Early Christian Views on Justification

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Direct teaching

...t through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works we have accomplished in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all people; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

...out this husband, who is the Word, formerly desolate of the bridegroom. Now "the just shall live by faith," which is according to the covenant and the commandments, since these, which are two in name and time, given according to the divine arrangement, being one in power, the old and the new, are given through the Son by one God. As the apostle also says in the Epistle to the Romans, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith," teaching the one salvation which from prophecy to the Gospel is perfected by one and the same Lord. "This charge," he says, "I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on you, that by them you may war the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience; which some, having put away concerning faith, have made shipwreck," 1 Timothy 1:18-19, because by unbelief they defiled the conscience that comes from God. Accordingly, faith may no longer, with reason, be disparaged in an offhand way as simple and common, as something ordinary and available to anyone. For if it were a merely human habit, as the Greeks supposed, it would have been extinguished. But if it grows, and there is no place where it is no

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Direct teaching

What, then, says He to Abraham? “Because thou hast believed, it is imputed to thee for righteousness: behold, I have made thee the father of those nations who believe in the Lord while in [a state of] uncircumcision.”

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

so shall thy seed be. And Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.” On account of his faith and hospitality, a son was given him in his old age;

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

But Abraham was not justified by works, but by faith.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

And to Abraham, on believing, righteousness was reckoned.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

...arly taught when he says in the Epistle to the Galatians: “So, the one who gives you the Spirit and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? Just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Know therefore, that those who are of faith are the children of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, announced beforehand to Abraham that in him all nations would be blessed. So then those who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” For these reasons, the apostle declared that this man was not only the prophet of faith but also the father of those who believe in Jesus Christ among the Gentiles, because his faith and ours are the same: he believed in future things as if they were already accomplished, because of the promise of God; and similarly, we also, because of the promise of God, see through faith that inheritance stored up for us in the future kingdom.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

...and the law, after many generations, that those who lived between the times of Abraham and Moses be justified by circumcision, and those after Moses be justified by both circumcision and additional ordinances like the Sabbath, sacrifices, libations, and offerings—God will be spoken poorly of unless you demonstrate, as I have already said, that God, who foreknew, was aware that your nation would deserve expulsion from Jerusalem, and no one would be allowed to enter it. (For you are distinguished only by physical circumcision, as I mentioned before. Abraham was declared righteous by God not because of circumcision, but because of faith. Before he was circumcised, it was said of him: ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Therefore, we, in the absence of physical circumcision, believing God through Christ, and having the beneficial circumcision of the heart, hope to be seen as righteous and pleasing to God, having already received His testimony through the prophets' words.) Furthermore, God will be slandered unless you show that you were commanded to observe the Sabbath and present offerings, and that the Lord allowed a place to be called by God's na

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

For the rest, the apostle must (be permitted to) go on with his own statement, wherein he says that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith: Galatians 2:16 faith, however, in the same God to whom belongs the law also.

Methodius, Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Direct teaching

In you, and by you, let that justification which is of grace become known beforehand to the Gentiles.

Methodius, Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Direct teaching

...cribed sanction, as it were, of so many and such great blessings might make the justifying gifts of grace sure and unquestionable rights for those who have obtained mercy. And this very thing the prophet had announced before in the words: "No ambassador, nor angel, but the Lord Himself saved them; because He loved them, and spared them, and He took them up, and exalted them." And all this was not of works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5), nor because we loved You. For our first earthly forefather, who was honorably entertained in the delightful dwelling of Paradise, despised Your divine and saving commandment, and was judged unworthy of that life-giving place. And, mingling his seed with the bastard offshoots of sin, he made it very weak. But You, O Lord, of Yourself, and of Your love toward the creature of Your hands, a love beyond words, have confirmed Your mercy toward us. And, pitying our estrangement from You, You were moved at the sight of our degradation to take us into compassion. Therefore, from now on, a joyous festival is established for us, the race of Adam, because the first Creator of Adam has of His own free will become the Second Adam. And the brig

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

In the end, the agreement and harmony of both forms of faith lead to one goal: salvation. We have the apostle as a sure witness: "For I desire to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, in order that you may be strengthened; that is, that I may be comforted among you by the mutual faith of you and me." Romans 1:11-12 And a little later he adds, "The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." Romans 1:17 So the apostle clearly declares a twofold faith, or rather one faith that allows growth and perfection, for the common faith lies underneath as a foundation. Therefore, to those who desired to be healed and were moved by faith, He added, "Your faith has saved you." Matthew 9:22 But what is built excellently on that foundation is completed in the believer, and is further perfected by the faith that comes from instruction and the word, so that the commandments may be carried out. Such were the apostles, of whom it is said that faith removed mountains and transplanted trees. From this, seeing how great its power was, they asked that faith might be added to them, Luke 17:5 a faith that helpfully grips the soil like a grain of mustard seed and grows splendidly

Romans 3:24 Supporting witness

and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:8 Supporting witness

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Romans 11:6 Supporting witness

