Sola Fide

SOLA FIDE - “Faith Alone”

Faith alone is the instrument of our salvation. Salvation is not by works; it is by faith, that is, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ through His work on the cross for your salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Martin Luther realized this because every effort he made by his works to achieve the righteousness that he thought would gain him his salvation, only drew him farther away from that. As he studied the book of Romans did he finally realize that all his works would never gain him anything in the way of salvation. It would only be gained through Gods grace as a gift to us by the faith that God himself instills in us. Romans 1:17 "The righteous will live by faith."

Sola Gratia

SOLA GRATIA - “Grace Alone”

It answers the question of who does what in salvation. Many think that salvation is a “grace and…” project. If this is true, then “grace is no longer grace”

(Romans 11:6) And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

The Bible is clear, salvation is by grace and grace alone because “salvation comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). (2 Timothy 1:9) He who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

Sola Scriptura

SOLA SCRIPTURA - “Scripture Alone”

This truth declares that the Bible alone is our only authority for our faith (what we believe) and our conduct (how we live). The Bible alone is God’s Word written. It is without error, it is authoritative, it is sufficient for all things pertaining to life and godliness. It must be preached, it must be taught and it must be lived out.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness: so that the man of God may be completely, equipped for every good work.

The fact is this. The only reason why we know God, know Christ, and know the Holy Spirit is because of Scripture. It must be read from and taught from with only the highest of respect and care.

Why Reformed?

Why reformed theology? The answer without any apology or compromise is this, "God is King and Ruler over everything."

Virtually all other systems of theology say they agree, but when taken a closer look at they place man on the throne along with God, at least in part.

So what is at the heart of reformed theology? To start there are five main points entitled "The Five Solas."

• Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone
• Sola Christus - Christ Alone
• Sola Gratia - Grace Alone
• Sola Fide - Faith Alone
• Soli Deo Gloria – To God Alone Be The Glory

We will look closer at each one of these Solas and follow this up with a look at The Doctrines of Grace.

An Overview Of The Reformation

The reformation started by a list of complaints compiled by a Catholic priest named Martin Luther on October 31st 1517. These complaints were about the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church. These abuses where considered by Luther to be a distortion of the Gospel of Christ. This reformation or the Protestant Reformation (Protestant meaning to protest) was a rebellion against the Roman Catholic Church and the beginning of what most Christians know and believe today as the true Gospel.

This reformation put to end almost one thousand years of the miss handling of Christ’s Gospel and it was the beginning of the reestablishment of the truth of the Gospel of Christ.

This reformation was a new and a great rebirth in Christianity. People now through the writing of the Bible in their own language could study Gods Word and truly begin to establish a relationship with God like they have not had previously.

There was now a revival of Christianity like never before. There were new churches and Christian schools and seminaries and commentaries being written, the Bible was now being studied also like never before. Evangelicalism was transforming the world.