Introduction: A Person at the Center of History
We continue our series on the five pillars of the Reformation, known as the five Solae. Last time, we spoke about the principle of Sola Scriptura—“Scripture Alone.” We saw that the Bible is our only supreme authority and infallible source of knowledge about God. But if we open this Book and begin to truly study it, we very quickly discover an amazing thing: the Bible is not just a collection of moral rules, not a philosophical treatise, and not merely a historical chronicle of an ancient people. This Book has a main Protagonist. On every page, from Genesis to Revelation, one Person is present, directly or indirectly.
The principle of Solus Christus, or “Christ Alone,” is perhaps the most fundamental of all the five “alones.” You could say that all the other Solae revolve around it, like planets around a sun. Scripture (Sola Scriptura) is valuable precisely because it testifies of Christ. Grace (Sola Gratia) and faith (Sola Fide) only make sense because they are directed toward Christ and proceed from Him. And all glory belongs to God alone (Soli Deo Gloria) specifically through Jesus Christ.
Remove Christ from Christianity, and nothing remains but dry ethics, boring rituals, or empty religiosity. Even the very name of our faith would vanish. In our world, “spirituality” has become a very popular commodity. Many people say, “I believe that God exists, I try to be a good person, I meditate or go to a temple.” But does this faith make a person a Christian? Our faith differs radically from any other religion by one key detail—the Person and perfect work of Jesus Christ. We will try to rediscover why He is the only way and why He alone is enough.
Three Roles of Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King
To understand the fullness of Jesus’ Person, we need to look back at the history of the Old Testament. There we see three important offices to which God anointed people: Prophet, Priest, and King. When God chose a person for one of these roles, their head was anointed with oil as a sign of God’s blessing and election. In ancient Israel, these three roles were always separate. Prophets passed God’s word to the people, rebuked them, and called them to repentance. Priests offered sacrifices, performed rituals, and were mediators, representing the people before God. Kings managed civil life, protected the people, and rendered judgment.
It was strictly forbidden to combine these offices. We remember the story of King Uzziah, who tried to enter the temple and offer incense like a priest and was immediately struck with leprosy. But Jesus Christ, whose name literally means " Anointed One" (Messiah), is unique in that He combined all three roles in Himself. He is the perfect Prophet, the ideal Priest, and the eternal King. And in each of these roles, He is the Only One.
Why Did God Need to Become Human?
For this conversation, we have chosen a text from the 2nd chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews. This is one of the deepest texts in the New Testament, explaining the essence of the Incarnation. Many people—both believers and those still searching—ask: “If God is all-powerful, why couldn’t He just forgive people? Why were these sufferings, the cross, the nails, and a painful death necessary? Did the Creator of the universe really have no other, more humane way?” The answer given by Scripture may seem harsh, but it is honest: no, there was no other way. To save humanity, God had to become human and die.
In Hebrews 2:14-15, we read: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” This describes our main problem—the slavery of sin and the fear of death. We are all under a just sentence. God’s holiness does not allow Him to simply ignore evil. To reconcile God’s justice and God’s love, a Mediator was needed who could represent both sides perfectly.
I. Christ — The Perfect Prophet
in detail A prophet is one who speaks on behalf of God to people. Adam was the first prophet in a sense, to whom God gave clear instructions in the Garden of Eden. But Adam failed his mission. Later, God raised up Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and many others who conveyed His will “at many times and in many ways.” But all of them were merely shadows of the coming perfection.
Jesus Christ is more than just a great teacher or prophet. If Moses brought the words of God, then Jesus Himself is the Word of God. “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” When we look at Jesus, we see the face of God Himself. He is the ultimate authority in the revelation of truth. If you want to know what God is really like, do not look at your changing feelings, do not listen to philosophers—look at Christ. He is the Prophet who does not just speak the truth but is Himself the Truth. He revealed the plan of salvation to us so clearly that now no one can say, “I didn’t know.”
II. Christ — The Perfect Priest
Old Testament priests were mediators between a holy God and a sinful people. Their main task was to offer sacrifices for sins. A priest of the line of Aaron entered the tabernacle with the blood of animals to temporarily “cover” the sins of the people. But these sacrifices were imperfect—they had to be repeated again and again, and they could never fully cleanse a person’s conscience.
Jesus Christ became our “merciful and faithful high priest” (Heb. 2:17). He is unique in that He is both the One who offers the sacrifice and the Sacrifice itself. He does not need to bring the blood of goats and calves—He brought His own Blood. Why did He need to “be made like his brothers in every respect”? So that He could truly empathize with us. When you are in pain, when you feel betrayed, when you suffer—you can know: your God understands you not theoretically. He felt hunger, thirst, fatigue, and physical pain. He went through temptations, but unlike us, He remained absolutely pure. His righteousness is perfect, and that is why His sacrifice on the cross has infinite value. Only a true God could bear the infinite wrath for the sins of all humanity, and only a true Human could become a legitimate substitute for us.
III. Christ — The Perfect King
Finally, Christ is the King. His Kingdom is radically different from earthly empires. Earthly kings strive for power so they may be served. Christ came to serve and to give His life. But His humility does not mean weakness. He defeated humanity’s most terrible enemy—death.
In Hebrews 2:8-9 it is said: “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death… so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” We live in a world where injustice, chaos, and death seem to reign. But Scripture tells us: look higher! Christ is already crowned with glory. His victory on the cross and His resurrection were a crushing blow to the power of darkness. He “destroyed the one who has the power of death.” As King, Christ rules His church, He cares for His children, He directs history toward its logical finale. The day will come when “every knee shall bow before Him.”
Uniqueness and Sufficiency: Solus Christus
The principle of “Christ Alone” often sounds very politically incorrect. A world saturated with ideas of religious pluralism insists: “All paths lead to God; it doesn’t matter what you believe, the main thing is to be sincere.” But Jesus left us no room for such speculation. He said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
This is not Christian arrogance—it is a recognition of reality. If there were any other way to God—through good works, through meditation, through other religions, or through the intercession of saints—then Christ’s death would have been a meaningless and cruel mistake on the Father’s part. Why would the Father give His Son to such agony if people could be saved in some other way? The tragedy of the medieval church was that “helpers” began to be added to Christ. People believed they needed special merits, indulgences, or the prayers of priests for God to hear them. But Solus Christus proclaims: He alone is absolutely enough! You do not need another mediator. You have direct access to the Creator of the universe through Jesus Christ. When He was dying, He cried out: “It is finished!” This was a business term of that time, meaning “paid in full.” The debt is closed.
What Does This Mean for Us?
For believers, the principle of “Christ Alone” is the foundation of unshakable peace. If you think God accepts you for your “good behavior” or spiritual achievements, you have forgotten Solus Christus. If you think God has turned away from you because you fell and sinned, you have also forgotten Solus Christus. Our confidence rests not on our changing faithfulness, but on His perfect and finished work. He is our Surety.
For those who are still searching, this is the best news in the universe. You do not need to become “worthy” to come to God. You will never become good enough by your own strength. But you don’t need to be! Christ became worthy for you. He has already built the bridge across the chasm that you could never cross yourself. He invites you not to a system of rules, but to a relationship with a Person.
Death is a reality that scares every person, no matter how they try to hide it. We hide behind work, family, and entertainment, but the fear remains. Christ came to “deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” In Him, death is not an end or a leap into the unknown. It is a door into God’s presence.
Christ alone. Our perfect Prophet, our only Priest, and our eternal King. In him is our life, our hope, and our eternal joy.