Five Solas

The Five Solas are Latin phrases that together served as foundational
principles of the Protestant Reformation. They identify the theological
positions held by the reformers and still summarize the foundation of
reformed theology today.

  1. Sola Gratia – by grace alone
    Reformed theology affirms that salvation cannot be obtained by
    any human effort. In him we have redemption through his blood,
    the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his
    grace…     (Ephesians 1:7) Only by the unmerited grace of God can
    we be forgiven and justified to restore our broken relationship with
    God.
    Salvation comes from the grace of God alone. There is nothing
    that anyone can do to gain or deserve salvation. It is a gift of God’s
    grace. God’s grace can, at least in part, be characterized by the
    words: surprise, gift and love.
  1. Sola Fide – through faith alone
    Reformed theology holds that justification is an act of God’s grace
    which can only be received through faith. No good work or action
    or deed on our part will permit us to earn this gift. Our only
    means of salvation is by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. The
    instrument of receiving God’s grace is faith, not faith and works.
    But we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the
    law.     (Romans 3:28)
  1. Solus Christus – in Christ alone
    God is gracious and loving, but he is also holy and just. In order
    for sinners to be justified, the sins must be accounted for – or atoned for.
    This was accomplished by the sinless life, sacrificial
    substitutional death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. He
    took on himself our sin (he, who knew no sin became sin for us [see
    2 Corinthians 5:21]) and its punishment for us, paying our debt in
    full to a holy God.
    The atoning death of Jesus Christ is the only way by which we can
    obtain forgiveness of our sins. Jesus said to him, “I am the way and
    the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
    me…”     (John 14:6)
  1. Soli Deo Gloria – to the glory of God alone
    All things including the justification of sinners and the lives of
    believers are created for the purpose of bringing glory to God.
    “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor
    and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed
    and were created.”     (Revelation 4:11) The Westminster Shorter
    Catechism states, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him
    forever.”     That is what is meant by Soli Deo Gloria: our salvation,
    as in all things, is to the glory of God alone.
  1. Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone is our highest authority
    The Bible is our ultimate authority for understanding God,
    salvation and how we are to live our lives. All matters of theology
    and doctrine are to find their source in Scripture, as it is God’s
    inerrant Word and is all-sufficient for teaching and correction.
    All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching,
    for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
    (2 Timothy 3:16 &17) Scripture is, therefore, the perfect and only
    standard of spiritual truth.