The statement “the Bible is our only rule for faith and practice” appears in many doctrinal statements. Sometimes, it takes a similar form, stating that the Bible is “the final authority,” “the only infallible rule,” or “the only certain rule.” This sentiment, whatever the wording, is a way for Bible-believing Christians to declare their commitment to the written Word of God and their independence from other would-be authorities.
The statement that the Bible is the “only rule for faith and practice” is rooted in the sufficiency of Scripture, as revealed in 2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Because God is sovereign, His Word is the absolute authority in our lives, and by it God equips us for His service. As A. A. Hodge wrote, “Whatever God teaches or commands is of sovereign authority. . . . The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the only organs through which, during the present dispensation, God conveys to us a knowledge of his will about what we are to believe concerning himself, and what duties he requires of us” (Outlines of Theology, chapter 5).
When we say, “The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice,” we mean that we hold the Bible, God’s Holy Word, to be our ultimate guide for what we believe (“faith”) and what we do (“practice”). We mean that the Bible trumps man’s authority, church tradition, and our own opinions. We mean we will allow nothing that opposes God’s Word to dictate our actions or control our thinking. We mean that we agree with the Reformers’ cry of sola scriptura.
When the Bible clearly reveals a truth, we believe it with all our hearts. When the Bible clearly commands us to do something, we make sure we are doing it. For example, the Bible says that Jesus is coming back again (John 14:3; Revelation 19:11–16). Since the Bible is our “only rule for faith,” we have no choice but to believe that Jesus is returning some day. Also, the Bible says that we are to “flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Since the Bible is our “final authority for practice,” we are bound to abstain from immorality (as defined by the Bible).
We believe following the Bible as our only rule of faith and practice is the safest position, theologically. Fidelity to Scripture keeps us from being “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching” (Ephesians 4:14). As the noble Bereans taught us (Acts 17:11), all doctrines are to be examined in light of the Bible, and only what conforms to biblical truth should be accepted.
Following the Bible is also the most sensible position, because the Word of God “is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89) and “the law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).
altruistico 
Reblogged this on Daylight Tune Ministries.
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Hello, Yoshiko;
Once again I thank you for visiting and taking the time to re-blogging this post. Both are, as always, greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you and yours always. May His face shine upon you and yours.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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Welcome, Michael 🙂 May God bless you too and His face shine upon you too.
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Thank you for the blessings, Yoshiko… They are much needed.
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Most welcome, Michael 🙂
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Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19-20) Much of this oral teaching eventually found its way into written scripture, but we were commanded to teach all of it, even that which was not written, but handed down from apostles to bishops until our time.
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Once again I welcome you, Linux, and thank you for your comment. Both are always appreciated.
I admit I find nothing wrong in what you have said here today. In fact, and indeed, I agree with your comment fully. We were given the “Great Commission” from Christ to go into all of the lands preaching the Word of God. To bring the God News of Christ to all people and too, to baptize them in the Name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.
You comment: “but we were commanded to teach all of it, even that which was not written, but handed down from apostles to bishops until our time” is a bit more tricky. Although much, as you have said, of the oral teachings [and traditions] have made it into the Word of God [i.e. the Bible]. We must be careful, however, as to what is truly the traditions of God and what have been traditions of man.
Sola scriptura was the rallying cry of the Protestant Reformation. For centuries the Roman Catholic Church had made its traditions superior in authority to the Bible. This resulted in many practices that were in fact contradictory to the Bible. Some examples are prayer to saints and/or Mary, the immaculate conception, transubstantiation, infant baptism, indulgences, and papal authority. Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran Church and father of the Protestant Reformation, was publicly rebuking the Catholic Church for its unbiblical teachings. The Catholic Church threatened Martin Luther with excommunication (and death) if he did not recant.
The Bible declares itself to be God-breathed, inerrant, and authoritative. We also know that God does not change His mind or contradict Himself. So, while the Bible itself may not explicitly argue for sola scriptura, it most definitely does not allow for traditions that contradict its message. Sola scriptura is not as much of an argument against tradition as it is an argument against unbiblical, extra-biblical and/or anti-biblical doctrines. The only way to know for sure what God expects of us is to stay true to what we know He has revealed—the Bible. We can know, beyond the shadow of any doubt, that Scripture is true, authoritative, and reliable. The same cannot be said of tradition [especially of man].
