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KING JAMES BIBLE DICTIONARY

 

Assurance

The Bible

Bible Usage:

Dictionaries:

  • Included in Eastons: Yes
  • Included in Hitchcocks: No
  • Included in Naves: Yes
  • Included in Smiths: No
  • Included in Websters: Yes
  • Included in Strongs: Yes
  • Included in Thayers: Yes
  • Included in BDB: Yes

Strongs Concordance:

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Assurance

The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Hebrews 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Colossians 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance of hope" (Hebrews 6:11) is a sure and well-grounded expectation of eternal glory (2 Timothy 4:7, 8). This assurance of hope is the assurance of a man's own particular salvation.

This infallible assurance, which believers may attain unto as to their own personal salvation, is founded on the truth of the promises (Hebrews 6:18), on the inward evidence of Christian graces, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:16). That such a certainty may be attained appears from the testimony of Scripture (Romans 8:16; 1 John 2:3; 3:14), from the command to seek after it (Hebrews 6:11; 2 Peter 1:10), and from the fact that it has been attained (2 Timothy 1:12; 4:7, 8; 1 John 2:3; 4:16).

This full assurance is not of the essence of saving faith. It is the result of faith, and posterior to it in the order of nature, and so frequently also in the order of time. True believers may be destitute of it. Trust itself is something different from the evidence that we do trust. Believers, moreover, are exhorted to go on to something beyond what they at present have when they are exhorted to seek the grace of full assurance (Hebrews 10:22; 2 Peter 1:5-10). The attainment of this grace is a duty, and is to be diligently sought.

"Genuine assurance naturally leads to a legitimate and abiding peace and joy, and to love and thankfulness to God; and these from the very laws of our being to greater buoyancy, strength, and cheerfulness in the practice of obedience in every department of duty."

This assurance may in various ways be shaken, diminished, and intermitted, but the principle out of which it springs can never be lost. (See FAITH.)


Naves Topical Index
Assurance

Produced by faith
Ephesians 3:12; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 10:22

Made full by hope
Hebrews 6:11; Hebrews 6:19

Confirmed by love
1 John 3:14; 1 John 3:19; 1 John 4:18

Is the effect of righteousness
Isaiah 32:17

Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel
Colossians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Saints privileged to have, assurance of:

Their election
Psalms 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:4

Their redemption
Job 19:25

Their adoption
Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:2

Their salvation
Isaiah 12:2

Their eternal life
1 John 5:13

The unalienable love of God
Romans 8:38-39

Union with God and Christ
1 Corinthians 6:15; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 5:30; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 4:13

Peace with God by Christ
Romans 5:1

Preservation
Psalms 3:6; Psalms 8:1-9; Psalms 27:3-5; Psalms 46:1-3

Answers to prayer
1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:14-15

Comfort in affliction
Psalms 73:26; Luke 4:18; 2 Corinthians 4:8-10; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Continuance in grace
Philippians 1:6

A support in death
Psalms 23:4

A glorious resurrection
Job 19:26; Psalms 17:15; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2

A kingdom
Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 5:10

A crown
2 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:12

Saints give diligence to attain
2 Peter 1:10-11

Strive to maintain
Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 3:18

Confident hope in God restores
Psalms 42:11

Exemplified by:

David
Psalms 23:4; Psalms 73:24-26

Paul
2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:18
Faith


Webster's 1828 Dictionary
Assurance

ASSU'RANCE, noun ashu'rance. [Latin verus; or securus, contracted.]

1. The act of assuring, or of making a declaration in terms that furnish ground of confidence; as, I trusted to his assurances; or the act of furnishing any ground of full confidence.

Whereof he hath given assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:31.

2. Firm persuasion; full confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certain expectation; the utmost certainty.

Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:22.

3. Firmness of mind; undoubting steadiness; intrepidity.

Brave men meet danger with assurance

4. Excess of boldness; impudence; as, his assurance is intolerable.

5. Freedom from excessive modesty, timidity or bashfulness; laudable confidence.

Conversation with the world will give them knowledge and assurance

6. Insurance; a contract to make good a loss. [See Insurance.]

7. Any writing or legal evidence of the conveyance of property.

8. Conviction.

9. In theology, full confidence of one's interest in Christ, and of final salvation.