Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Five Solas: 1. Sola Scriptura = Scripture Alone 2. Solus Christus = Christ Alone 3. Sola Gratia = Grace Alone 4. Sola Fide = Faith Alone 5. Soli Deo Gloria = To the Glory of God Alone Sola Scriptura – Defined Baptist Faith and Message I. The Scriptures - The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” This was Martin Luther’s conviction - Consider 1517, 1519, 1521 October 31, 1517 - 95 Theses nailed to Wittenberg Church door July 4, 1519 - June and July - Luther and Eck Debate in Leipzig April 16-18, 1521 - The Diet of Worms Sola Scriptura – Directs Directs our worship Directs our preaching and teaching Directs our love for one another Directs our missions and evangelism Directs our stewardship of time, talents, and treasure Directs our spiritual disciplines like prayer, scripture engagement, fasting, etc Directs our church purpose, polity, and practices The Bible is more than merely descriptive, it is prescriptive and instructive Sola Scriptura - Declares It puts the PRO in PROTEST and the PROTEST in PROTESTANT Pro = for Protest = usually used as against but actually means “to make solemn declaration or affirmation of” Many have heard what the church is against... BUT what is the church FOR? WE MUST BE FOR WHAT THE BIBLE IS FOR! * We are for the repentance of all people and the regeneration that comes by faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is found ONLY in Jesus - He is the way, truth, and life * We are for a healthy, biblical church designed as He commanded! * We are for unity between people of different backgrounds, nationalities, skin colors, and languages under the truth of Christ * We are for LIFE, from the womb until the tomb, because life is God’s gift! * We are for healthy, biblical marriages between a husband and a wife! It is time to go back to the simple truth taught in the children’s songs “The B-I-B-L-E, Yes That’s the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.” “Jesus loves this I know…. For the Bible tells me so!”