kings 8:56; Psalm 145:13; Isaiah 33:6; Hebrews 13:5; James 1:12; James 2:5

Assurance is based upon God's vindication of his Son

Assurance because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Acts 2:32; Acts 17:31 See also Acts 1:3,22; Acts 10:39-41; Acts 13:30-31; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; 1 Peter 1:3

Assurance because of the miracles of Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:2-6 pp Luke 7:18-23; John 4:48; John 10:38; John 14:11; John 20:30-31

Assurance comes through the work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit assures believers by enabling outward demonstrations of God's power

Hebrews 2:4 See also Mark 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 3:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 1:5

The Holy Spirit assures believers by giving inward conviction

Romans 8:16; 1 John 4:13 See also John 15:26; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:32; Galatians 4:6

The Holy Spirit assures believers by sealing God's promise

Ephesians 1:13-14 See also Acts 15:8; Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 3:24

Assurance based upon the testimony of God's people

Assurance because of the testimony of eye-witnesses

2 Peter 1:16-19 See also Exodus 10:2; Luke 1:2-4; John 1:32-34; John 15:27; John 19:35; Acts 1:22; Acts 4:20; 1 Peter 5:1

Assurance because of the testimony of the apostles

Acts 22:14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:6; Corinthians 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:5-7; Revelation 1:2

Assurance is based upon godly living

1 John 2:3-5 See also 1 John 2:23 right belief about Jesus Christ; 1 John 2:29 righteousness

Not continuing in sin:

1 John 3:9; John 5:18 1 John 3:14-20 love for fellow believers; 1 John 5:1 love for God the Father and God the Son

See also

1403  God, revelation
2351  Christ, miracles
2555  Christ, resurrection appearances
3203  Holy Spirit & assurance
3248  Holy Spirit, conviction
3287  Holy Spirit, sealing of
3293  Holy Spirit, witness of
5622  witnesses
8112  certainty