Reformation Day is October 31, just over one week ago, and it is the day we remember that in the 15th century when a German monk, Martin Luther, nailed his arguments named “The 95 Theses” to the door of Wittenberg's Castle Church. Luther was not happy with the activities of the Catholic Church, especially the sale of indulgences as penance.
So, What Was The Protestant Reformation? Martin Luther and his contemporaries started a protest against the unbiblical actions and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in Europe, which launched the Protestant Reformation.
The Protestant Reformation was a call back to biblical Christianity, to acknowledge that the authority on all matters, both for the Church and believers, is God's Word alone and that sinful man is reconciled with God by faith in Christ alone.
Out of the Reformation emerged five essential points of doctrine known as the five solas. The five Latin statements serve as a summary of the core beliefs that separate Protestantism from Roman Catholicism.
I share these in this e-devotion because here we find the beginning of the church as we know it. Our foundation is what Luther prescribed as mandated by God in the Bible.
The Five Solas are…
SOLA GRATIA means "Grace Alone”. Salvation from condemnation of God that every human being deserves (because we are sinners) is a gift of grace from God. It has nothing to do with human merit.
Romans 3:10-12
As it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
God Himself, through His Son Jesus Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, rescues all who believe in Him from His wrath. God brings people to repentance and faith in Christ because of His goodness and grace.
SOLA FIDE means "Faith Alone”. The biblical truth that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions in the world. It is not by the believer's works or efforts but by Christ's work on the cross that a person is saved.
Romans 4:4-5
Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
SOLUS CHRISTUS means "Christ Alone”.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Salvation is found in Christ alone. No human being can forgive sins. It is Christ alone who saves.
SOLA SCRIPTURA means "Scripture Alone”.
The 66-book Bible is the sole authority for Christians in faith, doctrine, and practice. Sola Scriptura acknowledges the facts that the Bible is the Word of God, inerrant, sufficient, without error, and the source of all truth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
SOLI DEO GLORIA means "To the Glory of God Alone”.
Titus 3:4-5
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Salvation is wholly a work of God for His glory. Believers contribute nothing to their salvation. Because Christ is both Lord and Savior of believers, they are commanded to live their lives to glorify God.
These five doctrines remind us that our foundation and final authority is God alone. May we remember the past so that we strengthen the teaching of the church and our future.
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