October 31 is for Protestants a special day commemorating the Reformation. It was on that day in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Castle church at Wittenburg. This event is often credited with starting the Protestant Reformation. Luther and many others like him were used of God to bring about one of the greatest outpourings of the Holy Spirit that the world has ever seen. The Reformation came about as a result of a unified conviction to certain truths. These truths would eventually be espoused as the 5 solas of the Reformation. Sola is the Latin word meaning alone or only, and the 5 solas are as follows:
Sola Scriptura -Meaning that Scripture alone is the rule of faith and life.
Sola Gratia- Meaning that Salvation is by grace alone.
Sola Fide- Meaning that Justification is by faith alone.
Solus Christus- Meaning that Christ alone is Lord and Head of His Church.
Soli Deo Gloria- Meaning that to God alone be glory for our salvation & all things.
Through the Sundays of October we will be looking at the Scriptures and how these convictions are not only justified but necessary for the church in all ages. We will also be alluding to some of the historical highlights of the Reformation which will be supplemented even further on Wednesday nights this month. Please pray that this month would be a fruitful time and that God would bring a much needed reformation to His church today as we commit ourselves to these very convictions.
