Sola Scriptura: A Bible Doctrine
As you remember from Acts 2, one the distinctives of those who were regenerated by the Holy Spirit and called “the church” was that they were a people who were obedient to scripture. In order to be obedient to something, we have to know its authority. The bible’s authority comes from it being the inspired word of God. As Christians we believe in Sola Scriptura, the idea that scripture alone is the supreme authority not only on matters of God but also regarding his people. This idea has not come from human devising, but the bible, confirmed by the early church and its leaders.
Sola Scriptura Is Taught In Scripture
Reading the bible requires you to think for yourself and use the clarity that the Holy Spirit gives you to understand what you are reading. If you have the intelligence to read the newspaper, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to read and understand the bible Bible. Certain groups such as Roman Catholics, the orthodox church, Watchtower followers and those in the WOF and NAR movements, do not believe they can understand the Bible without their church interpreting it for them, without experience guiding their understanding or interpretation by means of special visions and prophecies. Some even say that Sola Scriptura is not taught in the Bible. As we will see, this is a circular deception or misunderstanding.
So what exactly is it? Sola Scriptura is a Latin phrase which means “Scripture alone” in English. The idea behind it is that you use the Bible alone for doctrine. It means we do not need to appeal to contradictory oral church traditions or extra supernatural revelation to understand the Bible. Despite this, Roman Catholics and Orthodox adherents claim Sola Scriptura is not taught in the Bible. It is amusing to note that many of the apostolic fathers taught Sola Scriptura. However, for the moment, let us look primarily at what the bible says about itself.
So what does the bible say about itself?
“Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” (Proverbs 30:5-6)
I don’t think that needs any interpretation or special expansion. The words are without flaw and they are a safe place to hide for those who read them. Note the warning in v6 “Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” In case you thought that verses was a once off, there are others including this one:
"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7) God’s word is perfect.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) The Bible is a guide to our lives, a lot like if you were lost out in the bush and you need to find your way at night. It lights our steps and helps us to see the way forward. This is the most important idea of all, which we will get back to later as well: Jesus said that scripture is truth.
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
Scripture also says through Jesus’ brother James that it is to be obeyed “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)
Notice too what it says about just hearing and not obeying; it is to deceive yourself into thinking it is not authoritative.
Finally, Scripture is effective in achieving Gods plan, Gods way. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.“ (Hebrews 4:12) Gods word doesn’t mess around with vagaries, it gets straight to the point whether you like it or not to the heart of any issue and any situation.
But, Didn’t Humans Write It?
This is one of the remarkable things about God’s word, it wasn’t just humans who got together and planned and wrote a grand thesis. Essentially, over the course of 2000 years God inspired human authors. That means that God working through their personality, their style and their cultural understanding, penned the words we have in the canon today. Sometimes this was through the named author in the title of the book, but sometimes this was through a scribe or secretary. (e.g. Jeremiah 36:4)
These people knew that they were writing the word of God, especially the prophets (3800 times in the OT, the authors say that that's what they are about to say/write is God’s words). There are in fact roughly 300 direct quotes of the Old Testament in the New Testament, and roughly 4000 allusions to the OT from the NT.
Peter actually talks about this: “Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” (1 Peter 1:10-12)
The Old Testament prophets spoke and wrote about the coming of Jesus, the giver of grace, by the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is interesting to note that the words they were writing were Gods words and not their own, and they didn’t not yet understand them as they were writing. Paul too was aware that the things he was sharing were taught to him by the Spirit, and were God’s words
“And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13).
He was also aware that some things were commands of God, as we have already seen.
“If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:37)
At this point we have to talk about elephant in the room: what does it mean that these are God’s words and what does it mean that they are inspired?
Verbal Plenary Inspiration (inerrancy)
When we talk about the word of Go being perfect and inerrant, what do we mean?
Verbal – the actual words themselves are inspired, Every word matters. “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18) Here Jesus is referencing the law and the prophets here (i.e. scripture) when he says that not one dotted i or crossed t of God’s word will be neglected.
Plenary – All of scripture is authoritative and useful for all aspects of the believers life and witness. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Remember again, that every word of scripture is flawless (Proverbs 30:5) and so those things that fall into the more difficult categories like correction are to be taken just as seriously as those for our teaching.
Inspiration – “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)
Peter was a first-hand witness. He then saw all the prophecies he had read in the Old Testament come true. He is saying here that all prophecy (which can be translated teaching) comes by means of being carried along by the Holy Spirit. Notice the order. Men spoke. From God. It is God using men at their full capacity, not some catatonic meat puppets doing his bidding…their minds were intact while writing down what The Holy Spirit inspired them to write.
So, How Are Things Like The Writings of Paul Scripture?
