What are the FIVE SOLAS?
As theological scholars have looked back through Christian history, especially to the time of the Protestant Reformation, five great guiding principles have emerged. These principles have been called the Five Solas or “Alones” (sola is latin for alone) of the Christian faith. In our desire to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus and the other Biblical authors, we at Berean Christian Fellowship here in Sandpoint, Idaho, also hold to these stand-out principles of the Faith. You are invited to join in our journey of discovery and challenge as we see how:
“the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
SOLA SCRIPTURA (i.e. Scripture Alone)
The first “Alone,” is the foundation for every part of the Christian Faith. The Authority through which God governs, teaches and guides His people is none other than the Word of God: the Scriptures. There are 66 books in the Bible. Thirty nine make up what we call the Old Testament and 27 make up what we know as the New Testament. Yes, God’s glory is revealed in nature, calling out to all men – so that they are without excuse for not submitting to Him (Romans 1). Yet that revelation is not sufficiently clear as to bring saving faith to mankind. So God spoke through the prophets and finally through His Son, Jesus Christ, to reveal His heart and mind to His children. While church councils may be useful tools to disseminate truth, they are always subject to the teachings of Scripture. For the Christian, there can be no other final authority concerning life and teaching than God’s own Word. (John 8) We go to the Bible alone to determine truth.
SOLA GRATIA (i.e. by Grace Alone)
The second great guiding principle of the Christian faith is that we are saved by Grace alone, not as a result of any desire or work in ourselves. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” Grace means to bestow favor where only judgment is due. As Ephesians says, it is out of the grace of God that the action of the forgiveness of sins through Christ’s death on the cross flows.
As that great Baptist preacher Charles H. Spurgeon has said:
“If any man be saved, he is saved by Divine grace, and by Divine grace alone; and the reason of his salvation is not to be found in him, but in God. We are not saved as the result of anything that we do or that we will; but we will and do as the result of God’s good pleasure, and the work of his grace in our hearts.”
SOLA FIDE (i.e. by Faith Alone)
The third great sola is the truth that we are saved by Faith Alone, apart from our actions or desires. Faith is what connects us to the righteousness of God, which is what in turn presents us as acceptable to God. Ephesians 2:8 and 9 says:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Paul goes out of his way to separate our faith from ourselves and our good works. He explains that if that separation were not made, fallen man would arrogantly claim there was some good in himself – that he was smart enough, religious enough, good enough to to be accepted by God. Here Paul explains that faith itself is a gift from God!
SOLUS CHRISTUS (i.e. through Christ alone)
Our salvation is through Christ alone. Salvation is not a compilation of various nice ideas or deeds. All else falls way as we seek to be found in Christ alone. Our salvation is 100% of Christ, not 90% nor 99%. To gain Christ, we must let go of all else. As Paul says, all else is rubbish:
“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Phil 3:8
Pastor C.H. Spurgeon also said:
“If thou puttest one atom of trust in thyself, thou hast no faith; if thou dost place even a particle of reliance upon anything else but what Christ did, thou hast no faith. If thou dost trust in thy works, then thy works are antichrist, and Christ and antichrist can never go together. Christ will have all or nothing; he must be a whole Savior, or no Savior at all.”
SOLI DEO GLORIA (i.e. to the glory of God alone)
The wonderful conclusion of God’s great plan of the ages is that He will be revealed as both “Just and the Justifier” (Romans 3:36). God has given all glory and honor to the Son
“which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. Proverbs 16:4
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36
As the Christian Fathers have said in answer to the question “What is the chief end of man”:“The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever” The Westminster Catechism
We at Berean Christian Fellowship heartily agree with the Apostle Paul when he says that the purpose of the christian in all of life both now and to come is:
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
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A very good summary of the teachings of the Church is found in the
Westminster Confession of Faith.
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Pastor Kohl, Berean Christian Fellowship, Sandpoint Idaho
Please contact Pastor Kohl for more specific out-workings of these five great truths at: 208-755-9380
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