Sola Scriptura is Latin for Scripture Alone. This term arose out of history during the great reformation of the sixteenth century and birthed out of the hearts of God’s people for the purpose of drawing them to the holy scriptures of God and nothing but. This term was defined and created by the Westminster Divines after heresy and false teachings begin to sneak into the church and believer’s hearts begin corrupting the sacred teachings of the Bible and the holiness of Christ, turning others from God’s holy truth.
In addition, there are four other phrases including;
Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone Westminster Divines
Solo Christo! By Christ's Work Alone are We Saved
Sola Fide: Justification by Faith Alone
In church history, never has there been a more Bible-centered, Bible-oriented, focus than these statements above. We will focus on Sola Scriptura today.
The threat at the time that Sola Scriptura (and currently in our day) was manmade laws and rules that directly attacked Christ words of “It is finished.” when He shed His blood on the cross. Other people who fought against the Bible, wanted to add to the Holy Scripture by requiring unbiblical standards, thus the term Sola Scriptura.
Instead of believing in the name of Jesus by faith through grace, others declared that the blood of Christ and the grace of God was not sufficient for our sins. Instead, other things such as good works, church membership, church attendance, baptism, marriage, last rites, indulgences, treasury of merit, etc., etc. and the list goes on…But those true to God declared that the Word of God, the Bible, we must believe and obey alone nothing more nothing less.
Salvation the one true saving gospel is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone.
In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, quotes:
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:18
II Timothy 3:16 states that - “All Scripture is inspired by God.”
So that means that every book of the Bible, chapter, verse, every jot and tittle within the canon, of Scripture is inspired by God and came from his voice. The inspiration came from
God, not the authors and the scripture itself was an inspiration to us all even to this day
Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Every word of Scripture comes out of the mouth of God. A divine revelation in the Bible has come down from God above.John 6:63 states that “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
Looking Backward:
In the early AD 60’s, Apostle Paul had this same heart cry when he wrote to his beloved Colossians, the ones who He birthed in Christ on his 3rd missionary trip. These living in Colosse had also turned from Sola Scriptura; they had allowed others to defraud them of God’s word. Instead of grasping the full complete gospel that Paul preached,
When he first went to Colossae, those there has slowly turned and started believing in those who would speak, enticing words leading astray others with vain philosophy, judgment of men improper worship rituals and doctrine of men.
Paul when writing this letter clearly solidifies with great strategy who Christ is and
beckons them to return to what he taught them. Christ first and Christ alone.
He reiterates that:
A. Christ is Preeminent in Creation
B. Christ is Preeminent in Redemption
C. Christ is Preeminent in the Church
Paul encourages them by reminding them of their freedom in Christ from:
A. Enticing Words
B. Vain Philosophy
C. Judgment of Men
D. Improper Worship
E. Doctrines of Men
Paul restates who they are as a believer in Christ by:
A. Putting off the Old Man
B. Putting on the New Man
C. Holiness in Family Life
D. Holiness in Work Life
E. Holiness in Public Life
It is Christ who reigns supreme over all! Sola Scriptura declares of Christ and Him alone.
If you have not done so yet, my prayer for you is to come to know Christ as your Lord Savior, that you would acknowledge Him as One who is reigning supreme over all .
You can know him as
As Paul writes this prayer to those in Colosse, I echo that same prayer for you
“ I have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:9–14
©Copyright 2012 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2012 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved
