Lord’s Day 23Questions 59–61
Reformed Church in America English, 1879
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Text public domain · U.S.
1879 Reformed Church in America Q&A text with inline proof references. Source: Wikisource scan transcription.
This English edition was published in the United States in 1879, before the current U.S. public-domain cutoff. Rights evidence. Verified 2026-07-14.
But what doth it profit thee now that thou believest all this?
That I am righteous in Christ, before God (Rom. 5;1); and an heir of eternal life (John 5;24).
How art thou righteous before God?
Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3;28): so that though my conscience accuse me that I have grossly transgressed all the commands of God, and kept none of them, and am still inclined to all evil (Rom. 7;14): notwithstanding God, without any merit mine, but only of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ (Rom. 3;24): even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin; yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ hath accomplished for me (2 Cor. 5;21); inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart (Rom. 10;10).
What sayest thou that thou art righteous by faith only?
Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith (Eph. 2;8, 9); but because only the satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God (Rom. 10;4); and that I cannot receive or apply the same to myself in any other way than by faith only (Rom. 3;22).