Westminster Confession of Faith (Ch. I)
Westminster Assembly · 1646
The confession's opening chapter on Holy Scripture — why special revelation is necessary and how Scripture stands as the supreme rule of faith and life.
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.#
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.#
“The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.”#