Article XV

Article 15 – Justification

1. Justification is the act of God’s grace, whereby the sinner is declared righteous.
   1. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
   2. Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
2. Solely through faith in the redemptive work of Christ.
   1. Romans 8:33-34 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
3. Whereby the righteousness of Christ is imputed.
   1. Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
   2. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
4. Resulting in sins pardoned and the sinner restored to divine favor.
   1. Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.