Five Solas, One Savior

Introduction

Thank organizers. Encouraged how gospel renewal happening in many churches. Humbled to be a part of that.

Introduce topic. Five Solas book. Five Solas webinars on TC. My focus today. Solus Christus as the Center of the Solas.

Five hundred years on from the Reformation, there is much to encourage and much to trouble those of us who count ourselves among the heirs of the Reformers. At the same time that the key principles of the Reformation are being forgotten, derided, and attacked at large, we see Reformational teaching faithfully and clearly expounded by an impressive regiment of scholars and preachers. Yet for all the fresh re-exposition of Reformation theology in our day, there is a danger that it could be distorted into a theological system abstracted from Jesus Christ. The principle of Christ alone (solus Christus) remains as a critical bulwark against that danger—a guardian of the essence of that for which the Reformers fought. Solus Christus expresses the biblical conviction that there is “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5 ESV), and that therefore “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 ESV). Christ’s identity is absolutely exclusive and his work entirely sufficient. We have no need, then, for any other prophet to provide us with a new revelation, any other priest to mediate between us and God, or any other king to rule Christ’s church. Christ alone stands at the center of God’s eternal purposes, Christ alone is the object of our saving faith, and therefore Christ alone must stand at the very center of our theology. Stephen Wellum is therefore perfectly right when he argues here that solus Christus is the linchpin of Reformation theology and the center of the other four principles or solas of the Reformation. Michael Reeves, Foreword

Wellum, Stephen. Christ Alone---The Uniqueness of Jesus as Savior (The Five Solas Series) (p. 13). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.

Solus Christus: The Centrality of Christ in the Gospel

Christ-centeredness, gospel-centeredness is key. For five solas, for Christian theology, for all of life. Christ is the gospel. The core of the gospel is the person and work of Christ (Beeke). 1 Cor. 2:2. Knowing Christ and making him known.

Read 1 Cor. 1:26-2:5.

“One Savior” - testifies to the supremacy of the person of Christ above all things and sufficiency of the work of Christ to accomplish our salvation. True, salvation is work of the Trinity, salvation belongs to the Lord. The Father planning it (“the mystery of God,” 2:1; God our Savior, 1 Tim. 1:1). The Son accomplishing it (“Jesus Christ and him crucified,” 2:2), the Spirit applying it (“the Spirit’s power,” 2:4). “Savior’ is more properly a designation of Christ, name Jesus, “he will save his people from their sins,” Matt 1:21). “Yahweh saves.”

So when we talk of Christ-centeredness/gospel-centeredness, it is about exalting and proclaiming Christ as our all-satisfying Savior. Christ is all (Col. 3:11). Phil. 3:8-9. Gal. 6:14. Reformation motto na Solus Christus, reaction to Roman Catholic teaching about Mary, the saints, indulgences, etc. We need no other mediator, there is no other mediator, Christ alone. Evangelicals today, preoccupation with programs, numbers, events, buildings, money, popularity, competition, etc. Christ is all for all of life.

“Jesus Christ and him crucified” (2:2). He is passionate for the gospel above everything else. “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Binalikan niya lang din yung sinabi niya sa 1:17, “the gospel…the cross of Christ” and 1:23, “Christ crucified.” Hindi ibig sabihing yun lang ang gusto niyang makita o matutunan o ipreach, yung brutal, shameful death ni Jesus sa cross. He’s talking about everything that Jesus has accomplished for us na nakasentro yung saving event na yun sa crucifixion. “Crucified” - not just about his death, but the cross as a shorthand for everything that Jesus accomplished for us. But yung main passion niya ay hindi lang dun sa event o sa nangyari, but on the Person who accomplished that salvation. He is passionate about Jesus above all else because the good news of the gospel is Jesus. If Christ and the cross central to the gospel, then it must be central to our proclamation right?

Treasuring Calvinism/Reformed Theology should lead to and must be for the sake of treasuring Christ, if not, your Calvinism/Reformed Theology is garbage. Phil 3:7-8.

