Missio Dei | Week 4 | Acts 15:1-35 | “Sola Fide”

Описание: Missio Dei | Week 4 | Acts 15:1-35 | “Sola Fide”

The Protestant Reformation (1517-1648) sought to reform the church. At the time, it had become corrupted by false teaching—e.g., indulgences, prayers to saints, veneration of Mary, transubstantiation, papal supremacy, and so on. But among the many criticisms the reformers had of Catholicism, they especially took issue with how it taught that salvation involved, in some capacity, human merit. Using the Scriptures, Martin Luther thoroughly demonstrated that salvation is secured, not by works, but by faith. And he coined the term “Sola Fide” (lat. “faith alone”) to highlight this fundamental aspect of the gospel.

As such, Sola Fide is one of the key characteristics of Protestantism. In fact, it not only distinguishes us from Catholicism, but it also separates us from all other world religions. Apologist Wes Huff explained this principle best when he said,
“Within Christianity, you have something that’s inherently unique in that in all other systems of religiosity, it’s some form of survival of the fittest—it’s some form of do this, and you’re accepted, feel this, and you’re accepted, or think this, and you’re accepted. It’s one of those three things. However, Christianity says you can’t feel, do, or think enough; it’s not gonna work. You’re not going to live up to the standard of a holy God. And so, it’s not survival of the fittest—it’s not the most intelligent, or the most spiritual. Instead, the Fittest [Jesus Christ] steps down and sacrifices Himself for the survival of the weakest. That’s what we call the gospel. That’s the good news. It’s subverting the system. It reverses the works-based system of all the other religions, where it’s up to you—just do, just think, just feel enough, and you’ll be accepted. Whereas the Bible says, “No, you’re accepted, now do, now feel, now think.” It’s a very different paradigm.”[1]

In today’s passage, we’ll see the early church wrestle with this very issue. Some will claim that works, namely circumcision, are essential for salvation, while others will fervently and successfully defend the doctrine of Sola Fide. While good works are a result of salvation (cf. Eph. 2:10; Ja. 2:17-18), they’re not a requirement for salvation. The moment we move away from this essential understanding is the moment we forfeit the gospel for a cheap forgery.

[1] Julian, Dorey, “Ancient Language Expert on BANNED Bible, Book of Enoch & Jesus Origins | Wes Huff • 257,” December 6, 2024,    • Ancient Language Expert on BANNED Bible, B...  , [accessed December 5, 2025].

Sermon Manuscript: https://bit.ly/3YaI09w
_______________________
Grace Pointe Baptist Church
12029 Eastern Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21220

Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://www.gracepointelife.com
Give here: https://www.gracepointelife.com/give/