Hello dear friends in the Lord Jesus. The question I would like to ask here is why is scripture the only rule of faith? I believe this is an important question to know the answer to and also to understand as I believe that our salvation depends on us having a correct view of the importance of the scriptures and their relationship to our own lives and our salvation. Let us prayerfully discuss this question and see from the scriptures why in our own lives’ scripture should always be our only rule of faith.
Q. WHAT IS SCRIPTURE?
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Thayer - G1124 Scripture G1124 — γραφή γραφῆς, ἡ (γράφω, cf. γλυφή and γλύφω); a. a writing, thing written (from Sophocles down): πᾶσα γραφή every scripture namely, of the O. T., 2Tim 3:16; plural γραφαί ἅγιαι, holy scriptures, the sacred books (of the O. T.), Rom 1:2; προφητικαι, 16:26; αἱ γραφαί τῶν προφητῶν, Matt 26:56. b. ἡ γραφή, the Scripture κατ' ἐξοχήν, the holy scripture (of the O. T.) — and used to denote either the book itself, or its contents (some would restrict the singular γραφή always to a particular passage; see Lightfoot on Gal 3:22): John 7:38; 10:35; Acts 8:32; Rom 4:3; Gal 3:22; 4:30; James 2:8; 1Pet 2:6; 2Pet 1:20; also in plural αἱ γραφαί: Matt 21:42; 26:54; Mark 14:49; Luke 24:27; John 5:39; Acts 17:2, 17:11; 18:24, 18:28; 1Co 15:3f; once αἱ γραφαί comprehends also the books of the N. T. already begun to be collected into a canon, 2Pet 3:16; by metonymy, ἡ γραφή is used for God speaking in it: Rom 9:17; Gal 4:30; ἡ γραφή is introduced as a person and distinguished from God in 3:8. εἰδέναι τάς γραφάς, Matt 22:29; Mark 12:24; συνιέναι, Luke 24:45. c. a certain portion or section of holy Scripture: Mark 12:10; Luke 4:21; John 19:37; Acts 1:16. (Cf. B. D. under the word .)
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Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, Unabridged - H3791
Scripture H3791. kethab כְּתָב noun masculine writing (late Aramaic; biblical כְּתָב Syriac ); — ׳כ absolute 1Chr 28:19 4t.; construct Ezek 13:9 4t.; suffix כְּתָבָהּ Est 1:22 2t.; כְּתָבָם Ezra 2:62 3t.; — writing:
1 register, enrolement, Ezek 13:9; Ezra 2:62 = Neh 7:64.
2 = mode of writing, character, letter, ׳וּכ אֲרָמִית כָּתוּב הִנִּשְׁתְּוָן Ezra 4:7 and the writing of the letter was written in Aramaic (characters; so probably, see BeRy Ryle, compare Late Hebrew HoffmZAW i.(1881), 334 ff.); compare Est 1:22; 3:12; 8:9 (twice in verse).
3 = letter, 2Chr 2:10; Est 9:27.
4 of a royal enactment, edict2Chr 35:4 (|| מִכְתָּב), Est 3:14; 8:8, 13; more fully כְּתָבהַֿדָּת 4:8.
5 of a writing with divine authority 1Chr 28:19; ׳כ אֱמֶת Dan 10:21, i.e. a book of truth.
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A. The holy scriptures are the written word of God's truth in Hebrew and Greek *see Daniel 10:21; John 17:17 that saves us from our sins as we believe and follow them.
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Q. WHO ARE THE SCRIPTURES FOR?
All scripture is God’s recorded written words and is given for our admonition – 1 Corinthians 10:11
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in right doing (righteousness) so the man of God might be perfect– 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The scriptures make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus – 2 Timothy 3:15
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A. The scriptures are Gods’ word written for us and believing and following them make us wise unto salvation
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Q. HOW DO THE SCRIPTURES MAKE US WISE UNTO SALVATION?
We are saved by Gods’ grace through faith – Ephesians 2:8-9
Faith in the scripture make us wise unto God’s salvation – 2 Timothy 3:15; John 3:36
Faith in the scriptures make us disciples of Jesus – John 8:31-36
Faith in the scriptures sanctify us – John 17:17
Faith in Gods’ word give us life as we believe them by God’s Spirit – John 6:63; John 3:16-36
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A. Gods’ word through the scriptures is Gods’ power of creation that creates all things as we believe and follow what Gods’ Word says by the power of Gods’ Spirit. This is what Genesis 1 teaches us.
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Q. WHY THEN ARE THE SCRIPTURES THE ONLY RULE OF FAITH?
Because we are saved by God’s grace through faith in God’s word – Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:15
Our faith comes from and is found in believing the scriptures – Romans 10:17
Without faith in God’s word we have no salvation because our salvation and faith comes from believing and following what Gods’ word says – John 3:36; Romans 10:17; John 17:17; John 8:31-36
Whatsoever is not of faith in God’s word is sin – Romans 14:23
Without faith in God’s word it is impossible to please God – Hebrews 11:6
Continuing to believe God’s word is the condition of becoming a disciple of Jesus – John 8:31
We are to live by faith in every word that proceeds from the mouth of God – Matthew 4:4
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A. The scripture dear friend are the only rule of faith because it is only by faith in the scripture that we receive God’s promises of everlasting life and it is only by continuing to believe and follow what Gods’ Word says that we continue to be the disciples of Jesus where it is written “If you continue in my word you shall be my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. It is through the scriptures that we find God as he guides us through His Spirit and His promises where he says you shall seek me and find me when you shall search for me with all of your heart *Jeremiah 29:13-15
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more to come...