Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 72

What is justifying faith?

Justifying faith is a saving grace,a wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spiritb and word of God,c whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition,d not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel,e but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin,f and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.g

What is justifying faith?

Justifying faith is a saving grace,a wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spiritb and word of God,c whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition,d not only assents to the truth of the promise of the gospel,e but receives and rests upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin,f and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.g

  1. a. Hebrews 10:39

    Hebrews 10:39

    10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

    10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 1:17–19

    2 Corinthians 4:13

    4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

    4:13 And in keeping with what is written: "I believed, therefore I have spoken," we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak,

    Ephesians 1:17–19

    1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

    1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. 1:18 I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 1:19 and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Romans 10:14–17

    Romans 10:14–17

    10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    10:14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 10:15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 10:16 But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 10:17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. Acts 2:37; 16:30; John 16:8–9; Romans 5:6; Ephesians 2:1; Acts 4:12

    Acts 2:37

    2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

    2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

    Acts 16:30

    16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

    16:30 Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

    John 16:8–9

    16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

    16:8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 16:9 in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;

    Romans 5:6

    5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

    5:6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

    Ephesians 2:1

    2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

    2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

    Acts 4:12

    4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

    4:12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. Ephesians 1:13

    Ephesians 1:13

    1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

    1:13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth-the gospel of your salvation-you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  6. f. John 1:12; Acts 16:31; 10:43

    John 1:12

    1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

    1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God-

    Acts 16:31

    16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

    16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household."

    Acts 10:43

    10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

    10:43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  7. g. Philippians 3:9; Acts 15:11

    Philippians 3:9

    3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

    3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

    Acts 15:11

    15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

    15:11 On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (2)

The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

Question 91

What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 86

What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

Commentaries (9)