The Prinicipal beliefs of the
Reformation still ground
believers in basic truth and communicate the gospel!
In
a few days, on Oct 31, it will be the 495th anniversary of Luther’s
nailing the 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenburg Chapel. It was a watershed
event that some say began the journey through the Reformation. But what was the
hallmark of the Reformation? It might be the 5 Solas.
There’s
an old saying, “God can hit a straight lick with a crooked stick.” Look how he
used David, who was far from perfect, Paul persecuted the church, Peter denied
Jesus. I say that to point out, while men like Martin Luther, Calvin, Zwingli,
Beza or one of my favorites, anabaptist Bathasar Hubmaier (I just like saying
his name) were far from perfect, and sometimes did bad things, God still used
them in a mighty way. Some have said church history is the story of how the
gospel was lost in the dark ages and found again. 1400’s Christianity didn’t
look very much like we know it today. What’s worse, it didn’t look like
anything the apostles would recognize! Here’s a few things they believed in the
1400s:
· Jesus wasn’t the
only redeemer – Mary was the co-redeemer.
· Jesus’ death on
the cross was not all the sacrifice you need – you also need the mass performed
by priests.
· The traditions
of the church were higher than the Scriptures.
· While the death
of Jesus made grace available, you had to perform good works to earn salvation.
· Giving money or Viewing
the relics were among the good works.
· And since the
church was the body of Christ the church should be honored and glorified like
God.
These are just a few of the strange things people believed. Now this coming
Wednesday is the 495th anniversary of the beginning of the
Protestant Reformation. You probably know, that’s when Martin Luther is
supposed to have nailed his 95 proposals or Theses to the door of Wittenburg
chapel. He didn’t say it was time to start a new church. He didn’t say the
church was wrong about everything. He just said, here’s 95 things that need to
be fixed.
Now there are many things we can learn
from the reformation. The writings of Luther and Calvin are not perfect, but
they were brilliant men who desired to serve God. And from this time there
arose what are called the 5 Solas. These
5 things still ring true today, because they’re true to the Bible! Sola is a
Latin word for Alone or Only.
Sola Fide means Faith Alone. Sola Gratia- Grace Alone.
Solus Christus means Christ alone.
Sola Scriptura- Scripture alone. And Soli Deo Gloria means Glory to God Alone!
You might wonder: Why are these
things important? Are there other Solas besides the 5? And Do I have to
remember the Latin?
Those are important questions. I‘ll
start with the last one:
NO- you don’t need
to remember the Latin.
And YES- there are
other Solas. For instance only by being justified will we see God. Only by
being born again will we see His kingdom.
The list could go on and on but we’ll
just look at the 5 famous ones. They are
important because they reset Christianity but are still being challenged today!
1.
First, Faith
Alone.
One criticism of the 5 Solas is they aren’t in the Bible and the
Reformers probably never said them, but they were phrases that were coined
later. First what does the Bible say?
James in Jas_2:23 the scripture was
fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness... AND, Paul in Rom 4:2
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not
before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was
counted unto him for righteousness. The Bible only speaks of two ways to be
saved or justified before God. There is works and Faith. Now the only way works
can justify is if you keep Every letter and comma of the law. No one but Jesus
ever did that! So the ONLY WAY left to us is Faith in Jesus Christ!
Did the reformers ever teach this? One
of the main scripture translations they used was called the Latin Vulgate. It
was the Bible translated into Latin around 400 AD. With the translation came
Jeromes commentary. And he wrote on comment on Romans 10:3 that says: “Deus ex
sola fide justificat: “God justifies by faith alone.” There’s no doubt the
reformers read these words as they studied Romans, and right their were the
words Sola Fide.
It was important
because
the church was not teaching Faith Alone! They were teaching some kind of
mixture of believing and working. Believe but you have to attend Mass. Believe
but give your money. The Reformers said, that’s NOT in the Bible and they were
right!
Its important today because some people
are still teaching Faith AND something else. Faith and good deeds. Faith and
baptism.
