In today’s culture, the exclusive claim that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation is increasingly challenged, even within circles that profess Christianity—figures such as Oprah Winfrey, T.D. Jakes, and Joel Osteen have publicly hesitated or capitulated when asked if Jesus is truly the only path to God. This reluctance reflects a broader discomfort with the doctrine of Solus Christus, the foundational truth that Christ alone is the Savior. Yet, Scripture is unmistakably clear on this point. Acts 4:12 declares, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The exclusivity of Christ is not just a doctrinal detail—it is the heart of the Gospel. To deny this is to undermine the very foundation of salvation.
As we’ve seen in our exploration of Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide, the Reformation was a return to the essentials of the Gospel—centering all of Christian faith and practice on biblical authority and faith in Christ alone. Now, we come to Solus Christus, or Christ Alone, which proclaims that Christ alone is the mediator between God and man and that His atoning work is entirely sufficient for our salvation.
The Reformers stood on this truth. Martin Luther and John Calvin, among others, rejected the unbiblical teaching that the intercession of saints, priests, or rituals must supplement Christ’s work. They upheld the exclusive and sufficient mediation of Jesus Christ. Paul declares in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” The sufficiency of Christ stands at the very core of the Gospel, and anything that attempts to supplement His work diminishes His glory.
Theological Foundation: Christ Alone, the Perfect Mediator
Solus Christus is the bedrock truth that Christ’s work alone is enough to reconcile sinful humanity to a holy God. As Paul writes in Colossians 1:19-20, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
This passage underscores the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning death. His work on the cross accomplished everything necessary for our salvation—nothing more needs to be added, and nothing else can replace it.
In the article on The Sufficiency of Christ, we saw how this doctrine rejects any system that attempts to add human merit to Christ’s work. R.C. Sproul affirmed this when he said:
“If Christ is not sufficient, then there is no salvation. But since He is all-sufficient, no other mediator is necessary.” (The Glory of Christ).
The London Baptist Confession of Faith also echoes this truth, stating:
“The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience, and sacrifice of Himself, which He, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of God, procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.” (LBCF 8.5).
Mary as Mediatrix: The Roman Catholic View and the Unbiblical Implications
One of the key doctrines that the Reformers rejected was the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching that Mary holds the title of “Mediatrix.” According to Catholic theology, Mary intercedes for believers and plays an essential role in distributing the grace of Christ. But this teaching stands in direct opposition to the Bible.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches:
“Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation… Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.” (CCC 969).
However, Scripture is clear: Christ alone is the mediator between God and man. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” To assign Mary a mediating role undermines the finished work of Christ on the cross. Hebrews 10:12 declares, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” His work is done; no further mediators are needed.
Historically, the role of Mary as Mediatrix developed gradually, but by the 16th century, this doctrine had become entrenched in Roman Catholic theology. The Council of Trent affirmed Mary’s intercessory role, and the Second Vatican Council later expanded on it. But the Reformers, standing on Sola Scriptura, rejected these teachings, holding fast to the truth that Christ alone is our mediator.
While the Roman Catholic Church assigns to Mary the role of Mediatrix, the Bible leaves no room for such an idea. The New Testament consistently affirms that Christ is the only mediator. Hebrews 7:25 emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ’s ongoing intercession:
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
This biblical truth leaves no space for any other mediators—Mary or otherwise. The London Baptist Confession of Faith further underscores this, stating:
“The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience, and sacrifice of Himself… hath fully satisfied the justice of God, procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.” (LBCF 8.5).
Christ’s mediation is enough. Any attempt to add Mary—or any other figure—detracts from the sufficiency of His atoning sacrifice. The Reformers saw this clearly and brought the church back to the biblical truth of Solus Christus.
The Reformers’ Response: Reclaiming Christ’s Sufficiency
The Reformers understood that elevating Mary to the role of a co-mediator not only distorted the Gospel but also led believers away from relying solely on Christ for their salvation. Martin Luther and John Calvin both spoke out strongly against this teaching, emphasizing that Christ alone is sufficient.
John Calvin warned:
“Christ alone, therefore, must be preached, and all our doctrine must be reduced to simplicity, that the whole of our wisdom may be confined to the knowledge of Him.” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2.15.6)
For Calvin, anything that compromised Christ’s sufficiency was a direct assault on the Gospel. Luther, too, famously affirmed:
“I have held many things, but none more firmly than that a man is justified by faith alone, and not by any works of his own.” (Commentary on Galatians).
The Reformers’ insistence on Solus Christus was a return to the true biblical Gospel—Christ’s sacrifice is final and sufficient, and no other mediators are needed.
Practical Application: Rejecting Additions to Christ’s Work
The danger of supplementing Christ’s work with human effort is not confined to medieval Catholicism. Today, many Christians still fall into the trap of thinking they need to add to Christ’s finished work—whether through good behavior, rituals, or relying on others for intercession. This is a subtle but dangerous error.
The doctrine of Solus Christus liberates us from this anxiety. We can rest fully in Christ’s completed work. As the London Baptist Confession affirms,
“He is the Head and Saviour of the Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom He did from all eternity give a people, to be His seed, and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.” (LBCF 8.1).
R.C. Sproul echoes this truth:
“Justification is by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. True faith inevitably produces the fruit of obedience.” (Faith Alone).
Our good works are not the means of our salvation but the evidence of it. We live lives of obedience because we have been saved—not to earn salvation.
Call to Action: Rest in Christ Alone
Just as Sola Scriptura calls us to trust in Scripture alone, and Sola Fide teaches us to rest in faith alone for our justification, Solus Christus urges us to find our rest in Christ alone. His atoning work is finished. His intercession is ongoing. There is no need for additional mediators or efforts to earn salvation.
Hebrews 7:25 gives us this assurance:
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
In Christ, our salvation is secure. We are saved fully and completely by His grace.
Conclusion: Christ Alone Is Enough
Solus Christus answers the question, “Is Christ alone sufficient for salvation?” with a resounding yes. Just as Sola Scriptura affirms that Scripture alone is our authority, and Sola Fide confirms that faith alone justifies us, Solus Christus declares that Christ alone is the mediator of salvation.
John Calvin stated:
“Christ alone is sufficient to mediate between God and man.”
(Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2.15.6).
His work is complete, His mediation perfect, and in Him, we have everything we need for life, salvation, and eternity. Let us never look to anyone or anything else but Christ, who alone is sufficient for our salvation.
