Assessment of Religious Knowledge (ARK) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ARK Practice Questions and Study Guide

The process that transforms a sinner into a state of holiness with God is known as justification. This concept is central in many branches of Christianity, particularly in Protestant theology, where it is understood as the act of God declaring a sinner to be righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. Justification involves a legal declaration, where God, through His grace, forgives sins and credits the righteousness of Christ to the believer, thus restoring the individual's relationship with Him.

This transformation signifies that the individual is viewed as holy and acceptable in God's eyes, embodying the core idea of being made right with God despite previous wrongdoings. It plays a crucial role in the broader narrative of salvation, where individuals are not only saved from sin but also granted a new status before God.

In contrast, redemption generally refers to the act of being rescued or bought back, often relating to the overall process of salvation as it encompasses justification as one of its key components. Salvation is a broader term that includes justification, redemption, and transformation into a new life in Christ. Conversion usually describes the personal decision to turn away from sin and toward God, often accompanied by faith, but doesn't specifically denote the legal status of being made righteous before God as justification does.