The rule of this knowledge, faith, and obedience, concerning the worship of God, in which is contained the whole duty of man, is (not men’s laws,¹ or unwritten traditions, but) only the Word of God contained in the Holy² Scriptures; in which is plainly recorded whatsoever is needful for us to know, believe, and practice; which are the only rule of holiness and obedience for all saints, at all times, in all places to be observed.

1. Matthew 15:6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. Matthew 15:9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” Colossians 2:23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. ↩︎
2. Isaiah 8:20 To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. John 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, Acts 3:22–23 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ Galatians 1:8–9 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As 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 accursed. 2 Timothy 3:15–17 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  ↩︎