Reformation Month / Study / The Five Solas / Sola Scriptura
Scriptura
The Bible is the church's final and infallible authority.
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
¶ What does it mean?
Scripture is the final and infallible rule of faith, meaning everything a person needs to know to be justified is contained in the Bible. Since the Bible is God's word, it carries the same authority, and since it is impossible for God to lie, we can trust that the Bible is true. This is in contrast to any authority given to clergy. Church leaders can make mistakes, and they must submit to the truths of scripture. Sola Scriptura also contradicts any alleged authority found in unwritten tradition.
¶ What does it deny?
While God does ordain teachers and leaders to help lead the church, and some traditions can be beneficial, Sola Scriptura denies that any of those things is a second infallible rule. When custom and the Bible disagree, the Bible wins.
- Isaiah 8:20To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn
- Acts 17:11Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
- Psalm 19:7–8The law of the Lord is perfect, sure, right, and pure. God's Word does the work God intends.
- Matthew 15:9...in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
¶ Why does it matter?
Sola Scriptura assures believers that they can know what God requires of them, and it also protects believers from being misled by false teachers.