Weekly Blog

What things does the Holy Spirit use to help us grow in our sanctification? The Holy Spirit works in many ways to sanctify us, but He primarily uses the means of grace – specific activities in which God has promised to meet His people and strengthen them by His grace. The most important means of grace are the Word of God, fellowship with believers in the Church, the sacraments of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and prayer.

What is sanctification? Sanctification is the gradual process through which those who have already been justified by faith alone are being made holy in all they desire and do, as they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to actively resist sin and embrace righteousness.

How does the Holy Spirit help us? The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts, and empowers us to resist sin and obey God.

What do we believe about the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and He dwells forever in everyone who believes in Jesus Christ.

Since we receive all of these benefits by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?

What is adoption? Adoption is the gracious act of God in which He makes us members of His family with all of the rights, privileges, and inheritance of being His child.

What is justification? Justification is the gracious act of God in which He declares that we are totally righteous, as if we had never sinned and as if we had positively obeyed all of God’s law perfectly.

What change in status occurs for those who receive Christ through faith alone? Those who receive Christ through faith alone are justified and adopted by God.

Can our own works contribute anything to our acceptance before God? No, they can not, because even our best efforts and works are defiled by sin, and because everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior.

What does it mean that we are saved by Christ alone through faith alone? It means that we are accepted before God because of Christ’s righteousness and atoning work alone, apart from any works or merits of our own, and that His righteousness is received by faith alone, apart from any efforts on our part.