Does the righteousness of God come upon those who repent and are baptized or upon those who believe?
The righteousness of God is by the faith of Jesus Christ and comes upon all them that believe, not upon all them that repent and are baptized. Believing is faith, and faith is trust. Though all have sinned and come short of God's glory, He justifies freely because of the cross.
Les explains that the righteousness of God, which is by the faith of Jesus Christ, is unto all and upon all them that believe. He points out the wording about repenting and being baptized, then corrects it: “No, it doesn't say that.” Instead, it says “upon all them that believe,” and believing is faith, while faith is trust. Verse 23 adds that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, yet He is able to justify us freely because of what He accomplished on the cross. Les also uses Romans 4:5a to show God justifies the ungodly who believe, and he warns against trying to clean up your own act before salvation; God does it, and then we respond.
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
More Questions
Does Romans 3:22 require repentance, baptism, or church membership for the righteousness of God?
Romans 3:22 does not say 'believe and repent, be baptized, join a church, or whatever else'—it only says 'them who believe,' so no one has the right to put additional requirements into the verse.
How is God's righteousness given to all who believe?
God's righteousness is by the faith or faithfulness of Jesus Christ and is unto all and upon all who believe.