What is the purpose of baptism? What does baptism symbolize? Does baptism save you?
What Is The Purpose of Baptism?
Shortly after I was saved I was baptized. I was baptized with the understanding of making a public testimonial of my profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The key was that I was saved before I was baptized. Baptism serves a purpose in the church and for Christians. We are told to be baptized after we are saved by placing our faith in Christ.
If I were to put it in my own words I would say that it is an outward expression of an inward profession of our faith in Jesus to save. When we are submerged into the water it symbolizes our death, when we are under the water it pictures our burial, and after we come up out of the water this symbolizes our new life; being resurrected in Christ to eternal life. The ordinance of baptism did not save me, the water did not save me, the symbols did not save me; it was when I placed my faith in Jesus Christ that saved me.
Baptism does not make you a believer but it shows you that you are a believer. It does not save a believer; it shows the believer has been saved. It is often done in the presence of family members, in front of the church a person is or has joined, and reflects an inward expression of an outward faith.
Many of the Old Testament patriarchs and matriarchs were never baptized yet we know that they will be in the kingdom of heaven. Men and women like Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Deborah, Aaron, David, Elijah, and so many others. Even the thief on the cross was saved by his profession of belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and there was no chance of his coming down from the cross to be baptized. The point is that a person can be saved even outside of a church home although this is no reason not to be part of the Body of Christ (the church) as the author of Hebrews says in chapter 10:25, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
What Does Baptism Symbolize?
Baptism is a clear, public symbolic picture of the new life that we have in Christ. We are not sinless of course after we are saved but we have died to sin and die to ourselves and have been raised with Him to new life. This is precisely what Paul says in Romans 6:1-4, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Baptism is also symbolic of our identity with one another in the church. We are united with other brothers and sister who are already in the faith-family of God thus we are identified with Christ and with the Body of Christ, the church. The Greek word used for baptism (baptisma) is a noun and literally means “to submerge” or to be completely submerged which differs from being sprinkled. When Jesus was baptized it was said that “when He had came up out of the water” which explains why John was called “John the Baptist“. It was not referring to his denomination but to his method and if baptizing completely under the water was wrong, Jesus could have corrected John but He did not.
Does Baptism Save You?
First of all let us find out what the Bible says about what saves a sinner. A personal opinion or idea will not do here. We must fully trust in what the Word of God says because it is without error. Humans are fully capable of making mistakes so when we find out what saves from the Bible itself, it is God speaking to us and we know it is right. So what does the Bible actually say about what saves a sinner? Let God speak to us from His inerrant Word.
The jailer asks the question that we are asking here in Acts 16:30-31:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Romans 10:9 -13 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
Acts 13:38-39 “Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.”
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Not one of these Scriptures has adjacent verses that talk anything about adding to the saving work of believing in Jesus. No mention is made of baptism in these verses and nothing is said like “but you must also be baptized”. It is not believing plus baptism, believing plus church membership, believing plus (fill in the blank). No, it is when you believe in Jesus Christ that saves you. Anything that adds to this belief is works and to suggest that being baptized is necessary to being saved is tantamount to saying that Jesus perfect life, sacrifice, death, and resurrection was not enough: I must add baptism to it to complete the saving work of Christ.
I have had the amazing experience of leading our church elder’s father-in-law to Christ on his death bed. This gentleman had heard the gospel and knew about Christ but had never expressed his belief in Jesus’ atoning work on the cross. He was so weak that he could not get out of bed. He was extremely near death. When I shared the message of the gospel with this man in his “death bed” he finally expressed his belief in Jesus Christ and placed his trust in Him. I asked him if he believed that Jesus was born of a virgin, if he lived a sinless life, if he died on Calvary for our sins, if we was raised again in the resurrection….and this man say “Yes! I do believe”. He had tears in his eyes because I think he knew we was going to die soon. I believe with all my heart that this man came to saving faith while lying in his bed. He had no chance of ever being baptized. He could not even muster enough strength to get up out of bed to be baptized or join a church. He could not add one work to his faith except his belief in Christ. Less than two days later this man did die. No one can tell me that I will not see him in the kingdom of heaven or that since he was not baptized he was not saved.
The “death bed” conversion of that dying man was one of the most awesome experiences of my entire life. I cried like a baby. So did the church’s elder and his wife which was the man’s daughter. I have done similar things to others in nursing homes or assisted living care centers where people were near death or in their last days. They could not take the stress or strain of getting into or out of a tank, tub, or pool to be baptized, yet they still believed in Jesus Christ and placed their trust and faith in Him as their Savior.
