Justification is by faith alone in Christ alone.

In writing to the Christian community in Rome, the Apostle Paul assured the believers of their standing before God. This message of justification by faith applies to those who are regenerated and reconciled to God by faith in Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” Romans 5:1 – 2.

The following is an excellent definition of the doctrine of “justification” by Wilhelmus a Brakel, a Dutch Reformed pastor and scholar (1635 – 1711).

“Justification is a gracious work of God whereby He, as righteous Judge, acquits the elect from guilt and punishment and declares them to be heirs of eternal life because of the righteousness of Christ the Surety, imputed to them by God, and received by them through faith.”

The Westminster Confession of Faith – chapter 11, Sec. 1 articulates the doctrine beautifully.

“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; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.”

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 HCSB).

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 HCSB).