Catechism Question 34
What is true faith in Jesus Christ?
True faith in Jesus Christ is a knowledge of what God has revealed in his Word concerning the Person and redeeming work of Jesus Christ, agreement that God’s Word on these things is true, and an active trusting in Jesus, receiving and resting on him alone for salvation.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we give a definition of true faith. Since salvation is found only in repentance and faith in Christ, it is critical that we understand repentance and faith accurately.
Note that there are three parts to true faith. First, true faith is built on a knowledge of the facts of the Person and work of Jesus Christ. True faith rests on the actual Christ that is revealed in the Bible, not a Christ of our own making. Second, true faith not only recognizes the facts about Jesus, but it acknowledges that what God has revealed in the Bible about Jesus’ Person and work is true. It is not simply that we can accurately speak what the Bible says about Jesus and salvation; it is a recognition that these things are true. Third, true faith receives and rests on Christ alone. It does not simply acknowledge the truth about Christ, but actively responds to that truth. Simply understanding and acknowledging as true the facts of the Gospel is not biblical faith. Real faith always includes a personal response to those facts.
Additional Questions:
What is true faith?
What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ?
Scripture References:
Romans 10:14
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
John 20:30–31
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
James 2:19
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.
Romans 10:9–10
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Galatians 2:15–16
We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why must true faith consist of an accurate knowledge of the basic biblical facts, an assent of the truth of those facts, and an active trust in Christ as revealed in the Biblical revelation?
What if someone understands the facts of the Gospel and says they believe they are true, but does not actively turn to God. Is such knowledge and assent true faith?
Does Satan understand the basic facts of the Gospel? Does he know that they are true? Does he have an active trust in the God revealed in those facts?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 21 of the Heidelberg Catechism, question 86 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 30 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “Sola Fide – Justified Through Faith Alone” (October 22, 2017), “Justification By Faith Alone” (June 29, 2014), and “Our Confidence In Christ – Holding On to the Gospel” (April 6, 2008).
Suggested Worship Song:
Approach My Soul the Mercy Seat (by John Newton, 1779)
Approach, my soul, the mercy seat,
Where Jesus answers prayer;
There humbly fall before His feet,
For none can perish there.
Thy promise is my only plea,
With this I venture nigh;
Thou callest burdened souls to Thee,
And such, O Lord, am I.
Bowed down beneath a load of sin,
By Satan sorely pressed,
By war without and fears within,
I come to Thee for rest.
Be Thou my Shield and hiding Place,
That, sheltered by Thy side,
I may my fierce accuser face,
And tell him Thou hast died!
O wondrous love! to bleed and die,
To bear the cross and shame,
That guilty sinners, such as I,
Might plead Thy gracious Name.
“Poor tempest-tossed soul, be still;
My promised grace receive”;
’Tis Jesus speaks—I must, I will,
I can, I do believe.