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Study 13: An Overview Of God-Justification
To be clear, the doctrine of God-Justification is designed only for those chosen by the Father and given to the Son, called the elect, or the vessels of honor. Absolutely no promise or provision has been made by God for the justification of the non-elect. Furthermore, the doctrine of God-Justification belongs to the work of the Father and the Son under the terms and promises of the covenant of grace. It is the Father who justifies the sinner, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. All that the scriptures teach concerning God-Justification fits within this framework. According to my understanding of the subject, there are four basic lessons that can be gathered from these Scriptures concerning God-Justification:
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Study 12: The Certainty Of God-Justification
Having not the time to prepare a transcript for this teaching video, I submit the short notes used at the recording desk—Jared Smith • Previous study—(1) The unregenerate sinners, under the authority of the covenant of works, attempt to atone for their sins by earning favor with God through self-justification; • This Study—(2) The regenerate sinners, under the authority of the covenant of grace, have their sins atoned for by Christ through God-justification. Looking at the CERTAINTY of God-Justification (Romans 8:28-39). • Subject of God-Justification dealt with by Paul in Romans (3:19-5:21), from standpoint of the Son’s role in work of salvation; dealt with again in (8:28-39), from standpoint of Father’s role in work of salvation. Christ is the Author of REDEMPTION; Father is the…
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Study 11: The Futility Of Self-Justification
In a previous study, I started to unfold Paul’s teachings on the subject of justification, recorded in Romans 3:19-5:21. In (3:19-31), he explains its meaning, as it relates to the redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ. In (4:1-25), he gives an example of it in the testimony of Abraham. In (5:1-11), he describes the experience of it after sinners have been regenerated by the Spirit of God. In (5:12-21), he returns to an explanation of it, only this time making reference to the covenant headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having already given my thoughts on Paul’s teachings in (3:19-31), I would like to follow up on the meaning of justification by exploring how the term is used throughout the Word of God. I…
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Study 10: Review Of The First Three Chapters
I began the series with a general overview of the structure and framework of the book. The letter may be divided into four main sections: Sandwiched between an introduction (1:1-17) and a conclusion (15:14-16:27), there are two central questions the Apostle answers. First, why are sinners under the condemnation of God? This is answered in (1:18-3:18), with Paul explaining how the human race comes into the world under the authority of the covenant of works, and therefore made subject to the law inscribed upon their hearts, which was a blessing to Adam and Eve before the Fall, but is now a curse to all transgressors. He shows how the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who stand…
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Study 9: Justification Explained, By Redeeming Grace (3:19-31)
This recording picked up two audio sources resulting in an echo effect. Jared hopes the listener/watcher will forebear the unpleasant sound in view of benefitting from the teachings. This study begins a new section in Paul's letter to the Romans—How Are Sinners Secured Salvation By God? Paul divides his answer under four headings, unfolding the various roles assumed by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit under the terms and promises of the gracious covenant. He begins in (3:19-5:21) with the role of God the Son, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This study examines Paul's explanation on the central message of the gracious covenant—justified freely by the Father's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (3:19-31).
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Study 8: Three Groups, Three Covenants, Three Laws
This study explores the distinctions between three major groups, covenants and laws recorded by Paul in his letter to the Romans. The Non-Elect are under the authority of the Covenant of Works, subject to the heart law; the Elect are under the authority of the Covenant of Grace, subject to the gospel law; the Jewish people as a nation were under the authority of the Mosaic Covenant, subject to its law. Failure to distinguish between these groups, covenants and laws is the cause of much confusion among professing Christians. This is particularly true with reference to the issues surrounding Hyper-Calvinism. Arminians and Moderate-Calvinists mistakenly believe the whole matter revolves around an excessive view of divine sovereignty, when it actually turns on the hinges of the…
