Help! I can't find sola scriptura anywhere in the Bible?

Question

Can someone please post the verses that tell us about the Bible being the sole authority and the only means for learning about God and salvation? You do not need to answer unless you have the chapters/verses. That's all I need.

Linedancer.. I need to correct you on a couple of things. First of all, sola scriptura is NOT a concept that Catholics believe. What it means is "scripture only" which is basically saying that you can't believe something unless it is written between the two covers of the Bible.

Another thing you got wrong is where you stated, "There is no Bible verse or series of verses that say God is composed of 3 co-equal, co-eternal persons."

You are in fact overlooking 1 John 5:7 which reads as follows:

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

2 Timothy 3:15-17 are good verses that tell us scripture is inspired, that it's good to use for teaching and instruction and that it's profitable for doctrine.

However, there is nothing in these verses that says to disregard oral traditions handed down by Christ and the apostles, to disregard the Church's authority, or that other forms of divine revelation cannot occur.

So basically, this verse has nothing to do with sola scriptura and no one has succeeded in providing anything solid.

I do have one verse I'd like to share though. It is 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and states the following:

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."

The Catholic Church has maintained these "spoken words" known today as "oral tradition".. as well as "the letter" known today as "scripture." Remember, the Church existed a few hundred years before the Bible came into being, and at that time oral tradition was prevalent.

Answer 1

Is the Bible the "pillar of truth" in the Christian religion? No. According to the Bible Itself, the Church is the "pillar of truth" (1 Timothy 3:15), not the Bible. Some "Bible" Christians insist that a "pillar" (the Church) was created to "hold up" another structure (the Bible). They claim the Bible is the structure being held up according to this passage. Well, if that is the case, how did the early Church "hold up" the Bible for the first three to four hundred years when the Bible Itself didn't even exist? Also, even if the Church is only a "pillar" holding up the Bible, doesn't that mean that the Church is the interpreter of Scripture rather than the individual?
Is private interpretation of the Bible condoned in the Bible Itself? No, it is not (2 Peter 1:20). Was individual interpretation of Scripture practiced by the early Christians or the Jews? Again, No (Acts 8:29-35). The assertion that individuals can correctly interpret Scripture is false. Even the "founder" of Sola Scriptura (Martin Luther), near the end of his life, was afraid that "any milkmaid who could read" would found a new Christian denomination based on his or her "interpretation" of the Bible. Luther opened a "Pandora's Box" when he insisted that the Bible could be interpreted by individuals and that It is the sole authority of Christianity. Why do we have over 20,000 different non-Catholic Christian denominations? The reason is individuals' "different" interpretations of the Bible.

Answer 2

You are right that there are none because sola script is not scriptural.
There are many places that teach "Hold fast ot the Traditions(of God)" like1 Cor11:2 and2 Thess2:15

The first generation of Christians did not have a written New Testament to rely on and it was not until after 300 years that the Church decided on what was NT Bible or not.

Answer 3

And you won't, either. "Sola Scriptura" is the direct result of Luther's rebellion against the Catholic Church. By claiming that "true believers" should rely only on the Bible, he was attempting to negate the sacred traditions which had been handed down throughout the centuries -- specifically, those traditions that he wanted to discard.

Ironically, many Protestant church services are almost indistinguishable from the order of the Mass, and they hold doctrines which are clearly derived from Catholic teaching. Even such things as vestments and altars are based on those originally found in the Catholic church. So much for "Sola Scriptura."

All churches, Catholic and Protestant, have elements of tradition which have been passed down from the earliest days. In the case of the Catholic Church, those traditions have their foundation in Christ's teachings and are in line with Biblical truths -- despite what some other denominations may choose to believe.

Answer 4

It doesn't say that, so you won't find any chapters/verses.

The Bible, as we know it, was compiled after Jesus died.
The Old Testament writers found no need to say so and accepted works by scholars and prophets.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 states that all scripture is inspired by God but it does not say the Bible is the sole authority.

Isa.8:19 says "if they speak not according to His word, it is because there is no light in them" which is to say that if they speak in contradiction to the word of God but it doesn't say anything about additional information in the for of tradition of the Church.

Answer 5

Sola Scriptura is a heresy of Protestants and has no Biblical basis at all. In fact St. Paul taught against such a doctrinal position when he said that we are to be instructed by the word (oral) and letter (written). Consequently those who practice Sola Scriptura have only a portion of the truth and are prone to doctrinal errors as a result. This has resulted in tens of thousands of sects all claiming the truth. The fruit of Sola Scriptura is division and false teaching.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 6

The canon of the New Testament was not defined until 300 years AFTER any of the books of the New Testament were written.

When you read the word "Scripture" in the Bible, it is speaking of the Old Testamant only. Therefore, the people who say that the Bible is the only source of truth would have to disregard the ENTIRE New Testament.

Answer 7

You will not find that expression anywhere in Scripture. It is an expression that the Catholics use to explain beliefs they have that are not in the Bible, but should still be accepted as if they were in the Bible.

Take the trinity, for example. According to that doctrine:

1. There are said to be three divine persons—the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit—in the Godhead.

2. Each of these separate persons is said to be eternal, none coming before or after the other in time.

3. Each is said to be almighty, with none greater or lesser than the other.

4. Each is said to be omniscient, knowing all things.

5. Each is said to be true God.

6. However, it is said that there are not three Gods but only one God.

There is no Bible verse or series of verses that say God is composed of 3 co-equal, co-eternal persons. NOT ONE. So the Catholics (and others) will say that tradition or writings outside the Bible should be taken into consideration and accepted as Bible truth. But we don't need outside sources, especially those that contradict what the Bible says about God.

Sola Scriptura supports 2 Tim. 3:16, 17: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."

Answer 8

You won't find it, because the Bible was compiled a few hundred years after the various New Testament events.

Answer 9

Uhm it was a "Latin" phrase used during the reformation. Who are you listening to that's telling you the Bible was originally written in Latin. Sure there was the septuigent and the vulgate, I know this is not the answer yo were looking for, but most Christians have agreed on what books would and would not be included, and if you studied the selection process, I know that any reasonable person would agree with decisions that were made. if not then tell me where they messed up.

Answer 10

The bible is not the sole authority and the only means for learning about God and salvation......god is, bible is a book about god.