What are the Five “Solas”? The Protestant Reformers succinctly proclaimed the doctrinal teachings of Scripture as the Five “Solas,” a Latin word meaning “Only” or “Alone.” Woodland Presbyterian Church fervently believes these doctrines, and we endeavor to reflect them in our Bible-based preaching and in all that we do.

1. Sola Scriptura (Only Scripture)

The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and therefore the ultimate authority on all matters of doctrine and practice. At Woodland Presbyterian Church, our preaching is firmly rooted in the Word of God as revealed in the Old and New Testaments.

2. Solus Christus (Only Christ)

The central event of human history is declared in John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” We are saved from our sin and assured of heaven because “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Therefore, Paul says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) There is no salvation apart from Christ, for the Bible says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) And Christ says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

3. Sola Gratia (Only Grace)

Grace is unmerited favor, God’s gift to us. We cannot earn or purchase our salvation; if we could, it would not be grace. Christ purchased our redemption for us by paying our penalty for us, by dying on the Cross in our place as our substitute. Apart from His grace, we cannot even have the faith necessary to believe and be saved. Even this He must give us, for He says, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

4. Sola Fide (Only Faith)

We act on God’s grace by believing on Him, trusting in what He did for us on the Cross. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) It is by faith that we receive God’s gift of salvation, for as Paul said to the Philippian jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved“ (Acts 16:31).

5. Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone)

God the Father planned our salvation; God the Son purchased our salvation on the Cross; God the Holy Spirit reveals God’s salvation to us through the preaching and reading of His Word, the Bible. In this man-centered world, we must always remember that man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. And as we glorify God, His glory permeates us and transforms our lives. As He loves us, so we learn to love others – all so that He may be glorified by our lives; “by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35) This extends to every detail of life: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31)

Putting all of these “Solas” together, we can summarize the Gospel in one compact sentence: “Based on Scripture alone, salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.”