Westminster Confession, Chapter 1, Paragraph 5

Westminster Confession, Chapter 1, Paragraph 5

5 – We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture.[10] And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.[11]

A year before I became a Christian, I had purposes to read the Bible every day. I would get up a few minutes early and begin my day in the Scriptures. I was skeptical about everything I read. I do not recall disbelieving so much the creation account, rather it started with the length of years that the early folks in the Bible lived. Then on and on it went through the pages of Scripture with my skepticism.

In 2003 I became a Christian. The Lord miraculously saved me and delivered me from the realm of darkness to the realm of light; the realm of error, to the realm of truth. One of the most amazing things that happened to me after my conversion was that I became convinced that the Scriptures were true. I non-consciously laid down my skeptical arguments and became a person of conviction in the authority and accuracy of the Bible. I read from the confession that this work of conviction was none other than the working of the Holy Spirit upon my heart and soul.

The Scriptures say it like this:

John 16:13–14 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

1 John 2:20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie —just as it has taught you, abide in him.