5 Pillars of Reformation Truth
http://logosresourcepages.org/OurTimes/reformation.htm
By David L. Brown, Ph.D. & Malcolm Watts
On October 31st, 1517 a monk and university professor named Martin
Luther published his 95 Theses against the Catholic Church Dogma that
asserted that a person could buy forgiveness of sins. Luther's
position was, indulgences do not forgive sins! They bring a false peace
to man's conscience! Salvation only comes through faith in Jesus
Christ. Therefore the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17). He posted
his 95 Theses, written in Latin, on Whittenberg's Castle Church door,
challenging the Church powers that be to a debate. If you want to see
Luther's 95 Theses in English the are posted on my web page located
at -- ..\History\luther95.htm.
These are the words from the introductory paragraph of Luther's
challenge -
Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the
following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the
presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of
Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place.
Wherefore he requests that those who are unable to be present and
debate orally may do so by letter. In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
He then listed the 95 propositions that would be debated. The act of
posting this challenge is generally credited with starting, what is
called, The Protestant Reformation. After more than 1000 years of
spiritual darkness the Gospel was rediscovered and people began to
experience, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the comforting
reality of Christ's Salvation. Roman Catholic teachings were rejected,
because it was seen that they were not the religion of Jesus Christ.
The purity and strength of New Testament Christianity and the genuine
Gospel was once again preached, souls were genuinely saved and lives
changed. But, I should note that the battle to return to the Bible and
the preaching of the Cross was not without great cost! Many, many
believers proclaimed the truths of the Scripture at the cost of their
lives. Multiplied thousands were imprisoned, tortured, and burned alive
for the Gospel. In fact, the blood of the Christian martyrs paved the
way for us. We can read the Bible, preach the Word and testify for
Christ because of those who lived and died for the truth.
It seems only fit that we pay honor to the biblical truths that were
rediscovered during the German and English Reformation of the 15 and
1600's. The Reformers had 5 catchphrase, slogans or mottos that
indicated their return to New Testament Christianity. I have called
them, The 5 Pillars of Reformation Truth.
'Sola Scriptura' - By Scripture Alone
'Sola Gratia' - By Grace Alone
'Solo Christo' - By Christ Alone
'Sola Fide' - By Faith Alone
'Soli Deo Gloria' - Glory To God Alone
Let's take a look at the first pillar...
'Sola Scriptura' - By Scripture Alone
For hundreds of years the people had been taught the unbiblical false
notion that the traditions of "the Church" (of Rome) were equal with
and in fact superior to the Holy Bible. The cry of the Reformers was
'Sola Scriptura' or The Scripture Alone. By that they meant that
the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were inspired by God
and therefore the sole and sufficient authority in all matters of faith
and practice and therefore the Scripture alone is the measure of truth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 testifies to this truth -- "All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God
may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
The written Word stands gloriously alone in its majesty. It testifies
in God's name. It demands reverence, unhesitating faith in its
doctrines and unfaltering obedience to its commands.
Tradition that does not line up with the word of God is to be rejected.
We see this in the exchange between Christ and the scribes and
Pharisees in Matthew 15:2-3 "Why do thy disciples transgress the
tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat
bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress
the commandment of God by your tradition?"
Over and over again the Reformers rejected the teachings "Holy Mother
Church, the decisions of Popes and the decrees of Councils because they
went contrary to the clear teaching of the Holy Scriptures. They
believed the truth of Psalms 119:160 "Thy word is true from the
beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever."
They knew that man's words were temporary but God's words were
eternal (Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words
shall not pass away.") They knew it was fruitless to develop a system
of worship based on the traditions of men instead of the Word of God.
Matthew 15:8-9 points that out when he says, "This people draweth nigh
unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their
heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men."
'Sola Scriptura' - The Scripture alone is the sole and sufficient
authority in all matters of faith and practice. In fact, it is the
Scripture that God uses to effect the New Birth for we read, "Being
born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word
of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23 The second
pillar of Reformation truth is...
'Sola Gratia' - By Grace Alone
Generally, grace is the free, unmerited favor of God. Specifically,
grace is the unmerited eternal salvation of God, which comes freely to
the believing sinner as a gift through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
It is receiving the opposite of what we deserve. It is the free
forgiveness of sin and the offer of free imputed righteousness, which
was purchased by Jesus Christ. Salvation by grace means salvation is
not attained or maintained by human works; rather, it is the free gift
from God offered to sinners deserving of nothing but punishment,
through faith in Christ's blood. This is the Gospel of the grace of
Christ.
Salvation is entirely of grace. This means it is exclusively a divine
work, absolutely sovereign and free, in which sinners play no part and
make no contribution. Paul promotes this Bible truth in Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."
I must remind you that God is not obliged to save anyone. No one merits
or deserves salvation. Grace, and grace alone, is the cause of
salvation. If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is
no more grace. Romans 11:6
By grace, God chooses people to eternal life, redeems them through
Jesus Christ, calls them by the Holy Spirit, justifies them by faith,
adopts them into His family, and preserves them unto eternal life
(Ephesians 2:8; Romans 11:5; Galatians 1:15; Titus 3:7; Ephesians
1:5-6; 2:7; Romans 5:21).
