Happy Reformation Day!

Today, as evangelical Protestants, we celebrate Reformation Day! On October 31^st, 1517, Martin Luther posted his famous “95 Theses” on the door of the Wittenberg church in Germany. Luther was challenging the practice of buying “indulgences,” which was widely promoted by a man named John Tetzel.

Under the orders of Pope Leo X, Tetzel was tasked with traveling through the European countryside, urging people to buy indulgences —money paid to help a loved one escape purgatory. The popular saying at the time was, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” Tetzel was a dishonest man who exploited the people’s superstitions and amassed a large fortune.

Luther realized that salvation is a free gift from God and is not something we can earn to gain His approval. Salvation is entirely based on grace.

Five influential statements from the Protestant Reformation continue to shape evangelical Christians today. They are known as the “Five Solas” (Latin for ‘alone’)—Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, and God’s Glory Alone.

We believe that the Bible Alone is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Peter 1:20-21).

Only Scripture, because it is God’s inspired Word, is our only inerrant, sufficient, and final authority for life, godliness, and the church. Scripture Alone categorically denies that any creed, council, or individual can bind a Christian’s conscience. It also denies that the Holy Spirit speaks independently of or contrary to the written Word of God. Additionally, it denies that personal spiritual experience can ever serve as a vehicle for divine revelation.

We also believe that salvation from beginning to end depends on God’s sovereign Grace Alone.

Ephesians 2:8–9 states, “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 can boast.”

Salvation is not a human effort by which spiritually dead sinners can free themselves from this bondage. Only God’s free grace can free us and give us new life.

We also believe that we place our Faith Alone in Jesus Christ.

We are justified or considered not guilty before a holy God through the imputed righteousness of Christ. We do not produce this righteousness; instead, God grants us the perfect record of Christ (Romans 5:1-2, 8:1).

We do not somehow earn or add to our salvation through obedience to the law, observing the sacraments, attending church, baptism, or any other work. We are saved by faith alone.

We also believe that our faith is in Christ Alone.

1 Timothy 2:5–6 states, “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, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

Jesus is the ONLY way to God (John 14:6), and everyone must place their personal trust in Him alone as Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9-10).

Finally, we believe that everything points to God’s Glory Alone.

He alone is worthy of our worship, devotion, and obedience. We do not seek to draw attention to ourselves but instead ascribe to God the glory due to His holy name.

Psalm 115:1 states, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”

We stand on the shoulders of giants! Men like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, William Tyndale, Heinrich Bullinger, John Knox, and others who, by God’s grace, launched the Protestant Reformation and rediscovered the fundamental truths that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.

May this October 31^st be a day filled with thanksgiving for God’s grace in using men like these to reaffirm the truths of our salvation.

Wishing you a wonderful Reformation Day!