Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Our Reformation Heritage: Sola Gratia - Grace Alone The works of Wycliffe, the Morning Star of the Reformation, influence Hus and Reformers of 16th Century Scripture Alone is the cornerstone which allowed the other doctrines to develop

Our Reformation Heritage: Sola Gratia - Grace Alone Whenever the supremacy of Scripture is replaced by something else, truth is lost and man returns to bondage Jesus upheld the authority of God’s word - Matt. 5:17-18; John 8:31-32; 17:17

Historical Background The historical background is crucial to understanding the meaning of an historical event or writing Interpreting literature and history outside their historical context results in the same with Scripture

Historical Background Be vigilant to be “always reforming” for tares are among the wheat and the elect can be lead astray The truth of grace alone was lost as centuries of traditions replaced the doctrines of God

Historical Background Grace, unmerited favor, was redefined to be a means of meriting favor to attain eternal life Using the same terms but with different definitions causes confusion and acceptance of heresy

Historical Background RCC teaches it is the repository of God’s grace which it dispenses through the sacraments by an RCC priest The RCC still affirms the Council of Trent including its anathemas upon those who reject them – Protestants

Historical Background As the Reformers returned to the Scriptures as their authority, they began rejecting unbiblical RCC doctrine

Man’s Depravity The Scriptures clearly teach that man is sinful and even his best efforts are inadequate - Isa. 64:6, Rom. 5:12 David understood the iniquity of himself and all mankind (Psalm 51:5; 143:2) and God’s view (Psalm 14)

Man’s Depravity Paul quotes David and concludes that all have sinned and are falling short of the glory of God - Romans 3 Salvation does not come by any human merit, but only by God’s mercy and the Holy Spirit - Titus 3:5

Man’s Depravity James 2 links works as evidence of a living faith contrasted with a dead (false) faith, not as merited favor Luther and Calvin both tied grace, faith and the cross together as the only means of salvation

Salvation by Grace Alone Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 3:21–26 v. 1 - What is dead can do nothing for itself vs. 2 & 3 - Man’s depravity encompasses what he does, desires and thinks compounded by Satan’s influence vs. 4 - the origin of salvation is God’s rich mercy and great love

Salvation by Grace Alone Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 3:21–26 vs. 5 - it is God that takes action to take what is dead and make it alive by His grace vs. 6 & 7 - God’s further actions taken to display the surpassing riches of His grace and kindness

Salvation by Grace Alone Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 3:21–26 v. 8 - Salvation comes by God’s actions of grace and all of it is His gift v. 9 - There are no works, including faith, that bring about salvation v. 10 - Works are a result of salvation, not a means of its attainment

Salvation by Grace Alone Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 3:21–26 Romans 11:6 - Grace alone is God’s unmerited favor. The RCC definition is unbiblical Romans 3:21–26 Justification is a gift of God’s grace through Jesus’ atonement apart from any human merit

Conclusions and Warnings Grace alone remains a crucial doctrine today to be lovingly and boldly proclaimed without compromise We stand firm against the RCC system while proclaiming the gospel of grace to those entrapped in it

Conclusions and Warnings We stand against any system adding human merit as a means of receiving salvation - cults or aberrations The gospel is perverted when a work that follows salvation is required for salvation. Example: Baptism

Conclusions and Warnings The gospel is perverted whenever the Mosaic Law or any human standard is added to salvation (Galatians) Man cannot merit salvation, and if he could, Jesus would not seek him, call him or die for him.

Conclusions and Warnings Scripture teaches salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for God’s glory alone

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