For Christians other than Lutherans and Calvinists, the four gospel slogans: “grace alone, Jesus Christ alone, faith alone, Scripture alone,” might sound less than obvious. The third expression (“faith alone”) sometimes even provokes a vigorous denial. But properly understood, the four Reformation mottos well summarize biblical teaching about our salvation. How would you complete each of the following sentences?
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1. God saves us as a matter of:
(a) grace alone (wholly a gift)?
(b) grace partially (somewhat a gift; somewhat merited)? or
(c) grace not at all (wholly merited)?
We affirm that God saves us as a matter of grace alone (wholly a gift). Luke 17:10; Romans 5:8-10.
2. God is gracious to us because of the pleasing activity of:
(a) Jesus Christ alone, as our representative (entirely his obedience)?
(b) Christ partially (partly Jesus’ obedience; partly our obedience)? or
(c) Christ not at all (entirely our obedience)?
We affirm that God is gracious to us because of the obedience of Jesus Christ alone as our representative (entirely his obedience). 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Colossians 1:19-22; Titus 3:4-7; Hebrews 10:5-10, 14.
3. We receive, experience and enjoy God’s gracious favor and salvation through:
(a) faith alone (wholly relying on God for it)?
(b) faith partially (somewhat relying on God for it; somewhat relying on something else)? or
(c) faith not at all (wholly relying on something/someone other than God)?
We affirm that we receive, experience and enjoy God’s gracious favor and salvation through faith alone (wholly relying on God for it.). Romans 3:21-27; Romans 4:1-5, 23-25.
4. These principles are true because they rest on the authority of:
(a) Scripture alone (our only appeal is to the Bible)?
(b) Scripture partially (we appeal to the Bible in part; to other authorities in part)? or
(c) Scripture not at all (our only appeal is to authorities besides the Bible)?
We affirm that these principles are true because they rest on the authority of Scripture alone (our only appeal is to the Bible.). 2 Timothy 3:14-15; 2 Peter 1:16-21.