The Five Solas

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.

Rom 5:15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 

Tit 3:3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 

Tit 3:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 

Tit 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 

Tit 3:6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 

Tit 3:7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

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.

Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Rom 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 

Eph 2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

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.

Act 4:11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 

Act 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 

1Ti 2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

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 (for example the Nicene Creed is widely accepted and recited within orthodox Christianity), but rather that all mankind needs to know for salvation is contained within its pages.

Every aspect of the Christian life is to be seen as giving glory to God. In essence, this summarizes the other four Soli above. It also stemmed from the reformers opposition to what they perceived as the unwarranted glorification of the Popes and other clergy.

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 

Psa 19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 

Psa 19:9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 

2Ti 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 

2Ti 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 

2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

5.  Soli Deo Gloria (For God’s Glory Alone)

Glory belongs to God alone. God’s glory is the central motivation for salvation, not improving the lives of people—though that is a wonderful by product. God is not a means to an end—he is the means and the end.

The goal of all of life is to give glory to God alone: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). As The Westminster Catechism says, the chief purpose of human life is “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

1Ch 16:23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. 

1Ch 16:24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 

1Ch 16:25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. 

1Ch 16:26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 

1Ch 16:27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. 

1Ch 16:28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! 

1Ch 16:29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; 

1Ch 16:30 tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. 

1Ch 16:31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" 

Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 

Rom 11:34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" 

Rom 11:35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" 

Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.