Reformation Doctrine

Using the Westminster Larger Catechism's definition as a teaching framework, Pastor Martin opens up the first three elements of justification: God Himself is its author, His free grace its source, and sinners as sinners (not half-reformed sinners) are its objects. He illustrates with a vivid scenario of a condemned criminal receiving a reprieve and presses the parable of the publican and the Pharisee to show that God justifies the ungodly the moment he casts himself on mercy, not after any reformation.

Pastor Martin closes the catechism's definition of justification by treating its final clause: justification is received by faith alone. He marshals the testimony of Scripture from Romans 3-5, Galatians 2-3, Philippians 3, and Ephesians 2 to show faith is the sole instrument; defines justifying faith as a Spirit-wrought, conviction-born receiving and resting upon Christ; and explains why faith alone - because it is wholly receptive, an empty hand that takes what God gives. He closes with a member's surgery testimony of resting on Christ alone in the face of death.