Christ Alone

INTRODUCTION

We now have the privilege of studying God’s Word

For the last 3 weeks we have been studying the 5 solas of the Reformation

We have already learned...

The 5 solas were formulated in the 16th century by the Reformers in “response to the abuses and errors of the Roman Catholic Church.” (Table Talk, Ligonier Ministries, November 2012)

Each sola addressed a specific abuse

For example...

The Roman Catholic Church said it was Grace plus merit, faith plus works, Christ plus other mediators, Scripture plus tradition, and God’s glory plus Mary and Saints.

The Reformers answered by saying...

We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone

Our salvation is not based on “Jesus AND” or “Jesus PLUS...”

It’s in CHRIST ALONE

Martin Luther wrote in 1522, “Therefore one must teach as follows: ‘Behold, Christ died for you! He took sin, death, and hell upon Himself and submitted Himself. But nothing could subdue Him, for He was too strong; He rose from the dead, was completely victorious, and subjected everything to Himself. And He did all this in order that you might be free from it and lord over it. If you believe this, you have it.’” Similarly, he taught in his Large Catechism (1529): There was no counsel, no help, no comfort for us until this only and eternal Son of God, in his unfathomable goodness, had mercy on our misery and wretchedness and came from heaven to help us… Jesus Christ, the Lord of life and righteousness and every good and blessing. He has snatched us, poor lost creatures, from the jaws of hell, won us, made us free, and restored us to the Father’s favor and grace … he who has brought us back from the devil to God, from death to life, from sin to righteousness, and now keeps us safe there.”

“In very consistent terms, Luther wrote later in “On the Councils and the Church” (1539): “Christ, who is a king of righteousness in us through his precious blood, death, and resurrection, with which he blotted out our sin for us, made satisfaction, reconciled God, and redeemed us from death, wrath, and hell.”

Excerpt From The Legacy of Luther, R.C. Sproul, Stephen J. Nichols

Luther’s view was that of Scripture like...

Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

Jesus said this of Himself in John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

Salvation is in CHRIST ALONE, sola christus!

There were 3 major errors that I want to share with you this morning as it relates to salvation in the Roman Catholic Church

There are many others but I want to major on 3

The first is...

I. Salvation is Through the Church

The Second Vatican Council’s Decree

“The Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism explains: ‘For it is through Christ’s Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained.’” #816

Did you hear what they said?

They are even more specific in...

The 1994 Catholic Catechism

“…all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation…” #846

Past popes have taught this doctrine, as have previous catechisms and church fathers

Here is but one example… On May 7, 2001, Pope John Paul II told 2,000 youth gathered at the Greek-Melkite Cathedral of Damascus that “you cannot be a Christian if you reject the Church founded on Jesus Christ [the Roman Catholic Church].” (From article “Pope Meets with Youth of Various Christian Confessions,” Vatican City, 5/7/01 (VIS) reported by the Catholic Information Network, 5/9/01, N.86.)

Jones, Richard F. Understanding Roman Catholicism (p. 28). Richard F Jones. Kindle Edition.

What is wrong with this teaching?

It’s saying that you cannot be saved unless it’s through the church

Is that what the Bible says? No!

It says the source of our salvation is Christ not the church

The writer of Hebrews said of Jesus in Hebrews 5:9, “And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,”

1 John 5:11–12“11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”

But the Roman Catholic Church didn’t stop there. They also said that...

II. Salvation is Through the Sacraments

What are the sacraments?

“There are seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.” #1113

The Roman Catholic Church teaches...

The Sacraments Are the Means to Receive Grace

Catholic teaching says, Baptism “washes away original sin”

Catechism 1257 says, “The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation,” (CCC 1257).

But 1 Peter 3:21 says the opposite. Peter says, “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

Some say that Mark 16:16 teaches baptismal regeneration when it says, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

The condemnation is not on those who are not baptized but on those who “has disbelieved”

But Roman Catholics say...

The Sacraments Save

“The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.” #1129

“This sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn,” (CCC 980).

These are works

They are not the works of God but the works of men

Ephesians 2:8–9“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

So Roman Catholics believe that salvation is through the Church and through the Sacraments and also...

III. Salvation is Through Mary

Listen to...

A Summary of What the Roman Catholic Church Teaches about Mary

Mary is the all holy one (CCC 2677); second to Eve (Mystici Corpois Christ, par. 110); is prayed to (CCC 2679); sits at the right hand of Christ (Pope Pius X, 1835-1914, Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum, 14); is Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix (CCC 969); the mother of the members of Christ (CCC 963); Queen over all things (CCC 966); brings eternal life by her intercession (CCC 969); helped make atonement for sins (Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, Ott, page 213); crushed the head of the serpent (Pope Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus); delivers souls from death (CCC 966). When considering the Church, there is no better way than to look to Mary, (CCC 972). Catholics entrust themselves to Mary’s prayer (CCC 2677). And, no man goeth to Christ but by His Mother,” (Vatican Website: Encyclical of Pope Leo 13th on the Rosary, Octobri Mense, Pope Leo 13th, 1903-1914).

