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Only the Triune God can justify a sinner. Scripture ascribes various aspects of a sinner's justification to each of the three Divine Persons, as summarized in the following chart:

A TRIUNE GOD JUSTIFIES AN ELECT SINNER
Divine Person and Work
Example Texts

1. God the Father - Pronounces the divine sentence of justification according to His eternal, electing decree

  • The Moving Cause

  • The Initiator and Sentencer

  • The Judge

    • Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

    - Romans 8:33

    To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.

    - II Corinthians 5:19

    1. God the Son - Earned a sinner's justification through perfectly satisfying God's justice; Christ also intercedes, on the basis of His merits, for the justification of all elect sinners

  • The Meriting Cause

  • The Mediator and Intercessor

  • The Advocate

    • My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

    And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

    - I John 2:1-2

    Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

    - Hebrews 7:25

    1. God the Holy Spirit - Applies and seals personal justification in the hearts of the elect

  • The Applying Cause

  • The Applier and Sealer

  • The Comforter

    • And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

    - I Corinthians 6: II

    Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

    - Romans 15:13

    Regarding the work of the Triune God in man's salvation, the rhyming expression, "thought, bought, and wrought" can be used. How do these three relate to the justifying work of each Divine Person?


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