Expert: John of AllFaith - 10/23/2010

Question
As Baptists, we hold the belief that the Bible is our sole authority, what some call the Sola Scriptura doctrine. I was wondering...where is this doctrine in the Bible? I have spent a few weeks combing the Good Book and have not encountered anything...help!
                 Gratefully, Isaiah W.

Answer
Hi Isaiah,

Sola Scriptura as a "battle cry" was in reaction to the Catholic idea of the Magisterium of the Church (i.e. that the teaching of the Vatican holds equal authority with Scripture). The phrase is not in the Bible.

The idea however is:

Acts 17:2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

This shows that they determined the truth of Paul's doctrine solely by the Tanakh (of "Old Testament," the Scriptures they had at that time).

II Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

With the Scripture one can know truth without other input.

What can not be shown however is any other form of doctrinal authority. The idea of infallible popes etc. are not biblical.

There are many scriptures stressing the importance of Scripture. Here are a few:

(Mar 12:10)  And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

(Mar 15:28)  And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

(Luk 4:21)  And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

(Joh 2:22)  When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

(Joh 7:38)  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

(Joh 7:42)  Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

(Joh 10:35)  If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

(Joh 13:18)  I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

(Joh 17:12)  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

(Joh 19:24)  They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

(Joh 19:28)  After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

(Joh 19:36)  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

(Joh 19:37)  And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

(Joh 20:9)  For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

(Act 1:16)  Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

(Act 8:32)  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

(Act 8:35)  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

(Rom 4:3)  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

(Rom 9:17)  For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

(Rom 10:11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

(Rom 11:2)  God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

(Gal 3:8)  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

(Gal 3:22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

(Gal 4:30)  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

(1Ti 5:18)  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

(2Ti 3:16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(Jas 2:8)  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

(Jas 2:23)  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

(Jas 4:5)  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

(1Pe 2:6)  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

(2Pe 1:20)  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Hope this is helpful,
Feel free to write back if you wish

~ John of AllFaith