“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” — Romans 8:6, NASB1995
Peaceful Homes Begin with Peaceful Minds
Children watch how we handle pressure, not just what we say. Romans 8:6 reminds us that mindset determines peace.
When our minds are set on the Spirit—our home becomes a refuge, not a war zone. When we’re anxious, we teach our kids to take their worries to the Lord, not to their emotions.
Discussion Prompt: Ask your children:
What helps your mind feel peaceful?
How do we set our thoughts on God when we’re upset?
Prayer: Lord, train our minds to seek You first. Let our home reflect Your peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” — Romans 8:6, NASB1995
Peace Begins in the Mind
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your own thoughts? Worry. Fear. Doubt. Busyness.
Romans 8:6 reminds us there is a better way—a mind set on the Spirit. This isn’t passive thinking. It’s intentional. It’s redirecting your heart away from fleshly patterns and back toward the presence of God.
The result? Life and peace. Not artificial calm, but deep, Spirit-rooted rest.
Reflection: What thoughts dominate your mind? Are they aligned with the Spirit or the flesh?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, guard my thoughts today. Fix my mind on what is true, pure, and eternal. Give me Your peace. Amen.
Most Christians today have never heard of the Solas—let alone the deeper truth behind them. They’ve been reduced to academic slogans in Reformed circles or historical trivia for Protestants. But these were once lived out—not just proclaimed—by the Ante-Nicene Church, the faithful believers between AD 33–325 who bore real Kingdom fruit.
While many know Sola Scriptura or Sola Fide, there’s one that has been tragically forgotten in both Protestant and Catholic traditions:
Solo Spiritu Sancto — By the Holy Spirit Alone
This is the root of all the others…
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
God’s Word is the ultimate authority for faith and life—not church tradition or human opinion. Everything we believe and do must align with Scripture.
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
We are justified (made right with God) through faith alone—not by works, rituals, or religious performance. True saving faith trusts fully in Christ.
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace. We did not earn it, and we cannot deserve it. It is all by His mercy and love.
Solo Spiritu Sancto (By the Holy Spirit Alone)
We understand and walk in truth by the power of the Holy Spirit—not by intellect, tradition, or man’s wisdom. The Spirit teaches, convicts, empowers, and leads God’s people.
Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. Our hope, forgiveness, and eternal life come through Him alone—not saints, priests, or systems.
Soli Deo Gloria (To the Glory of God Alone)
Everything—including our salvation—is for God’s glory. We live, serve, and worship not for applause or status, but to magnify His name.
Without the Holy Spirit teaching us Scripture (Sola Scriptura), our faith becomes academic. Without the Spirit convicting us toward faith (Sola Fide) and leading us in grace (Sola Gratia), it becomes a transaction. Without the Spirit glorifying Christ alone (Solus Christus) and stirring us to live for God’s glory (Soli Deo Gloria), it becomes religious performance.
Instead of growing deep in Him, we debate endlessly. We lop off branches of doctrinal disagreement, but never deal with the root: that we’ve traded the Spirit’s authority for men’s interpretations. The fruit of this tree? Division, pride, and confusion.
The Ante-Nicene Church shows us a better way: a Church anchored in the Spirit, interpreting Scripture together, walking in radical obedience, and bearing fruit worthy of Christ.
Spirit-Led Foundations of the Early Church (AD 33–325)
A Journey Back to the Faith Once Delivered
“Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls.’” — Jeremiah 6:16, NASB1995
We live in a time when the foundations of our faith are being redefined—not always by secular forces, but often from within the Church. Doctrines are dissected. Theological systems debated. Denominations defended. And yet, many believers are still left feeling disconnected from the power, purity, and simplicity of the early Church.
This blog series is not an invitation to theological alignment. It’s an invitation to spiritual awakening.
We’re going to journey through the Six Solas—but not as they were recited during the Reformation. We’ll explore them as they were lived and embodied by the men and women of the Ante-Nicene Church, who held fast to the faith from Pentecost to persecution—long before councils, creeds, or clerical systems took over.
Why Six?
You’ve likely heard of the Five Solas:
Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone
Sola Fide – Faith Alone
Sola Gratia – Grace Alone
Solus Christus – Christ Alone
Soli Deo Gloria – Glory to God Alone
But there’s one more that pulses through them all—without which none can be truly understood or lived:
👉 Solo Spiritu Sancto — By the Holy Spirit Alone The Holy Spirit is not a theological accessory. He is the Interpreter of Scripture (1 Cor. 2:12–13), the Power behind obedience (Rom. 8:13–14), and the Bond of unity in the body of Christ (Eph. 4:3–4).
The early Church did not function by system, seminary, or state approval. They walked in the power of the indwelling Spirit, clinging to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles, and loving not their lives—even to death.
What to Expect
Each post in this series will be a deep dive into one of the Six Solas, unpacked through:
The plain reading of Scripture (NASB 1995, with strict exegesis and no eisegesis)
The writings and practices of the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 33–325)
The challenges of today’s Church culture, and
A call to Spirit-led obedience in every area of life
Each entry will also be paired with a visual reflection to share and remember. This is more than a teaching—it’s a transformational journey for those ready to go deeper.
