The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge

Contained in Scripture, and Stated Briefly in the Previously Mentioned Confession of Faith and Catechisms³⁰

The chief general use of Christian teaching is to convict a person of sin and of righteousness and of judgment (John 16:8),³¹ partly by the Law, or Covenant of Works, that he may be humbled and repent, and partly by the Gospel, or Covenant of Grace. These Covenants are given that he may become an unfeigned believer in Jesus Christ, and be strengthened in his faith upon solid grounds and warrants,³² and give evidence of the truth of his faith by good fruits, and so be saved.

Navigation, Practical Use:

Past: Overview of the Practical Use

Present: Quotations from the Word of God, the Holy Bible form the foundation of logical reasoning by which the reader may be convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgment, leading to saving faith and repentance to eternal life, away from eternal hellfire. The reader has already encountered the concept of salvation by faith in Christ, or trust in God. This trust also implies trusting what God tells us in the Scriptures, the Holy Bible. Because God is perfect, knows all things, and is incapable of lying, His Word is absolutely true, and logical reasoning built on that foundation is rock solid. Thus, the reader will do well to put away any prejudice he may have against the Holy Bible.

Future: Closing a personal covenant with Jesus Christ for eternal life

The sum of the Covenant of Works, or of the Law, is this: “If you do all that is commanded and not fail in any point, you will be saved. But if you fail, you will die” (see Romans 10:5, Galatians 3:10–12)³³

The sum of the Gospel, or Covenant of Grace and reconciliation, is this: “If you flee from deserved wrath to the true Redeemer, Jesus Christ (who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God through him), you will not perish, but have eternal life” (see Romans 10:8–11).³⁴

30 This Sum has what is almost a new title page with this header, indicating a section break, but still very much part of the book with the previous material.

31 “And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8 ESV). Some Bible translations render convince instead of convict. The Greek is ἐλέγχω [el-eng'-kho, to convict, confute, admonish, rebuke, reprove; also prove, convince, or treat with contempt, etc]. To convince does convey part of its meaning, but to convict fits the context of this verse and its subsequent exposition far better, for this conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit, not mere intellectual persuasion. Also, an older definition of convince is, “to overpower; to overcome; to subdue or master; to overcome by argument; to force to yield assent to truth.” In light of these things, in most places, the editor has translated convince to convict in the general text of this Sum to be consistent with the Scripture, and to remind the reader of the seriousness of the matter before us; God demands conviction of His truths, not mere opinions. On another note, Dickson and Durham use this verse as a theme for much of this Sum without giving an exegetical exposition of John 16:8–15. It was common for Puritan preachers to use passages of Scripture as illustrations, themes, or analogies in much the same way that modern preachers may use illustrations from sports or novels. Still the use of John 16:8 as a launching pad is very well done; the convicted or struggling reader is assured that he does not have to practice his faith by his own strength, but with the help of the Holy Spirit. John 16:9–11 gives a single example of reasons the Holy Spirit will convict people for each of sin, righteousness, and judgment. But Scripture also clearly teaches in many places that the work of the Holy Spirit is far more extensive in each of the areas of sin, righteousness, and judgment than those examples.

32 A warrant is permission or authority that allows one to do something that is normally forbidden. For example, a search warrant allows police to search a person or place, something otherwise unconstitutional. The use of warrant in this Sum is a bit antiquated, but perfectly fits, so it is retained. A believer has solid reasons for strong faith because God has decreed many precious and gracious promises to him that are not given to unbelievers.

33 “For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them” (Romans 10:5 ESV). “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’ But the law is not of faith, rather ‘The one who does them shall live by them’” (Galatians 3:10–12 ESV).

34 “But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame’” (Romans 10:8–11 ESV).