But the Bible says Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith
without the deeds of the law. And Rom
4:5 But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the
ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. We are Saved Through Faith Alone!
2. But we are
also saved by Grace Alone. Sola Gratia! Is this a biblical doctrine? You
decide: Ac 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ we shall be saved, …
Ro 4:16
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; …
Ro 5:2 By whom we have access by faith into
this grace wherein we stand
Ro 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no
more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be works, then is it no more grace:
Ep 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: Ti 2:11 the grace of God that brings
salvation has appeared to all men,
Ti 3:7 being justified by his grace, we
should be made heirs …
Faith is how we receive Salvation, But GRACE
is how its offered to us! The church in the 1400s said it was offered by grace, But
they kept mixing Grace with Works making salvation something you earned. And if
you earned it, its Not Grace! (ro 11:6)
Billy Graham was driving through a small
southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham
admitted his quilt, but the officersaid he had to appear in court.The judge
asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" Graham pleaded guilty, and the judge
replied, "That'll be 100 dollars -- ten for every mile you went over the
limit."THEN the judge recognized
Billy Graham. "You violated the law,The fine must be paid--but I am going
to pay it for you." He took a 100 bucks from his wallet, attached it to
the ticket, then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "And
That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats sinners!"
3. And Its Only
By Christ we are Saved! Solus Christus!
If Mary is the Mother of God- which they
taught – and if she was the co-redeemer, then Mary helped save us! But not only
Mary. Because the Blood of Christ of 2000 years ago wasn’t enough, the Priests
offered the Mass everyday so that you could go and have your sins cleansed
again and again! They believed the bread and the wine actually became the body
and blood of Christ when the priest said the Latin words: Hoc est Corpus Meum! This
is my body! So the people depended on the priests for salvation, not on the
Once for all death of Christ! But what does scripture say? Ac
4:12 neither is salvation in any other: for there is no other name under
heaven… whereby we must be saved. 1Ti2:5 there is one God, and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; He
12:24 to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of
sprinkling. It wasn’t Mary on the
cross. It wasn’t the Priests who offered the sacrifice.
In Christ alone, who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save. 'Til on that cross as Jesus died, The
wrath of God was satisfied, For every sin on Him was laid, Here in the death of
Christ I live.
4 How do we know
all this? Scripture Alone- Sola scriptura!
In the 1400s the tradition of the church
was as important as the Bible. And traditions could change if the pope wanted
to. Listen to what Martin Luther said on trial: "Since Your Majesty and
lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth.
Unless I am convinced by sacred Scripture or by evident reason - I do not
accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each
other - my conscience is held captive by the word of God. I cannot and I will not
recant anything, for to act against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here
I stand! I can do no other. God help me!
Why did he say that? 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: Jesus told the Pharisees: Ma 7:13 you Make
the word of God of no effect through your tradition…
But even today, people want to add to
scripture. Whether it’s the Book of Mormon or people adding their own legalism
to the Bible. Don’t drink, don’t dance, don’t you dare play games of chance!
It’s NOT that the Bibles the ONLY
authority. That’s not what Sola means here. Parents are authorities. The
government has authority. The police have authority. But the ONLY Foundation
for All authority is in the words of Scripture and in the Word- Jesus Christ!
5. And Lastly-
To God alone be Glory! Soli Deo Gloria! Bach & Handel wrote SDG on their
music. The church taught, since it was the body of Christ, it also was worthy
of honor and glory. But the reformers said, No, that’s not what Scripture
teaches. Listen to 1Ti 1:17 in Latin "soli Deo honor et gloria". To
God alone be the Glory. The glory is not for Popes or priests. It’s not for
great preachers or singers. God’s glory is not for believers. All that we do
should be for the Glory of God! 1Co 10:31 Whether ye eat, or drink, or whatever
ye do, do all to the glory of God. Ph 2:11 every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 1Ti 1:17 Now unto the
King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for
ever and ever. Amen.
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