BC 1.7

1.7. The Sufficiency of Scripture

We believe that this Holy Scripture contains the will of God completely and that everything one must believe to be saved is sufficiently taught in it. For since the entire manner of service which God requires of us is described in it at great length, no one- even an apostle or an angel from heaven, as Paul says- (Gal. 1:8) ought to teach other than what the Holy Scriptures have already taught us. For since it is forbidden to add to the Word of God, or take anything away from it, (Deut. 12:32, Rev. 22:18-19) it is plainly demonstrated that the teaching is perfect and complete in all respects. Therefore we must not consider human writings- no matter how holy their authors may have been- equal to the divine writings; nor may we put custom, nor the majority, nor age, nor the passage of times or persons, nor councils, decrees, or official decisions above the truth of God, for truth is above everything else. For all human beings are liars by nature and more vain than vanity itself. Therefore we reject with all our hearts everything that does not agree with this infallible rule, as we are taught to do by the apostles when they say, "Test the spirits to see whether they are from God," (1 John 4:1) and also, "Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching." (2 John 10)

Proof texts

• 2 Tim. 3:16-17 — [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.
• 1 Pet. 1:10-12 — [10] Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, [11] inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. [12] It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
• 1 Cor. 15:2 — [2] and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you — unless you believed in vain.
• 1 Tim. 1:3 — [3] As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,
• Deut. 4:2 — [2] You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.
• Prov. 30:6 — [6] Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
• Acts 26:22 — [22] To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:
• 1 Cor. 4:6 — [6] I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
• Rev. 22:18-19 — [18] I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, [19] and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
• Ps. 19:7 — [7] The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
• John 15:15 — [15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
• Acts 18:28 — [28] for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
• Acts 20:27 — [27] for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
• Rom. 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.
• Mark 7:7-9 — [7] in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ [8] You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” [9] And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!
• Acts 4:19 — [19] But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
• Col. 2:8 — [8] See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
• 1 John 2:19 — [19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
• Deut. 4:5-6 — [5] See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. [6] Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
• Isa. 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.
• 1 Cor. 3:11 — [11] For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
• Eph. 4:4-6 — [4] There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
• 2 Thess. 2:2 — [2] not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
• 2 Tim. 3:14-15 — [14] But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [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.
• Gal. 1:8 — [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
• Deut. 12:32 — [32] “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.
• Ps. 62:9 — [9] Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
• 1 John 4:1 — [1] Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
• 2 John 1:10 — [10] If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited 2 Tim. 3:16-17 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 29 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?