Doctrine of Justification, Penal Substitution & Double Imputation

Doctrine of Justification

*This means what God, thru the Bible teaches us on justification.

It is part of the Doctrine of Salvation.

Which explains the sequence of events in the salvation process. It includes:

●Gospel Proclamation

●Regeneration

●Conversion

●Union with Christ

●Justification

●Adoption

●Sanctification

●Perseverance

●Glorification

On Justification: "That instantaneous act of God whereby, as a gift of His grace, He imputes to a believing sinner the full and perfect righteousness of Christ through faith alone and legally declares him perfectly righteous in His sight, forgiving the sinner of all unrighteousness and thus delivering him from all condemnation."

Justification is the transition from condemnation to righteousness. 

Penal Substitutionary Atonement, is about Christ bearing the penalty of our sins.

Double Imputation, explains that believers' sins are imputed to Christ, and Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers.

An important part of what God teaches us  on Justification is the penal substitution and double imputation; both are held together. 

1. Penal Substitution

• Christ dies as a substitute, bearing the penalty of sin in the place of His people.

• On the cross, He absorbs the wrath of God that was due to sinners.

• This satisfies divine justice, so God can remain just while justifying the ungodly (Romans 3:25–26).

Christ’s substitutionary death fully satisfies God’s righteous anger and judgment against sin, so there’s no condemnation left for those united to Christ (Romans 8:1).

The cross is described as both

●Propitiation (turning away God’s wrath)

●Expiation (removing our guilt)

Both are held together in penal substitution.

2. Double Imputation

• Our sin imputed to Christ: On the cross, the guilt of believers is reckoned to Christ, and He pays its penalty.

• Christ’s righteousness imputed to us: Believers receive His perfect obedience to the law, so that they are not only forgiven but also declared righteous before God.

This is "double" because it goes both ways: our guilt → Christ, Christ’s righteousness → us.

3. How They Fit Together

• Penal substitution answers: How is our guilt removed?

• Double imputation answers: How do we gain positive righteousness?

• They are inseparable parts of the doctrine of justification. Without penal substitution, our sins aren’t paid for; without imputation of Christ’s righteousness, we stand forgiven but not positively righteous before God.

John MacArthur in the book The Gospel According to Jesus and speaking on justification, explains that:

• The believer’s sin was imputed to Christ, punished on the cross.

• Christ’s active obedience (His life of perfect law-keeping) and passive obedience (His death) are credited to the believer.

So...

Penal substitution and double imputation go together. Penal substitution explains the satisfaction of wrath by Christ, and double imputation explains the exchange of sin for righteousness that results in our justification.

The Biblical teaching on Penal substitution, is a vital truth revealed to us by God, as taught in Scripture. 

To examine this more: 

Doctrine of Justification

*All the noted pieces at the start of this page on the doctrine of Salvation are explained here. Along with other Doctrines taught in Scripture. 

Further examination:

• “Justification is Forever. Salvation is Forever” — a sermon emphasizing the permanent nature of justification. 

Penal Substitution: Yes — Christ bore the penalty of sin on behalf of believers, satisfying God’s wrath.

Double imputation: Yes — believers’ sins are forgiven and Christ’s righteousness is credited to them, though the focus is mostly on justification.

• “The Righteousness of God” — This deals with themes of righteousness, law, grace, and how God’s righteousness pertains to us. 

Penal Substitution: Partially — implicit in Christ’s death, but the focus is on God’s righteousness being declared.

Double imputation: Yes — mostly covering one side (righteousness to us).

• "Declaring God’s Righteousness"

Explores how the death of Christ publicly demonstrates God's righteousness, addressing the question of how God can forgive sins without compromising His justice.

Penal Substitution: Implicit — Christ bears the penalty of sin, satisfying God’s justice, though the focus is more on God’s righteousness being declared.

Double imputation: Discussed indirectly — Christ’s guilt-bearing (our sin to Him) and His righteousness credited to believers (righteousness to us), though not systematically laid out as full double imputation.

• “Simultaneously Righteous and a Sinner” — this message clarifies the relationship between justification and sanctification — that we are declared righteous even as we continue to battle sin. 

Penal Substitution: Yes — Christ bore the penalty of sin on our behalf.

Double imputation: discussed in principle — this message explicitly reflects imputation both ways: our sin to Christ, His righteousness to us.

• “Justification & Atonement  (Luke 18:9-14)” — this sermon connects justification and Christ’s atoning work.

Penal Substitution: Yes — Christ’s death pays for sin, satisfying God’s justice.

Double imputation?: Yes — explicitly discusses how Christ’s righteousness is credited and sin is forgiven, which touches both sides of imputation.

“Who Can Be Right With God?”- Luke 18:9‑14 

Pt1. Pt2

Penal Substitution: Yes — Christ’s sacrificial death takes the penalty for sin.

Double imputation?: Yes — explicitly discusses how Christ’s righteousness is credited and sin is forgiven, which touches both sides of imputation.

• “Deliverance: From Sin to Righteousness,” — addresses how justification is the transition from condemnation to righteousness. 

Penal Substitution: Yes — Christ’s death removes the believer’s guilt.

Double imputation: Yes — discusses the exchange of sin for Christ’s righteousness, though more focused on the result (believer’s new status).

"The Work of Christ"

Penal Substitution: Yes — emphasizes Christ taking the sinner’s place and bearing punishment.

Double imputation: Yes — both sin to Christ and righteousness to believers are taught explicitly.

“Reconciled by the Work of Substitution””

Penal Substitution: Yes — focuses on Christ’s substitutionary atonement.

Double imputation: Yes — clearly addresses both our sin imputed to Christ and Christ’s righteousness imputed to us.

“Spiritual Transformation”

Penal Substitution: Yes — Christ’s atoning work underpins the believer’s justified status.

Double imputation: Yes — explains that justification gives believers Christ’s righteousness even while they contend with sin.

On Double Imputation 

Looking at this doctrine seperately. 

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Both going through these expository explaining messages on the topic from Scripture, and the recommended book above, will be a great help to you on this topic. 

If you attend any church that's moving away from PSA teaching (denying that Christ bore the penalty of our sins), or the pastor & leaders have already embraced that false teaching (which opposes biblical truth), leave that church immediately. You do not want to be in a false church under false teachers & pastors. 

You can find a biblical church here. Do interview the pastor (by phone, email, in person) to ensure he teaches PSA. Pastors and churches do like to see believers asking questions before going to their church. 

So it is to your benefit to do this, to ensure you are in agreement with what's taught there, and you ensure you put yourself under God approved (& accurate) shepherd leaders at a biblical church. Not just any pastor or leader "claiming" to be Christian and "teaching" the Bible. Be sure.