Sola Scriptura proof texts: A Bible Doctrine!
"When men throw out traditions and creeds and start to use the Bible only, they begin a journey where they know the vehicle in which they ride, but know not the route truth leads. Scripture alone lights the one pathway in the darkness, and although we may only see a short distance ahead, even surprised at times by the route, we know the final destination is paradise. Let the Holy Spirit guide you with scripture to your heavenly home!" (Steve Rudd)
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Introduction:

A. Sola Scriptura is taught in scripture:

  1. We invite all those who rely on the organization to interpret the Bible for them including Orthodox, Catholics, and their twin organization, the Jehovah's Witnesses, to think for themselves. If you have the intelligence to read the newspaper, why not the Bible?
  2. We are in a difficult position with Catholics, Orthodox and Watchtower believers alike, because when we point out the verses that prove sola Scriptura is taught in scripture, they don't believe they can understand the Bible without their church interpreting it for them... and they say sola Scriptura is not taught in the Bible. What an amazing system of circular deception the Catholic, Orthodox and Brooklyn New York, churches have invented.
  3. Sola Scriptura means that you use the Bible alone for doctrine. This means Catholics and Orthodox need not appeal to their contradictory oral church traditions and Jehovah's Witnesses need not rely upon the Watchtower magazine to interpret the Bible for them.

B. Catholics and Orthodox claim Sola Scriptura not taught in the Bible itself and is unscriptural.

"the doctrine of sola Scriptura is not scriptural." ... "The idea of sola Scriptura was an invention of the sixteenth century." (THE WAY: What Every Protestant Should Know About the Orthodox Church, Clark Carlton, 1997, p 117, p 91)

  1. On this page, is all the proof you need to know that both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches are wrong, because you will see for yourself, that Sola Scriptura is a Bible doctrine.
  2. See also: The apostolic fathers taught Sola Scriptura.

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Sola Scriptura Power texts

Quick Reference

   

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1 Cor 4:6: Click for detailed outline. Jesus said, "upon this rock I will build My church" and Paul warned: "in building the church, do not exceed scripture!"

   

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Luke 1:1-4: Click for detailed outline. 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.

   

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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 any one could have used oral tradition, 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!

   

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2 Timothy 3:16-17: No matter how traditionalists twist it, it still says that scripture alone is all-sufficient to equip us for EVERY good work.

"2 Timothy 3:16-17 doesn't say the Bible is all sufficient by itself."
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"How could 2 Timothy 3:16 teach the all-sufficiency of scripture, when several New Testament books were not even written yet?"
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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, Catholics and Orthodox 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.

   

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Acts 17:11-12: 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! Unlike the apostles, Catholics and Orthodox would never send you to scripture, since they don't think you can even understand it!

   

I. The example of Jesus: Quoted scripture, never tradition:

A. Jesus defeated the three temptations of the Devil with, "it is written", not "I say". Mt 4:1-11

  1. The Temptation of Jesus: 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 any one could have used oral tradition, 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. Traditionalists have simply not comprehended just how devastating it is that Jesus never appealed to his own authority in his 40 days temptation in the wilderness with the Devil.
  3. Three times Jesus was tempted, three times Jesus replied, "It is written".
  4. 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.

B. Never did Jesus refer to oral tradition to prove or defend truth.

  1. Never does Jesus refer to oral traditions in a positive way.
  2. Every time he defends truth he refers to the scriptures.
  3. The only times Jesus referred to Oral traditions, was condemning them: 'But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." He was also saying to them, "You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death'; but you say, 'If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),' you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that." (Mark 7:7-13)

C. Jesus made over 100 references to scripture. Jesus never relies upon oral traditions but scripture alone. Let's follow the Lord's pattern of relying upon scripture!