How does the other solas relate to solus Christus? We can even extend this to relate to how Christology relates to other areas of theology! Yun ang ibig sabihin ng center. Everything won’t make sense without reference to Christ. Ganun siya kaimportante!

Sola Scriptura - All of Scripture points to Christ. Sola Gratia - we have received grace upon grace through Christ. Sola Fide - he is the object of our faith. Soli Deo gloria - with the Father and the Spirit, the gospel exalts the glories of Christ our Savior.

Sola Scriptura: Christ as the Interpretive Key of Scripture

Not merely authority of Scripture, but sufficiency. If Christ is sufficient, the Scripture is sufficient, for Scripture reveals Christ to us. Issue today - moralistic, Christless reading of Scripture, trained by moralistic, Christless preachers.

Not man-centered. Not “with lofty speech or wisdom.” Not to draw attention to the preacher, not to exalt man. Hindi kaw ang bida, or any human character for us to emulate. Also vv. 3-4.

But God-centered. According to his intent. “The testimony of God” - The Scripture as the testimony of God. Variant, Mystery/musterion. Ibig sabihin itong salita ng Diyos na ipinapahayag niya ay nakaugat sa mga nakasulat sa Lumang Tipan at nagtuturo ng katuparan nito sa pagdating ni Cristo. Yung mga “unknowns” about God in the past, ngayon “known” na dahil dumating na si Cristo at tinupad, binigyang reality ang mga pahayag ng Diyos sa Old Testament. Meron ding ibang “variant” ang sa ibang translations. Yung iba kasing manuscripts ay marturion (martyr, witness) ang nakalagay sa halip na musterion (mystery), magkahawig naman kasi. Kaya sa ESV, “the testimony of God” or witness of God, na tumutukoy sa salita ng Diyos bilang pointer kung sino siya, kung ano ang gusto niyang sabihin, na nagtuturo din naman sa pagdating ni Cristo. Either way, the point is the same. Word of God ito, galing sa Diyos, tungkol sa Diyos. Sa preaching hindi ibibida ni Paul ang sarili niya, ang Diyos ang Bida. More specifically, si Cristo ang Bida.

Christ as interpretive key. John 5:46

John 5:46 ESV

For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.

Luke 24:27 ESV

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:44 ESV

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Proclaiming Christ from all of Scripture. 1 Cor. 2:2; Col. 1:28; 2 Cor. 4:5.

Sola Fide: Christ as the Foundation and Anchor of Saving Faith

1 Cor 2:5, “so that your faith...” Not faith in human wisdom, not faith in a theological system, not faith in our own faith, but faith in Christ, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1:24).

Faith is not our contribution, not our merit. Only instrumental cause. Christ is the meritorial cause.

Just believe, too many talks about faith as mere positive thinking, abstracted from Christ.

We have to realize how great our need is, that no other can satisfy that need, and that only Christ can. Wala nang iba.

Simula nang magkasala si Adan, lahat ng mga tao ay nagmana ng kasalanan niya (Rom. 5:12), mula pa sa sinapupunan ng ating ina makasalanan na tayo (Psa. 51:5). Lahat tayo ay nagkasala at nararapat lang parusahan ng Diyos. Dahil makatarungan siya, hindi niya ito pwedeng palampasin (HC Q10). Oo nga’t maawain ang Diyos, pero hinihingi ng katarungan ng Diyos na ang nagawa nating mga kasalanan laban sa kataas-taasang Diyos ay maparusahan din ng pinakamatindi at walang hanggang pagpaparusa (Q11). Makakatakas lang tayo sa parusang ito kung babayaran natin ito o ng iba (Q12). Kaya ba nating bayaran ang pagkakautang na ito? Hinding-hindi, araw-araw pa ngang lumalaki ang pagkakautang natin sa Diyos (Q13). Meron bang ibang tao na makapagbabayad nito para sa atin? Wala, dahil wala namang sinuman ang kakayaning akuin ang tindi ng galit ng Diyos sa kasalanan (Q14).

