The Five “Sola’s” form the foundation of what is called “A HIGH VIEW OF GOD.” They are five Latin phrases, all beginning with the Latin word that means “alone.” This little word and what it means was the driving force of the reformation of the church. These five affirm that what God Himself has said and done, apart from men, is sufficient for our Eternal Salvation. Let me illustrate how:
There are many who honor Scripture, but few who honor Scripture alone as the sole authoritative revelation of truth. Likewise with Christ. Many believe in Christ, but are equally convinced that men must accompany their faith in Christ with human works of religion, ritual or righteousness. Grace alone describes God acting to save His lost Creatures without regard to their worthiness. Faith alone does not allow for any of the good works of men to contribute to their salvation. Because of the God exalting and Christ centered nature of the first four sola’s, God alone must and will, receive all Glory in this world and the world to come. All five stress exclusivity. Nothing may be added to them. Our God stands “ALONE” as the only help and hope of fallen men.
A. W. Tozer writing in “The Knowledge of the Holy” explained their importance this way: “Perverted notions about God soon rot the religion in which they appear. The long career of Israel demonstrates this clearly enough, and the history of the Church confirms it. So necessary to the Church is a lofty concept of God that when that concept in any measure declines, the Church with her worship and her moral standards declines along with it. The first step down for any church is taken when it surrenders its high opinion of God….The masses of her adherents come to believe that God is different from what He actually is, and that is heresy of the most insiduous and deadly kind.
The heaviest obligation lying upon the Christian Church is to purify and elevate her concept of God until it is once more worthy of Him–and of her. In all her prayers and labors this should have first place.”
The Historic Five Sola’s:
Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone [There is no other authoritative revelation of truth]
Solus Christus – Christ Alone [There is no other means of salvation]
Sola Gratia – Grace Alone [There is no merit in man that prompts God’s mercy and salvation]
Sola Fide – Faith Alone [There is no work of man that contributes to His Salvation]
Soli Deo Gloria – The Glory of God Alone [There is no credit or praise given to man for his salvation]
Community Bible Church is dedicated to the proposition that God, and God alone, is fit to take the universe’s throne. We exalt Him and we praise Him in our singing, prayers and preaching. He alone is glorious. He alone is righteous. He alone is sufficient, He alone is gracious and merciful. When men possess any righteousness, graciousness or mercy, God, through Christ is the sole source of those virtues. Because of that truth, He alone is worthy of HIS Creation’s worship.
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.” Revelation 5:11-14