Sufficiency

¶ What does it mean?

The Bible has everything a Christian needs to attain salvation and to draw close to God. There is no unwritten tradition that believers must obey in order to be saved.

¶ Where do we see it in Scripture?

• 1 John 5:13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
• Psalm 19:7The law of God is perfect, restoring the soul.
• Revelation 22:18I 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...

¶ Historical context

Sufficiency guarded the church from treating new revelations, secret knowledge, or layers of extra rules as necessary for a complete Christian life. The Word God gave is enough so that, "the man of God may be complete."

¶ What this does not mean

Sufficiency is not a claim that we need no teachers, no church, and no common sense. God uses all of those. It means none of them may add a second written rule that binds the conscience as Scripture does.

¶ Why it matters

Scripture should be seen as having the complete antidote to our sin and wretchedness. Trust that it contains everything God wants you to know about Him.