Ano ngayong uri ng Tagapamagitan at Tagapagligtas ang kailangan natin at dapat nating hanapin? Tunay na tao, tunay na matuwid, at higit na makapangyarihan sa lahat ng nilalang, kaya dapat ay tunay na Diyos din (Q15). Bakit kailangang tunay na tao ang Tagapagligtas? Dahil tao ang nagkasala kaya tao rin ang dapat magbayad. Bakit kailangang tunay na matuwid? Dahil kung may kasalanan din, hindi niya kayang bayaran ang kasalanan ng iba dahil siya mismo ay kailangan rin ng Tagapagligtas (Q16). Bakit kailangang tunay na Diyos? Dahil ang walang-hanggang Diyos lang ang may sapat na kapangyarihan para maako ang walang-hanggang parusa ng Diyos at makapagbigay sa atin ng buhay na walang-hanggan (Q17).

Para baligtarin ang sumpang dulot ng kasalanan ni Adan sa sangkatauhan at sangnilikha, kailangang dumating ang ipinangako ng Diyos na anak ng babae na dudurog sa ulo ng ahas (Gen. 3:15). Hindi si Noah. Hindi si Abraham. Hindi si Jose. Hindi si Moses. Hindi si Joshua. Hindi si Saul. Hindi si David. Hindi si Solomon. Hindi ang sinumang dakilang hari, o punong pari, o magiting na propeta sa kasaysayan ng Israel. Sino ang tagapamagitang ito na tunay na Diyos at tunay na taong matuwid? “Ang ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, na siyang ginawa ng Diyos na maging ating karunungan, katuwiran, kabanalan, at katubusan (1 Cor. 1:30)” (HC Q18). O sa New City Catechism Q20, “Sino ang Manunubos na ito? Ang tanging Manunubos ay ang Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, ang walang hanggang Anak ng Diyos, na sa Kanyang katauhan ay naging Tao ang Diyos at inako ang kabayaran ng kasalanan sa Kanyang sarili.”

Tanong ng ibang tao, “E paano namang yung pagkapako sa kanya na tumagal nang anim na oras ay sasapat para bayaran ang parusa na eternal condemnation para sa mga milyun-milyong mga tao na sasampalataya kay Jesus?

Kung tao lang siya na tulad lang natin, hindi sapat yun. Kahit magpapako ka sa krus nang ilang milyong beses hindi enough yun. Napakalaki ng kasalanan natin. Hindi naman ito palakihan, o paramihan, o pagrabehan ng kasalanan. Malaki ang kasalanan natin dahil nagkasala tayo sa Diyos na kataas-taasan. Ang kabayaran din ay kailangang of infinite value. Kaya nga tinawag yun na “the precious blood of Christ” na higit pa sa pilak o ginto ang halaga (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Ang krus ay patotoo hindi sa “worth” o halaga nating mga tao, kundi sa “infinite worth” o walang hanggang halaga ng Panginoong Jesu-Cristo—tunay na Diyos at tunay na tao, perfect Mediator between God and Man (1 Tim. 2:5). We are great sinners, we have a great Savior. Ang krus ni Cristo ang nagpapatotoo dyan.

Sola Gratia: Christ as the Fountainhead of the Riches of God’s Grace

Talk of grace apart from Christ is foolishness. Grace upon grace. John 1:14, 16.

“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus...” (1:30). Gal. 2:20. Union with Christ.

Anumang meron tayo ngayon, anumang buhay ang nasa atin ngayon, anumang status or position ang kinalalagyan natin ngayon, lahat ‘yan galing sa Diyos, gawa ng Diyos, biyaya ng Diyos. Verse 30, “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus…” Ito ang pinakamahalagang koneksyon na meron tayo, our union with Jesus. Lahat ng hinahanap natin, ang daan tungo sa buhay na may saysay, lahat kay Jesus matatagpuan. “…who became to us wisdom from God.” He is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. You want wisdom and power? You have it if you have Jesus “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (v. 24). You were a nobody, but became a somebody because of Jesus who is everything to us.