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Direct teaching

If, indeed, you repent of your sins, and recognise Him to be Christ, and observe His commandments, then you may assert this;

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Direct teaching

...time, and many are still perishing. I mean those who have not chosen to give themselves to works of righteousness. But only those who have received Him, and who still receive Him, have obtained power to become the sons of God. For the evangelist did not say that all have obtained that power. But on the other hand, he also did not set any limit on the time. This is what he says: "As many as received Him." Moreover, from the creation of the world He has always been with righteous people, and He has never stopped requiring their blood from the hands of the wicked, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias. And from where, then, did righteous Abel and all those worthy people after him, who are counted among the righteous, get their righteousness, when there was not yet any law of Moses, and when the prophets had not yet arisen and carried out the work of prophecy? Were they not made righteous because they fulfilled the law, each one showing the work of the law written in their hearts, while their conscience also bore witness? For when a man who does not have the law does by nature the things contained in the law, he, though not having the law, is a law to himself. A

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

“Now listen,” he said, “about faith. There are two angels with a person. One is of righteousness, and the other is of iniquity.” And I said to him, “How, sir, am I to know their powers, since both angels live with me?” “Listen,” he said, “and understand them. The angel of righteousness is gentle and modest, meek and peaceful. Therefore, when he rises into your heart, he immediately speaks to you about righteousness, purity, chastity, contentment, and every righteous deed and glorious virtue. When all these rise into your heart, know that the angel of righteousness is with you. These are the deeds of the angel of righteousness. Trust him, then, and his works. “Now look at the works of the angel of iniquity. First, he is angry, bitter, and foolish, and his works are evil and destroy the servants of God. So when he rises into your heart, know him by his works.” And I said to him, “How, sir, I will recognize him, I do not know.” “Listen and understand,” he said. “When anger comes on you, or harshness, know that he is in you. You will also know this is the case when you are attacked by a desire for many dealings, and for the richest delicacies, and drunken feasting, and various luxuries

Gregory Thaumaturgus, Connection to 1 Corinthians 6:11 Supporting witness

And again: "But ye are washed, but ye are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

James 2:18 Supporting witness

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 2:24 Supporting witness

You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

James 2:17 Supporting witness

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Tertullian, On Baptism Direct teaching

...games they are baptized. And they think that the effect of doing this is their regeneration and the remission of the penalties due for their perjuries. Among the ancients too, whoever had defiled himself with murder used to go in search of purifying waters. Therefore, if the mere nature of water, because it is the proper material for washing away, leads men to flatter themselves with a belief in omens of purification, how much more truly will waters render that service through the authority of God, by whom all their nature has been established! If men think that water is endowed with a healing power by religion, what religion is more effective than that of the living God? Since this is acknowledged, we recognize here also the zeal of the devil rivaling the things of God, when we find that he too practices baptism in those who belong to him. What likeness is there? The unclean cleanses! The ruiner sets free! The damned absolves! He will, of course, destroy his own work by washing away the sins that he himself inspires! These remarks have been written down by way of testimony against those who reject the faith. If they put no trust in the things of God, they do trust in the false

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

11. Since in baptism each person has his own sins forgiven, the Lord proves and declares in His Gospel that sins can be taken away only by those who have the Holy Spirit. For after His resurrection, when He sent out His disciples, He spoke to them and said, "As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they will be forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they will be retained." John 20:21-23 In this place He shows that only the one who has the Holy Spirit can baptize and give forgiveness of sins. Moreover, John, who was to baptize Christ our Lord Himself, received the Holy Spirit beforehand while he was still in his mother's womb, so that it might be certain and clear that no one can baptize except those who have the Holy Spirit. Therefore those who support heretics or schismatics must answer us whether they have the Holy Spirit or not. If they have Him, why are hands laid on those who were baptized among them when they come to us, so that they may receive the Holy Spirit, since He must surely have been received there, where, if He was there, He could also be g

Tertullian, On Baptism Supporting witness

... the same nature. Otherwise, if it had been celestial, it would have given both the Holy Spirit and remission of sins. But no one either pardons sins or freely grants the Spirit except God only. Even the Lord Himself said that the Spirit would not descend on any other condition, except that He should first ascend to the Father, John 16:6-7. What the Lord was not yet conferring, of course the servant could not furnish. Accordingly, in the Acts of the Apostles, we find that men who had John's baptism had not received the Holy Spirit, whom they had not even known by hearing. That, then, was no celestial thing which furnished no celestial endowments. On the other hand, the very thing in John which was celestial, the Spirit of prophecy, so completely failed, after the transfer of the whole Spirit to the Lord, that he soon sent to ask whether He whom he himself had preached, whom he had pointed out when coming to him, were HE. And so the baptism of repentance, Acts 19:4, was treated as if it were a candidate for the remission and sanctification soon about to follow in Christ. For when John used to preach baptism for the remission of sins, Mark 1:4, the declaration was made with refere