There are always some who claim that because Paul was the human author of a lot of books of the New Testament, his words cant really be counted as scripture in the same way as other writings, like those in the Old Testament. The Apostle Peter has something to say about this:
“And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.” (2 Peter 3:15-16)
Peter was no slouch. He was with Jesus, wrote 2 books of the bible himself by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and was one of the first church leaders. He states categorically that all of Paul’s letters are scripture. In fact, Peter found some of the things Paul laid out in his letters hard to understand. This is similar to what he says about prophets not yet getting what they were writing.
A lot of readers real problem with Pauls writing is not that we think it is not scripture, but that we do not like what it has to say about us and our lives when compared to God.
Recall what we read earlier in Hebrews 4:12; Gods Holy Spirit through his word often gets to the heart of the problem, and we don’t like it.
Not Solo Scriptura
It is important to get things in perspective before we dive into the many biblical evidences of this doctrine through scripture itself. This is the idea that the bible is the highest authority, which keeps in mind that there are other authorities. There are lots of things that the bible does not tell you how to do (how to play guitar, how to carry out brain surgery), but there are regulating principles for how to do these things throughout scripture.
A good way of understanding the authority of scripture is this: you learn from authorities on the subject, but if they conflict with the higher authority (i.e., the bible) then you must let that authority rule in the area. This also counteracts the wacky idea in some churches that if it is not mentioned in the bible, it must be evil…which is so very wrong.
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Sola Scriptura is All Over The Bible
Listed here is some evidence that Sola Scriptura is an entirely biblical doctrine, along with questions that arise from these verses and some useful answers for sceptics.
1 Corinthians 4:6 - Jesus said, "upon this rock I will build My church" and Paul warned: "in building the church, do not exceed scripture!"
Luke 1:1-4 “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
Luke begins by mentioning uninspired gospels by Christians, then the oral tradition of the apostles and concludes that scripture alone will allow Theophilus to know for certain what the truth is.
Matthew 4:1-11 - Three times Jesus was tempted by the Devil and each time Jesus replied exactly the same three dangerous words that defeated the Devil: "IT IS WRITTEN" Read it for yourself! If anyone could have used oral tradition or special revelation, it was Jesus, yet he chose the only safe and sure way to defeat Satan: Scripture. We just with that the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches held scripture alone in the same high regard.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - No matter how people twist it, this verse still says that scripture alone is all-sufficient to equip us for EVERY good work. Ahh, but I hear you say BUT "2 Timothy 3:16-17 doesn't say the Bible is all sufficient by itself." Let's look at that, shall we. 2 Timothy 3:17 says that the scripture will "equip us for every good work". It does not say that scripture will "equip us for MOST good works". It does not say that scripture will "equip us PARTIALLY for good works".
The KJV uses the imagery that scripture is able to "fully furnish" us for ever good work. Now imagine you rented an apartment and the ad said it was "fully furnished". When you move in you know what fully furnished means. It has a bed, a couch, a fridge etc. Everything you need to live. If you walked in and it had not dresser drawers to put your clothes in, you would complain that it was not fully furnished! The scripture is able to fully furnish us for “every good work”. In other words, there are no good works that the Bible does not discuss. If we abide with scripture, and scripture alone, we need not look to extra supernatural revelation to learn about any other good works.
Luke 10:26 - "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"
Jesus expected even his enemies to correctly interpret the Bible by simply reading and studying it. Unlike Jesus, certain church groups don't ask you what you think scripture says, they just tell you how their church interprets it and you have no choice but to accept what they tell you.
Acts 17:11-12 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.”
Even though the apostles were inspired with genuine oral revelation, they always directed people to the scriptures for the final determination of truth. Oral tradition is worthless without the witness of scripture.
Jesus Quoted Scripture
Jesus defeated the three temptations of the Devil with, "it is written", not "I say". In Matthew 4:1-11, three times Jesus was tempted by the Devil after a confirmed dramatic filling of the Holy Spirit and each time Jesus replied with exactly the same three dangerous words that defeated the Devil: "It Is Written" It is worth reading for yourself! If anyone could have used oral tradition or extra revelation, it was Jesus, yet he chose the only safe and sure way to defeat Satan: quoting Scripture.
I don’t think we often comprehend just how devastating it is that Jesus never appealed to his own authority in his 40 days temptation in the wilderness with the Devil. Three times Jesus was tempted, three times Jesus replied, "It is written". If oral tradition, or the authority of the church was valid, then Jesus would have at least one time referred to oral tradition, or used himself as the authority, as the Catholics, Orthodox and JW's use the church organization as an authority.