Iniisa-isa ni Paul yung anumang meron tayo dahil sa pakikipag-isa natin kay Cristo. Jesus is our “righteousness.” Makasalanan tayo, pero itinuring tayong matuwid sa harapan ng Diyos dahil kay Cristo (2 Cor. 5:21). At ginagawa tayong matuwid na tulad niya because of the Spirit na bigay niya sa atin. Jesus is our “sanctification.” Marumi tayo, pero nilinis tayo sa pamamagitan ng dugo ni Cristo, “sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints” (1 Cor. 1:2). And we are being made holy to become like him. Jesus is our “redemption.” Dati tayong mga alipin, slaves to our sinful desires. Pero binili tayo ni Cristo. Pinalaya, to enjoy our freedom in obeying his desires. And one day, we will be finally and fully free of sin, and death, and Satan and the sufferings of this world. Jesus is everything to us in the gospel.

Not that he gives us these graces, he himself is the gift of God’s grace to us.

Soli Deo gloria: Christ as the Glory of the Triune God

If you fully realize that, and believe that deeply in your heart, ano pa ang maipagmamalaki mo sa sarili mo o sa ibang tao? And this is the goal of the gospel, of God’s decision to save us through the “folly” and “weakness” of the gospel. Para i-transfer anumang misplaced human boasting o human confidence natin at mapalitan ng God-exalting, Christ-magnifying, Spirit-dependent confidence. That is how Paul closes chapter 1, “so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (v. 31).

Summarizing Jer. 9:23-24, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

The steadfast love of God, the justice of God, the righteousness of God – lahat ‘yan on full display at the cross of Jesus. Gusto ni Lord na maging gospel-focused Christians tayo because of his desire, his passion to magnify his love, justice and righteousness. We are saved to showcase, to display for others to see the worth of his glory. Hindi para i-display natin ang dunong natin o ng mga anak natin, hindi para i-display ang mga ministry accomplishments natin, hindi para i-display ang yamang meron tayo.

...the triune God of the universe in infinite wisdom and power has chosen to bring all of his purposes and plans to fulfillment in the person and work of Christ. The centrality of Christ does not diminish the persons and work of the Father and the Spirit. Scripture teaches, rather, that all the Father does centers in his Son and that the Spirit works to bear witness and bring glory to the Son. So we can agree with Michael Reeves that “[t]o be truly Trinitarian we must be constantly Christ-centered.”4

Wellum, Stephen. Christ Alone---The Uniqueness of Jesus as Savior (The Five Solas Series) (p. 21). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.

So, yung Christian faith natin ay trinitarian. Aside from that, isa pang feature ng Creed ay yung pagiging Christocentric (Christ-centered) nito. Sa 12 articles of faith na nakapaloob dito, six articles yung nasa sentro, tungkol kay Cristo. Hindi ito yung parang pinagkukumpetensiya natin yung three Persons of the Trinity kung sino ang pinakamahalaga sa kanila. Sa early history ng church, mas mataas ang tingin sa Diyos Ama, at tila mas mababa ang status at position ng pagka-Diyos ni Cristo. Kapag sinabi naman ngayon na Christ-centered, sasabihin ng iba, “Dapat God-centered.” But when we say “Christ-centered” hindi ibig sabihin na mas superior ang Anak sa Ama. May narinig naman ako na isang Pentecostal pastor dati na hindi raw dapat kay Cristo naka-focus ang church, dapat daw sa Holy Spirit.

Dapat alalahanin natin na ang pagka-Diyos ng bawat persona sa Trinity ay pantay-pantay. Tulad ng sinasabi sa Athanasian Creed (~450-600 AD): “The Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit…So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.”

