“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.”  2 Timothy 3v16-17

Though the Reformers never set it out definitively in a single document, they and we understand Scripture to be inspired by God, inerrant, and sufficient.  Therefore, Sola Scriptura teaches that the word of God is the only infallible authority and is sufficient for all spiritual matters, whether taught explicitly or implicitly in Scripture.

The problem within the Medieval church was the question of authority. It was believed and promoted by the church that they, and the traditions they created, had to be accepted as authority along with and extra to the Bible.

In the autumn of 1515, after wrestling with the fact that he could never make himself right with God, Martin Luther came to see that Jesus the Judge was nailed to the cross for our sins.  The Law demanded, ‘Pay me what you owe!’  The grace of God declared, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’  It was then that Luther realised that a transaction had taken place at Calvary.

Luther then returned to the biblical texts in their original languages, and students flocked to hear him preach.  Philip Melanchthon, his university colleague who later became a lecturer, said of Luther:

“He explained the Scripture in such a manner that, in the judgement of all devout and well-informed men, it was as if a new morn had risen upon the doctrine after a long night of darkness.  He showed the difference that existed between the law and the gospel.  He refuted the prevailing error of the churches and of the schools, that men by their works deserve the forgiveness of sins and become righteous before God by an outward way of life…He explained how sin is freely pardoned on account of the Son of God, and that man receives that blessing through faith…Godly minds were struck and penetrated by the sweetness of this doctrine; the learned received it with joy.” [1] (emphasis added)

This new understanding of the gospel was profound because it opened Luther’s eyes to the fact that Scripture is the very word of God and that there is no higher court of appeal.

Today, the world often treats something as true only to reject and replace it later, either because opinions have changed or the evidence has been reassessed.  This creates confusion, distrust, and alienation.  If Christians followed the same pattern, how could we be sure of anything in the Bible?  Thankfully, we believe wholeheartedly that the Bible is, as Paul wrote to Timothy, ‘God-breathed’ and that gives deep assurance.

If we find the Bible difficult to understand fully, there are many helpful resources.  First, we should find a sound, Bible-believing church and sit under its teaching.  At the same time, personal study remains important, because pastors are fallible—as any honest one will admit.

Above all, remember that the Bible is the highest authority.  Read it often and learn from the treasures it contains.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”  Acts 17v11

First published 2024, revised.

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[1] A Mighty Fortress is my God.  Jim Cromarty