GOSPEL: THE GOOD NEWS THAT THE MERCY OF GOD WILL WITHHOLD THE DESERVED PENALTY FOR SIN, ANDTHE GRACE OF GOD WILL TREAT THE SINNER AS IF HE HAD NEVER SINNED, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST ON CONDITION OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE OF SIN BY THE SINNER.

GOSPEL JUSTIFICATION: IT CONSISTS IN A GOVERNMENTAL DECREE OF PARDON OR AMNESTY—IN ARRESTING AND SETTING ASIDE THE EXECUTION OF THE INCURRED PENALTY OF LAW—IN PARDONING AND RESTORING TO FAVOR THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED, AND UPON WHOM IT HAD PASSED THE SENTENCE OF ETERNAL DEATH, AND REWARDING THEM AS IF THEY HAD BEEN RIGHTEOUS.  NOT TO BE REGARDED AS A FORENSIC OR JUDICIAL PROCEEDING.  AN ACT OF GRACE, NOT LAW.

LEGAL JUSTIFICATION: THE PRONOUNCEMENT THAT THE JUSTIFIED PERSON IS GUILTLESS, OR, IN OTHER WORDS, THAT HE HAS NOT VIOLATED THE LAW, THAT HE HAS DONE ONLY WHAT HE HAD A LEGAL RIGHT TO DO.  AN ACT OF LAW, NOT GRACE.  IT CANNOT BE POSSIBLE THAT A SINNER CAN BE PRONOUNCED JUST IN THE EYE OF LAW; THAT HE CAN BE JUSTIFIED BY DEEDS OF LAW, OR BY THE LAW AT ALL.