---
title: "Salvation by grace through faith"
description: "Explore justification, faith, and good works through Scripture, the Westminster standards, and the RP Testimony."
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf"
---

EXPLORE THE REFORMED FAITH

# Salvation by grace through faith

Our acceptance with God rests on Jesus Christ and His righteousness. We receive Him by faith, and a life of grateful obedience follows.

[Study by topic](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/) · [Common questions](https://ctkrp.org/learn/rpcna-questions/) · [Reformed glossary](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/)

On this page
- [Start with Scripture](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/#scripture)
- [A gift we cannot earn](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/#a-gift-we-cannot-earn)
- [What justification means](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/#what-justification-means)
- [Why obedience still matters](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/#why-obedience-still-matters)
- [Read the standards](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/#standards)
- [Reflect and discuss](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/#reflect)
- [Keep exploring](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/#next)[← Resource library](https://ctkrp.org/resources/)

## Start with Scripture

Read these passages in context before moving to the explanation.

- Ephesians 2:1–10
- Romans 3:21–28
- Romans 5:1–2[Open the first passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Ephesians%202%3A1%E2%80%9310)

## A gift we cannot earn

The gospel begins with what God has done for sinners. Sin leaves us guilty before Him and unable to make ourselves spiritually alive. Jesus Christ obeyed perfectly, died for His people, and rose again. God saves by grace: His undeserved favor, freely given in Christ. Ephesians 2 places our good works after God’s saving work, as the life for which He has made us new.

## What justification means

Justification is God’s declaration that a sinner is righteous in His sight because of Christ. He pardons our sins and counts Christ’s righteousness as ours. Faith receives and rests on Christ; it does not earn God’s favor by being strong enough. The Confession and Testimony distinguish this acceptance from the ongoing work of making us holy. Both are gifts of God, but they are not the same gift.

## Why obedience still matters

The faith that receives Christ is accompanied by repentance and bears fruit in love. Good works cannot purchase forgiveness, yet they matter because we belong to our Savior. When you fail, return to Christ in repentance rather than trying to build a record that will make you acceptable. Ask how His grace teaches you to love God and your neighbor today.

## Read the standards

Follow the topic into the church’s confessional texts. The chapter readers include Scripture proofs and an optional Confession–Testimony comparison.

- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-11-justification/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 16](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-16-good-works/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 33](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-33-what-is-justification/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 86](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-86-what-is-faith-in-jesus-christ/)
- [Reformed Presbyterian Testimony · Chapter 11](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-11-justification/)

## Reflect and discuss

- What does Ephesians 2 say God has done before it speaks about our good works?
- How does receiving Christ by faith differ from trying to earn acceptance?
- What act of grateful obedience can you practice this week?

## Keep exploring

[Assurance of salvation →](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/assurance-of-salvation/)[Understanding covenant theology →](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/covenant-theology/)[Look up an unfamiliar word →](https://ctkrp.org/learn/glossary/)

[Talk with us about your questions](https://ctkrp.org/contact/)

[↑ Back to contents](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/#contents)

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf)

## Related reading

- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 21: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-21-who-is-the-redeemer-of-gods-elect/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 36: Who is the Mediator of the covenant of grace?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-36-who-is-the-mediator-of-the-covenant-of-grace/)
- [The Reformed Doctrine of Redemption](https://ctkrp.org/church-papers/the-reformed-doctrine-of-redemption/)
- [Find teaching on christ](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=Christ)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/