THE FIVE SOLAS

The Protestant Reformation established these five theological principles in response to the Roman Catholic Church’s theological perversions in the 16th Century. Such perversions have permeated other religions and belief systems throughout history up to the present day. Therefore, these principles are just as relevant for today. New Life Church holds forth these principles as true and vital to believe and uphold.

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

This principle teaches that the Bible alone is sufficient regarding what it declares in relation to spiritual matters. The Bible alone is God’s word and there is no other book through which God has authoritatively communicated all we need to know regarding His will and purpose for mankind. The Bible alone is the standard by which all thoughts, words, and behavior are measured. The Bible alone tells the truth regarding sin and God’s manner by which sin can be forgiven. Any search for spiritual truth apart from the Bible or in addition to the Bible is an offense to God. Sola Scriptura declares that the Bible alone is the final and highest authority regarding spiritual and theological truth. (2 Timothy 3.16,17; 2 Peter 1.3)

Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)

This principle teaches that God’s grace is the only reason anyone is saved. God does not see any glimmer of merit in anyone that causes Him to bestow saving grace. Nor, does He grant a measure of grace that enables a person to make the final decision to receive Him or reject Him. Due to the complete spiritual depravity of each person, God’s grace alone is necessary if any are to be saved. Thankfully, God gives the grace that overcomes and conquers our complete spiritual depravity so that we are not only able to believe, but want to believe in Him and be saved. God gives this grace to whomever He wills, solely apart from anything He sees in the person. Sola Gratia teaches that God’s sovereign grace alone accomplishes all that we could never do in order to obtain forgiveness and salvation. (John 1.12,13; Romans 9.10-16; Ephesians 2.1-8; Titus 3.5-7)

Sola Fide (Faith Alone)

This principle teaches that a person is justified before God by faith alone in Jesus Christ and all He has done and accomplished through His life, death, and resurrection. Such justification is completely apart from any works of the law that we can do in order to earn God’s saving favor. Nor is justification accomplished by combining good works with faith. Justification will produce good works, but good works will never produce justification. Sola Fide is the only manner by which God justifies sinners. (Romans 4.3; Galatians 2.16; Ephesians 2.8-10)

Solus Christus (Christ Alone)

This principle teaches that the object of the faith that saves is Jesus Christ alone. By the grace of God, Jesus Christ came into the world, lived a perfect, sinless life, died a perfect, substitutionary, wrath-satisfying death for those who would believe, and rose from the dead in order to conquer our enemy, death. No one has done or is able to do what Jesus Christ alone accomplished through His works in order to reconcile sinners to God. Faith or hope in anyone or anything else even if in addition to Jesus Christ is an offense to God and saves none. Therefore, Solus Christus teaches that faith alone in Christ alone is demanded in order to accomplish our needed salvation. (John 14.6; Acts 4.12; 1 Timothy 2.5)

Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone)

This principle teaches that because the way of salvation is revealed in God’s word alone – the Bible, is given by God’s grace alone, through the God-given gift of faith alone, in the God-provided person of Christ alone, then we correctly conclude that God alone is worthy to receive all the glory for our salvation. No glory or praise for our salvation belongs to anyone other than God. Soli Deo Gloria teaches that all glory and praise must be directed to God and God alone. (Romans 16.27; 2 Corinthians 4.15; Jude 25)