A. In this article is taught the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures. You notice that in Articles III-VII all the attributes of the Holy Scriptures are mentioned or implied: Authority, necessity, perspecuity and sufficiency.
B. In the Scriptures is taught all that is necessary to our salvation.
1. Therefore no man may teach anything but was contained therein.
2. No man may add thereto, nor subtract from it.
3. Therefore we consider neither “of equal value any writing of men, however holy these men may have been, with those divine Scriptures, nor ought we to consider custom, or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God.” And the reason is “that the truth is above all; for all men are of themselves liars, and more vain than vanity itself.”
C. It follows from this that:
1. We may never approach the Scriptures with an open mind to determine for ourselves what is inspired and what is not.
2. We are obligated to bow unconditionally before the Scriptures, to believe them without question, to search them as the Light that shines in our darkness, to make use of them daily as our spiritual meat and drink unto eternal life. When man speaks we may criticize; when God speaks we must be silent and listen. Only in that way will be experienced the power of the Word in our lives.
3. We must also join that church where that Word is preached.