| Through the Reformation, the once covered Gospel of the Cross was rediscovered and once again brought to the light. Moving beyond the Catholic Church and humanism of his time, Martin Luther clearly shone light on the teaching of the Gospel by emphasizing the authority of the Scriptures and the grace of God. The principles of Luther’s Reformation were “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone), “Sola Gratia” (Grace Alone), and “Sola Fide” (Faith Alone). The ultimate authority for determining truth is not the church but “Scripture Alone”. Salvation is based not on human works but on God’s “Grace Alone”, and it can be received only through “Faith Alone”. When the truth had been hidden and dim during the dark medieval period in Germany, the spark of the Reformation became a powerful force that shook the European continent, including Switzerland, France, and Scotland. John Calvin of France added two additional principles to Luther’s: “Solus Christus” (Christ Alone) and “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be the Glory), forming the Reformation’s Five Solas. John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in the United States, said, “The reason Catholic apologists aggressively attack ‘Sola Scriptura’ among these principles is that if this doctrine is undermined, it becomes easier to dismantle the other principles of the Reformation.” This highlights how the Five Solas of the Reformation, which changed world history, are fundamentally based on Scripture. |
》 Scripture Focus
2 Timothy 3:15-17
15and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Ephesians 2:1-9
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
》 Prayer Points
1. The Bible provides sufficient truth about why we are existential sinners and why Jesus Christ is the only way to approach the Holy God. Salvation cannot be obtained through other religions or elementary philosophies of this world. Let us praise the Lord, who grants salvation through His Word, and pray that those who are ignorant of, ignore, and indifferent to His Word may be turned back.
2. During the dark medieval period, there were witnesses who shone the light of Truth by making God’s Word their conclusion. Let us pray that a true reformation will occur through a return to ‘Scripture Alone’ in this age as well, and that churches will rise to illuminate the nations with the light of Truth.
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