The 5 “Solas” of the Reformation

The Reformers of the 16th Century risked their lives to restore the church to the true gospel. That gospel is that salvation is according to Scripture alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone.

Sola Scriptura: The Scriptures alone are the supreme authority for our faith and our life. (2 Timothy 3:16)
“Your word of life has been, and still remains among us, faithfully collected in the sacred registers of the holy Scripture … the image of your glory, the law of your kingdom, the ladder of heaven, the gate of paradise, the trumpet of salvation.” – Theodore Beza (1519-1605)

Sola Gratia: Because we are dead in our sin, the motive that causes God to save us is His grace alone. (John 3:16)
“Sin is not canceled by lawful living, for no person is able to live up to the Law. … Nothing can take away sin except the grace of God.” – Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Sola Fide: The only way we get right in God’s eyes is through faith in Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“When justification is attributed to faith, it is attributed to the mercy of God; it is taken out of the realm of human efforts, works, and merits.” – Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560)

Solus Christus: Christ Jesus is the only Person Who is our Mediator and the One Who obeyed the law for us. (Acts 4:12)
“Through Christ alone we are given salvation, blessedness, grace, pardon, and all that makes us in any way worthy in the sight of a righteous God.” – Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531)

Soli Deo Gloria: Every part of our existence, from eternal salvation to the daily Christian life, is lived for God’s glory. (Romans 11:36)
“Our being should be employed for [God’s] glory: for how unreasonable would it be for creatures, whom He has formed and whom He sustains, to live for any other purpose than for making His glory known?” – John Calvin (1509-1564)

Prepared by: Rev. Kyle Sorenson, Pastor of Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church, Manitowoc, WI