100 BIBLE LESSONS By Alban Douglas (BOOK-2)

LESSON 51 - Assurance of Salvation ( CHRISTIAN LIVING )

LESSONS ON CHRISTIAN LIVING

LESSON FIFTY-ONE

Assurance of Salvation

INTRODUCTION

Assurance of salvation is necessary if a believer is to help others spiritually.

"In my church some think that they are Christians, most of them hope so, some say so, and a

few know that they are saved." -Rev. H. Hildebrand

Are you married? Are you sure? You are either married or not. There is no halfway place. A

person is either saved or lost. Either "in Christ" or outside.

Salvation is a miracle change. Has the miracle taken place? Yes, or no?

If we are "in Christ" then we ought to have the full assurance of salvation.

Many church people do not believe that it is possible to be sure of salvation now.

They feel that it is sacrilegious to make such a statement. Faith believes God.

If we were saved by works then they would be correct, for one would need to keep working

and furthermore, the quality of the works would need to meet a standard.

But salvation is a gift (Eph. 2:8) which we receive and then we possess salvation.

1. DEFINITION OF ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

To have assurance of salvation is to be absolutely confident that we are saved and that if we

died suddenly, we would go immediately to heaven.

Assurance of salvation is possessing salvation--possessing the Lord Jesus Christ.

Salvation is eternal life; it is the life of God; it is Divine life.

If I possess eternal life, then I am saved-saved for time and eternity.

John 10 :28,29, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall

any man pluck them out of My hand."

II. WHO MAY HAVE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION?

1. Those who have received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. John 1 :12.

"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power (authority) to become the sons of

God. "

2. Those who believe in Jesus Christ. John 3 :16, "... whosoever (Alban Douglas) believeth in

Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.. " John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son

hath everlasting life."

III. BASIS OF ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Can assurance be based on feelings? No, never. Satan might control or influence our feelings.

Health, weather, circumstances and environment affect feelings.

To some entering salvation it is a real emotional thrill. No feelings at all to others.

God has given us three things upon which to base our assurance:

1. The witness of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 8:16, "The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our

spirit, that we are the children of God."

Previous to conversion, the Spirit will have been convicting of sin, righteousness and