The 5 Sola’s of the Protestant Reformation

Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura) is the final, and infallible, court of appeal as to the truthfulness of any opinion which it (Scripture) addresses. In particular, we learn who God is, who we are, what God requires, and what God provides, in the Bible alone.

We are justified (declared to be not guilty, and therefore accepted by God into his family) by Grace Alone (Sola Gratia) – that is, by a gift of God, not dependent upon goodness that is within us.

We receive this gift of God by Faith Alone (Sola Fide) – that is, solely by depending or relying on God, and not by doing anything. The good works which we do are a result of God's gracious work in us, and not a cause of it in any sense.

The salvation was paid for through the work of Christ Alone (Solo Christo) – that is, Jesus lived a perfect life, always totally pleasing the Father, and never displeasing Him. When Jesus died on the cross, He was being punished for sin, but NOT His own sin. Rather, he was punished as a substitute for sinners. The sin of God’s people was counted to Christ and He was punished as their substitute when He died on the cross; the perfect life and obedience of Christ is counted to God’s people as they are joined to Him, and they are accepted in Christ, the Beloved, and thereby blessed with life in Him.

And finally, this entire scheme of redemption is to the Glory of God Alone (Soli Deo Gloria) – God chooses a people, provides for their redemption, draws them to Himself, and ultimately glorifies them with Himself – all to the praise of His glorious grace.

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