But, the scheme of salvation taught by the Church of Rome is totally
contrary to the Bible teaching that salvation is by grace alone. Rome
teaches the doctrine of merit, that good works do truly deserve eternal
life; and whosoever believes differently is accursed. The Roman Church
taught and teaches the idea that a righteous person may accumulate a
surplus store of good works, over and above what is required (called,
works of supererogation). These extra merits, form a treasury or fund,
and can be dispensed by the Pope to less holy Roman Catholics who can
then enjoy the benefits earned by others (the doctrine of indulgences)!
But the Reformers declared the truth of the Bible that -- [God] hath
saved us...not according to our works, but according to his own purpose
and grace (2 Timothy 1:9). This is Reformation doctrine, Sola Gratia.
It is explained quite well by Augustus Toplady. He said --
"The way to Heaven lies not over a toll-bridge, but over a free-bridge;
even the unmerited grace of God in Christ Jesus. Grace finds us beggars
but leaves us debtors." The next pillar of Reformation truth is...
'Solo Christo' -- By Christ Alone
How can a person have access to God? Is it through the priests,
departed saints, holy angels or the Virgin Mary as the Church of Rome
alleges? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Christ alone is forth in Scripture as the only mediator. The Bible
says, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus;" 1 Timothy 2:5 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,
the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 14:6 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
Only through Christ can we have acceptance with God. He is the only way
of access into God's presence and the only channel by which blessings
are bestowed. 'Solo Christo' -- By Christ Alone.
'Sola Fide' - By Faith Alone
"How can a person be right with God?" The Bible and the Roman Church
give us conflicting answers! The Bible says, A man is justified by
faith without the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28).
Let's begin by defining the term justification. Justification means,
"to declare righteous." Justification is God's declaration that those
who trust Jesus Christ are perfectly righteous before Him. It is a
legal concept, as when a judge gives a verdict. God is the great Judge.
It is His law we have broken. Before I am saved, God declares that I am
a condemned sinner. After I come to Christ, God declares that I am
righteous because of what Christ did for me on Calvary. Justification
is being brought into a new spiritual position before God (Romans
5:1-2).
The doctrine of 'justification by faith alone' is the central truth
of Christianity and the real test of a church's fidelity to the Gospel.
When God justifies sinners, He declares them to be exempt from
punishment and entitled to reward solely on the ground of what Christ
has done for them (Romans 3:24; 5:9). Faith is simply the sinner's
personal reliance on Christ as Savior (Ephesians 1:13).
God justifies us when, in our desperation, we flee to Christ and place
our entire confidence in His substitutionary life and death. Knowing
that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith
of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might
be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law:
for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Galatians
2:16).
Dr. Isaac Watts, the great hymn writer and preacher put it this way -
"No more, my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done:
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of Thy Son.
The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne;
But faith can answer Thy demands,
By pleading what my Lord hath done."
The Roman Catholic Church denies the doctrine of justification by
faith. According to Roman dogma, "The instrumental cause [of
justification] is the sacrament of baptism," and, "through the
observance of the commandments of God and of the Church, faith
co-operating with good works..." enables people to be - "further
justifled!" (From: The Decrees of the Council of Trent.)
The Reformers raised their voices in united protest against such
perversion of biblical Truth. Luther's declared:
"I, Martin Luther, an unworthy preacher of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ, thus profess and thus believe; that this article, that faith
alone, without works, can justify before God, shall never be overthrown
.... This is the true Gospel... This is the doctrine I shall teach; and
this the Holy Spirit and the Church of the faithful has delivered. In
this will I abide. Amen."
'Soli Deo Gloria' - Glory To God Alone
As Jonah of old declared, "Salvation is of the LORD." Jonah 2:9 The
Apostle Paul wrote "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose
and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"
2 Timothy 1:9
God alone is responsible for our Salvation and therefore we should lift
high the voice of adoring praise and thanksgiving, so that all the
glory is given to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The entire plan of
salvation as the Apostle Paul teaches is, "To the praise of the gloty
of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Hence
the doxology: Unto him be gloiy in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end." Ephesians 3.21.
The Reformers rejected the Romanist doctrine that exalts the Pope, the
priests and, by its doctrine of salvation by works, believers
themselves. They rightly saw it as a man-centred religion, very far
removed from the religion of the New Testament. The Truth rediscovered
in the Reformation brought the glory back to God.
William Tyndale, the English Reformer, Bible translator and martyr,
wrote in his Prologue to the Epistle to the Romans:
"We see that God only, Who, according to the Scripture, worketh all in
all things, worketh a man's justifying, salvation, and health... God's
mercy in promising, and Truth in fulfilling His promises, saveth us,
and not we ourselves; and therefore is all laud, praise, and glory to
be given unto God for His mercy and Truth, and not unto us for our
merits and deservings."
May God in our day revive these great truths for which many Reformers
died. And, I believe that this is what should be celebrated on October
31st, not Halloween.
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