Article VII

I. The sufficiency of Scripture.

A. What this is:

1. Completeness; that which “fully contains the will of God.”

a. Reveals not simply the “ethical will” of God–that which speaks of good and evil.

b. But God’s “will” in the sense of His Counsel.

1) All that God would have us to Know–particularly about salvation–is there.

2) Therefore we do not need other than this Scripture God has given.

2. A united whole.

a. The 66 books comprise one unit.

b. Within the whole there is neither a lack of books–nor too many.

3. It is binding upon the child of God–can not be questioned or denied.

4. It is incomparable–no writing of any man can compare with Scripture in value.

B. The denial of this truth:

1. Denied by Mormons; by Quakers; by Christian Science; etc.

2. But particularly was the article written to combat Roman Catholicism which also denies the sufficiency of Scripture.

a. Rome maintains:

1) The apocryphal books are also to be added to the 66 books of Scripture.

2) They also insist on written tradition.

a) “Tradition” is that which is handed down.

b) They refer to that which was handed down and written by the church in its church councils, its papal decrees, the writings of the church fathers.

c) These “traditions” are given equal authority with Scripture.

b. Reasons Rome gives for its view on “tradition:”

1) Before Moses, tradition was the only means of conveying the Word of God from father to son.

2) The Bible refers to the importance of tradition (cf. John 16:12; 20:40; I Cor. 11:23; II John 12).

3) Also the Protestant churches hold to certain practices not on the basis of Scripture but on basis of tradition: Christmhms and Easter celebrations; our Sabbath on Sunday; baptism of infants; etc.

II. Reasons for maintaining the sufficiency of Scripture:

A. The whole manner of worship which God requires is written in them.

1. Not simply liturgy–or the form of proper worship.

a. Scripture requires certain basic things in proper liturgy: the preaching; administration of sacraments; prayer.

b. But Scripture does not regulate the number of songs to be sung; the length of worship service, etc.

2. But the idea of the Confession is that Scripture sets forth all that is necessary to guide us in all things that these be done in proper worship to God.

a. Nor may man change any of this (cf. Deut. 12:32; Is. 8:20; Col. 2:8; Matt. 15:6-9)

b. And the Confession quotes Paul specifically in support of this truth.

B. Because “the doctrine thereof is most perfect and complete in all respects.”

1. The “doctrine” is not to be limited to the dogmas of the church.

2. But every instruction in any sphere presents all that God would reveal to us.

III. The importance of this instruction:

A. We here confess what is the only infallible rule or guide for the church: Scripture.

B. Confessing this, we are governed in our approach to the study of Scripture.

1. Not on approach whereby we question and doubt Scripture (or come with an “open” mind).

2. But we come to Scripture by faith with that pre-supposition that it is God’s Word.

3. And we try the spirits (I John 4:1) to see if they be of God or not.

Worksheet

A. Supplementary reading:

1. Check the passages of Scripture listed in the outline.

2. Westminster Larger Catechism, questions 3, 4.

B. Prooftext (sufficience of the Word of God): Deut. 12:32 “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”

C. Questions for study and consideration:

1. What, if anything, is the relationship between “sufficiency” and “perspicuity” of Scripture?

2. The article states that Holy Scriptures the will of God concerning what man ought to believe UNTO SALVATION.

a. Does this imply that other things mentioned in Scripture, unrelated to salvation, are not “sufficient” for us?

b. Is it not true that Scripture is then only binding for us as far as the doctrine of salvation is concerned?

c. Does it not follow that Scripture is not authoritative in matters historical or scientific?

3. How are we to answer the Roman Catholics concerning their “proofs” for tradition?

4. How do we explain our church activities which are based on tradition (Christmas)?

5. How is the sufficiency of Scripture being denied today?

6. See if you can find out anything on the “Book of Mormon”.

7. Find the passage mentioned in the article which quotes what “the apostle Paul saith.”

8. Can you find other passages of Scripture which speak of, and warn against, adding or taking away from a certain book? Does this apply only to that one book–or all of Scripture?

9. Where is the last sentence of the article quoted from?