THE FIVE SOLAS OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION

Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone

Scripture alone is our supreme authority, not Scripture plus the church and the church's traditions. The Bible is the only infallible source of divine revelation given by God to the church as the supreme rule of faith. All Scripture, and only Scripture, is inspired by God; therefore, Scripture alone carries the full and final authority of God himself for all that we believe and do. All other authorities and church traditions, however valuable and necessary, are subordinate to Scripture.

Sola Gratia: Grace Alone

Salvation is by God's grace alone, not grace plus human merit. Because of the great depths of human sin, we could never obey enough, be good enough, or be holy enough to earn salvation or deserve eternal life. We are not entitled to God's grace. Our sins leave us utterly condemned before the holy God. Therefore, salvation must be entirely God's free and gracious gift. God's grace alone accomplishes our whole salvation from beginning to end, and our lives of obedience, goodness, and holiness are an expression of gratitude for his grace, not an attempt to earn it.

Sola Fide: Faith Alone

Justification is by faith alone, not faith plus our own righteous works. Justification is God's verdict that we are righteous in his sight. It includes the forgiveness of our sins, reconciliation with God, and the peaceful assurance in our conscience that we have been delivered from the wrath to come and restored into God's favor. Our own righteous works could never justify us before God or certify our conscience that we have done enough to secure his forgiveness. Nothing but faith in Christ, who purchased God's mercy for us with his own blood, can receive this gift.

Solus Christus: Christ Alone

Christ alone is the head of the church and the only mediator between God and humanity, not Christ plus any other creature in heaven or earth. God exalted Jesus to his right hand and gave him all authority over all things. Jesus has been given the name that is above every name, and at his name alone all creation bows the knee. God has given Jesus as the head and king of his church. He alone reigns supreme, and he has not appointed any other person to rule in his place. Since Christ alone stands in heaven interceding for his people as our great High Priest, we do not seek the intercession of any other creature. It is only through Christ that we come to God with our worship and service, and that God comes to us with his grace and blessing.

Soli Deo Gloria: Glory to God Alone

Glory belongs to God alone, not God plus anything else. Worship is the way we give glory to something. Acts of worship are expressions of religious devotion, adoration, praise, and petition in a sacred setting. God alone is worthy to receive acts of worship because he alone is our Creator and Redeemer. We give this glory to other things instead of God when we worship God through graven images, which is idolatry, or when we superstitiously venerate holy people, places, and objects because we think they will bring us closer to God. We also give this glory to other things instead of God when we direct our prayers to departed saints and angels. Only God can hear and answer prayer. Through Christ, God has granted us direct access to draw close to him in worship. Therefore, all glory belongs to God alone.

Total Depravity

Total depravity means that all of humanity has been corrupted by sin to the extent that sin infects the totality of each person, leaving them in a state of spiritual death and rebellion against God. This does not mean that each person is as sinful as they could be; rather, it means that sin leaves no part of us unaffected. All of us are born in this condition and inherit this corruption from Adam because of the Fall. The total effect of this depravity results in the total inability of anyone to please God or obey God in their natural state. This total inability is called the bondage of the will, by which the unsaved sinner is spiritually unable to repent of his sins and come to God for salvation without first being spiritually reborn by the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.

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Unconditional Election

Unconditional election means God sovereignly decides who is going to be saved, and there are no conditions we have to meet first in order for God to choose us. Election is an act of God's free grace and love for unworthy, undeserving sinners. From all eternity, God determines to redeem a particular group of people that he chooses out of the mass of fallen humanity. God gives this saving grace according to the good pleasure of his will, and not according to any foreseen actions, responses, or conditions that sinners meet. God predestines the elect to salvation, and in his justice he passes over the non-elect, leaving them in their rebellion. The non-elect are already condemned in sin and are not entitled to election. Grace cannot be demanded.

Limited Atonement

Limited atonement means that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross is only intended by God to save believers, not unbelievers. God has not designed the cross to save everyone, but only those who repent. The atonement refers to the death of Jesus by which he accomplishes eternal redemption and reconciles sinners to God. This atonement is sufficient to save every individual in the world who repents and believes the gospel, and this gospel promise is proclaimed to all people without exception: those who do repent and believe will find Jesus to be a perfect Savior.

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Irresistible Grace

Irresistible grace means that God is able to accomplish our conversion by his own sovereign power without needing our cooperation. In our sin, we always put up resistance to God's grace. However, God has the power to overcome our resistance, to raise us from spiritual death, and to call us out of rebellion into full surrender. This act of God, by which he exercises his irresistible grace, is known as effectual calling. This call comes to us inwardly in our hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit, causing us to be born again. God's grace cannot fail to bring his elect to saving faith.

Perseverance of the Saints

Perseverance of the saints means that those who are born again and have truly come to saving faith will never lose their salvation. The saints persevere only because God protects and preserves them. They may fall into times and seasons of sin through temptations and spiritual weakness or negligence, and some may even stray into deep periods and patterns of grievous sin. However, those who are truly saved can never fully and finally fall away and be lost because God has promised that none of his elect will perish. Through the intercession of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, God always leads his people back to the narrow way of repentance and faith, so that the saints continue to walk in the fear of God and persevere in this life, enduring to the end and receiving their eternal inheritance.