The Sovereign Love of God

K ingdomtide : R emembering the S aints , E xalting the K ing

403

Bruce Epperly succinctly summarizes the heart of the Reformer’s desire for a faith anchored in Scripture, faith, grace, and Christ, all for the glory of God alone. “As they sought to articulate their reforming faith, the Reformers affirmed ‘five solas’ – sola scriptura, sola fides, sola gratia, solus Christus, soli Deo Gloria . These ‘ solas ’ expressed the contours of Reformation faith while not narrowly defining its meaning. To be faithful to the Reformed spirit, each of these must be constantly updated to respond to God’s call in a constantly changing universe.” 1 Confessing the Communion of Saints: All Saints Day The remembrance of All Saints Day calls the Church to recognize the singular, universal, and potent communion of saints who have believed in and followed Christ through the ages. With its special remembrance of the martyrs his­ torically and within contemporary society, the focus of All Saints Day enables us to never forget the organic unity we share with all believers everywhere throughout all time. We are spiritually, theologically, and eschatologically linked: We sup at the same Table, hold fast to the same Word, preach to the lost the same Gospel, and wait for the same return of the exalted King, the Lord Jesus Christ. All Saints Day is our time as believers to remember our membership in the one, holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic Church, the same company of which Christ is head, and which awaits his glorious return in power. We share both DNA and destiny with those martyrs and saints, those heroes of the faith who came before us. Of special importance, All Saints Day is a time to recall and remember those who gave up their lives for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. In celebrating this feast we gladly affirm that the

1 Bruce Epperly, “A Church Always Reforming: Reflections on Reformation Day.” http:// www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Church-Always-Reforming-Bruce- Epperly-10-24-2011.html , Oct. 23, 2011.