The 5 Pillars of the Reformation

 

Scripture alone: Scripture alone is the infallible Word of God and therefore the ultimate authority (Isaiah 8:20; Jeremiah 8:9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

 

Grace alone: Salvation is a gift of God’s grace alone. Faith itself is a gift of God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Faith alone: Salvation is received by faith alone. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28). Once sinners are saved through faith they begin by God’s grace to do good works out of thankfulness for salvation (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Christ alone: God saves us because of Christ alone – because He alone fully and completely paid the penalty for all our sins so there is no penalty left for us to pay (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 10:14). 

 

Glory to God alone: God alone deserves all the glory and all the credit for our salvation (Isaiah 42:8). The Lord Jesus Christ said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you" (John 15:16).

Quote from Rev. Robert Grossmann: “The Protestant Reformation is one of the most important events in the history of the world. Most of the economic, political and personal freedom and prosperity that people enjoy today is rooted in the Reformation. Before it, people were enslaved to an all powerful Church with a false teaching about salvation, and were at the mercy of government that ruled mostly according to the laws of men than of God. The fundamental Reformation principles were: 1) The primary authority of God’s word in the Bible, 2) Justification of sinners only through faith in Christ, and 3) The priesthood of all believers no matter what their office or occupation in this world” (The Protestant Reformation and World History, page 1)."