Who we are

Hope Christian Church's Distinctives

Hope Christian Church is a Non-Denominational Reformed church.

The term 'Reformed' can often mean varying things so let us explain what it means to us.

Simply speaking, it means that along with other protestant churches, we trace our roots back to the reformation (of course we also trace our roots further back to the Apostolic Age). This was when the Bible and its message of salvation by grace, through faith (Eph 2:8) was rediscovered and restored to the church. This clear message had tragically fallen into neglect and a works based salvation had been deceitfully substituted for it. This return to the Bible and its message of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, brought freedom and salvation to the people and restored the Bible, God’s Holy book, back to the people. When we say we are reformed we mean we hold to what are affectionately known as the Five Solas of the Reformation.

1. Sola Scriptura – ‘By scripture alone’
   This states that salvation is revealed in the scriptures (Holy Bible) alone and that the entirety of the scripture is God’s inerrant, infallible, all-authoritative word.

2. Sola Fide – ‘By faith alone’
   This states that redemption, that is, salvation from sin and the penalty of sin, is by one’s faith in Christ alone, apart from any works or deeds done. Salvation is contingent on Christ’s merit and His goodness alone. Therefore if anyone desires to be saved they must wholeheartedly believe and put their entire faith in Jesus Christ the Lord, and in Him alone.

3. Sola Gratia – ‘By grace alone’
   This states that for the Believer (the one who has put their entire faith in Christ), salvation is by God’s grace alone. They are saved and kept by God’s grace, resulting in their eternal happiness and joy in heaven. They could never have earned it or deserved it themselves.

4. Solus Christus – ‘Christ alone’ or ‘through Christ alone’
   This states that Christ Jesus alone provides the only satisfactory atonement for guilt and sin. Therefore in Him alone is salvation and in no other religion, system of philosophy or so-called saviour can it be found. It’s only in Christ and through His incarnation (though being God He took on flesh and was born into humanity); His sinless life, being perfectly obedient to God’s law; His death, burial and resurrection. And in this (Christ) ALONE is there hope of redemption.

5. Soli Deo Gloria – ‘Glory to God alone’
   This states that all this is for God’s glory alone. The individual is saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, and was redeemed, first and foremost, to bring God glory. In order that His eternal mercy and grace might be forever demonstrated, He saved sinners. No glory is ever shared with any church or denomination, man or movement, but all glory for sinners saved goes to God alone.

So in a sentence the solas might be rendered like this:

‘Salvation is revealed in the scriptures alone, received through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ Jesus alone, all for the glory of God alone!’