Grounding Faith and Practice in Scripture as Authority
The authority of Scripture serves as the foundation for both faith and practice, guiding believers in what to believe and how to live [7]. This authority stems from the conviction that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 BSB) [5]. The Bible is referred to as "the Word," "Word of God," "Word of Christ," and "Word of truth," indicating its divine origin and reliability [1].
Faith itself is generally understood as the persuasion of the mind that a statement is true, with its primary idea being trust [2]. This trust is cultivated through teaching, as "faith is the result of teaching" (Romans 10:14-17) [2]. Knowledge is an essential component of faith, sometimes even used interchangeably with it, though faith also includes assent [2]. The work of faith is not merely an idle assent but a "realizing, working faith" that produces fruit [6].
The Bible's authority is further underscored by Christ's own appeals to it, as seen in passages like Matthew 4:4, Mark 12:10, and John 7:42 [1]. Christ also taught directly from the Scriptures (Luke 24:27) [1]. The Holy Spirit is also identified as the source of inspiration for Scripture (Acts 1:16; Hebrews 3:7; 2 Peter 1:21) [1].
For believers, Scripture is the "true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice" [7]. This means that Christian conduct, including believing God, fearing God, loving God, and obeying God, is rooted in biblical commands and examples [4]. Similarly, believing in Christ, loving Christ, following His example, and obeying Him are all integral aspects of Christian practice derived from scriptural teaching [4]. The foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone, further illustrates the foundational role of inspired teaching in the church (Ephesians 2:20) [3].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- Ephesians “being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; -- Ephesians 2:20”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:16 (BSB) — All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:16: Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice. Be ye . . . for I am--It is I with whom ye have to do. Ye are mine. Therefore abstain from Gentile pollutions. We are too prone to have respect unto men [CALVIN]. As I am the fountain of holiness, being holy in My essence, be ye therefore zealous to be partakers of holiness, that ye may be as I also am [DIDYMUS]. God is essentially holy: the creature is holy in so far as it is sanctified by God. God, in giving the command, is willing to give also the power to obey i”