Salvation

Justification by Faith Alone

Confessional Text

All who turn away from their self-rule and sin, and trust in Jesus Christ alone⁶⁸, are fully and eternally forgiven of their sins⁶⁹, receive eternal life⁷⁰, and have the perfect righteousness of Christ freely credited to them⁷¹. This brings us into a state of peace and favor with God⁷², making us His sons and temple, who joyfully come under Christ as our Lord, and secures every other blessing we need on earth and for eternity⁷³. We are not justified before God by doing good deeds, or by adding good deeds to our faith in Christ. We are justified by faith alone, in Christ alone⁷⁴, to the glory of God alone⁷⁵.

Scriptural References

[68]

Mark 1:15

Repent, and believe in the gospel

[69]

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus

[70]

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life

[71]

Romans 3:21-22

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets

[72]

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus

[73]

2 Peter 1:3

As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness

[74]

Romans 3:21-23

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed

[75]

1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God

All scripture quotations are from the ESV (English Standard Version).

Historical & Theological Background

Justification by faith alone (sola fide) was the heart of the Reformation. Against Rome's teaching that faith plus works justify, the Reformers insisted that we are declared righteous by faith alone, apart from works. Justification is forensic (a legal declaration), not infused righteousness. God credits Christ's righteousness to believers and imputes our sin to Christ. This is the doctrine on which, Luther said, the church stands or falls. It secures our salvation entirely on Christ's work, not our performance.

African Contextual Commentary

This statement directly confronts works-based religion prevalent in many African churches. Many believe that church attendance, tithing, fasting, or good deeds contribute to salvation. Others teach that deliverance sessions, prosperity seeds, or prophetic rituals are necessary for full salvation. This is false. We are justified by faith alone—trusting entirely in Christ's finished work. Our works do not contribute even 1% to our salvation. This brings immense freedom: we don't earn God's favor; we receive it as a gift. It also motivates obedience from gratitude, not fear. We obey because we are saved, not to get saved.