Can I Be Sure I'm Saved? by R. C. Sproul

Author:R. C. Sproul
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Reformation Trust Publishing
Published: 2010-09-07T16:27:00+00:00

Sacerdotalism

The third common error that produces false assurance is sacerdotalism. This is the view that salvation is accomplished through the priesthood, through the sacraments, and/or through the church. People point to baptism, to the Lord's Supper, or to other rites and say: "I've had these sacraments, which are means of grace. I draw my assurance from having experienced the sacraments."

This is the error the Pharisees committed in biblical days. They assumed that because they were circumcised, they therefore were guaranteed a place in the kingdom of God.

The sacraments are very important. They communicate the promises of God to us for our salvation. Plus, they are means of grace that help us in our Christian lives. But the sacraments have never saved anyone, and anyone who puts his trust in the sacraments has a false assurance of salvation, because he is trusting in something that neither saves nor can save.

Closely related to this is the idea, which is held by many people, that all a person must do to be saved is to join a church. They assume that since joining a church includes them in the visible body of Christ, they must be part of the invisible church as well. So they put their confidence in their church membership. But membership in a church does not justify anyone; this is another illegitimate and false method of assurance.

Finally, in the so-called evangelical world, we have a few other sources of false assurance: praying the sinner's prayer, raising one's hand at an evangelistic event, going forward during an altar call, or making a decision for Jesus. These are all techniques or methods that are used to call people to repentance and faith. The danger is that people who say the prayer, raise a hand, walk the aisle, or make a decision sometimes end up trusting in that particular act. Outward professions can be deceiving. One can go through the external motions of a profession but not truly be in possession of the inward reality of salvation.

As you can see, there are many ways in which false assurance can come about. In the next chapter, we will discuss how these counterfeit forms of assurance can be avoided and overcome, and we will begin to explore legitimate methods of attaining assurance that is biblical and real.

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