Sola Scriptura

CHAPTER 1: Of The Holy Scriptures
(Parts One and Two)

There are thirty-two chapters in the London Baptist Confession.  The first chapter is: “Of The Holy Scriptures.”

Why start here?  Without the Bible, everything else falls.  Apart from Scripture there is no objectivity.  All would be subjective and up to individual preference.

The opening line of Chapter One states:  “The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience…”  (2 Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 29:29-31)  Note the following words:

ONLY— When anyone says, “Our authority comes from the Bible and…” it doesn’t matter what follows the and, because the only source of authority is the Bible. Not the Bible plus anything.  Sola Scriptura!

SUFFICIENT—While other writings by godly men and women may be helpful, the Bible is the only book we need.

CERTAIN—One need never wonder if the Bible can be trusted.  It is most certainly trustworthy.

INFALLIBLE—The Bible does not err, because it cannot err any more than God can err, since it is His Word.

RULE—The Scriptures are the standard; they are not mere suggestions.  They provide the only authoritative standard, or rule.

(Part Two)

The first chapter of the Confession regarding the Bible goes on to inform us that the Bible is:

The only source of instruction regarding salvation, faith and practice, and doctrine. (sec. 1, 6, & 10)

Made up of the sixty-six books received as scripture and (excluding the “Apocrypha.”) (sec. 2-3)

Authoritative because it is God’s Word to men, not men’s words about God. (sec. 4)

Affirmed by the Holy Spirit. (sec. 5, 6, & 10)

Not all easily understood, but the basics are clear. (sec. 7)

Without error in the original manuscript, while good translations do not have any errors that affect the meaning of anything that is essential. (sec. 8)

God’s instruction manual about how to worship God acceptably. (sec. 8)

To be read in context, and must be interpreted in light of the whole message of the Bible. (sec. 9)

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