SEMESTER 4
364 – The Articles of Faith Concerning the Justifiction
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY IV LESSON # 64
CHURCH COVENANT AND ARTICLES OF FAITH – ARTICLE OF FAITH CONCERNING JUSTIFICATION
Read: Acts 13:38-42
INTRODUCTION:
1. What a common and great Bible word is justification!
2. Secularly it means vindication as to a certain charge.
3. Soteriologically, from all things, forever. (Act 13:39)
4. This means we stand at final judgment totally innocent.
I. JUSTIFICATION IS SECURED TO US BY CHRIST
1. The law could not and religion cannot. (Act 13:39)
2. This was the whole discussion begins at Act 13:14-16.
3. Man’s natural hope is always self-justification.
4. The gospel is that salvation is a free gift from Christ. (Rom 5:9)
III: By the term “Justify freely” as in Rom 3:22-24.
II. IT INVOLVES ABSOLUTE PARDON OF SIN
1. It is not denial of or mitigation of guilt.
III: By the talk of oppression or ignorance, as being the cause of sin.
2. This really means we are to expect and tolerate it as acceptable.
3. But in justification we have frank declaration and pardon.
III. ETERNAL LIFE IS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
1. Let us not think of justification merely as pardon.
III: He deserves punishment but let us forgive and forget.
2. When you look you expect to see a wicked sinner forgiven.
3. No! You see a righteous man with no guilt at all.
IV. IT IS BESTOWED TOTALLY THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST
1. It is not bestowed by Christ through sacraments and works.
III: By Campbellite argument ” Denies, concedes, and affirms.
2. Religion claims acts and duties that supplement faith.
3. No, it is totally by imparted faith.
V. IT IS BROUGHT ABOUT BY IMPUTATION
1. This is in itself a great Bible doctrine. (Rom 4:3-8)
2. It simply says all our sins are imputed to Jesus Christ.
3. Conversely all His righteousness is imputed to us.
4. Is this the true spirit of your faith?
III: There are only two kinds of religion. Which have you?