The Five Soli
These five statements sum up what lies at the heart of Protestant belief:
| By Grace alone (Sola Gratia) |
| Through Faith alone (Sola Fide) |
| In Christ alone (Solus Christus) |
| According to Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) |
| For God's Glory alone (Soli Deo Gloria) |
1. Sola Gratia (Grace alone)
Salvation is the free gift of God to man. It is given by God's Grace alone and not through any merit on the part of the Christian.
GRACE = God's Riches At Christ's Expense.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV).
2. Sola Fide (Faith alone)
We are judged righteous in the sight of God purely on the basis of our faith. The atoning sacrifice of Christ leads to righteousness being imputed to us as sinners through a legal declaration by God. This is often stated as Justification by faith alone. There is a clear distinction between Justification and Sanctification, the latter being the growth in holiness arising from the work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian.
FAITH = Forsaking All I Trust Him.
"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for the just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 (KJV).
3. Solus Christus (Christ alone)
Christ is the one Mediator between God and man and our salvation is accomplished only through His death and resurrection.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV).
In addition, every believer is a priest before God, with immediate access to him for the forgiveness of sins. This is known as the Priesthood of all believers.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV).
4. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
Scripture alone is the only infallible source of divine revelation and the final authority for matters of faith and practice. Sola Scriptura does not mean that all truth is contained in the Bible, but rather that all we need to know for salvation is contained within it.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV).
5. Soli Deo Gloria (To the glory of God alone)
Every aspect of the Christian life is to be seen as giving glory to God. In essence, this summarises the other four Soli above.
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:11 (KJV).
