16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
There is a contrast between verse 15, where we give testimony to our new relationship with God, and verse 16, where the Holy Spirit bears witness with us.
Verse 16 shows how it is possible that believers can confidently reach out to God as their Father (v.14). The Holy Spirit confirms in our hearts by bearing witness with our spirit that we are God’s children.
16 The Spirit Himself [emphatic] bears witness [joint-witness] with our spirit
The Spirit of God bears witness to God along with our spirit’s witness about our salvation. This is double testimony that we are God’s children. The double witness is true, independent of our emotions or subjectivity. The Spirit does not bear witness “to” our spirit but “with” our spirit. The Holy Spirit along with our spirit establishes something as true. A biblical principle is that the presence of two witnesses establishes a fact.
When a Christian prays, he does not pray alone. The Holy Spirit enters our prayer as well to enable us to pray effectively. No one less than the Spirit Himself bears witness with our “spirit.” The phrase “bears witness with” comes from two words in the Greek: to testify and with. The Holy Spirit testifies together with Christians about the assurance of their salvation. The phrase “with our spirit” indicates that both the Holy Spirit and our spirit witness that we are God’s children. We are not unaided in this, for the Holy Spirit directly gets involved with our prayer.
that we are children of God,
The Holy Spirit bears joint-testimony with us that we are the children of God. Not only are believers “sons” of God, but we are the “children of God.” We are related to God by spiritual birth. We were once in an alien family separated from God, but now we are children who know our Father.
There is an agreement between the Holy Spirit and our human spirit that we are God’s children. This is separate from and higher than something that comes subjectively from within us. It is certitude of the Holy Spirit’s within our lives. On this direct testimony from the Holy Spirit rests the certainty of our convictions. God welcomes and assures us as a Parent in His family.
PRINCIPLE:
The Christian has a double ground of assurance about his salvation.
APPLICATION:
The Holy Spirit enables Christians to see themselves as true sons of God. The Spirit gives concurrent testimony with us that we have status with God. He brings to our conscience the certainty of God’s promises in His Word. God has spoken or declared by promise that we can know for a fact that we are Christians.
Grant- how does this verse pertain to self professed believers ( tares) that aren’t actually born again but who are totally convinced of assurance of salvation? And how does this pertain to those who are believers who have scrupulous anxiety and dont have assurance of salvation because of the anxiety and because of being led astray by the false teaching of Lordship Salvation( the introspective works gospel)? Thank you
Scott, there are two dynamics that give assurance of salvation: 1) objectively, the Word of God (I.e. His promises) and 2) subjectively, the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The problem with Lordship Salvation is that it rests on works (although they deny this) that give this assurance rather than the principles above.
Grant. Can you explain what is the subjective work of the Holy Spirit for assurance?
Thanks.
Tony, the assurance that comes from the Holy Spirit is a convicting work. It is only one way God gives us assurance. This work of the Spirit is a confirming work and not the foundational way He gives assurance.
Ok when the Holy Spirit comes to live in my spirit is it because I want to do and seek out the things of God and I have a desire to read and study and meditate and praise and worship and fellowship and Communion and listen to Godly teaching and preaching does that mean that the Holy Spirit lives in me and there’s has also been a change in my life as well so am I saved because everyday I wanna know God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and His word
Lloyd, the central message of this verse is that the Holy Spirit bears witness to us that we know that we are genuine Christians. It is an issue of assurance of salvation.
I’ve asked Jesus to come into my heart many times cuz I was afraid I didn’t pray the prayer of salvation correctly or I wasn’t sure if my heart attitude was right. I have scrupulous anxiety. I have an incredible fear that I’m not going to heaven. I doubt my salvation a lot. If I don’t feel like The Holy Spirit is testifying with my spirit and giving me assurance of my salvation, does that mean I’m not saved? I want Jesus in my heart. I’ve accepted Him in my heart. I need assurance of my salvation.
Teri, thanks for your post. It is important not to rest the assurance of our salvation on our experience, that is, how we feel or our emotions. We gain assurance of salvation by trusting/believing the promises of God. You may want to study this page: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/doctrine/eternal-security-2/eternal-security/
So if I’ve asked Jesus into my heart(and I definitely have), can I be sure He’s definitely in my heart and that I’m saved even if I don’t feel assurance in my mind or heart? Thanks again
Teri, our hearts, especially emotion, can deceive us. The only way we can know we are saved is to trust what God promises in His Word. Believing that is the only way to know for sure.