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The Five Solas

The Five Solas of the Reformation are at the heart of the true Gospel. Therefore, the Five Solas are at the heart of Eldred Baptist Church and all that we do. 

1. Sola Scriptura: “Scripture Alone”

Sola Scripture simply teaches that Scripture alone is the sole and final authority for all that pertains to life and godliness and is sufficient for all such matters. The Westminster Confession of state declares, “The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.” We whole heartedly believe this at EBC, and therefore form, test, and try all that we say and do by the measure of the Scriptures. 


2. Sola Fide: “Faith Alone”

In Galatians 2:16, the Apostle Paul writes, “Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law, no man shall be justified.” In Genesis 15:6, we find an often repeated verse in the Scriptures, "And Abraham believed God, and he counted it to him for righteousness." Faith alone unites us to Jesus, and by uniting us to Jesus, provides for us an all sufficient Savior. At EBC, we seek to call all men unto faith in Christ, whether it be in salvation or to walk by faith in the Christian life. 


3. Sola Gratia: “Grace Alone”

The Reformers maintained that the sinner is saved by the grace of God, His unmerited favor, alone. This doctrine means that nothing the sinner does commends him to the grace of God, and that the sinner does not cooperate with God in order to merit his salvation. Salvation, from beginning to end, is the sovereign gift of God to the unworthy and undeserving. This is affirmed all throughout the Scriptures and explicitly in Ephesians 2:8-9 which reads, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."


4. Solus Christus: “Christ Alone”

The Reformation theme “Christ alone” emphasizes that salvation is through faith in no one else but Christ, and nothing more than Christ. We see this theme embodied in the Heidelberg Catechism: “Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere.” Acts 4:12 reads, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [than Jesus] under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Jesus Himself says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It is in Christ alone that sinners find refuge from the wrath to come, and He is able and willing to save all of those who repent and believe (Mark 1:15). 


5. Soli Deo gloria: “For the Glory of God Alone"

God planned all of creation, all of history, all of redemption for his glory. Isaiah quotes God himself that it is all ultimately to his glory alone: "I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols” (Isaiah 42:8). “The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day” (Isaiah 2:11). “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:6–7). The salvation of sinners is for the sake of God's glory, that His name might be praised for endless ages. 

In summary, Eldred Baptist Church exists on the firm foundation that sinners are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the Glory of God alone!