What is justifying faith?
Justifying faith is a saving grace,1 wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit 2 and word of God,3 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,4 not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel,5 but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin,6 and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.7
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Heb. 10:39
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
2 2 Cor. 4:13; Eph. 1:17–19
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;
Eph. 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:
Eph. 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,
Eph. 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
3 Rom. 10:14, 17
Rom. 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?
Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
4 Acts 2:37; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:30; John 16:8–9; Rom. 5:6; Eph. 2:1
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?
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
5 Eph. 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,
6 John 1:12; Acts 10:43; Acts 16:31
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:
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
7 Phil. 3:9; Acts 15:11
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:
But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Shorter Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
XI.1 Those whom God effectually calleth he also freely justifieth; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning …
Those whom God effectually calleth he also freely justifieth; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous: not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.
→ XI.1 · Of JustificationXI.2 Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet is …
Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.
→ XI.2 · Of JustificationXI.3 Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified, …
Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified, and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to his Father's justice in their behalf. Yet inasmuch as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for anything in them, their justification is only of free grace; that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.
→ XI.3 · Of JustificationXI.4 God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fulness of …
God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.
→ XI.4 · Of JustificationXI.5 God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and although they can never fall …
God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may by their sins fall under God's fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.
→ XI.5 · Of JustificationXI.6 The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with …
The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament.
→ XI.6 · Of JustificationXIV.2 By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority …
By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
→ XIV.2 · Of Saving FaithXIV.1 The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is …
The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word; by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.
→ XIV.1 · Of Saving FaithXIV.3 This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, …
This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory; growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.
→ XIV.3 · Of Saving FaithIn the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q.33 What is justification?
Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
→ Open Q.33Q.85 What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
To escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.
→ Open Q.85Q.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.
→ Open Q.86