Sola Scriptura

Sola scriptura (Latin ablative, “by scripture alone”) is the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness. Consequently, sola scriptura demands only those doctrines are to be admitted or confessed that are found directly within or indirectly by using valid logical deduction or valid deductive reasoning from scripture.

Sola scriptura, however, does not ignore Christian history and tradition when seeking to understand the Bible. Rather, it sees the Bible as the only final authority in matters of faith and practice.

As Martin Luther said, “The true rule is this: God’s Word shall establish articles of faith, and no one else, not even an angel can do so.

Divine authority

Holy Scripture, the Word of God, carries the full authority of God.

Every single statement of the Bible calls for instant, unqualified and unrestricted acceptance.

Every doctrine of the Bible is the teaching of God and therefore requires full agreement.

Every promise of the Bible calls for unshakable trust in its fulfillment.

Every command of the Bible is the directive of God himself and therefore demands willing observance.

Sufficient

The Bible contains everything that one needs to know in order to obtain salvation and to live a Christian life.

There are no deficiencies in Scripture that need to be filled with by tradition, pronouncements of the Pope, new revelations, or present-day development of doctrine

Authority

John Wesley stated in the 18th century, “In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church.

Sola Scriptura was the foundation of the Protestant reformation!

I am proudly a Sola Scripturian!