Paul Washer versus Biblical Assurance

This video is titled "Paul Washer versus Biblical Assurance." Why?

Because if one chooses to believe the teachings of Paul Washer on the topic of assurance of salvation, then one necessarily rejects the teachings of the Bible concerning one's assurance of salvation. The two positions are contradictories. And, since the Bible alone has the monopoly on truth, then Paul Washer's position is necessarily false.

Listen to Paul Washer's evil sermon at this link:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6190763326

Assurance of salvation is not something we produce by doing good works, but assurance is only produced in us by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, For our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Particular Baptist John Gill comments on this verse saying:

"The Gospel preached to them was blessed to produce in them much assurance, or a large assurance, if not a full one, of the grace of faith in Christ, and of hope of eternal life by him, and of understanding of the doctrines of the Gospel, and of interest in the blessings of grace held forth in them."
(Read Gill for yourself: http://www.studylight.org/com/geb/view.cgi?book=1th&chapter=001&verse...)

Assurance of salvation is a result of believing the Gospel, and the promises of God annexed to the Gospel. When we believe in Christ, the Gospel, the promises of God--then our fears are driven away. In fact, Christ demands us to believe in Him as a remedy for our fear. Jesus boldly says, Be not afraid, only believe (Mark chapter 5, verse 36). Notice Jesus doesnt recommend we trust in our good works as we believe in Him. Jesus Christ taught faith alone.

We see that faith is contrasted with fear again when Jesus asks, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? (Mark chapter 4, verse 40). Jesus commanded Paul not to be afraid, but promised Paul that He would protect him as he preached to those in Corinth. Jesus says, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee" (Acts 18:9-10). By believing the promise of Jesus, Paul instantly had assurance. Assurance of salvation is no different, for Christ has promised us that those who believe the Gospel will not perish, but will have eternal life (John chapter 3, verses 15-18). The result of believing the Gospel and the promises of Christ necessarily result in assurance of salvation. Martin Luther pointed out that to disbelieve the promises of Christ not only produces fear in us, but it makes Jesus into a liar--and God is no liar (Titus 1:2).

Click here to read Scottish Presbyterian Horatius Bonar's excellent chapter on Assurance of Salvation:
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=185

The Heidelberg Catechism points out that saving faith is, "not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word, but also an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the Gospel in my heart."
(The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 7, Q.+A. 21)

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Education

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• Paul
• Washer
• Assurance
• Salvation
• Calvinism
• Particular
• Baptist
• Law
• And
• Gospel
• Comfort
• Justification
• By
• Faith
• Alone