Origen, Commentary on John Direct teaching

...ness. And he came into all the region around the Jordan preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Luke, however, adds the continuation of the prophecy: “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” He writes, like Mark, “Make His ways straight,” shortening, as we saw before, the text, “Make straight the ways of our God.” In the phrase, “And all the crooked shall become straight,” he leaves out the word “all,” and changes the word “straight” from plural to singular. Also, instead of the phrase, “The rough land into a plain,” he gives, “The rough ways into smooth ways.” And he leaves out, “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,” and gives what follows, “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” These observations are useful because they show how the evangelists are accustomed to shorten the sayings of the prophets. It must also be observed that

Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness

...“to repentance,” teaching that the benefit of baptism is connected with the intention of the person baptized. To him who repents it is salutary, but to him who comes to it without repentance it will turn to greater condemnation. And here we must note that the wonderful works done by the Savior in the cures He performed, which are symbolic of those who at any time are set free by the word of God from any sickness or disease, though they were done to the body and brought bodily relief, yet also called those who were benefited by them to an exercise of faith. So also the washing with water, which is symbolic of the soul cleansing herself from every stain of wickedness, is no less in itself to him who yields himself to the divine power of the invocation of the Adorable Trinity, the beginning and source of divine gifts. For there are diversities of gifts. This view receives confirmation from the narrative recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, which shows the Spirit to have descended so plainly on those who receive baptism, after the water had prepared the way for Him in those who properly approached the rite. Simon Magus, astonished at what he saw, desired to receive this gift from P

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

.... Further, as you are not ignorant, the Holy Spirit is found to have been given by the Lord without baptism of water to men who believe, as it is written in Acts of the Apostles in this way: “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. For they heard them speak in tongues, and they magnified God. Then Peter answered, ‘Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?’ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” Acts 10:44-48 Peter also later taught us very fully about these same Gentiles, saying: “And He made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:9 And so there will be no doubt that men may be baptized with the Holy Spirit without water, since you see that these were baptized before they were baptized with water. In this way, the declarations of both John and of our Lord Himself were fulfilled, since they received the grace of the promise both witho

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...he Holy Spirit not also be poured out on that temple? For the one who has been sanctified, with his sins taken away in baptism, and has been spiritually remade into a new man, has become fit to receive the Holy Spirit, since the apostle says, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:27. He who, after being baptized among the heretics, is able to put on Christ, can much more receive the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent. Otherwise, the One who is sent would be greater than the One who sends, so that a person baptized outside may indeed begin to put on Christ, but not be able to receive the Holy Spirit, as if Christ could be put on without the Spirit, or the Spirit could be separated from Christ. Moreover, it is foolish to say that although the second birth is spiritual, by which we are born in Christ through the washing of regeneration, someone may be spiritually born among the heretics, where they say that the Spirit is not. For water alone cannot cleanse away sins and sanctify a man unless he also has the Holy Spirit. Therefore it is necessary for them to admit that the Holy Spirit is there where they say baptism is. Otherwise, there is no b

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

Now concerning baptism, O bishop or presbyter, we have already given instruction, and now we say this: you shall baptize as the Lord commanded us, saying, “Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you,” Matthew 28:19. Baptize in the name of the Father who sent, of Christ who came, and of the Comforter who testified. But first you shall anoint the person with the holy oil, and afterward baptize him with water, and at the end you shall seal him with the ointment. In this way, the anointing with oil may be the participation of the Holy Spirit, the water the symbol of the death of Christ, and the ointment the seal of the covenants. But if there is neither oil nor ointment, water is enough for the anointing, for the seal, and for the confession of Him who is dead, or rather of the one dying together with Christ. But before baptism, let him who is to be baptized fast. For even the Lord, when He was first baptized by John and remained in the wilderness, afterward fasted forty days and forty nights. But He was baptized and then fasted, because He Himself had no nee

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

... the Lord Himself, still at last denied Him. This was so that it might be shown to us that whatever sins they had contracted in the meantime, and in whatever way, those same sins were without doubt put away by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, since afterward their faith was shown to be sincere. Nor, as I think, was it for any other reason that the apostles charged those whom they addressed in the Holy Spirit to be baptized in the name of Christ Jesus, except that the power of the name of Jesus, invoked upon any man in baptism, might give no small advantage toward obtaining salvation for the one being baptized, as Peter says in the Acts of the Apostles: "For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved," Acts 4:12. The Apostle Paul also explains this, showing that God has exalted our Lord Jesus and given Him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, in the glory of God the Father. And if, when a man was baptized, invocation was made in the name of Jesus over him, then even if he received baptism while in some

Hippolytus, Discourse on the Holy Theophany Supporting witness

...tism of repentance, and I cannot baptize those who come to me unless they first confess fully their sins. Be it so then that I baptize You. What have You to confess? You are the Remover of sins, and will You be baptized with the baptism of repentance? Though I should venture to baptize You, the Jordan dares not come near You. I have need to be baptized by You, and You come to me?"

1 Peter 3:21 Supporting witness

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Acts 2:38 Supporting witness

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.