1689 1.1

1689 London Baptist Confession

1.1. Of the Holy Scriptures

The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving Knowledge, Faith and Obedience; Although the light of Nature, and the works of Creation and Providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will, which is necessary unto Salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that His will unto his Church; and afterward for the better preserving, and propagating of the Truth, and for the more sure Establishment, and Comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the World, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of Gods revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.

Proof texts

2 Timothy 3:15-17 — [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Isaiah 8:20 — [20] To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
Luke 16:29, 31 — [29] But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ [31] He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Ephesians 2:20 — [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Romans 1:19-21 — [19] For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. [20] For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. [21] For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 2:14, 15 — [14] For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. [15] They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
Psalms 19:1-3 — [1] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. [2] Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. [3] There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
Hebrews 1:1 — [1] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
Proverbs 22:19-21 — [19] That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to you. [20] Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, [21] to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
Romans 15:4 — [4] For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
2 Peter 1:19, 20 — [19] And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, [20] knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.

For discussion

The Assembly cited 2 Timothy 3:15-17 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
11 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q1 · WSC Q2 · WSC Q3 · WLC Q1 · WLC Q2 · WLC Q3 · WLC Q4 · WLC Q5 · WCF 1.1 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7 · SD 1.1