Five Solas

Soli Deo gloria

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Pieter Stok

“Glory to God alone”

The person who exhibited this idea best, in my view, was Johann Sebastian Bach. At the end of many pieces of his music he composed he would append this phrase. His music had been empowered by the Creator and all glory should go to Him.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 
Colossians 1:16&17

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8 1&9

 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13 &14

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Solus Christus

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Pieter Stok

“Christ alone”

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
2 Corinthians 3:5

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:5,11

To guard against the futile idea that we can add to our salvation, the Reformers spoke of “Christ Alone.” Christ is the perfect completer of all that we need to be justified before the Father. This in turn makes “Grace” so much more amazing!

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Sola Gratia

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Pieter Stok

What better text to highlight “Grace Alone” than Ephesians 2:1-10.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

If I am ever tempted to think that somehow or somewhere I have earned even a portion of my salvation, this text reminds me of what I was and what Christ alone has made me. That is Grace!

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Sola Fide

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Pieter Stok

Here are some texts that remind us of the importance of “Faith Alone”.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17. The Passage that transformed Luther’s thinking.

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Acts 16:31 Paul and Silas to the Philippian gaoler

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 5:24  Jesus to his persecutors.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Philippians 3:7-9 Paul again.

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Sola Scriptura

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Pieter Stok

Below are just three short passages, of the many, that remind us of the claims of God’s Word on our faith and life.

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1 20 – 21

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
1 Timothy 3:16

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
John1:1-2

Zondervan (2011-01-09). Holy Bible (NIV) Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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