Saving Faith has three elements!

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“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29).

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When we put our trust in someone, we are saying, “I don’t have all the facts, but I trust you.” Let us break this trust down into three categories so we can better understand how “saving faith” differs from mere head knowledge.

The Protestant Reformers declared that the multi-faceted character of authentic faith contains three key elements: notitia, assensus, and fiducia. 

Notitia has to do with the content of the Christian faith and involves recognizing and understanding the truth of the Gospel message. We are not called to believe in just anything, but we are called to believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This understanding of the Gospel involves the activity of the mind. Unbelievers can explain the Gospel sometimes more clearly than unbelievers. We see this to be especially true of children who have been raised in the church. They know their doctrine and even maintain that it is true, but sometimes this is all there is to their “faith.” Intellectual understanding is not true, saving faith. It’s just a necessary component of faith.

Assensus is the intellectual assent to the truth of the Gospel. This element of saving faith is captured in James 2:19 when he writes, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble.” What does he mean that demons “believe”? Of course, he does not mean that demons have saving faith. But he does mean that demons understand the Gospel and affirm its truth, but that is all. There must be more to faith than just intellectual affirmation of the truth. While this is not saving faith, it is, of course, essential to saving faith.

The third element is most crucial because on fiducia one’s personal redemption stands or falls. Fiducia is the trusting dimension of faith. Saving faith (fides viva) involves placing one’s trust in Christ, resting on Him alone for redemption. This involves an act of the mind, heart, will, and affections—all working together to trust Christ. This is a work that can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Only those who have been born again “from above” can move beyond intellectual assent to trusting in Christ.

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