The Five Solas of the Reformation by James Montgomery Boice“1. Scripture alone. When the Reformers used the words sola Scriptura they were expressing their concern for the Bible’s authority, and what they meant is that the Bible alone is our ultimate authority—not the pope, not the church, not the traditions of the church or church councils, still less personal intimations or subjective feelings, but Scripture only. Other sources of authority may have an important role to play. Some are even established by God—such as the authority of church elders, the authority of the state, or the authority of parents over children. But Scripture alone is truly ultimate. Therefore, if any of these other authorities depart from Bible teaching, they are to be judged by the Bible and rejected.2. Christ alone. The church of the Middle Ages spoke about Christ. A church that failed to do that could hardly claim to be Christian. But the medieval church had added many human achievements to Christ’s work, so that it was no longer possible to say that salvation was entirely by Christ and his atonement. This was the most basic of all heresies, as the Reformers rightly perceived. It was the work of God plus our own righteousness. The Reformation motto solus Christus was formed to repudiate this error. It affirmed that salvation has been accomplished once for all by the mediatorial work of the historical Jesus Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification, and any ‘gospel’ that fails to acknowledge that or denies it is a false gospel that will save no one.3. Grace alone. The words sola gratia mean that human beings have no claim upon God. That is, God owes us nothing except just punishment for our many and very willful sins. Therefore, if he does save sinners, which he does in the case of some but not all, it is only because it pleases him to do it. Indeed, apart from this grace and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that flows from it, no one would be saved, since in our lost condition, human beings are not capable of winning, seeking out, or even cooperating with God’s grace. By insisting on ‘grace alone’ the Reformers were denying that human methods, techniques, or strategies in themselves could ever bring anyone to faith. It is grace alone expressed through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ, releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from death to spiritual life.4. Faith alone. The Reformers never tired of saying that ‘justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone.’ When put into theological shorthand the doctrine was expressed as “justification by faith alone,” the article by which the church stands or falls, according to Martin Luther. The Reformers called justification by faith Christianity’s “material principle,” because it involves the very matter or substance of what a person must understand and believe to be saved. Justification is a declaration of God based on the work of Christ. It flows from God’s grace and it comes to the individual not by anything he or she might do but by ‘faith alone’ (sola fide). We may state the full doctrine as: Justification is the act of God by which he declares sinners to be righteous because of Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone.5. Glory to God alone. Each of the great solas is summed up in the fifth Reformation motto: soli Deo gloria, meaning ‘to God alone be the glory.’ It is what the apostle Paul expressed in Romans 11:36 when he wrote, ‘to Him be the glory forever! Amen.’ These words follow naturally from the preceding words, “For from him and through him and to him are all things” (v. 36), since it is because all things really are from God, and to God, that we say, ‘to God alone be the glory.’”–James Montgomery Boice, Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace? (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2001), pp. 65-149.

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Recognize that you are a sinner. The Bible tells us:” For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:22b-23.Realize that without Christ you have no hope on your own because the Bible tells us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that that no one may boast.Eph. 2:8-9 Also Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16Repent. It is more than just knowing that you are a sinner. You must be willing to turn from that sin and turn to Jesus and give your life completely to Him. Jesus said: ” If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23Respond to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to forgive you and cleanse you from your sin. Ask Him to take over your life completely. He paid for your sin by giving His life on the cross and rose from the dead so that you can have eternal life. He also wants to give you an abundant life. Respond to Him in faith. ” If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom. 10:9-10 “I have come that you may have life and that you may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10If you prayed to ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord, call the number below and let us know. We would love to talk with you.

Weekly Bible Study to begin again in 2012Check back for day and time.Have a glorious Christmas and a blessed New Year.

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* * * I. The ScripturesThe Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union,and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelationII. GodThere is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.III. Jesus ChristChrist is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body andappeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.

IV. SalvationSalvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour.V. God's Purpose of GraceElection is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

Come and worshipSunday Eveningsbeginning Feb. 12, 20126:00 pm29092 N 124th Dr.Peoria, AZ 85383(Acacia Grove in Vistancia)

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emails:pastorjoel@clairevistachurch.orgsusie@clairevistachurch.orgMailing Address:29092 N. 124th DrivePeoria, AZ 85383Phone:(602) 546-7729

OUR VISION IS TO..... SEE GOD clearlyKNOW HIM intimatelyWORSHIP HIM authenticallySERVE HIM completelyLOVE OTHERS unconditionally..So that together with one voice we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . Romans 15:7

Bible Study to resume Feb. 12Sunday Evenings at 6:00 pm in 2012 29092 N 124th Dr.Peoria, AZ 85383.Praise, Prayer and The WordDon't forgert to check the pastor's blog.

Welcome Joel & Susie ColletteGod called Joel into ministry at an early age. He has worked in various ministries throughout his lifetime. At 16 Joel began as a counselor, for several summers, at the state church camp in North Carolina. He then worked in youth ministry in several churches while in college. God called Joel to pastor his first church in 1986. Since that time he has pastored two other churches in North Carolina. Since 2003 Joel has been the Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Weddington and now God has called them here to Arizona. Joel holds a Bachelor's degree from Wingate University and a Masters in Theology from Reformed Theological Seminary. He and Susie were married in 1989. Susie has served in many different ways in the churches God has called them to. She has a gift for teaching children and is also very gifted in administration. She has taught and led many women's discipleship courses through the years. Susie, together with Joel, has been on several overseas short-term mission trips which include, Haiti, Nicaragua, Liberia and Honduras. Susie holds a Bachelor's degree from Winthrop University.Together Joel and Susie desire to see people transformed by the Gospel and grow as a disciple in Christ for the Glory of God.

together with one voice glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 15:6 Click on the offering plate icon to the right to register and begin online giving

ClaireVista Church29092 N. 124th Dr. Peoria, AZ 85383(602) 546-PRAY

Presenting a Clear View of the Gospel of Jesus Christ