Grace, faith, and salvation
Historic Lutheran and Reformed confessions teach that sinners are justified for Christ's sake through faith, rather than by their own merits. Protestant churches differ in their accounts of sanctification, baptism, election, and the relation of faith to works.
Historical context
Justification was a major Reformation dispute. The traditions also use wider language about renewal, sanctification, and union with Christ; the comparison should not flatten these into one question.
Tradition note
The Augsburg and Westminster texts are representative confessions, not a universal Protestant magisterium.
Scripture
- Ephesians 2:8–10 — Paul describes salvation as God's gift received through faith, with good works as its intended fruit.
- Romans 3:21–28 — Paul says God's righteousness is disclosed through faith in Christ apart from works of the law.
- James 2:14–26 — James challenges a claim to faith that does not respond to a neighbor's need.
Primary sources
Augsburg Confession Article IV states that people:
The Lutheran Augsburg Confession says justification is given for Christ's sake through faith.
are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith
Passage context and translation
A Lutheran confession in a Reformation dispute; it is not the wording of every Protestant denomination.
Before the excerpt
by their own strength, merits, or works, but
After the excerpt
when they believe that they are received into favor