Sola Fide: By Faith Alone
Series Reformation Sunday
Reformation Sunday
October 30, 2011
Sermon
Romans 3:21-26
Sola Fide: By Faith Alone
The Trajectory of the Doctrine of Justification
Definition: “Justification is an act of God whereby He declares unjust sinners to be just after He has imputed to them the righteousness of Christ.” (R.C. Sproul)
Taught in Scripture
Our individual problem: we are not righteous (just) (Rom 3:9-20)
The difficulty of our justification: How can a just God declare us righteous (just) without violating His own glory? (Job 9:2; Ps 130:3; Rom 3:19-20)
The ground of justification: the obedience of Christ in His life and death (Rom 5:18; Gal 4:5)
The cause of justification
God's free gift (Rom 1:17; 3:21)
Not caused by good works (it is apart from the law) (Rom 3:21)
The “components” of justification
Imputation of Christ's righteousness to us (Rm 4:3; Gn 15:6)
Imputation of our sins to Christ (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24)
The means of justification (the instrumental cause): faith alone in Jesus Christ alone (Rom 3:22, 28-30; 4:1-3, 16; Gal 2:16)
Corrupted by the Catholic church
Infused righteousness
Baptism as the primary instrumental cause of justification
Indulgences
Recovered in the Reformation
Imputed righteousness (Rom 3:22-26; 4:5-8; 5:19-21; Titus 3:5-7)
Challenged by critics
Apparent conflict with James
“New view” of Pauline justification
Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT), 1994, 1997
Impact of social issues (abortion, homosexuality)
Compromises sola fide
Proclaimed by the Church (Gal 3:8-9; 2:15-21)
Justification by faith alone:
“The article upon which the church stands or falls” (Martin Luther)
Sermon ID | 1031119474010 |
Duration | 56:47 |
Date | Oct 30, 2011 |
Category | Sunday Service |
Bible Text | Romans 3:21-26 |
Language | English |