1689 11.2

11.2. Of Justification

Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ, and his Righteousness, is the alone instrument of Justification: yet it is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving Graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.

Proof texts

• Romans 3:28 — [28] For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
• Galatians 5:6 — [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
• James 2:17, 22, 26 — [17] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; [26] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Romans 3:28 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q33 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WLC Q70 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q33 · WLC Q70 · WLC Q71 · WLC Q72 · WLC Q73 · WCF 11.1 · HC Q59 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · SD 11.1