Who Is This For?
The woman reading Scripture and wondering, “Why doesn’t my church look like this?”
The young believer longing to follow Christ without man’s traditions overshadowing His voice
The weary soul who’s tasted systems and is now asking, “Where is the Spirit?”
Will You Walk This Path?
The early believers didn’t have denominations, seminaries, or creeds. What they had was Scripture, the Holy Spirit, a risen Christ, and unshakable faith.
Let’s return. Let’s rebuild. Let’s be rooted and raised by what the Spirit taught, the Apostles preached, and the early Church lived.
“Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” — Jude 3
You’ve heard the message before. A respected teacher, a moving sermon, a popular quote—sometimes repeated so often it feels like Scripture itself. But something unsettles your spirit. You don’t reject it outright, but you also can’t move on. You open your Bible, eyes scanning the text—not to be combative, but to be faithful. That’s the posture of the Bereans.
In a world full of noise, the Bereans teach us how to listen. They show us how to search—not for confirmation bias, but for truth. In Acts 17:11, their approach is honored by the Holy Spirit as “more noble-minded.” Why? Because they searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true.
Scripture Focus:
“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” — Acts 17:11, NASB1995
Noble-Minded: Humble, Not Gullible
The Bereans weren’t suspicious; they were eager. They wanted truth. But they also understood that truth must be tested. They didn’t elevate Paul’s reputation or passion over the written Word. They weighed every teaching against what God had already spoken. That’s humility. That’s nobility.
And unlike modern approaches that rely on theological labels or commentaries, the Bereans didn’t have creeds, councils, or catechisms. They had the Scriptures—and they had the Spirit.
They Searched Daily
This wasn’t a surface reading or proof-texting session. The Greek term anakrinontes implies a careful, judicial inquiry—testing evidence, like a courtroom. They examined the Scriptures every day, not because they were uncertain of God, but because they wanted to be certain they were following Him. That level of discernment is not suspicion—it’s devotion.
Scripture Above All
If the Bereans tested Paul—an apostle who performed miracles and was personally commissioned by Christ—should we not test every preacher, author, and influencer today?
Even Jesus rebuked religious leaders for not knowing the Scriptures (Matthew 22:29). The early Church never placed man’s words above God’s. For them, Scripture wasn’t just a guide—it was the authority. And it still is.
Fruit of Berean Faithfulness
“Therefore many of them believed…” — Acts 17:12
Notice the fruit: belief. Not skepticism, not endless debate—but genuine, Spirit-born faith. Truth examined led to truth embraced.
What This Means for Us Today
Don’t treat Scripture like a filter; treat it like a foundation.
Don’t elevate personality over truth.
Don’t accept or reject based on tradition—test it all.
And don’t stop searching. The Holy Spirit loves to reveal what He has already spoken.
Return to the Word. Return to Discernment.
The Bereans weren’t exceptional because they had more access or intelligence. They were exceptional because they were faithful. Their nobility wasn’t in status—it was in submission to Scripture. This is how the early Church stayed grounded. This is how the remnant remains faithful today.
Be a Berean. Test everything. Cling to truth. And let the Spirit illuminate the Word—daily.
From the series “The Commands of Christ — Love in Action”
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” — Luke 6:36, NASB1995
In a world that rewards retaliation and celebrates harshness as strength, Jesus calls His disciples to something radically different: mercy. Not a vague kindness. Not a passive tolerance. But divine, active mercy—poured out in the likeness of our Father in heaven.
This mercy isn’t based on merit. God doesn’t wait for us to be worthy of His compassion. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). That’s the measure of His mercy—and the model for ours.
The command is not simply to be merciful, but as your Father is merciful. This is not human compassion raised slightly; it is a divine attribute extended through Spirit-filled people. And it reaches beyond those who love us. Jesus makes that clear. The merciful do good to those who hate them. They bless those who curse them. They pray for those who mistreat them (Luke 6:27–28).
The early Church understood this calling well. Their mercy wasn’t limited to emotional sympathy—it translated into action. They rescued abandoned infants from Roman garbage heaps, cared for plague victims when others fled, and fed both Christian and pagan neighbors during famines. Their acts of mercy confused the empire and reflected the heart of their King.
They were not trying to earn salvation. They were living out the nature of the One who saved them.
Tertullian observed, “It is our care of the helpless, our practice of lovingkindness, that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents. ‘Look!’ they say, ‘How they love one another!’” (Apology, ch. 39). Mercy was their reputation.
And it should be ours.
We don’t get to choose who deserves mercy. We simply extend it—because our Father has extended it to us. The merciful show God’s heart to a hardened world. They reflect His character and reveal His kingdom.
So, we must ask ourselves: Do our enemies see mercy in us? Do the broken, the ignored, the undeserving find the compassion of the Father in our lives?
