Assurance In The Catholic Church

There is also a strong historical evidence of the need for assurance. Before the Reformation, the Church was the assurance of salvation. When parishioners were baptized and partook of the Eucharist, they had the assurance, delivered by the Church, that they were secure. This is what forms the foundation of salvific assurance for the Catholic Church today. Their dependence lies more strongly on the Church then on Scripture. Many of the Church Fathers found assurance of salvation; however, since the time of the reformation, there have been varying views of assurance. Those views range from those who feel assurance is essential to a true faith, to those who believe it was merely a cerebral recognition of scripture alone.

Today, many have a false sense of assurance that is based on

Theologically it is understood that salvation is not based on emotion or feelings. But the experiences of one’s life can give greater assurance that God is not distant but very close to the Christian’s life. Many who grow up in Christianity experience the love, security, and joy of salvation before they experience the knowledge of salvation. The experiential senses develop sooner than cognitive development, therefore, humans “experience” before they “know.” God can use experiences to give assurance to Christians that they are truly secure in their salvation.

The witness of the Holy Spirit is the ultimate proof of salvation. The Holy Spirit gives an ongoing assurance of salvation. For Christians, the Holy Spirit is a guide as they progress through life. He will lead, comfort, and give them power to have this assurance. M. P. Winship tells of the Puritan Pastor William Perkins who advises believers that were unable to perceive the witness of the Spirit to look to the process of sanctification for assurance. Thus, sanctification is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit that continues to bring assurance to