SD 1.4
Savoy Declaration
1.4. Of the Holy Scripture
The Books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture; and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of, than other human writings.
Proof texts
- 2 Pet. 1:19, 21 — [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, [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Tim. 3:16 — [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
- 1 John 5:9 — [9] If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.
- 1 Thess. 2:13 — [13] And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 2 Pet. 1:19, 21 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 1.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 1689 1.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?