What does it mean that the Bible should be our sole authority for faith and practice?

Answer

The statement “the Bible is our only rule for faith and practice” is found in various doctrinal declarations. At times, it is phrased differently, asserting that the Bible is “the final authority,” “the only infallible rule,” or “the only certain rule.” This expression, regardless of the wording, is a means for Christians who believe in the Bible to affirm their dedication to the written Word of God and their autonomy from other potential sources of authority.

The assertion that the Bible is the “only rule for faith and practice” is grounded in the sufficiency of Scripture, as outlined 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.” Due to God’s sovereignty, His Word holds absolute authority in our lives, equipping us for His purposes. As A. A. Hodge stated, “Whatever God teaches or commands is of sovereign authority. . . . The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the only means through which, in the current era, God imparts to us knowledge of His will regarding what we are to believe about Himself and the duties He expects from us” (Outlines of Theology, chapter 5).

When we affirm, “The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice,” we signify that we regard the Bible, God’s Holy Word, as our ultimate compass for our beliefs (“faith”) and actions (“practice”). We indicate that the Bible supersedes human authority, church tradition, and our personal viewpoints. We declare that we will not permit anything contrary to God’s Word to influence our conduct or govern our thoughts. We align with the Reformers’ proclamation of sola scriptura.

When the Bible unequivocally reveals a truth, we embrace it wholeheartedly. When the Bible clearly instructs us to do something, we ensure that we comply. For instance, the Bible affirms that Jesus will return soon.

Gain (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 someday. Also, the Bible says that we are to “flee from sexual immorality” «Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits fornication sins against his own body. », (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” «that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; », (Ephesians 4:14). As the noble Bereans taught us «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. », (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” «Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. », (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” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”, (Psalm 19:7).