The Reformation in Five Words

The gospel was recovered in the 16tg century during the Protestant Reformation. These weren’t the conjurings of Martin Luther, John Calvin, or Ulrich Zwingli. They were only a few of the many who knew the Church of Rome had departed from biblical fidelity.

The heart of the Reformation can be summed up in this sentence: We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone.

Sola Scriptura means Scripture alone is our ultimate authority for faith and life. The Reformers taught that while church traditions, creeds, and teachers can be helpful, they must all submit to the authority of God’s Word. The Bible is sufficient and authoritative in all matters of salvation and godliness. As Paul wrote, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correcting, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Sola Gratia means grace alone. Salvation is a gift from start to finish. We contribute nothing but our sin; God provides everything by His mercy. The Reformers emphasized that it is not human effort but the grace of God that saves. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Sola Fide means faith alone. We are justified, or declared righteous before God, by faith apart from works. Faith is trusting Christ and passively receiving Christ’s righteousness; it does not earn salvation but rests entirely on what Jesus has done. “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28). We are not saved by good works but for good works.

Solus Christus means Christ alone. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. No priest, saint, or religious system can add to His finished work. His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection are sufficient to save all who trust in Him. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

Finally, Soli Deo Gloria means to the glory of God alone. Since salvation is entirely from God, through God, and for God, He alone deserves all the praise. Every part of life is meant to reflect His glory. As Paul wrote, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Romans 11:36).