Let me say that the word “believe” means to fully trust in, to completely rely upon, to absolutely lean on, and place all a persons faith in. When they say they believe in Jesus it means that they believe that He was born of a virgin, that He lived a perfect life, that He gave His life on Calvary as a ransom for us, that He died and was resurrected on the third day, and that He will come again for us. If any of these things are not believed, then there is no true faith. To believe in Jesus Christ also means that we obey Him. As the old church hymn says, we “trust and obey, for there is no other way.” Even the devil and his demons believe but the do not obey nor do they place their trust in Him.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh Jack what a great article on yet another controversial subject in Christian circles. Your “death bed” testimony reminded me of my own Daddy, who believed in what Jesus did for him on his “death bed”. It was my husband who had a heart-to-heart talk with Daddy. We had shared the good news so many other times but Daddy’s heart was hard. On the day that he believed we rejoiced and I am sure the Angels were singing. What followed in the days after Daddy went home to be with the Lord was amazing. We heard 6 professions of faith in Jesus from other family members.
So true, baptism does not save, for if it did we would not need our Savior, Jesus.
Thanks so much Pam. I can not see that anything more need be required of Jesus’ powerful, redemptive work. My own mother, late in her life, was in such a position too. It is belief on Jesus’ completed work at Calvary that saves. To think that your dear father came to Christ at such a time is worth rejoicing over and the comfort of knowing that you will SURELY see him again. God bless you friend.
In Acts 2:37, it says they were ‘pricked in their hearts’ meaning they obviously believed in Jesus but they then asked Peter ‘what shall we do?’ He replied in Acts 2:38 saying they should ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost’. This scripture clearly tells us that baptism is necessary for salvation. Repentance forgives us of our sins but only baptism removes our sins.
Baptism expresses faith in God by obedience to His Word. And as you stated “To believe in Jesus Christ also means that we obey Him.” The Word tells us we are to be baptized.
The biblical significance of water baptism is as follows: (1) God remits sins at water baptism (Acts 2:38, 22:16). (2) Baptism is part of the new birth (John 3:5; Titus 3:5). (3) Baptism identifies a person with Jesus’ burial (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12). (4) Water baptism is part of the one baptism of water and Spirit that places believers into Christ (Romans 6:3-4, Gal 3:27). And (5) Baptism is part of spiritual circumcision (Col. 2:11-13).
And as for “men and women like Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Deborah, Aaron, David, Elijah, and so many others. Even the thief on the cross”, those saved in the Gospels were saved under the Old Covenant while they awaited the New. The New Covenant did not come into effect until after Christ’s ascension (Luke 7:28; 24:47-49; John 7:39; 16:7; Acts 1:4-8; Hebrews 9:14-17).
Then Jesus death was not enough. We must add to it like with baptism/ What of the man who had a “death bed” conversion and was in no condition to be baptized in such a state of physical deterioration that he could not even be lifted up out of his bed due to the risk of fracture of his vertebrae? That dying man’s conversion was not enough then to believe in Jesus Christ to be saved? (Acts 4:14, Rom 10:9, Acts 16:30-31). We could not baptize him yet he came to saving faith just before he died so he is headed to hell? How can another woman in a nursing home who accepted Christ also on her death bed not be saved after professing saving faith in Christ? She too is headed to hell? There are also scores of people who in car wrecks who professed faith in Christ. Once with a pastor who included it in his lifetime experiences and came to the scene after the accident. Remember that these three people who were dying and not able to be baptized professed with their tongue faith in Christ. The two elderly people understood the plan of salvation as I explained it clearly to them. And this was clearly in the New Covenant…this was just last summer! This was one of the most awesome experiences of my entire life and yet you say because they were not baptized they are not saved and headed to hell for eternity. I disagree.
The New Covenant was clearly established by Christ but it was actually BEFORE the cross if you believe Jesus: “And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples…. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:18-28 ). He repeats this phrase THREE TIMES “this is the new covenant” during the Passover.
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the new covenant, which IS (is meaning it already is in effect) poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. He did not say, this “will be” the new covenant but “is”.
What would you say to those two death bed conversions of those two who had clearly believed in Jesus Christ before they died? Are the headed for hell then? What do you say about them?
