The Assurance of Salvation: Biblical Hope for Our Struggles

by Robert A. Peterson

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2019

Overview

For years, Robert A. Peterson taught about the assurance of salvation in seminary and Sunday school classrooms. He was concerned, however, to find that some people, for a variety of reasons, were unable to grasp the certainty of their salvation. The Assurance of Salvation identifies these “troublers” of assurance and provides the remedy to diffuse insecurity.

Peterson asserts that difficult backgrounds and experiences, intellectual doubts, tender consciences, habitual sins, and overconfidence that people face are the enemies of assurance. Through a competent handling of the Bible, he explains that by embracing three gifts from God–His Word, His Spirit, and His work in our lives–those who struggle with insecurity are able to personally experience the freedom of God’s assurance.

Key Features

• Addresses the question of confidence in final salvation
• Reflects on people and things that trouble assurance
• Explores the role of the Holy Spirit in assurance

Contents

Assurance and God’s Word

• Assurance and the Gospel
• Assurance and Preservation in ohn
• Assurance and Preservation in Paul

Assurance and the Holy Spirit

• The Holy Spirit’s Person and Work
• The Holy Spirit’s Role in Assurance

Assurance and the Transformed Life

• The Role of_Good Works
• The church and “Defenders” of Assurance

Praise for the Print Edition

Robert Peterson lays the foundation of Jesus Christ as the only solid ground for assurance of salvation and then builds upon that foundation with the doctrines of the Holy Spirit’s comforting testimony and holy fruit. This book radiates scriptural clarity and heartfelt compassion for people struggling to find rest for their souls in God’s everlasting love.

—Joel R. Beeke, president, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

This treatment of assurance weaves together a rare combination of biblical study and practical outworking. The former includes the assurance built into the promises of the gospel, the confirming work of the Spirit, and the attesting witness of a transformed life; the latter deploys many stories and years of pastoral experience. This book promises to bring godly confidence and quiet comfort to many troubled believers.

—D. A. Carson, professor emeritus of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

This useful and enlightening study combines personal testimonies, biblical exposition, and pastoral counsel. The result is a highly readable survey of the all-important theme of Christian assurance. Writing with admirable brevity and clarity, the author covers dozens of the most important biblical passages in an organized and creative fashion. Most Christians struggle with assurance at some point, sometimes at multiple points. This book connects readers with resources to diagnose their spiritual insecurity and restore their confidence in Christ. It is well suited for both personal and small group use.

—Robert W. Yarbrough, professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Assurance of Salvation: Biblical Hope for Our Struggles
• Author: Robert A. Peterson
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2019
• Pages: 192
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Salvation

About Robert A. Peterson

Robert A. Peterson was professor of systematic theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is author or editor of twenty books, including Salvation Accomplished by the Son: The Work of Christ (Crossway, 2012), Our Secure Salvation: Preservation and Apostasy (P&R Publishing, 2009), and, coedited with Christopher Morgan, Hell Under Fire (Zondervan, 2004).