Wesleyan Readings (#9): Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption

WORSHIP LEADER: We believe that when a sinner repents and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, a great transformation occurs by the grace of God.

CONGREGATION: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

WORSHIP LEADER: At that moment, we are justified; declared righteous by faith, pardoned from all sin, and delivered from guilt.

CONGREGATION: Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

WORSHIP LEADER: This is not by our works, but by the merit of Jesus Christ alone.

CONGREGATION: By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)

WORSHIP LEADER: We are also regenerated, born anew by the Holy Spirit, receiving a new heart and a new spirit within.

CONGREGATION: I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. (Ezekiel 36:26)

WORSHIP LEADER: This new life enables us to love and obey God, breaking the power of sin and maturing us to walk in righteousness.

CONGREGATION: We were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that… we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

WORSHIP LEADER: In Christ, we are adopted; received into God’s family as beloved sons and daughters, with all the rights and responsibilities therein.

CONGREGATION: You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)

WORSHIP LEADER: The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

CONGREGATION: And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:16–17)

WORSHIP LEADER: Thanks be to God for the miracle of salvation, and for His grace that justifies, renews, and brings us into His family.

EVERYONE: Amen