Wednesday 15 February 2023

Is Sola Scriptura Biblical?

 Sola Scriptura


The principle of Sola Scriptura is that only the commandments of God are infallible and authoritative. Deuteronomy 13 illustrates this; If anyone leads people astray from the True God, that person is to be removed. Galatians 1:6-10 says if anyone teaches a different gospel that person is accursed. 

Scripture is authoritative. In 1 Timothy 4:13 Timothy was instructed to publicly read Scripture, because Scripture is from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jesus instructed to listen to Scripture read by the Scribes and Pharisees from the seat of Moses, but not to follow what they added to it (Matthew 23:1-36). Jesus held people to Scripture (Matthew 22:29-32) but rebuked adding tradition to it (Mark 7:1-13 & Matthew 15:1-9). Timothy was instructed to follow what Paul had taught him (2 Timothy 1:8-14) because it was Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-17 & 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Jesus used Scripture to rebuke Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).

 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 says to hold to what the apostles taught, but 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 warns about listening to things pretending to be apostolic. 1 Corinthians 4:6 commands not to go beyond what is written. Colossians 2:1-8 warns against listening to traditions of men.

Sola Scriptura is shown and praised in Acts 17:10-12. Acts 17:2 and Acts 18:28 shows that religious arguments should be from the Scriptures. Deuteronomy 4:1-2 and Revelation 21:18-19 command not to add to or take away from what God has said. Proverbs 30:5-6 (ESV) "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."

In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve did not follow Sola Scriptura, and the Fall resulted. Yes, Sola Scriptura is Biblical!