As you are very knowledgeable of the Bible, Linux, I invite you [Christ invites you] to write on such topics as “oral traditions of God” and passing them along to others. Perhaps those subjects of which you have spoken here; “even that which was not written, but handed down from apostles to bishops until our time.” You never know what inspiration you may be to others, Linux, and how you might sway those who are broken. Christ has told us “the well do not need a physician, but it is the sick who need healing.” For those are the one’s God can use….. just as He is using both you and I….. I think the invitation is worth considering. Don’t you? You have a great deal to offer God…… and to offer others just like yourself… Won’t you consider this offer?
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you and keep you, Linux. May His face shine upon you.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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John affirmed that Jesus did many things that are not written in the Bible, when he said, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” One of these things was that Jesus founded a Church with teaching authority (binding and loosing, Heaven and Earth). It is that Church which tells Christians the Bible is the inspired word of God. You, however, seem to be satisfied with a circular argument, the Bible is the word of God because it says it is. Cutting yourself loose from the teaching authority of the Church founded by Jesus has resulted in disagreement about which books are even to be included in the very Bible you believe is the word of God.
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Weak, unscriptural, misleading and an all around a rehash of an untenable position when it comes to the Faith. Try to spend less time attacking Orthodoxy and more time disposing of your hatred of authority. When Paul wrote that, there was no New Testament, nor was there any idea that there ever would be one in scripture; so what was he talking about? Does not matter to you does it, as long as you can twist it to attack others. The Pillar and Foundation of the truth is what my friend?
Where in scripture does it say sola scriptura, or teach it?
What does Peter say about improper, unauthoritative teaching and instruction?
What indeed does Our Lord Himself say about authority; or about eating His body and drinking His Blood?
Of course this is all nonsense, is it not, for you believe that you are uniquely qualified to interpret scripture and reveal all truth. which of course is not scriptural either… but who cares? As long as we can attack the Catholic and Orthodox Faiths. They are big, soft and merciful targets; easy to hit and watch things go splat. When you decided to become an instrument of destruction and discord within the Faith, WHO INDEED has given you power and permission to sow confusion and discontent?
It is sooo much fun, isn’t it, to ignore Our Lord when He prayed to The Father “that they all may be one”.
Keep up the good work– I will be busy with works of mercy, charity, and obedience while you go around inciting rebellion. Have fun, and may God have mercy on your soul ( This comes from the heart as well).
Oh and by the way, computers arent scriptural, so why are you using them?
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Hello, John;
I wish to thank you for dropping by and for your comments. However, I am somewhat dismayed over your actual meanings to each aspect of your comments. If you would, please, recommend so that I might have some clarity as to what it is I have offended you over. Then I might be able to address your thoughts more clearly and appropriately. Would you do that for me?
Thank you.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you, and yours.
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Reblogged this on GOD, GUTS,OLD GLORYand AMMO and commented:
AMEN, sometimes as Christians we fall but we will always have GOD to pick us up and give us strength to endure the world. Very good post and am re blogging Thanks and Bless you , RAY
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Hello, Ray;
I want to thank you for visiting and for commenting. Both are greatly appreciated. I especially wish to thank you for the re-blog as it helps to get the Word of God, and His message, out to all of the world.
You are absolutely correct when you say “sometimes as Christians we fall but we will always have GOD to pick us up and give us strength to endure the world.” Around the world today many Christians are being persecuted for being “Christians” they need the strength of which comes from God’s Word and to know that we are praying for each of them….. So, it is very important to me, Ray, that you have re-blogged this message in order that others may also find strength in God’s Word and it sufficiency.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you, and yours. May His face shine upon you.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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Michael I see you like a ‘watchman’ over the Word of God. Often people are offended, not by us, but the conviction from the truth itself. Stay strong. You are doing an excellent job teaching the truth with a spirit of love and humility.
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Thank you, Sierra…. your words of comfort could not have come at a better time. Yes, it is near impossible to escape the many who are somehow threatened by the truth and they become offended. To stay strong, I can do no other but remain to and forever towards my convictions. It is those, as yourself, who encourage me (and others) to do just that. Thank you again for being here in these, the most troubling of times, Sierra.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you, and yours, eternally.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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Michael I see your heart. What you’re doing is so important. Be encouraged. God bless.
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Thank you, Sierra….. for all of your encouragement. I am forever grateful….. and thank you ever-so-much for the blessing.. They are always needed.
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