Pastor Babij introduces a new sermon series today on the Five Solas of the Reformation. The five solas are:
- Sola scriptura – Scripture alone
- Sola fide – faith alone
- Sola gratia – grace alone
- Solus Christus – Christ alone
- Soli deo gloria – glory to God alone
In today’s sermon, Pastor Babij focuses on sola gratia, how salvation comes about solely by the grace, or undeserved favor, of God. As part of this discussion, Pastor Babij examines three historical viewpoints regarding the effects of the Fall of man:
- Pelagianism: We can still save ourselves
- Semi-Pelagianism: We were contaminated at the Fall but can still contribute to our salvation
- Augustinism: We are spiritually dead and cannot help ourselves be saved at all
Pastor Babij demonstrates from the Bible how the Augustinian view is correct. We are all dead in our sins and must be rescued by God. God has held nothing back with the gift of His Son Jesus Christ and, for those who are saved, nothing can separate them from God’s love, since salvation is totally of Him.