Sola Scriptura

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.    John 17:17 

On October 31, 1517, in Wittenberg, Germany, a professor of moral theology at the University was posting a listing of 95 theses he called “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” to the door of the cathedral. Five years earlier, at his promotion to doctorate, Martin Luther swore on an open Bible to teach only true doctrine. Through his studies, he came to realize that the salvation of humankind is in Jesus Christ alone and that any indulgence from God was not something to be bought or sold but something that came as a person received salvation in Christ and committed to serving the Lord. His words, “sola fide, sola scriptura, solus Christus, sola gratia,” – through Faith alone, by Scripture alone, in Christ alone, and by Grace alone – summarized what began the Great Reformation of the 16th century. 

When Jesus prayed that His followers would be sanctified in the truth, He was seeking their holiness in all areas of human life and activity. Martin Luther later wrote, “The Word of God is the greatest, most necessary, most important thing in Christendom.” Writing lyrics for the famous Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress,” Luther penned, “God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.” 

The truth of God’s Word is the foundation on which you stand in faith. It is the only sure thing in the midst of a world in turmoil. Pray that truth would triumph in the halls of power in Washington, by God’s grace. 

Today’s Verse: John 17:17

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: John 18:33-38 

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” 

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Back to top
FE3