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Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 72

Question 72

What is justifying faith?

Justifying faith is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and word of God, 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, not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.

Scripture references for paragraph 1

Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.

Hebrews 10:39

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

2 Corinthians 4:13

13And 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

17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.

18I 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,

19and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,

Romans 10:14

14How 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?

Romans 10:17

17Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Acts 2:37

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

Acts 4:12

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

Acts 16:30

30Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

John 16:8-9

8And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;

Romans 5:6

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

Ephesians 2:1

1And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

Ephesians 1:13

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

John 1:12

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

Acts 10:43

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

Acts 16:31

31They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Philippians 3:9

9and 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

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

Source and edition

Westminster Larger Catechism. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription

Unlicense. Source transcription.

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