Sola scriptura and sola fide are Latin words that mean by Scripture alone and faith alone. Sola scriptura was the principle Martin Luther held too in his argument against the corruption of the Catholic Church. They were willing to hold other writings and even the words of the Pope as equal to the Bible. Luther not only wanted the people to have Bibles for themselves but to recognize everything is subordinate to it. This means the Pope is subordinate to the Scriptures. Luther believed, “a simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it”.
Luther also said, “The true rule is this: God’s Word shall establish articles of faith, and no one else, not even an angel can do so.” God gives the gift of faith and is the first cause of a person’s regeneration. The Church does not determine or grant salvation. Luther recognized the Catholic Church was minimizing “faith” by suggesting a person could do good deeds or pay money to the Church for the forgiveness of sins. Luther believed the Bible when it says in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Reformed On The Way 