This is blasphemy!

This is utter heresy!

Three of those statements were by different Pope’s

Notice other...

The Declarations of the Pope

Pope Piux IX (1846-78)

“God has committed to Mary the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation. For this is his will, that we obtain everything through Mary” (Pope Pius IX, 1846–78).

Pope Leo XIII (1953)

“As no man goes to the father but by the son, so no one goes to Christ except through his mother” (Pope Leo XIII, 1953).

Pope Pius XII (1953)

“It is the will of God that we should have nothing which is not passed through the hands of Mary” (Pope Pius XII, 1953).

This is purely fictional!

This is not taught in Scripture but the people would not have known since it was all in Latin

This is also taught in...

The Catechism

“Taken up to heaven she (Mary) did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation…” #969

“Being obedient she (Mary) became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.” #494

The Roman Catholic Church has always been devoted to Mary

Listen to what they say about Mary...

The Marian Devotion

The Church’s devotion to Mary “is intrinsic to Christian worship” (CC, 971).

“The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an “epitome of the whole Gospel,” express this devotion to the Virgin Mary,” (CCC. 971).

Mary is honored with the title “ ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs.” (CC, 971).

Mary is Mediatrix, CCC 969, “Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.'”

Mary brings us the gifts of eternal salvation, CCC 969, “Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation…”

Mary delivers souls from death, CCC 966, “…You [Mary] conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.” (CARM)

What is so heretical about their view of Mary is...

The Position of Mary

Mary sits at the right hand of Christ:

“…she is the supreme Minister of the distribution of graces. Jesus “sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high” (Hebrews i. b.). Mary sitteth at the right hand of her Son…” (Pope Pius X, 1835-1914, Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum, 14).

Mary is 2nd only to Jesus: 

“Mary has by grace been exalted above all angels and men to a place second only to her Son” (Vatican Council II, p. 421). “This mother…is waiting and preparing your home for you,” (Handbook for Todays Catholic, p. 31).

“so no man goeth to Christ but by His Mother,” (Vatican Website: Encyclical of Pope Leo 13th on the Rosary, Octobri Mense, Pope Leo 13th, 1903-1914).

Mary was taken into heaven:

Mary, “…when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven…” (CCC 974).

Through Mary, the Holy Spirit brings the objects of God’s love:

“Finally, through Mary, the Holy Spirit begins to bring men, the objects of God’s merciful love, into communion with Christ. And the humble are always the first to accept him: shepherds, magi, Simeon and Anna, the bride and groom at Cana, and the first disciples.” (CCC 725)

The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience: “…As St. Irenaeus says, “Being obedient she became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.” Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert. “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith.” Comparing her with Eve, they call Mary “the Mother of the living” and frequently claim: “Death through Eve, life through Mary,” (CCC 494)

All this is from the Devil

These are lies right from the source and father of lies

The Bible teaches that...

IV. Salvation is Through Christ Alone

Jesus said He is the Only Way to Heaven

John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 10:9, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.””

Still the Catechism states...

“She (Mary) is inseparably linked with the saving work of her Son.” #1172

Catholicism asserts that Mary never sinned and was therefore redeemed from the moment of birth

“By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long.” #493

“Espousing the divine will for salvation wholeheartedly, without a single sin to restrain her, she gave herself entirely to the person and to the work of her Son…” #494

“Mary is the most excellent fruit of redemption (SC 103): from the first instant of her conception, she was totally preserved from the stain of original sin and she remained pure from all personal sin throughout her life.” #508

Jones, Richard F. Understanding Roman Catholicism (p. 72). Richard F Jones. Kindle Edition.

Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

This would include Mary

The Bible Teaches There is Only One Savior

Isaiah 43:11, “I, even I, am the Lord, And there is no savior besides Me.”

Hosea 13:4, “Yet I have been the Lord your God Since the land of Egypt; And you were not to know any god except Me, For there is no savior besides Me.”

Matthew 1:21, “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.””

Luke 2:11, “for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

John 4:42, “and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.””

Acts 5:31, “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

Acts 13:23, “From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus”

CONCLUSION

When we are called to repent and believe, we are not call to repent to the church or do the sacraments or repent to Mary, we are called to have “repentance toward God”

Paul said in Acts 20:18–21, “18...You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Do you see how critical the Reformation was?

It preserved the Gospel

Each sola is the Gospel

You cannot deviate on any of these without diluting it

We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone

But “In Roman Catholicism that which is necessary for salvation includes the church (CCC 846), baptism (CCC 1257), penance (CCC 980), sacraments (CCC 1129), service and witness to the faith (CCC 1816), keeping the ten commandments (CCC 2036 and 2070), and detachment from riches (CCC 2556).” (CARM)

If you hear of someone teaching Christ PLUS mark them as false teachers and avoid them

If you’re hearing for the first time this morning what these solas truly mean, I urge you to call on Christ to save you

He is the only way to the Father and therefore the only way to heaven

Jesus said in John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”

Peter exclaimed in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.””

It is “through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph.2:18)

Let’s pray