The hammer nailed the printed message to the door. It was the eve of All Saints Day.  The next morning worshipers would come to the Castle Church for the November 1st service. But did they would see the "writing on the wall" ?

Martin luther posted Ninety-five Theses (sentences) October 31, 1517 for discussion by theologians on the only way salvation through faith in Christ and not by papal indulgences and that salvation is by faith in Christ alone not through meritorious Works.  The Reformation of the Church began.

Three watchwords of the Reformation are SOLA SCRIPTURA, SOLA GRATIA, and SOLA FIDE.  In English they are "Scripture alone", "Grace alone", and "Faith alone".

Now, as then, these keywords emphasize spiritual truths which cannot be dismissed, for they convey in brief words of salvation for those who believe that Christ died for their sins and rose for their justification.  We look at these words.

SOLA SCRIPTURA (Scripture alone)  Scripture, the Bible, The Word of God is the only and final authority of God's declaration of truth.  Jesus describes Himself in John 14:6 in these words. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No man comes to the Father except  through Me".  In His high priestly prayer to His Father in Heaven, Jesus says "Thy Word is Truth" (John17:17)  God's Word is the truth and the sole authority of what He declares for us and for our salvation.

SOLA GRATIA (Grace alone)  Through God's grace alone humans are saved from their sin.  Grace is God's undeserved mercy and kindness - that showed itself in that "God demostrates His love for us in this:  While we are still sinners, Christ died for our sins". (Romans 5:8 - NIV)  Because we are born sinful and daily sin, we cannot be good enough ordo enough good to earn our salvation.  Christ has done it all by suffering and dying for our sins on Calvary's cross.  This brings us to the third watchword of the Reformation.

SOLA FIDE (Faith alone) We are saved by God's grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Paul wrote "for by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, lest any man should boast".  (Ephesians 2:8-9),  As grace signifies that salvation is a free gift of a loving God, so faith expresses itself by a persons's trust in Jesus' atonement for our sins.  To the jailer at Philippi, who asks the question "What must I do to be saved?"  Paul, a servant of God, speaks comforting, reassuring words "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved".  (Acts 16:31)  These words are true for you today as well.

May these three "solas" be reminders to you of the God who loves you with a sacrificial love that bestows on you the gift of everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ alone!