The Five Solas of Christianity
Foundation to the Lutheran and Christian theology are the five Solas:
Sola Scriptura
“God’s Word alone.”
We are reminded in Hebrews 4:12 that “the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” We believe in the authority of God’s Word as revealed to us in the Scriptures.
Sola fide
“Faith alone.”
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And in Romans 1:17 we read once again that “The just shall live by faith.”
Sola gratia
“Grace alone.”
No one can earn the righteousness of God. All are sinners “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. Only God’s grace can save us and we can never earn or deserve God’s grace. Grace is a gift that depends on the giver, a merciful and gracious God.
Sola Christo (“solus Christus”)
“Christ alone.”
Jesus is our Savior and the Savior of the whole world. Through His blood shed on the Cross of Calvary we now have forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. John 3:16 reminds of God’s love and promise of salvation: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Soli Deo Gloria
“to the Glory of God alone.”
Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31 calls the believers to do all for the glory of God. The purpose of all creation is to give glory to God!
The Lutheran Church is a church of
“Word and Sacrament.”
The Augsburg Confession defines the church as follows:
Article VII. Of the Church.
The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered.
And to the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. Nor is it necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be everywhere alike. 4 As Paul says: One faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, etc. Eph. 4:5-6.
(Source: https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/of-the-church/ )
(Source: https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/of-the-church/ )
The Sacraments are understood as “means of grace.’ As such, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, Holy Communion, are what define the church as a church of “Word and Sacrament.”
The Augsburg Confession, Article IX states in regards to Holy Baptism that it “is necessary to salvation, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into God’s grace.”
And on The Sacrament of Holy Communion, Article X states:
“Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present, and are distributed to those who eat the Supper of the Lord.”
The Augsburg Confession, Article IX states in regards to Holy Baptism that it “is necessary to salvation, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into God’s grace.”
And on The Sacrament of Holy Communion, Article X states:
“Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present, and are distributed to those who eat the Supper of the Lord.”
The Gospel is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes,” as stated in Romans1:16.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4.
We are saved by grace and not one’s own doing or one’s so called righteousness: " ...by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2
All baptized believers are welcome to the Lord’s Table. When baptized in the name of the Triune God one becomes a member of the family of God, regardless of their denominational identity:
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all," Ephesians 4
As God’s children we have the promise of being heirs with Christ:
" …if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:17
We are called to be equipped to do God’s work:
" 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:14
When Martin Luther was asked to recant after writing his 95 theses, he said: "My conscience is captive to the word of God." " I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen” Thesis number 62 states: “The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.”
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4.
We are saved by grace and not one’s own doing or one’s so called righteousness: " ...by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2
All baptized believers are welcome to the Lord’s Table. When baptized in the name of the Triune God one becomes a member of the family of God, regardless of their denominational identity:
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all," Ephesians 4
As God’s children we have the promise of being heirs with Christ:
" …if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:17
We are called to be equipped to do God’s work:
" 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:14
When Martin Luther was asked to recant after writing his 95 theses, he said: "My conscience is captive to the word of God." " I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen” Thesis number 62 states: “The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.”