Sola Scriptura

Scripture alone (sola scriptura) means that the Bible is highest and final authority for all believers for faith and practice. It does not mean the Bible is our only authority nor does it mean the Bible tells us everything. 

The Bible is not a science book, nor does it tell us how to build a computer. We have been granted "everything pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3), which comes from the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote:

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Bible is God's Word and is sufficient for all who believe in Jesus. We go to the Bible as our final authority. Our pastors, the commentaries we read, the podcasts we listen to, and that televangelist we see on TV are not the final authority. It is scripture. 

In Acts 17, we see the Apostle Paul bringing the word to the Bereans where "they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). The Bereans examined the scriptures to fact-check Paul's teaching which is something every believe needs to do. Imagine how many Christians would not be deceived if they open their Bibles and see what false teaching is being presented before them because scripture is our final authority. 

Dreams and visions should be checked as well because they can lead us astray. Someone who claims to have a "word from the Lord" should be checked as well. Thankfully, "we have as more sure the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19). 

God's Word is our final authority. God's word is enough.