“…know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we too have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law…” – Galatians 2:16 (BSB)
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8–9 (BSB)
“He saved us… not by righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy… so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:5–7 (BSB)
“…and 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.” – Philippians 3:9 (BSB)
We are not justified by the law, by religious rituals, or by our own righteousness. Fr. Isaac Rehberg (ACNA, All Saints San Antonio, TX) explains, “Faith is not the reason God accepts us—it is the means by which we are united to the One He accepts perfectly: Jesus Christ. It is His obedience, His cross, His resurrection that justify.” (Sola Fide and the Anglican Way, 2021)
This doctrine lies at the heart of Anglican theology. Article XI of the Thirty-Nine Articles declares: “We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deservings.” Fr. Caleb Evans (Anglican Orthodox Church, St. Stephen’s Mission, GA) notes, “Justification brings peace to the soul. It silences the accuser and secures the believer forever in Christ.” (By His Righteousness Alone, 2020)
The sacraments, particularly baptism, mark the entrance into this justified life, and the Eucharist continually nourishes us in the grace we have received. Fr. Thomas Buchan (Anglican Union, St. Mark’s Anglican Church, VA) affirms, “We do not earn God’s favor, we receive it. We do not justify ourselves, we are justified. The gospel is grace from beginning to end.” (Justification and the Sacramental Life, 2021)
Canon George Grant (ACNA, Parish Presbyterian Church, TN) adds, “To ask, ‘How am I justified?’ is to ask the question at the heart of salvation. The answer is clear and unshakable: by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.” (Recovering Anglican Piety, 2019)
“It is not by effort or merit that a man is justified, but by the mercy of God through faith in His Son.” – Basil the Great, Homily on Faith and Grace, c. 370 AD
“Let no one boast of his works, but let him boast in Christ. For He is our righteousness, our peace, and our salvation.” – John Chrysostom, Homily on Galatians 2, c. 390 AD
“Faith unites the soul to Christ, and in Him we are justified, cleansed, and made heirs of life.” – Cyprian of Carthage, On the Grace of God, c. 250 AD
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
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