Jesus’ death was for all humankind, the very act of His sacfrafice does not automatically apply His atonning blood to all of humanity. With this argument, why do we even have to believe? Is that not “adding” to His sacrafice? That stance does not hold water. Assuming you agree that baptism washes away sins, I will make a point. Jesus Himself was baptized. Not that He needed to be, He was perfect and without sin. However, He did this to offer an example. Not only does the Bible clearly command us to be baptized, but Jesus also showed us.
I agree that salvation is by grace through faith and not by human works (Ephesians 2:8-9). The doctrine of grace means that salvation is a free gift from God, which humans cannot earn; in other words, salvation is God’s work in us. The atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ have made this gift available.The doctrine of faith means that we receive God’s saving work by trusting in Jesus Christ. However, faith is more than intellectual acceptance, or verbal profession; it includes trust, reliance, appropriation, and application. Faith is alive only through response and action; we cannot separate faith from obedience. (Matthew 7:21-27; Romans 1:5; 6:17; 10:16; 16:26; II Thessalonians 1:7-10.) Saving faith, then, is (1) acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the means of salvation and (2) obedience to that gospel (application or appropriation of that gospel).
As Acts 2:38 shows, we respond to the gospel, obey the gospel, or apply the gospel to our lives by repentance from sin (death to sin), water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ (burial with Christ), and receiving the Holy Spirit (new life in Christ). (Romans 6:1-7; 7:6; 8:2, 10.)
This response is the biblical expression of saving faith in Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:15; 16:16; John 7:37-39; Acts 11:15-17.) This threefold experience, viewed as an integrated whole, brings regeneration, justification, and initial sanctification. (I Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5.) Baptism of water and Spirit is the birth of water and Spirit, the born-again experience of which Jesus spoke in John 3:3-5. The three steps are NOT human works that earn salvation but divine works of salvation in human lives.
And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the New Covenant did not come into effect until after Christ’s ascension (Luke 7:28; 24:47-49; John 7:39; 16:7; Acts 1:4-8; Hebrews 9:14-17). Besides with your counter attack, do I understand you to only believe that I am wrong about the thief on the cross? All the other people you mentioned lived and died before the Last Supper.
And as for arsenal against me, this is what the Bible has to say about the two death bed conversions you mentioned: John 3:5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. And lastly, Romans 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
I don’t quote these scriptures out of malice or triumph but out of grief.
God Bless
Clarissa, I am not attacking you. I am sorry you feel that way. Then you are condemning these two people who believed in Christ before they died?
I did not find your answer this question:
“What of the man who had a “death bed” conversion and was in no condition to be baptized in such a state of physical deterioration that he could not even be lifted up out of his bed due to the risk of fracture of his vertebrae? That dying man’s conversion was not enough then to believe in Jesus Christ to be saved? (Acts 4:14, Rom 10:9, Acts 16:30-31). We could not baptize him yet he came to saving faith just before he died so he is headed to hell? How can another woman in a nursing home who accepted Christ also on her death bed not be saved after professing saving faith in Christ? She too is headed to hell?”
My 15 year old daughter is Catholic and was baptized as an infant. She was told last night that she and her entire family who are Catholic are going to hell, because they were baptized as infants. She is obviously very upset. What do I tell her?
Barry, I want to thank you for such an important comment as this. I believe that only God alone knows a person’s eternal destination. No man can know with certainty. John 3:17 says that even Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world but to save the world. They have no business nor authority for making such a false statement and accusation. I hope the Holy Spirit convicts them of this falsehood. As a pastor of a non-denominational, evangelical church, I get many such statements made to me about others including Catholics. I wrote an article that might interest them called Are Catholics Saved? Please read this: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/are-catholics-saved-and-are-they-christians/
Further, what audacity to make such a statement to anyone and judging them and convicting them guilty and worthy of hell. That is totally unbiblical Barry. Please let her also read this article too. No one is saved by Baptism. I have known many Christians who believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, that He was born of a Virgin (Mary), and that He lived a perfect live, without sin, and that He was crucified for us and was raised again. If your daughter and her family (meaning your family and you too) believe this, then that is what is called saving faith. It is trusting Jesus for what He said and believing in Him for all He did.