Kung tinuturuan man tayo ng Apostles’ Creed na maging Christ-centered, yun ay dahil sa pagsunod sa passion na meron din si apostol Pablo. Ang hangarin niya ay walang ibang makilala at maipakilala, walang ibang maipagmalaki, walang ibang maipangaral maliban kay Cristo at sa kanyang ginawa sa krus (see 1 Cor. 2:2; Gal 6:14; 2 Cor 4:5; Col. 1:28). Kasi, tulad ng sabi mismo ni Jesus, kung pinararangalan natin ang Anak, pinararangalan din natin ang Ama (John 5:23). Ang makita at makilala si Jesus ay ang makita at makilala rin ang Ama (14:6-7). Ang sumampalataya kay Jesus ay siya ring pagsampalataya sa Ama (14:1). Kaya sinabi niya na siya at ang Ama ay iisa (10:30). At ang ministry naman ng Holy Spirit ay ilagay ang spotlight kay Jesus. Sabi niya tungkol sa Holy Spirit, “he will glorify me” (16:14). So, kung gusto nating makilala ang Ama, kailangan nating makilala ang kanyang Anak (Matt. 11:25-28). At hindi natin makikilala ang Ama at Anak kung hindi siya ipapakilala sa atin ng Espiritu sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Salita (1 Cor. 2:10, 13).

Dahil wala nang hihigit pa sa gospel bilang tanging mabisang paraan ng Diyos para sa kaligtasan natin, wala na rin tayong ibang dapat ipagmalaki maliban kay Cristo at sa ebanghelyo. Si Cristo ang idi-display natin. Ang ginawa niya sa krus ang showcase ng life and ministry natin. Kaya merong mga conflicts at divisions sa inyo, sabi ni Paul sa mga Corinthian Christians, kasi ang gusto n’yong idisplay ay ang galing, husay o dunong ninyo o ng ibang tao. Let your boasting be in Christ and him crucified. And let it be your only boast, like Paul: “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14); “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

All-Consuming Passion for Christ

Nung sabihin niyang “I decided to know nothing among you except…” he is talking about his personal conviction. Napagpasyahan niya. Wala siyang alinlangan dito. Yun bang parang tinimbang mo ang mga ebidensiya at nakita mong wala talagang tatalo, wala talagang papantay, wala na talagang ibang paraan for us to be made right with God. Si Cristo lang talaga. Hindi ito sala sa init, sala sa lamig, kundi talagang mainit na mainit, and no one can convince Paul to change his conviction.

This is also a singular passion. Hindi niya sinasabing wala na siyang pakialam sa iba. Concern nga siya sa church family niya sa Corinth! Hindi niya sinasabing wala na siyang ibang topic sa preaching kundi parang nagpe-play na siya paulit-ulit ng “Passion of the Christ.” Ang dami nga niyang topics na tinalakay sa letter niya tulad ng sex, marriage, singleness, conflict resolution, church discipline, etc. Pero sinasabi niyang Jesus above everything else, above everyone else. And when we talk about other things, make sure na nakasentro kay Cristo.

This is not just about ministry like preaching, it is about intimacy. Pwede naman niyang sabihing “I decided to preach only Christ” like sa Col. 2:8, “him we proclaim.” Although sa ibang salin ganun ang translation nila tungkol sa preaching, na yun naman din ang tinutukoy niya. Pero ito mas malalim, “to know nothing among you.” Hindi lang intellectual “knowing” but intimate knowing. Tulad ng sabi niya sa Phil. 3:7-8, na para sa kanya wala nang ibang mas mahalaga kaysa sa makilala ang Panginoong Jesus. His heart’s passion for Jesus ang driving force behind his uncompromising conviction sa preaching. Kung ano ang laman ng puso mo, siyang lalabas sa nguso mo. Tulad ng bibig, kabig ng dibdib. Para siyang si Jeremiah sa Jer. 20:9, na kahit subukan niyang pigilin ang sarili niya na magsalita para sa Diyos, hindi niya magagawa. Para raw may naglalagablab na apoy sa puso niya na kailangang ilabas. Paul was preaching Christ and him crucified kasi ang passion ng heart niya ay si Cristo rin.

How about you? What is your life’s passion? What do you keep talking about? What do you like to hear about? Si Cristo ba? O meron pang iba? May our pursuit of Reformation theology, biblical doctrines, be a means of pursuing and treasuring Christ above all things. Kung hindi, sayang ang lahat.