The church remembers 31^st October as Reformation Day. Martin Luther, a brilliant scholar, was a Roman Catholic monk who was often troubled about his sins. He went to great extent of torturing himself, thinking that by so doing, God would forgive his sins. It was upon reading the book of Romans that he understood that man is made righteous (without sin) by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ because Christ has died in man’s place for sin. Man is saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus. Upon understanding this important truth, he wrote his 95 theses, a large part of which were directed against the erroneous teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and affixed them to the door of the Castle of Wittenberg on 31^st October, 1517. Such an opposition against the then Roman Catholic Church was punishable by death as was the end of many reformers before Martin Luther.

A false gospel cannot save you and it leads to eternal hell. We thank God for these reformers, who out of love for God and men and women, that they did not care for their own lives, but risked their lives that they may preserve for us the gospel in its purity and simplicity: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The moment you have faith in Jesus, that is, accept Him as Lord and Saviour, you are saved for eternity. The Reformers emphasize 5 “Sola”(s) or 5 “Alone(s).” It is a Latin word which means “alone.”

First, Reformers use “Sola Scriptura,” which means “Scripture Alone” to emphasize that the Bible only is our ultimate authority and not the pope, not the church, not the traditions of the church or church councils, still less personal intimations of subjective feelings. Authority of church elders, the state or authority of parents over children are important. These, however, are always subject to the authority of the Bible. If any goes against the teachings of the Bible, they are to be rejected because only the Bible is fully reliable (2 Tim 3:16-17).

Second, “Solus Christus” means “Christ Alone.” Heresies say that a man is saved by Christ plus the good works of other human beings. This is a false gospel that saves no one. Man is saved by depending on Jesus Christ alone: “For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim 2:5); “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Third, “Sola Gratia” means “Grace alone.” Grace is something that is given to you which you did nothing to deserve it. Human beings cannot do anything to deserve God’s salvation. Human beings cannot contribute in any way to bring salvation to mankind. Even our ability to believe, that is, have faith in Jesus, is given by God. Thus, the Bible says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9).

Fourth, “Sola Fide” means “Faith Alone.” “Faith” is a sinner’s reliance on Christ as Saviour. Man sinned and is still sinning against God, yet when he has faith in Jesus, God declares him righteous, that is, without sin: “Justification by faith.” The Bible says: “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Rom 3:28).

Fifth, “Soli Deo Glori” means “Glory to God Alone.” Paul says: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). We live and serve to glorify God and God alone.