Justification

Question 1

Give a definition of justification?

Answer 1

Justification is the act of being declared righteous. Justification is an act of God where by he pronounces a sinner to be righteous because of that sinner’s faith in Christ.

Properly understood, justification has to do with God’s declaration about the sinner, not any change within the sinner. It doesn’t make you holy, the sinner is simply declared not to be guilty before God therefore treated as holy.

Question 2

On what grounds can God justify an acknowledged sinner?

Answer 2

Based on his belief in Christ. We are redeemed through the blood of Christ.

Question 3

Identify, and discuss, the primary Scripture passages which teach the concept of justification

Answer 3

Romans 3:21-26 is the primary scripture.
Description of salvation:
- freedom in Christ (Gal 5:1-13)
- reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18-21)
- peace with God (Rom 5:1)
- new creation (2 Cor 5:17)
- alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:11,23)
- sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Cor 1:2; 1:30; 2 Cor 1:1)

Others 
Matthew 5:10; 6:33; 21:32
John 16:8-11
Hebrews 5:3; 10:37
James 2:14-26

Question 4

Describe the relationship between justification and regeneration?

Answer 4

Justification is being declared by God as righteous. It is the legal declaration that our sins have been paid for by another, and therefore we are not in danger of bearing the punishment our sins deserve.

Regeneration is done by the Holy Spirit when we are made new creatures; resurrecting us from being dead in sin and making us alive in Christ (John 1:12-13)

Sanctification is the process of becoming like Christ

We are justified by the atoning work of Christ on the cross and declared righteous. Then, the Holy Spirit makes us new creatures in Christ, resurrecting us with Christ as being dead in sin and making us alive in Christ.