Key Doctrines of the Reformation
Protestant Key Doctrines Made Simple
Dr Wilfred John Sundaraj
29 Oct 2017
Romans 3:24, 1:17 & Galations 3:11
Roms 1:17 ,Gal 3:11. The righteous shall live by faith
Roms 3:22-24
We can only be saved by Faith through Grace as a gift through the redemption in christ.Roms 1:17 ,Gal 3:11. The righteous shall live by faith
1)Sola Scriptural
The Bible alone ,Scripture alone speaks authoritatively, and it speaks to all believers,independently of church leaders and councils,human interpreters and so-called spokesmen for God.
Biblical vs Earthly Authority
We are to be governed by the bible as our ultimate authority.
Earthly authorities like laws of nature,experience,intellect,emotion,culture are only like scaffoldings to help us understand the bible better.
2) Sola Gratia
“Grace alone.” It is only by the unmerited favor of God that Christ went to the cross and paid the price for man’s salvation.Human Beings are by nature depraved by darkness,blindness,deaf,and heart of stone. He can never understand the gospel truth and need to be set free.
Therefore God’s grace is truly undeserved and amazing and God’s grace alone has the power to draw people to himself and open up our eyes,ears,and heart .
Only God can save us from the power of sin,death and attacks of the devil and set us free.
3)Sola Fide -Faith alone
Only total righteousness is acceptable to God,and that is found in christ,not in us.People can only accept Christ’s work by placing trust in him.
Faith is the confidence God puts in us to trust in christ and His promises in the Word of God.
Faith is knowledge based- refers to the content of faith, or those things we believe.
Faith also refers to personal trust.relationship and reliance to God through christ.
So knowing and believing the content of the christian faith is not enough,for even the demons can do that.
Faith is only effectual if, knowing about and assenting to the claims of Jesus,one personally trusts in im alone for salvation.Faith that saves and works are justified by faith in christ to do good works.
So knowing and believing the content of the christian faith is not enough,for even the demons can do that.
Faith is only effectual if, knowing about and assenting to the claims of Jesus,one personally trusts in im alone for salvation.Faith that saves and works are justified by faith in christ to do good works.
4)Sola Christus- Christ alone
Salvation is accomplished by christ alone,and mediated by christ alone - not by angels,saints,sacraments,priests,teachers,churches,or anyone or anything else.Christ alone was the perfect Savior,and he alone is the perfect prophet,priest,and king.
The Gospel is inclusive claim for all but exclusive claim in christ alone is salvation found.
5) Soli Deo Gloria (To God be the Glory)
God must be the center of our worship,praise,thanksgiving,works,home,and play.Worship is a way of life and not just a church activity or performance.
Biblical theology
A)Law and the Gospel
The old laws in the old testament condemn us because we can never fulfill all the laws and achieve salvation by our own effort but Jesus came to fulfill the law by saving us from the condemnation of sins out of his mercy and Grace.So we are to thank God,praise God and worship Him for all Jesus has done for us.
So the old testament becomes our guide to do good works as a way of devotion and thanksgiving.
A)Law and the Gospel
The old laws in the old testament condemn us because we can never fulfill all the laws and achieve salvation by our own effort but Jesus came to fulfill the law by saving us from the condemnation of sins out of his mercy and Grace.So we are to thank God,praise God and worship Him for all Jesus has done for us.
So the old testament becomes our guide to do good works as a way of devotion and thanksgiving.
B) Sacraments - Baptism and Eucharist ( holy communion)
Both sacraments are holy practices and commands and promises from God.
Baptism is to to testify publicly ones repentance and acceptance of the salvation from christ jesus.
Eucharist or holy communion are to be practised to remember what christ has done for us at the cross for the forgiveness of our sins saved by grace not by works.
Reformation also restore the importance of family as the important part of the church.
Families is the small church at home and parents must not neglect the spiritual educations at home.
Reformation is an on going process whereby life are being transformed continuously for God’s glory and traditions needs to be refined to rid of any unhealthy practices that are not pleasing to God.
The church must preserved the spirit of unity amongst all believers in christ irrespective of denominations in the course of reformations.
Questions
1) Which of the key Doctrines of Reformation mentioned appeal to you more? Why?
2) What is one key lesson you have learnt from this sermon and how has that impacted your life?
No comments:
Post a Comment