Jesus never referred to oral tradition or extra revelation to prove or defend truth. Never does Jesus refer to oral traditions in a positive way. Every time he defends truth he refers to the scriptures. The only times Jesus referred to oral traditions, was condemning them:
“in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:7-13)
He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition”. Not the positive spin many churches put on tradition. Of Course, tradition has its healthy place but it should not be above scripture.
Jesus made over 100 references to scripture. Jesus never relies upon oral traditions but scripture alone
"Have you not read" - Matthew 12:3
"have you not read in the Law" - Matthew 12:5
"Did you never read in the Scriptures" - Matthew 21:42
Jesus expected the scriptures to be understood by the average man, even his enemies Luke 10:26 - "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"
Mark 12:24 – “Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?”
Matthew 22:29 – “But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
Matthew 26:24 - "The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him" There were many oral traditions as to who the messiah was. All were wrong! Some thought he was merely a king, some merely a prophet, some merely a priest.
Luke 20:17 - "What then is this that is written: 'The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone'?”
John 5:39 - "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.”
Matthew 26:54 - "How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?"
The Apostles Held To Sola Scriptura
Even though the apostles were inspired with genuine oral revelation, they always directed people to the scriptures for the final determination of truth. Acts 17:2 - “And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures”
Acts 17:11-12 – “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.”
Acts 18:28 - "Apollos powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ."
In fact, in New Testament churches, scriptures were read every Lord's Day: 1 Timothy 4:13 – “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.”
A Command To Take Notice Of
There are further commands in the New Testament to abide only within scripture to the exclusion of oral tradition or extra revelation. These are passages we should bring to light with those we know who follow anything else spiritual that is not the word of God. We tend to see the results of relying on ones self or special revelation in those who practice this: arrogance. 1 Corinthians 4:6 - “I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.”
Jesus said, "upon this rock I will build My church" and Paul warned: "in building the church, do not exceed scripture!" The larger context of 1 Corinthians 4:6 is in a section of 1 Corinthians we could call "preacheritus" (Chapters 1-4.) Believers at that time were identifying themselves by their teachers, and the same thing goes on today. We should be less concerned about hearing from a certain preacher or pastor and more concerned with what the word of God says. Problems always arise in a church when we follow the teachings of men instead of scripture. Of course, Roman Catholics today say, "I am of Peter" ... the pope. This directly violates what Paul said here. Because of the harmony of scripture, the following four chapters are a contextual unit (Matthew 16:18 + 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 + 1 Corinthians 3:5-17 + 1 Corinthians 4:6).
"upon this rock I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18) "as gardeners and builders... each man must be careful how he builds on it." (1 Corinthians 3:10) "I used the gardener and builder figures so that you learn not to exceed what is written" (1 Corinthians 4:6). Paul did not say, "The things are to teach you not to exceed my oral teachings, or the extra revelation I have received." Instead, the emphasis is on showing the supremacy of scripture over all other information.
What makes this even more powerful about this idea, is the fact that in 54 AD, only a few of the New Testament books were written, yet the church was still warned to abide within the scripture she had. In the time of transition (50 - 96 AD) between 100% oral (30- 50 AD) and 100% written (96 AD - present), we find the highest standard is written. This puts-paid to those perpetuating the myth that the church did not have the Bible until the 4th century.
Context Context Context
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell[b] shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)
"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
"What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." (1 Corinthians 3:5-17)
"I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another." (1 Corinthians 4:6)
The "Gardener" & The "Builder"
Here we see a figurative application of these roles to Paul and Apollos (4:6)
- Gardener: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth." (3:6)
- Builder: "like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it" (3:10)
There are two figures: The figure mentioned in 4:6 directly refers to the "planting, watering" of 3:6 and the "master builder" figure of 3:10. Notice the figure is designed to impress upon the reader not to exceed what is written. 3:6 speaks about making the church grow, remembering Jesus words, "Upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). In other words, in being God's workman, in finding preaching the gospel, making the local church prosper, church government, doctrine and things associated with the great commission, we must not exceed what is written in scripture.
To summerise the 5 passage: "upon this rock I will build My church" (Mt 16:18) "do not say 'I am of Peter'" (1 Cor 1:10) "as gardeners and builders... each man must be careful how he builds on it." (1 Cor 3:10) "I used the gardener and builder figures to that you learn not to exceed what is written" (1 Cor 4:6) Jesus intended his church to be built upon scripture, not Peter or oral traditions.
1 Corinthians 4:6 so clearly refutes the Roman Catholic and Orthodox church's doctrine of oral tradition, as well as those church leaders who teach that extra revelation of the Holy Spirit is equal to if not more important than scripture.
