Today I want to talk about the five pillars of the church. How many of you can tell me, what are the five pillars of the church?
I believe it is very important for the church to have this answer in mind, why is that?
Because our faith is based on these five pillars, our rule of faith and practice.
The Lord Jesus said.
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 ESV
Intro: On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses, speaking out against the Roman church, to the door of the Cathedral in Wittenberg. Luther established five points of Faith as the foundation of the Church, known as the five “Solas”.
When Luther was asked to recant his teaching he said:
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by the clearest reasoning; unless I am persuaded by the passages I have quoted; unless my conscience is thus subdued by the Word of God, I cannot and will not retract, for it is dangerous for a Christian to speak against conscience. Here I remain, I cannot do anything else; God help me. Amen”.
What are the foundations of a True Church?
Based on the Protestant Reformation and the five Pillars:
1 – Scripture Alone
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
At that time, the Bible was forgotten. The leaders of the Roman church prohibited the reading of the Bible by the people and the people could only heard some passages during mass in Latin, in a way that they did not understand.
Luther spent years of his life translating the Bible into the language of his people, gathered what resources he could, and published the Bible for all to read.
The Bible in hand is a mark of the Protestant Christian. Biblical reading is the main form of worship of a true Church. That’s why in this church every Thursday and Friday we have a school of Conquerers that teaches doctrinal teachings from the word of God for the Christian life, and every Saturday we have a Bible study, that is, we have a Bible study 3 days a week, in addition to the Sunday service .
There is no other truth above the Bible. It is the Word of God! The only rule of faith and practice for the Christian life is the Holy Scripture.
Our Church has the Bible as its sole rule of faith and practice.
Only the Bible is the Word of God!
2 – CHRIST ALONE
“For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5 NLT
In Luther’s time there were many saints and carved images placed inside the Churches by the leaders of the Roman church and the people believed that for each of their need they had to ask one of these images which were considered saints.
Because there were so many characters (images of saints) in the Church, the person of Jesus Christ was left out and almost nothing was known talked about him.
That’s why Martin Luther protested for the church to become Christ-centric, where Jesus is the center of everything.
Christ died on the cross so that the Church could be built up. Only through Jesus can we be saved.
“Jesus said: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 KJV
The only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ and without Jesus there is no salvation!
There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NLT
As Christians we can never pray or ask for anything in the name of saints or images, but we must pray only to the Father in the name of Jesus.
“You can ask for anything in MY NAME, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” John 14:13 NLT
A true Christian believes that only Jesus saves and only He is worthy to receive our praise and hear our prayers.
All of our faith is in Jesus who died and rose again, and when we are born again, we are baptised in water, we become a member of the Church which is the Body of Christ on earth.
Only Jesus saves, but Jesus has a Body on earth and if we are disconnected from his body, we are disconnected from his Kingdom.
““Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 NIV
Our Church trusts Jesus alone for Salvation.
Only Jesus can save and hear your prayer!
3 – GRACE ALONE
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Ephesians 2:8 NLT
In Luther’s time, the Roman Catholic Church charged indulgences, and this money was charged as a way for people to pay for their sins and enter the kingdom of God.
Luther revolted against this practice, as the Roman churches were full of gold and the people, who were already poor, had to pay in money for the forgiveness of their sins and still had to perform penances (sacrifices) believing that through their works they would be saved.
Luther reading the Bible, had the revelation that Jesus with his blood paid for all our sins and by his grace alone we are forgiven of our sins.
Faced with this injustice, Luther protested and tore up the writing that the Catholic Pope determined forgiveness for those who paid indulgences.
The Roman Catholic Church sold Salvation and only the rich could buy it. But the Protestant Reformation brought back the salvation by Grace through the Blood of Christ.
He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood. Revelation 1:5 NIV
Works cannot save anyone. But after we are saved, good works are the consequence of a life that loves God. (Ephesians 2.10), as servants of God we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to exercise mercy, revealing God’s Love to others.
A true Christian depends on God’s Grace for everything.
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
A true Church proclaims the forgiveness of sins freely by Jesus Christ without the need to pay or perform rituals as Jesus commanded “freely you received, freely give” (Matthew 10.8).
Shalom Christian Community proclaims God’s Grace in everything we do and we don’t charge for blessings.
Only the Grace of God can forgive sins!
4 – FAITH ONLY
“The just shall live by faith” Romans 1:17 KJV
At a time when relics and holy objects were venerated, carried in processions and crowds walked in pilgrimage in search of a religious experience through contact with a sacred place or object, Luther preached that none of this was necessary.
The Bible defines Faith as:“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we DO NOT SEE.” Hebrews 11:1
And “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
Based on that Luther determined that no one should revere visible objects (images of people, cross, or holy or sacred places) nor make a pilgrimage to please God. Faith is invisible and it pleases God. (II Corinthians 5.7). Only by faith can we receive the answer to our prayers.
A real Christian lives by faith, not by what is palpable and visible to human eyes.
The true Church teaches how to exercise faith without the need for amulets or works. In the 21st century, amidst capitalism, it is very common for people to become attached to things, objects, images, crystals and places.
If we want to please God, we need to abandon all kinds of amulets, because this is idolatry and idolatry is a sin and displeases God.
“Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” John 20:29 NIV
Our Church lives this faith and we don’t need amulets or images to believe in God.
By Faith alone we believe in God and receive Salvation and are blessed!
5 – TO GOD ALONE ALL GLORY
“I am the LORD; this is my name! I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to images” (Isaiah 42:8).
Many idolaters say that they are not worshiping the images and that these are just to remember the history of the person and his works. This is a Deception!
How then do they talk, sing and make requests to the image? This is a form of worship.
Luther did not accept the hundreds of images in the church and the services given to people who had already died. The Word of God declares that to God alone belongs glory, honour and praise.
“In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!”” Revelation 5:12-13 NIV
Jesus is the only one worthy of all worship!
Jesus said that a true Christian gives all glory to God alone and does not receive praise for his deeds.
How can you believe if you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? John 5:44 NIV
A true Church does not praise men, it does not praise gospel singers, it does not worships famous people, but it worships Jesus Christ alone.
Shalom worships and praises only the Lord and does not praise men.
To God alone all the Glory!
CONCLUSION
How to recognise a true church?
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”
Galatians 1:8 NIV
The Church had distanced from the truth for a long time, but thank God it was and still is being restored.
Today there are many types of churches and religions and this brings deception and confusion in people’s minds. We need discernment to understand what is right and what is wrong.
If you don’t want to be deceived, you need to know the Bible. So come to Bible Study on Saturdays and come to the School of Conquerors .
That’s why the apostle Paul made it very clear that we cannot accept a different gospel. Even if an angel shows up with preaching anything other than the gospel, it should not be accepted as truth.
Based on these five principles of Martin Luther we if a church or Christian is true.
Scripture Alone is the Word of God!
GRACE Alone forgives sins!
FAITH Alone leads to Salvation!
CHRIST Alone is the Savior!
GLORY to God Alone!