“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever brought about by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” — 2 Peter 1:20–21 (BSB)
“The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.” — Psalm 19:7 (BSB)
“For 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.” — Romans 15:4 (BSB)
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” — John 17:17 (BSB)
In the Anglican tradition, Scripture holds the highest authority. Article VI of the Thirty-Nine Articles says: “Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man.” This principle ensures that all doctrine, liturgy, and practice must be founded upon and faithful to the Word of God. The Bible is not merely a sacred text but the living voice of God speaking to His Church.
The Book of Common Prayer is saturated with Scripture and encourages its constant reading. The daily offices of Morning and Evening Prayer guide believers through the reading of the entire Bible over time, shaping the mind and heart through constant exposure to God’s truth. As Psalm 19:7 declares, God’s Word “revives the soul” and “makes wise the simple.” It is the foundation for preaching, teaching, worship, and Christian living.
The late Bishop Stephen Neill wrote, “The authority of the Bible is not merely in its words, but in the living God who speaks through them.” Scripture is more than a sourcebook—it is a divine instrument through which the Spirit convicts, comforts, sanctifies, and renews. It points us to Christ and forms us into His likeness. Conservative Anglicans emphasize the clarity and sufficiency of Scripture, recognizing it as the plumb line of orthodoxy and the food of the soul.
Knowing and trusting Scripture leads us to spiritual maturity. Bishop J.C. Ryle warned, “Ignorance of Scripture is the root of all error.” To grow in grace, we must be rooted in God’s Word. Scripture must be studied, memorized, prayed, and obeyed. It is not enough to admire the Bible—we must let it shape our entire lives, so that we may be “complete, fully equipped for every good work.”
Irenaeus affirms that the Scriptures are the trustworthy record of the apostolic message.
St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD) declared: “These are the fountains of salvation, that he who thirsts may be satisfied with the words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness.” — Festal Letter 39
Athanasius saw Scripture as the all-sufficient source of true doctrine and spiritual nourishment.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) said: “Let us treat Scripture like the face of God: melt in its presence, and tremble at every word of it.” — Confessions, 13.13
Augustine held Scripture in deepest reverence as the primary means by which God reveals Himself.
St. Jerome (c. 347–420 AD) proclaimed: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” — Commentary on Isaiah, Prologue
Jerome stressed that knowing the Word is inseparable from knowing the Lord Jesus.
St. Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD) preached: “This is the cause of all evils: not knowing the Scriptures. We abandon the fountain and go after stagnant water.” — Homily on Matthew 2
Chrysostom called the Church back to Scripture as the life-giving source of wisdom and holiness.
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
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V2T 7A2, Canada
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
