WCF 11.6
Westminster Confession of Faith
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 testament.
Proof texts
- Gal. 3:9, 13, 14 — [9] So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” — [14] so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
- Rom. 4:22, 23, 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,
- Heb. 13:8 — [8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gal. 3:9, 13, 14 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 · HC Q59 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · 1689 11.1 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · IAR 5.6 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3 · SD 11.1
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): Section VI.— The justification of believers under the OljJ Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament." IT Gal. iii. 9, 13, 14; Rom. iv. 22-24; Heb. xiii. 8. The truth taught in this Section has already been fully proved above, under Chapter vii., §§ 4, 5 and 6 ; and Chapter viii., § 6. 22*
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): The reverse of this is maintained by Socinians. We shall only observe, that though " the rigliteousness of God" is now more clearly manifested by the gospel, yet it was " witnessed by the law and the prophets." — Rom. iii. 21. And those, under the Old Testament, who laid hold upon that righteousness by faith, were as really and fully justified as believers under the New Testament. Paul, accordingly, adduces the justification of Abraham as an example of the method in which believers in all ages must be justified. — Rom. iv. 3. Though the everlasting righteousness was not actually brought in until Christ " became obedient unto death," yet the efficacy of his death extended to believers under…