By the grace of God alone
There is nothing other than God which is holy, sacred or divine. Protestants are against any party, ideology, person or institution which sets itself up to be absolute or universal. Protestants hope for the establishment of a pluralistic society where the liberty of conscience is respected because God is a God of liberty who calls each of us to a free choice to be wholly human.
By grace only
Protestant believe that the true worth of a person is not in his or her qualities, capacities, or social status, but because God's free gift of love makes each human priceless. Humans cannot gain their salvation in trying to please God. God by grace alone, saves unconditionally. By this gift, and only by this gift, is the person enabled to freely love others.
Faith is essential
Faith is born in the meeting of God and the believer. This coming together can happen suddenly. More often it is the fruit of a long journey littered with questions and doubts. Faith is offered by God unconditionally. Each human being is called to freely accept this gift. The acceptance is the human reply to the love offered to all in the biblical message in Jesus Christ.
The Bible only
Protestant Christians recognise the Bible as their unique authority. Only the Bible can nurture faith &endash; it is the ultimate reference for all theological, ethical and institutional questions. God's Word is transmitted through the lives and witness of the biblical characters. Each protestant finds in the Bible the general principles by which their church, in relation with others, has to interpret for its life of faith.
The Reformation continues
All churches are the coming together of men, women and children who share the same faith and confess the same God in Jesus that gives sense to their lives. Ecclesiastical institutions are therefore human inventions. "They can be wrong" said Luther. They have to have a critical appreciation of themselves in the light of the gospel. Each believer has a responsibility to be a true witness to God's word.
Universal priesthood
Each baptised believer has the same status in the church. Ministers and non-ministers take part in the church's decision-making process. The ministers have no special rank in Protestantism, they fulfil a function which their studies have enabled them to fulfil. For the sake of the unity of the church they preach, administer the sacraments and animate the local community in pastoral care and training programs.
Commentaries