Reformation Day is a powerful reminder of the core doctrines that emerged during the Protestant Reformation, principles which continue to guide and shape Bible-believing Christians today. At the heart of the Reformation are the “Five Solas,” five essential doctrines that stood in opposition
to teachings that had turned from biblical truth. These are Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone). Here, we’ll focus on the doctrine of Sola Fide, or “faith alone.”
What is Sola Fide?
The term Sola Fide comes from Latin: sola meaning “alone” and fide meaning “faith.” Sola Fide
means that we are justified before God solely through faith in Jesus Christ. But why emphasize
this doctrine? Simply put, it is central to the gospel and to our relationship with God.
The Work of Christ
Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, humbled Himself and died on the cross for the
forgiveness of sins. He was buried, rose on the third day, ascended to heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit to empower believers and establish His Church. Jesus purchased His Church with His own blood, as stated in Acts 20:28: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
According to the book of Acts, the Church was founded around 33-34 AD. Acts 2:37-42 records
the initial preaching of the gospel by Peter, who called people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, after which they received the Holy Spirit and became part of the Church. This passage underscores the gospel’s power: people heard, repented, believed, and were saved—showing that salvation is a work of God, received by faith.
The Battle for the Gospel
As the gospel spread, so did opposition and false teaching. Some began to teach that faith alone was not enough for salvation and that additional requirements—like circumcision—were necessary. This issue is seen in Acts 15:1, where certain individuals taught, “Unless you are
circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” This teaching
suggested that faith in Christ’s sacrifice was insufficient, a doctrine Paul strongly opposed in his letter to the Galatians.
In Galatians 1:6-12, Paul warns against turning to a “different gospel,” affirming that justification comes solely through faith in Christ, not by human works or efforts to follow the law. In Galatians 2:16, he writes: “We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” The message is clear: salvation by works is a false gospel, but the gospel given by Jesus is one of grace received by faith alone.
Paul’s Rebuke of Salvation by Works
Paul continues this message in Galatians 3, where he challenges those who tried to get
justification through their own efforts: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? … Did
you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?” (Galatians
3:1-2). He then points to Abraham as an example of justification by faith alone: “Abraham
‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness'” (Galatians 3:6). This illustrates that
God’s way of saving His people, both in the Old and New Testaments, is by faith alone.
False Teachings that Crept Into the Church
From the second century onwards, various false doctrines entered the Church. Among these were the veneration of Mary, the teaching that grace is mediated by priests, and the belief that salvation was achieved through good works. By the 14th century, the situation had worsened: the Pope’s word became the ultimate authority, the Bible was inaccessible to most, and priests taught that salvation could be bought through indulgences and achieved through sacraments and penance.
Martin Luther and the Rediscovery of the Gospel
Martin Luther, a key figure in the Reformation, wrestled deeply with his sin and concluded that he could never achieve salvation through his actions. In studying Scripture, particularly Romans 1:17—“The righteous will live by faith”—Luther realized that salvation is a gift of grace,
received through faith alone in Christ. This discovery led him to write his 95 Theses, which he
nailed to the church door in Wittenberg, challenging the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
Luther’s transformation came when he trusted solely in the finished work of Christ. He
understood that a sinner is reconciled with God not by good works, sacraments, or priestly
mediation, but by faith alone in Christ’s sacrifice.
The Gospel of Faith Alone
Paul confirms this gospel of grace in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Salvation by faith alone means that we cannot earn our way to God, for we are all spiritually dead in our sins, and our righteous acts are as “filthy rags” before a holy God. Any
attempt to earn salvation is a denial of Christ’s finished work on the cross. Paul emphasizes this fact in Galatians 2:21: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” This is not just a matter of personal preference but a foundational issue of the gospel itself.
Conclusion: Standing Firm in Faith Alone
Throughout history, humanity has often sought other ways to be made right with God. However, as Romans 10:1-4 reminds us, true righteousness comes from submitting to God’s way—through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Any deviation from this is not only unbiblical but undermines the gospel’s essence.
On this Reformation Day, let us honor the sacrifices made to preserve and proclaim this truth.
We are justified by faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. Let us trust wholly in
what God has declared in His word.