Scripture alone. Grace alone. Faith alone. Christ alone. To the glory of God alone.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther called the church back to the Word of God. What the Reformers recovered, they confessed in five convictions:
Sola Scriptura: Scripture is the final authority over the church, its traditions, and its leaders. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
Sola Gratia: Salvation is God’s undeserved gift, never a wage we earn. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
Sola Fide: Sinners are declared righteous through faith in Christ, apart from works of the law. (Romans 1:17)
Solus Christus: Christ is the only Mediator between God and man, and his finished work is enough. (1 Timothy 2:5)
Soli Deo Gloria: All of salvation, and all of life, exists for the glory of God. (Romans 11:36)
More than five centuries later, these truths still mark faithful gospel ministry. The Reformers called the church back to the Word, and the Word of God remains the foundation of faithful ministry today.
Happy Reformation Day!