The Fruit of the Reformers
In the 1500s a movement took hold which is now referred to as “The Reformation”. The result was the liberation of God’s people from bondage to a perverted religious system based more upon man’s tradition than the Bible. The Reformation resulted in five biblical emphases still needful for our own day: The Bible alone as God’s sufficient source of knowledge leading to abundant, eternal life; Grace alone, or an understanding that man is incapable of reforming himself – God must graciously change his heart; Christ alone – man’s only hope is to rest in the finished work of Christ in redemption; Faith alone – the gift of faith is the alone means by which sinners appropriate the righteousness of Christ; the Glory of God alone–the sum total of the lives of redeemed sinners is to be offered to God as a sacrifice of service for His glory only.
Sola Scriptura: The Bible Alone
The Bible is the sole written divine revelation, our only infallible rule for faith and life, and alone can bind the conscience of believers absolutely (Matt. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16).
Sola Gratia: Grace Alone
Our salvation rests solely on the work of God’s grace for us (Rom. 2:4; Eph. 2:8-10).
Solus Christus: Christ Alone
Jesus Christ is the only mediator through Whose work we are redeemed (John 14:6; John 3:16).
Sola Fide: Faith Alone
Justification is by faith alone. By God’s free grace, the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to us by faith and is the sole ground of our acceptance by God, by which our sins are pardoned (Rom. 5:1; Gal 2:16).
Soli Deo Gloria: Glory to God Alone
Salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, therefore to God alone belongs the glory (Isa. 42:8; Col. 3:17).
To find out more about the Protestant Reformation and it’s doctrine, visit our Doctrine in Detail page.