Westminster Confession, Chapter 1
Of the Holy Scripture
Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation; therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his Church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Psalms 19:1-31The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
3Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard,
Romans 1:19-2019For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:3232Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 2:11You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Romans 2:14-1514Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
15So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them
Hebrews 1:11On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets.
1 Corinthians 1:2121For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 2:13-1413And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2 Timothy 3:1515From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:1919We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Proverbs 22:19-2119So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.
20Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
21to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
Isaiah 8:19-2019When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
Matthew 4:44But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:77Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Matthew 4:1010“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
Luke 1:3-43Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Romans 15:44For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
Hebrews 1:1-21On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets.
2But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
Under the name of holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these: Of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi; Of the New Testament: The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. The Acts of the Apostles, Paul's Epistles to the Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, The Epistle to the Hebrews, The Epistle of James, The First and Second Epistles of Peter, The First, Second, and Third Epistles of John, The Epistle of Jude, The Revelation. All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.
Scripture references for paragraph 2
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Luke 16:2929But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let your brothers listen to them.’
Luke 16:3131Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Ephesians 2:2020built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
2 Timothy 3:1616All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Revelation 22:18-1918I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
19And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.
The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the Canon of the Scripture; and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings.
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Luke 24:2727And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.
Luke 24:4444Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
Romans 3:22Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
2 Peter 1:2121For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the Author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.
Scripture references for paragraph 4
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Thessalonians 2:1313And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.
2 Timothy 3:1616All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Peter 1:1919We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:2121For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1 John 5:99Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son.
We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the holy Scripture; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.
Scripture references for paragraph 5
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Timothy 3:1515in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Isaiah 59:2121“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and grandchildren, from now on and forevermore,” says the LORD.
John 16:13-1413However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
14He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.
1 Corinthians 2:10-1210But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
11For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
1 John 2:2020You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
1 John 2:2727And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.
The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word; and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.
Scripture references for paragraph 6
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Galatians 1:8-98But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!
9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!
2 Thessalonians 2:22not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come.
2 Timothy 3:15-1715From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
1 Corinthians 11:13-1413Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?
14Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,
1 Corinthians 14:2626What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:4040But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
John 6:4545It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me—
1 Corinthians 2:9-129Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
11For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.
Scripture references for paragraph 7
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
2 Peter 3:1616He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Psalms 119:105105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalms 119:130130The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; so as in all controversies of religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.
Scripture references for paragraph 8
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 5:1818For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
John 5:3939You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
Isaiah 8:2020To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
John 5:4646If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.
Acts 15:1515The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
Colossians 3:1616Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
1 Corinthians 14:66Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
1 Corinthians 14:99So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
1 Corinthians 14:11-1211If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:2424But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,
1 Corinthians 14:27-2827If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
28But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
Romans 15:44For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.
Scripture references for paragraph 9
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Acts 15:1515The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
2 Peter 1:20-2120Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation.
21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.
Scripture references for paragraph 10
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 22:2929Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
Matthew 22:3131But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you:
Ephesians 2:2020built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
Acts 28:2525They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
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