Mercy does not ignore justice. But it doesn’t wield justice as a sword of pride. It offers restoration, dignity, and love. It leans in when the flesh wants to pull away. It opens its arms when fear says to close them.
This is what the Kingdom looks like.
Sources:
Luke 6:27–36, NASB1995
Romans 5:6–8
Tertullian, Apology, Chapter 39
The Didache (ch. 1–2): Early instructions on showing mercy to the poor, forgiving quickly, and imitating the meekness of Christ
Lactantius, Divine Institutes, Book 6: Advocates for mercy as a divine attribute believers must mirror
From the series “The Commands of Christ — Love in Action”
“Abide in Me, and I in you… Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” — John 15:4, NASB 1995
To love Christ is to remain in Him. Not to visit Him occasionally. Not to return when life gets hard. But to dwell—continually, deeply, and dependently.
Abiding is not passive. It is a posture of total surrender, daily communion, and unwavering obedience. It is the root of every fruitful life.
“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up…” — John 15:6
This is not a threat—it is reality. Life apart from Christ is not neutral. It is death.
We don’t abide by attending services or checking boxes. We abide by staying connected—in the Word, in prayer, in repentance, in worship, and in love.
“The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” — 1 John 2:6
This is not just about intimacy—it’s about imitation. To abide in Christ is to walk like Christ. To remain in His love is to obey His commands (John 15:10).
The early Church lived this way. They had no buildings, budgets, or celebrity leaders. But they had communion with Christ—and it sustained them through fire, famine, and persecution.
Ignatius of Antioch (c. AD 107): “Abide in Christ, and He will abide in you… cling to Him, for apart from Him there is no life.” — Letter to the Trallians, Ch. 8
Clement of Alexandria (c. AD 195): “He who remains in the Word of God abides in Christ… and the fruit he bears is love, holiness, and endurance.” — Stromata, Book VI
They didn’t chase emotional highs. They pursued daily obedience. They didn’t seek control. They surrendered.
Because abiding is not about doing more—it’s about staying rooted.
We live in a world of constant motion, endless distraction, and spiritual drift. But Christ still says:
“Abide in Me.”
Remain when it’s dry. Remain when it’s costly. Remain when the fruit is slow. Remain when the world tempts you to disconnect.
Because love remains. Love abides. And Christ abides in those who walk with Him.
📚 Sources & References
Abide in Me
Scripture (NASB 1995):
John 15:4–6, 10 – “Abide in Me… and I in you…”
1 John 2:6 – “The one who says he abides in Him…”
Ante-Nicene Sources:
Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Trallians, Ch. 8. “Cling to Him, for apart from Him there is no life.” [Available at: EarlyChristianWritings.com]
Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, Book VI. “He who remains in the Word of God abides in Christ…” [Available at: CCEL.org or NewAdvent.org]
From the series “The Commands of Christ — Love in Action”
“Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit… for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” — Luke 12:35, 40, NASB 1995
Jesus didn’t call us to guess the day—He called us to be ready every day. This is the command not of a distant ruler, but of a loving Bridegroom who desires a faithful and prepared Bride.
To be ready is to live alert. To stay dressed for action. To keep your lamp burning—not just in moments of emotion, but in the daily rhythm of love, obedience, repentance, and prayer.
“Now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” — 1 John 2:28
We are not waiting in fear. We are watching in faith.
But readiness is not passive. It is active. It is the life of a servant whose hands are at the plow, whose oil is stocked, whose eyes are on the horizon, and whose heart beats with expectation.
The early Church lived this way. They believed Jesus could return at any moment, and they ordered their lives accordingly. They were not obsessed with prophecy charts. They were obsessed with holiness and perseverance.
The Epistle of Barnabas (c. AD 100): “Let us be alert in the last days… that we may not be found sleeping, but walking in love and righteousness.” — Ch. 4
The Shepherd of Hermas (2nd century): “Blessed are those who endure in expectation of Him… who watch and do not let their garments be stained while they wait.” — Similitude IX
To obey this command is to:
Stay awake spiritually
Live with urgency
Be faithful in the unseen moments
Cast off distractions and worldliness
Walk in the fear of the Lord
Keep your oil full—not borrowed
Jesus didn’t say, “Get ready when you see signs.” He said, “Be ready, for you do not know the hour.”
Readiness is the test of love. Those who love Him are waiting for Him. Those who obey Him are preparing for Him.
This is not paranoia. It’s devotion.
And it’s commanded.
📚 Sources & References
Watch and Be Ready
Scripture (NASB 1995):
Luke 12:35, 40 – “Be dressed in readiness… the Son of Man is coming…”
1 John 2:28 – “Remain in Him, so that when He appears…”
Ante-Nicene Sources:
The Epistle of Barnabas, Ch. 4. “Let us be alert in the last days… walking in love and righteousness.” [Available at: EarlyChristianWritings.com]
The Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude IX. “Blessed are those who endure… who watch and do not stain their garments.” [Available at: CCEL.org]
Solo Spiritu Sancto — By the Holy Spirit Alone
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