The Sufficiency of Scripture for Life
The truth of the word of God is understandable, even by young children. "and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:15)
"assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 3:2-5)
"For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand" (2 Corinthians 1:13)
Scripture alone is all-sufficient for life, morality, conduct and doctrine "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:14-15)
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." (2 Peter 1:3-4)
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)
According to the bible, the Gospel of John by itself, is sufficient to bring about saving faith in Christ without oral traditions and the other three gospels. Actually, this may be true of each of the four gospels, although it is only stated by John:
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)
God’s word is also sufficient for complete hope, joy and assurance of salvation without any oral tradition.
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
“And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:4)
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
The Perfect Standard
Revelation 22:18-19 - "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book."
Deuteronomy 4:2 - "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."
Deuteronomy 12:32 - "Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it."
Proverbs 30:5-6 - "Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar."
Its pretty clear from these verses that scripture is the standard to which no addition can be made. Although Roman Catholic and Orthodox defenders, as well as those insistent on the need for extra revelation in the understanding of God dismiss Revelation 22:18 as applying only to the single book of revelation, these four texts are pretty clear in showing that it is a principle that applies to the whole Bible. Notice also that God knew that Revelation was the last book of the 66 book canon and that the warning not to add or take away from scripture is at the very end of the very last book of the canon. This simply cannot be a coincidence but is God's eternal warning not to use oral traditions in addition to scripture. Although Revelation was not always placed in its current position at the end of the Bible, there is now consensus that it was the last book written.
In fact, from this idea of the perfect standard, we can see that scripture is God's command to all, overruling any and all other sources that are supposedly from God. This should help us understand what we do with extra-biblical revelation of any kind.
“If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:37)
Scripture is going to be the standard through which Jesus will judge in the last days. "The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” (John 12:48)
“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” (Revelation 20:12)
“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” (James 2:12)
The only reason we know the words of Christ are because they are recorded for us in scripture. Although traditionalists claim oral tradition, they cannot come up with even one thing Jesus said, that is not recorded in scripture. Scripture really is the all-sufficient standard for the "words of Jesus". Although we cannot be certain that the phrase, "books were opened" in Rev 20:12, refers to 66 books of scripture, we are certain that no oral tradition is part of the final judgement of God. The passage clearly states that books, to the exclusion of oral tradition, is the standard of judgement. The Law of Liberty in James 2:12 is a direct reference to scripture.
Scripture Addresses Other Tradition and Revelation
"This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles," (2 Peter 3:1-2)
Here we have a reference to oral traditions, "spoken beforehand". Although traditionalists claim this lends authority to oral tradition, there is not even one phrase Jesus or the apostles said traditionally, that is not recorded in scripture. Peter uses scripture as the method of reminding Christians of this oral tradition, but since there is no known "oral tradition" of the specific words spoken, it is obvious that scripture replaced oral tradition.
In reality, for both the believers then and for us today, Gods word alone brings certainty in the midst of various means of revelation, proving that sometimes they are unreliable. "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught." (Luke 1:1-4)
Luke begins here by acknowledging uninspired gospels by Christian authors, then referencing the oral tradition of the apostles and concludes that scripture alone will allow Theophilus to know for certain what the truth is:
1:1 - "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us" Luke references the uninspired written gospels by Christians, which while extensive, Luke hints are unreliable.
1:2 - "just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us" This acknowledges the inspired oral tradition of apostles, which while valued is uncertain without scripture.
1:3 - "to write an orderly account for you" Luke himself realises that what he is writing is scripture; reliable, and full of certainty.
1:4 - "that you may know the exact truth" The meaning of this is pretty obvious, but just in case there is some doubt, here is Luke 1:4 in five translations:
NASB: “so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”
KJV: “That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”
NIV: “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
NET: “so that you may know for certain the things you were taught.”
ESV: “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
What is this "Exact Truth"
[greek: asphaleia] - ἀσφάλεια
Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the word, "exact truth" as meaning, "not liable to fall, steadfast, firm, hence denoting safety".
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible defines the word "asphaleia", "1. firmness, stability. 2 certainty, undoubted truth. 3 security from enemies and dangers, safety."
We finish on this definition because, although this is not an exhaustive look at Sola Scriptura, it should now be obvious that only through scripture, to the exclusion of both oral apostolic tradition, the many uninspired gospels written by Christians and extra-biblical revelation, can we know the truth of God. The scriptures alone are our supreme authority. They contain, and are sufficiently clear in teaching, all things necessary for salvation and the life of faith.
“This your word of life has been, and still remains among us, faithfully collected in the sacred registers of the holy scripture... ...the image of your glory, the law of your kingdom, the ladder of heaven, the gate of paradise, the trumpet of salvation, to be brief, the treasury of piety, virtue, wisdom, consolation, and perfection.”- Theodore Beza