  1. "Have you not read" Matthew 12:3
  2. "have you not read in the Law" Matthew 12:5
  3. "Did you never read in the Scriptures" Matthew 21:42

D. Jesus expected the scriptures to be understood by the average man, even his enemies:

  1. "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" (Luke 10:26)
  2. Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? (Mark 12:24)
  3. But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)
  4. "The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him" There were any 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! (Matthew 26:24)
  5. "What then is this that is written: 'The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone'? (Luke 20:17)
  6. "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me (John 5:39)
  7. "How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?" (Matthew 26:54)

II. The example of the apostles using Sola Scriptura:

A. 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!

  1. And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures (Acts 17:2)
  2. 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 17:11-12)
  3. "Apollos powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ." (Acts 18:28)

B. Scriptures were read in the churches every Lord's Day:

  1. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13)

III. Powerful Sola Scriptura proof texts:

A. Abide only within scripture to the exclusion of oral tradition:1 Corinthians 4:6

  1. Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. 1 Corinthians 4:6
  2. Jesus said, "upon this rock I will build My church" and Paul warned: "in building the church, do not exceed scripture!"
  3. Click to ViewClick for detailed outline on 1 Cor 4:6 to prove sola Scriptura!

B. Scripture is understandable, even by young children:

  1. "from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15
  2. "if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; Ephesians 3:2-5
  3. "For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end" 2 Corinthians 1:13

C. Scripture alone is all-sufficient for life, morality, conduct and doctrine:

  1. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    Click to ViewCLICK HERE "2 Timothy 3:16-17 doesn't say the Bible is all sufficient by itself."

    Click to ViewCLICK HERE "How could 2 Timothy 3:16 teach the all-sufficiency of scripture, when several New Testament books were not even written yet?"
  2. "I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." 1 Timothy 3:14-15
  3. "seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." 2 Peter 1:3-4
  4. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. 1 John 2:1

D. 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:

  1. Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)

E. Scripture alone is all-sufficient for complete hope, joy and assurance of salvation without any oral tradition:

  1. For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
  2. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.1 John 1:4
  3. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

F. Scripture is the standard to which oral tradition may not be added:

Although Roman Catholic and Orthodox defenders dismiss Rev 22:18 as applying only to the single book of revelation, these four texts prove 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 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, everyone always realized that it was the last book written.

  1. "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." Revelation 22:18-19
  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 4:2
  3. "Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it." Deuteronomy 12:32
  4. "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." Proverbs 30:5-6

G. Scripture is the Lord's command:

  1. If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. 1 Corinthians 14:37

H. Scripture is the standard through which Jesus will judge:

The words of Christ are only known today from scripture. Although traditionalists claim oral tradition, they cannot come up with even one thing Jesus said, that is not recorded in scripture that will judge us. Scripture 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 Judgement. The passage clearly states that books, to the exclusion of oral tradition, is the standard of judgement. The Law of Liberty in Jas 2:12 is a direct reference to scripture.

  1. "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. John 12:48
  2. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. Revelation 20:12
  3. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. James 2:12

I. Scripture is how we are reminded of oral traditions, proving oral tradition is replace by scripture:

"This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles." 2 Peter 3:1-2

  1. Here we have a reference to oral traditions, "spoken beforehand".
  2. Although traditionalists claim oral tradition, they cannot come up with even one phrase or the apostles Jesus said, that is not recorded in scripture!
  3. Yet Peter uses scripture as the method of reminding Christians of this oral tradition.
  4. Since there is no known "oral tradition" of the specific words spoken, it is obvious that scripture replaced oral tradition.

J. Scripture alone brings certainty in the midst of various oral traditions, proving oral tradition is unreliable: Luke 1:1-4

  1. "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught." Luke 1:1-4
  2. 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.
  3. Click to ViewClick for detailed outline on Luke 1:1-4 to prove sola Scriptura!

  

 Click to ViewSee also: The apostolic fathers taught Sola Scriptura.

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Roman Catholic and Orthodox "oral tradition" defenders attack the Bible and we defeat them with the sword of the Spirit!
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Anti-Sola Scriptura arguments refuted!
Click to ViewPro-Tradition arguments refuted!

by Steve Rudd

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