The Five Solas: Christ Alone

“… for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12, speaking on Christ Alone

CHRIST ALONE

Of the five solas, solus Christus is the most important. This sola unifies all the others. Without the person and work of Jesus Christ we have nothing to talk about. Jesus is the interpretative key of the Bible (sola scriptura). Christ is the means by which we receive God’s grace (sola gratia). By itself faith merits nothing, it is Christ as the object of our faith that matters (sola fide). Finally, Jesus did it all for God’s glory alone (soli deo gloria).

While it’s easy to understand how Jesus is at the center of the solas, what do we mean when we say “Christ alone”? The answer is multifaceted. First, “Christ alone” is the only way man can enter heaven. 1 Timothy 2:5 tells us that Jesus is the sole mediator between God and man. There is no reconciliation except through him. Secondly, it means Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are wholly sufficient to secure our salvation. There is no “Christ and…,” but “Christ alone.” We do not need anymore priests, sacrifices, or good works. Christ has done it all. Finally, it means that “Christ alone” is the central purpose of God’s work in redemption. He alone is the cornerstone of our faith & theology.

THE DOCTRINE TODAY

Why does this doctrine matter to the church today? Simply put, all our theology stands or falls on this doctrine. Our understanding of Christ can either shape or destroy our Christian theology. Let me ask the question another way: what is your hope for entering heaven? Christ alone is our only hope. He is the image of God and the only one to perfectly keep God’s law. Without everything Christ did, we are hopeless and our faith is meaningless. Jesus is how we know God. He is how we restore our broken fellowship with God. Jesus is the means of our pardon. Jesus did it all.

Our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. His work was perfect and we can add nothing to it. He has always been the only way to salvation.