This is testified many times in Scripture, like Romans 9:10-11, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” There is no mention of baptism or losing salvation with infant baptism, or anything else that saves but by faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ Jesus alone. I hope this helps. Tell your daughter she has nothing to worry about and those who are judgmental will give an account to God someday for their false condemnation. Jesus will not lose one out of His hand or His Father’s hand and will never, ever caste anyone away for not being baptized or because they were baptized as an infant (John 6:37 & 10:28-29). Baptism does not save. Jesus saves! Jesus once for all supreme sacrifice is sufficient for her, and for your family too my friend. May God comfort her and your family with these biblical facts of truth – not my opinion, but God Almighty’s.
Jack,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and informative response. You put my heart and mind at ease over this issue. I read the article you referenced before I posted my question and it also helped me a lot. I spoke to my daughter earlier today (she stayed home from school, because she was so upset) and told her many of the things you mentioned in your reply to my question.
I am a baptized believer, grew up and attend an independent Christian church. I’ve asked God to present an opportunity to me to talk to my daughter about her faith, salvation and baptism. That prayer was answered last night as we drove home from her youth group. I also attend and assist with the Wednesday night youth group. I did not hear the youth minister’s comment (he’s an intern who attends a local Bible college). The comment was made during the break out session after his devotion about salvation. My daughter is in his small group.
I could tell she was upset afterward and she opened up and told me what was said in her small group. That was my opportunity to talk to her about her faith and that salvation comes through Jesus Christ.
Her mother (my ex-wife) is Catholic, as is her whole family. My daughter was raised Catholic and I was supportive of that believing that it was important for her to attend a church and receive a religious education.
My current wife and step-daughter are Catholic, so the comment last night really upset me, too. That’s when I got online this morning looking for answers. I found them here on your site, and on others, too.
Thank you again and I plan on speaking to our minister about this situation. Please pray for me, my family and for the youth minister so that he will send the proper, Biblical message these young people need to hear.
May God continue to bless you and your work for His kingdom.
Amen to your request for prayer Barry over this important issue. Perhaps the fact that this man is “young” or new in the faith or at least new in the ministry and has not yet completed his BA explains it all to me. Perhaps this is why Paul tells Timothy that pastors should not be recent or new converts. You showed great patience and wisdom in your response. Many Christian men might not have responded so kindly as you, which to me reflects that Christ is living in you. I think that even bad things that happen work out for the good. This young intern may learn an important lesson that he can carry with him throughout his life and your going to the minister (Senior Minister I presume) will do wonders for both the youth ministry and this young man’s future work with believers. God bless you and your entire family. Bank on our prayers friend.
Thank you, Jack. Yes, your presumption is correct, I plan to speak to our Senior Minister.
Christ alone is the one who saves you. We don’t even get to “believe,” because it’s a gift; it’s his believing, not ours, which saves us.
Baptism is not necessary. If you are baptized, however, of course you will be saved: if you agree that you died with Christ, were buried with him, and resurrected with him, you will be saved, and that is what baptism. It’s not merely an act of immersion in water, but also the agreement in one’s heart that comes with it. That’s just the “Hebrew mindset” that much of the Bible was written in.
Also, in Acts 2:38, Peter was not making a speech to every Christian everywhere. He was talking only to those present at Jerusalem at that time, who were gathered to see what was going on with the apostles. So Peter prophecies to them: “you guys are gonna recieve Holy Spirit, just like us, after you are baptized.” Yes, all scripture is the inspired word of God. Someone was inspired to record the acts of the early church, including this “speech,” so that we may see examples of the function of the church and how God works through us. Not so we can assume that Peter was making that speech to us, today.
Also, in Acts 2:38, the word “for” is “eis” in the Greek. It can mean “for” but can also mean “into.” From what I can tell, this is the more common usage of “eis.” It’s possible that Peter was saying “Repent and be baptized ‘into’ the forgiveness of your sins.” This would imply initiation into the experience of forgiveness, which would make more sense, considering that we are told in Hebrews 10:12, 8:12, Col. 2:13, 1 John 2:12, even 1 John 1:9 (just look at the verb tenses in the Greek for that verse), etc that we have already been forgiven.
Jordan, this is such an intelligent and insightful comment you have made and I am most happy that you did. You have clarified this and but going back to the Greek, it brings out the real intent of the author and the understanding is made clearer. Please come back and grace us with your comments elsewhere too. I agree that even belief is a gift and that no one can come to Christ unless the Father is drawing them and it is a gift and God grants repentance too. Well said in all.
