“Man is saved by grace alone, through faith alone—in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, as revealed in Scripture alone.” This statement encapsulates the foundations of the Christian faith and separates the Church from false teachings and works-based religion. In this series, we will be looking at “the Five Solas” of the Protestant reformation. Our hope is that by examining these pillars of our faith that believers would become embolden to stand for the truth in a world of mixed opinions, and find the joy of their salvation once again.
Sola Scriptura
By: Ian Opiniano
As we began our study into the Solas of the protestant reformation, we sought to establish the source and foundation for the truths of the Christian faith—Holy Scripture. In this sermon, we discussed how Scripture is God-breathed, meaning that the Bible explicitly and implicitly communicates the very will, purposes, and intent of God. We concluded that, because Scripture is God-breathed it’s authority on matters of faith and practice is therefore supreme over other sources of truth in the world. In addition, we examined the surety of Holy Scripture in that, no other sacred texts have been found to be tried and true, profitable for a believer’s life, and able to make one wise unto salvation. Finally, we discussed how Scripture is the standard by which God communicates to us what is true and false, right and wrong. With these truths, believers ought to conclude that Scripture alone—Sola Scriptura—is the only infallible authority on matters of faith and practice.
Solus Christus
By: Ian Opiniano
Solus Christus—Salvation is in Christ alone. As we continued our series into the Solas of the Reformation, we looked at the fundamental truth that only in Christ do we find the redemption of man from sin and the wrath of God. In addition, we looked at the exclusive promises that believers have in Christ. We saw how being in Christ, we are proclaimed righteous before the foundations of the world, and predestined to have the position as children of God. We were also reminded that we have been purchased from sin, Christ’s blood being the payment, and given the perspective of heaven so that we may understand the will and purposes of God. Along with this, we have the provision of community; in Christ we are united with God and other believers and have the inheritance of bringing praise to God in worship. Finally, we were reminded that in Christ we are promised eternity; only in Christ is eternal life attained. There are many privileges and promises found in Christ for those who believe in Him unto salvation. The exclusivity of these promises give weight to the sufficiency of Christ and should lead us to conclude that salvation is in Christ alone.
Sola Gratia
By: Joel Mathew
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! Sola Gratia, by grace alone, is our Christian testimony. We spent our time in Ephesians 2:1-10 and surveyed key passages throughout Scripture to see why grace alone was imperative in the reformation. We learned that though we were spiritually dead, God’s grace alone made us alive! Secondly, we learned that though we were sinfully tainted, God’s grace alone gave us faith! And finally, we learned that though we were truly condemned, God’s grace alone changed our destiny! Any contribution we make to the workings of grace will no longer make it an act of God’s grace. May we move forward in our Christian life as Paul did who said “By the grace of God, I am what I am.”