Part 11 of 12

The 4^th Sola - “SOLAS CHRISTUS”

“SOLAS CHRISTUS” is Latin for “CHRIST ALONE”

Acts 4:11-12 (AMP) THIS [JESUS] IS THE STONE (see v10) which was despised and rejected by you (Israel), the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone].
¹² And THERE IS SALVATION IN AND THROUGH NO ONE ELSE (but JESUS), for THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY AND IN WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.

1 Timothy 2:5 For THERE IS ONE GOD, AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS;

Solas Christus is the teaching that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man, and that there is salvation through no other; hence, the phrase is sometimes rendered in the ablative case, solo Christo, meaning that salvation is “by Christ alone.” This claim of the mediatorial work of “Christ ALONE” is in stark contrast with the Roman church which reveres and holds various dead “saints” and Mary as mediators as being able to intervene on behalf of the living. The Roman claim detracts from and diminishes the person, and work of Christ who makes intercession for the believers.

Romans 8:34…It is CHRIST that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who IS EVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO ALSO MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR US.

We reaffirm that our salvation is accomplished only by the mediatorial work of the historical Jesus Christ ALONE. His sinless life and substitutionary work of atonement at the cross on our behalf is all-sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to God the Father.

Christ’s all-sufficiency means, by implication, that we are insufficient of ourselves. Indeed the Scripture says; “NOT THAT WE ARE ADEQUATE IN OURSELVES to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but OUR ADEQUACY IS FROM GOD.” (2 Corinthians 3:5)

Solas Christus also rejects “sacerdotalism.”

Sacerdotalism is the belief that priests can act as mediators between human beings and God. This is the belief that propitiatory sacrifices for sin require the intervention of a priest. It is the belief that a special, segregated order of men, called the priesthood, are the only ones who can intervene directly with God.

The all-sufficiency of Christ means there is absolutely NO room for sacerdotalism, sacraments bestowed by a church or priest; nor is self-punishment or reparations that a sinner or believer may make that can add to that which Christ has already accomplished on behalf of all mankind by the cross.

CHRIST ALONE Has Done It ALL! We deny that the genuine gospel is preached if Christ’s all-sufficient substitutionary work is not declared, and faith in Christ and his work is not solicited as the sole basis of our justification and salvation.

Paul says any other gospel is not in fact “the gospel”or the “message” of the pure “grace of God” that Paul called “the mystery.” This was the case at Galatia after “certain men from James” (Gal 2:12) at Jerusalem came “to spy out the liberty” (Gal 2:4) of the grace believing converts at Galatia . Thus Paul wrote these powerful and serious words.

Galatians 1:6-7, 9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into THE GRACE OF CHRIST unto ANOTHER GOSPEL: ⁷ WHICH IS NOT ANOTHER; but there be some that … would PERVERT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. ⁹ … If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received (from Paul), LET HIM BE ACCURSED (BANNED).

Any so-called gospel that denies the all-sufficiency of Solas Christus (Christ alone has done ALL) is not “the gospel.” The Apostle Paul says preachers who preach that false gospel should “be banned.”

Scripture does not leave us under any illusion about this absolute truth of “Solas Christus.” Jesus said He is “THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE” (NOT “A way, A truth and A life”). Jesus said no man comes to the Father except through Him. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME.

He who believes in the Son (Jesus) has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (Jn 3:36, 1Jn 5:12)

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
1 John 5:11-12 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Why is Solas Christusso important?

It’s because there are many who believe that we can obtain salvation apart from Christ, but the Bible leaves no room for this teaching.

If salvation could be found through Muhammad, Buddha, and Krishna or through our good works; then there would be no reason for Jesus to die. But the sinless “Lamb of God,” Jesus Christ, is the only person whose death who could satisfy the wrath of God as a just offering to atone for our sins. Jesus Christ ALONE was and is sinless and so took upon Himself our sins and He justifies all those who will put their trust in Him ALONE.

2 Corinthians 5:21 HE (GOD) HATH MADE HIM (JESUS) TO BE SIN FOR US, who knew no sin; (so) THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM.

The largest segment of the professing Church offers her devotees neither peace for the present or assurance for the future. She does not tell them that believers in Christ are given a position in heaven at God’s right hand (Eph. 2:4-7). Many of Protestantism today also ignore the elements of the “Five Solas” that yield rest, peace and assurance of salvation to genuine believers. Rome brings Christ down from His exalted heavenly position and offers Him to the world still on a crucifix, requiring men to eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to be saved. And this when Paul, by the Spirit, so emphatically says: “…yea, THOUGH WE HAVE KNOWN CHRIST AFTER THE FLESH (in His humanity), YET NOW, HENCEFORTH, KNOW WE HIM NO MORE” (2 Cor. 5:16). We have the resurrected Christ to dwell within every believer as their ALL.

Man’s religion, especially in “the Roman church,” as well as today’s neo-evangelicalism, is built upon an appeal to the outer, the senses and emotions; ignoring the facts of the simple gospel of faith in the all-sufficient Christ Alone. Her devotees are occupied with beads and bells, statues and crucifixes, candlesticks and sacred objects, robes and incense; so far has she departed from the teachings of Paul and from his declaration that “we walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7).

Lingering still among the types and shadows of primitive ages and mingling these with meaningless pagan rituals, she keeps millions from trusting and rejoicing in an already accomplished redemption.

We beg those who read these lines to look in faith to the risen, exalted Christ and to trust in His finished redemptive work alone:

“(Jesus)… when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3).

“This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:12).

This is clear enough. Our Lord came to earth to accomplish our redemption and, having accomplished it; He returned to heaven and sat down with His Father. The work was finished. And now He invites us to rest in His finished work.

“THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

“FOR HE THAT HATH ENTERED INTO HIS REST, HE ALSO HATH CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, AS GOD DID FROM HIS” (Heb. 4:9, 10).