We are saved by( Read Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38 )Been BAPTIZED AS Jesus did(as an example, he had no sin)
That dying man’s conversion was not enough then to believe in Jesus Christ to be saved? (Acts 4:14, Rom 10:9, Acts 16:30-31). We could not baptize him yet he came to saving faith just before he died so he is headed to hell? How can another woman in a nursing home who accepted Christ also on her death bed not be saved after professing saving faith in Christ? She too is headed to hell? There are also scores of people who in car wrecks who professed faith in Christ. Once with a pastor who included it in his lifetime experiences and came to the scene after the accident. Remember that these three people who were dying and not able to be baptized professed with their tongue faith in Christ. The thief on the cross too I suppose, since he was not baptized is lost….and Abraham, David….and others. Your theology is flawed and is like Christ + baptism = eternal life but in effect you are saying Christ + works (like baptism) = eternal life when that formula is zero.
Where does this passage (Mark 16:15,16) and the others you mentioned place salvation in relation to baptism?
Does salvation come before baptism or as a result of it? We can no more be saved before baptism than we can before believing.
It is like 1 + 1 = 2. Take away either of the “1′s” and you no longer have two. Likewise if you take away either faith or baptism, you no longer have salvation. Read the Scripture. It actually says you will be condemned if you don’t believe, but it doesn’t say you will be condemned if you are not baptized.
The Bible does not always spell out what we have to do to be lost. It tells us what we have to do to be saved and expects us to realize that, if we don’t do it, we will be lost.
It says we must do two things to be saved. To be lost, you only need to omit one of them. If you don’t have faith, you probably would not be baptized, and if you did it would not do any good. To be lost is easy – just don’t believe. To be saved is harder – you must both believe and be baptized.
Further, the person who has a true faith will believe that baptism is necessary. Jesus said to believe the gospel (v15,16). What does the gospel say? “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” What if I don’t believe that? Then I don’t believe the gospel! What does the passage say about people who don’t believe the gospel? There are a lot of people who have been baptized but are clearly not saved (by the lack of fruits, by which Christ said we would know them).
Thanks Russell. I have been baptized. How can you say I am lost. I obey the gospel and was baptized but baptism never saved me. If we think that we must add baptism to our salvation, we are saying that Jesus’ sacrifice was not enough. How can you condemn me to hell and say I am lost? God alone knows if a person is truly saved or not. You can not look into my heart and make that judgment. Further, how can you say those people who confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are lost too. How do you know? Can you see into their heart? I feel sorry for you that you think this way. God forgive you. I have. Thanks for your comment. I hope you are not depending on baptism for salvation when faith in Christ alone saves.
Yes I get it…and I got it. (Rom 10:9-13).
Russell commented, “Hey Jack; dont you get it? Those people on there death bed confession are lost, they had their whole lifes to obey the gospel, but chose not to. You likewise jack are in a lost condition because you have not obeyed the gospel, you have not been baptised for the remission of your sins.”
My reply is above mine.
Being saved is not what you do, but what Christ has already done for us. Please read Ephesians 2:8,9 it is by his Grace NOT anything that we do. If we place our trust (belief, faith) in him he says he gives us his righteousness just like he did Abraham. I often times feel we miss understand the Gospel, please read 1Cor. 15:1-4. The apostle Paul said this is the Gospel that saves, if you believe. (Do You Believe It)?
We also can’t repent of our sins to be saved. Only the shed blood of Christ can do that. Repent or repentance means a change of mind towards Jesus Christ. When we change our mind from unbelief to belief in Christ Jesus he forgives us, and Justified us from ALL our sins. “Justified” (just if ied never sinned). His Grace is sufficient for me. Praise the Lord. May God Bless!
Being saved is Not what you do, but what Christ has already done for us. Please read Eph. 2:8,9 it is by His Grace not anything that we do. If we place our trust (belief, faith) in him He says he give us his Righteousness just like he did Abraham. I often times feel we miss understand the Gospel, please read 1Cor. 15:1-4. The apostle Paul said this is the Gospel that saves, if you believe. (Do You Believe It)?
We also can’t repent of our sins to be saved. Only the shed blood of Christ can do that. Repent or Repentance means a change of mind towards Jesus Christ. When we change our mind from unbelief to belief in Christ Jesus He forgives us, and Justified us from ALL our sins. “Justified” means (Just if ied never sinned). His Grace is sufficient for me. God Bless!