The Five Solas

I. Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone, as inspired by God and without error, is the final authority, arbiter and guide for Christian faith and practice.

II. Sola Gratia: Salvation is by grace alone, meaning that salvation is God’s gift to those He has chosen that His glory may be displayed and His grace magnified in their salvation.

III. Sola Fide: Salvation is through faith alone, meaning that faith alone is the instrument by which we grasp God’s promises of salvation in Christ.

IV. Solus Christus: Salvation is in Christ alone, meaning that salvation is won for His people by the final, once-for-all nature of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. Additionally, Christ alone is the head of His Church, mediating His authority through the Word by virtue of His resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven, where He is seated at the Father’s right hand and has been given all authority.

V. Soli Deo Gloria: The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Salvation is from the LORD, and to ascribe salvation to and worship Him is to give Him the glory due His Name.

*All definitions derived from Reformed Theology by Jonathan Master.

Helpful Resources about The Five Solas