The Five Solas: Remembering the Heart of the Reformation

Why Reformation Day Still Matters for Every Protestant Believer

Hello friends,

October 31st marks Reformation Day, the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his Ninety-five Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg. That simple act ignited the Protestant Reformation—a movement that confronted the errors of the medieval Roman Catholic Church and restored the church’s foundation to Scripture and the gospel of grace.

Out of this historic movement emerged five core convictions that continue to distinguish Protestant believers today. These are known as the Five Solas—Latin statements summarizing the essence of biblical Christianity.

The Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation

Reformation Day commemorates the moment Luther challenged the Church of Rome with biblical truth. Though many issues were debated, five major points became pillars of Protestant theology. These solas continue to define Christians across denominations such as Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and others.

1. Sola Scriptura — Scripture Alone

Sola Scriptura affirms that the Bible is the highest and ultimate authority for the Christian. While Rome affirmed Scripture’s inspiration, they elevated the pope, church councils, and tradition to equal authority. The reformers rejected this, insisting that all authorities—church leaders, traditions, reason, and experience—must submit to the Word of God.

2. Sola Fide — Faith Alone

3. Sola Gratia — Grace Alone

4. Solus Christus — Christ Alone

These three solas stand together as a united defense of the biblical gospel. The Roman Catholic Church taught that salvation came by grace and works, mixing faith with human effort. This contradicted the clear teaching of Scripture:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works.” – Ephesians 2:8–9

The reformers proclaimed the liberating truth that we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Christ’s finished work on the cross is sufficient. Nothing can be added to it. To require works for justification is to deny the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice—something the book of Hebrews strongly refutes. Jesus’ once-for-all offering is enough!

5. Soli Deo Gloria — To God’s Glory Alone

This final sola ties all the others together. If the Bible is our highest authority, if salvation is entirely God’s work, and if Christ alone earns our justification, then all praise belongs to God alone.
The Scriptures exist for His glory.
Salvation exists for His glory.
The church exists for His glory.

Amen—may God receive the glory due His name!