The Bible Doctrine of Justification

Text: Acts 13:39, Galatians 2:16

Introduction”

To Define: - Vine’s pg. 338,339

A. Noun. - dikaioµsis (dikaivwsi" , (1347)) denotes the act of pronouncing righteous, … acquittal; its precise meaning is determined by that of the verb dikaiooµ, to justify (see B); it is used . . . signifying the establishment of a person as just by acquittal from guilt.

B. Verb. - dikaiooµ (dikaiovw , (1344)) primarily, to deem to be right, . . . (a) to show to be right or righteous; . . . (b) to declare to be righteous, to pronounce righteous, (1) by man, concerning God, Luke 7:29 . . . (2) by God concerning men, who are declared to be righteous before Him on certain conditions laid down by Him.

B. Presupposes Guilt And Condemnation

1. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3: 21, see also Eph. 2: 1, 2, 11, 12), and the consequences - "For the wages of sin is death…" (Rom. 6: 23).

2. All accountable individuals are condemned.

Vine’s – “Ideally the complete fulfillment of the Law of God would provide a basis of justification in His sight, Rom. 2:13. But no such case has occurred in mere human experience, and therefore no one can be justified on this ground, Rom. 3:9-20; Gal. 2:16; 3:10, 11; 5:4.”

I. The Overall Concept Of Justification:

A. Impossible To Be Justified By The Law (Or Any Law System)

1. All law comes from God.

a. Through God’s word one stands righteous or condemned.

b. Law demands justice! And All Are Convicted By The Law As Violators of it!

c. Therefore OUR justification MUST BE established apart from the law!

d. Justification Necessitates Forgiveness of one who has violated God’s Law - thus allowing one to stand righteous before God.

II. The Possibility of Justification

A. Dependant Upon What God Has Done For Us

1. The Basis:

a. God’s Love – Romans 5:6-8; John 3:16

b. God’s Mercy – Romans 11:31-32; 9:14-16 Titus 3:4-5

c. God’s Grace – Romans 3:23-25; Titus 3:4-7; Ephes. 2:1,4,8

2. The Provisions:

a. The Atoning Blood – Romans 5:9-11; 1 John 2:2; Romans 3: 23-26

b. The resurrection of Christ – Romans 4:25

c. The Gospel – Romans 1:16-17

III. Justification By Faith In Christ

A. Negatively - Not obtained on the basis of:>

1. Works of the Law! - Galatians 2:16; 5:4

2. Religiosity – Matthew 15:7-9

3. Meritorious Works – Ephes. 2:7-9

4. Faith ALONE – James 2:24

5. Feelings – Proverbs 14:12

B. Positively – “ONLY” Obtained Through The Means of Redemption in Christ Romans 3:24

1. Faith – Romans 3:26-28

2. Works – James 2:24

a. Faith is a work John 6:28-29

b. Repentance – Acts 20:21; 17:30-31

c. Baptism – Acts 2:38; 22:16

d. Faithfulness –Philip. 2:12; Rev. 2:10

B. We Must Take Everything God Says About The Subject! - Psalms 119:160

IV. Paul (Romans 4) vs. James (2:14-26)

A. (Romans 4) Justification Not By Merit but by faith

• Abraham The example -1

• Could not boast – 2

• Counted as righteous because he believed God – 3

• Justification not earned – 4,5

• David quoted – 6-8

• Justification made available to all through faith – 9-17

• Abraham’s faith – 18-22 (verse 12)

• Our Faith – 23-25

B. James (2:14-26) Not Faith Alone – But Faith That Obeys

• Can faith without works save? (14)

• No – Such faith is dead (15-20)

• Abraham justified by works (21-23)

• Offering his son – 21

• His faith made complete – 22

• Fulfilling the scripture – “He believed” 23

• So We See Then That A Man Is Justified By Works And Not Faith Alone! – (24-26)

C. These passages are complementary of each other, NOT CONTRADICTORY!!

1. Man is Justified by FAITH + WORKS - Neither can justify ALONE!!!

2. Paul did not believe In Justification by faith only - Rom 1:5; 15:18; 16:26; Hebrews 5:9

Conclusion

A. God’s Part

1. The Basis: - God’s Love – God’s Mercy – God’s Grace –

2. The Provisions:

a. The Atoning Blood –

b. The resurrection of Christ –

c. The Gospel –

B. Man’s Part

1. Faith That Obeys - Repentance - Acts 20:21 - Confession – Rom. 10:9,10 - Baptism – Acts 2:28; 22:16 - Faithfulness – Philippians 2:12

How do you currently stand before God? Justified or condemned?