Of Justification
1689 London Baptist Confession · 11.1–11.6
11.1. Of Justification
Those whom God Effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth, not by infusing Righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting, and accepting their Persons as Righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone, not by imputing faith it self, the act of beleiving, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their Righteousness; but by imputing Christs active obedience unto the whole Law, and passive obedience in his death, for their whole and sole Righteousnnss, they receiving, and resting on him, and his Righteousness, by Faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.
Proof texts
- Romans 3:24 — [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
- Romans 8:30 — [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
- Romans 4:5-8 — [5] And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, [6] just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; [8] blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
- Ephesians 1:7 — [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
- 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31 — [30] And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, [31] so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
- Romans 5:17-19 — [17] For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. [18] Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. [19] For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
- Philippians 3:8, 9 — [8] Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith —
- Ephesians 2:8-10 — [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- John 1:12 — [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
- Romans 5:17 — [17] For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Romans 3:24 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q33 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 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
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
- The Assembly cited Romans 3:28 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q33 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 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
11.3. Of Justification
Christ by his obedience, and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are justified; and did by the sacrifice of himself, in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead, the penalty due unto them: make a proper, real and full satisfaction to Gods justice in their behalf: yet in asmuch as he was given by the Father for them, and his Obedience and Satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for any thing in them; their Justification is only of Free Grace, that both the exact justice and rich Grace of God, might be glorified in the Justification of sinners.
Proof texts
- Hebrews 10:14 — [14] For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
- 1 Peter 1:18, 19 — [18] knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
- Isaiah 53:5, 6 — [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned — every one — to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
- Romans 8:32 — [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 — [21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
- Romans 3:26 — [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
- Ephesians 1:6, 7 — [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
- Ephesians 2:7 — [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Hebrews 10:14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 8 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q33 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 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
11.4. Of Justification
God did from all eternity decreeto justifie all the Elect, and Christ did in the fulness of time die for their sins, and rise again for their Justification; Nevertheless they are not justified personally, untill the Holy Spirit, doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them.
Proof texts
- Galatians 3:8 — [8] And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”
- 1 Peter 1:2 — [2] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
- 1 Timothy 2:6 — [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
- Romans 4:25 — [25] who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
- Colossians 1:21, 22 — [21] And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, [22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
- Titus 3:4-7 — [4] But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Galatians 3:8 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q33 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 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
11.5. Of Justification
God doth continue to Forgive the sins of those that are justified, and although they can never fall from the state of justication; yet they may by their sins fall under Gods Fatherly displeasure; and in that condition, they have not usually the light of his Countenance restored unto them, untill they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith, and repentance.
Proof texts
- Matthew 6:12 — [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- 1 John 1:7, 9 — [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- John 10:28 — [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
- Psalms 89:31-33 — [31] if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, [32] then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, [33] but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.
- Psalms 32:5 — [5] I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. <i>Selah</i>
- Psalms 51 — [1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! [3] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. [5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. [6] Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. [9] Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. [13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. [14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. [15] O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. [16] For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. [17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. [18] Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; [19] then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
- Matthew 26:75 — [75] And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matthew 6:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q33 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 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
11.6. Of Justification
The Justification of Believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of Believers under the New Tement.
Proof texts
- Galatians 3:9 — [9] So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
- Romans 4:22-24 — [22] That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” [23] But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, [24] but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Galatians 3:9 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q33 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 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