Article VI
Scripture sufficient for salvation
God’s written Word governs what the Church requires us to believe.
The Article
OF THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES FOR SALVATION
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, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the holy Scripture we do understand those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church. Of the Names and Number of the Canonical Books Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth The First Book of Samuel The Second Book of Samuel The First Book of Kings The Second Book of Kings The First Book of Chronicles The Second Book of Chronicles The First Book of Esdras The Second Book of Esdras The Book of Esther The Book of Job The Psalms The Proverbs Ecclesiastes or Preacher Cantica, or Songs of Solomon Four Prophets the greater Twelve Prophets the less And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine; such are these following: The Third Book of Esdras The Fourth Book of Esdras The Book of Tobias The Book of Judith The rest of the Book of Esther The Book of Wisdom Jesus the Son of Sirach Baruch the Prophet The Song of the Three Children The Story of Susanna Of Bel and the Dragon The Prayer of Manasses The First Book of Maccabees The Second Book of Maccabees All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive, and account them Canonical.
In modern English
Holy Scripture contains everything necessary for salvation. No one may require something to be believed as an article of faith or as necessary for salvation unless it is stated in Scripture or can be proved from Scripture. By Holy Scripture we mean the recognised books of the Old and New Testaments whose authority the Article describes as undisputed in the Church. The recognised Old Testament books are: Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; 1 and 2 Samuel; 1 and 2 Kings; 1 and 2 Chronicles; Ezra and Nehemiah (called 1 and 2 Esdras in the historic list); Esther; Job; Psalms; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs; the four major prophets; and the twelve minor prophets. Following Jerome, the Church also reads the following books for examples of life and moral instruction, but does not use them to establish doctrine: 3 and 4 Esdras in the historic list; Tobit; Judith; the additions to Esther; Wisdom; Ecclesiasticus or Sirach; Baruch; the Song of the Three Young Men; Susanna; Bel and the Dragon; the Prayer of Manasseh; and 1 and 2 Maccabees. We receive all the books of the New Testament, as commonly recognised, as part of Scripture.
Scripture readings
- 2 Timothy 3:14–17
- Acts 17:10–12
- Mark 7:6–11, 13
Understand the teaching
A boundary that protects the gospel
Article VI asks what the Church may require people to believe as necessary for salvation. Its answer is Scripture: what is written there or can be established from its teaching. This principle places a boundary around ecclesiastical authority. Ministers, councils and traditions have important roles, yet none may add an essential condition of salvation that cannot be demonstrated from the biblical witness. For an anxious believer, that boundary offers protection from leaders who make their own preferences sound like God's saving requirements.
The Article teaches Scripture's sufficiency for salvation. It does not claim that the Bible supplies every useful kind of information. Christians still need medical expertise, historical study, scientific investigation and practical wisdom. The question is whether God has given enough revelation for us to know his saving promise and respond faithfully. Anglicanism answers yes. We do not require a hidden spiritual message, a new revelation or access to a privileged teacher to discover what completes Christ's gospel.
How Scripture itself supports the claim
Second Timothy 3:14–17 connects the sacred writings with wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ. Paul then describes Scripture as God-breathed and useful for teaching, correction and training, equipping God's servant for good work. Notice the purpose and direction: Scripture leads to Christ and forms obedient life. It is possible to accumulate biblical information while resisting this purpose. Faithful reading asks what God is teaching, where repentance is needed and how trust in Christ becomes practical obedience.
John 20:30–31 explains that selected signs were written so readers might believe in Jesus and have life through him. The written testimony is sufficient for that saving purpose even though it does not record everything Jesus did. Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans' examination of Paul's message against Scripture. This gives a model of receptive and discerning listening. Respect for a preacher and careful checking of their teaching can belong together. A trustworthy teacher welcomes people learning to examine the biblical argument.
The canon and the other books
The Article identifies the canonical Old and New Testament books. Some historical titles differ from familiar modern ones: the first and second books of Esdras in its canonical list mean Ezra and Nehemiah. The four greater prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, with Lamentations associated with Jeremiah. The twelve lesser prophets are the familiar shorter prophetic books. All the commonly received New Testament books are accepted. Reading the list patiently prevents older naming conventions from creating unnecessary confusion.
The other books, commonly called the Apocrypha in Protestant usage, receive a qualified place. Following Jerome, the Article permits their reading for examples of life and moral instruction while refusing to use them to establish doctrine. Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions define the Old Testament collection differently. Explain that difference accurately and charitably. The phrase about the canonical books' authority never being doubted should also be read as a confessional claim about reception; early Christian history includes discussion about particular books.
Sufficiency, interpretation and tradition
Scripture's authority does not make every interpretation equally authoritative. A reader can ignore context, confuse literary genres or mistake a description for a command. Good interpretation asks who is speaking, to whom, in what setting, and how the passage fits God's unfolding work in Christ. Clear passages help illuminate difficult ones. Scripture permits theological conclusions established by its teaching, which is why the Article includes what may be proved from it alongside what is explicitly stated.
Tradition serves this reading by preserving the church's accumulated learning and exposing our private blind spots. The creeds, careful scholarship and the testimony of Christians from other cultures can help us see what we have missed. They remain answerable to Scripture. This differs from treating individual instinct as the final authority. Article VI also leaves room for reasonable church arrangements, such as service times or safeguarding procedures, whose precise details are not biblical commands. Such arrangements should never be confused with additional terms of salvation.
Testing teaching and becoming a reader
Imagine someone being told that a particular financial gift, spiritual experience or loyalty to one ministry is required before God will accept them. Ask the Article's question: where is that requirement established in Scripture? Follow the argument through the relevant passage instead of accepting an isolated verse. The gospel's centre is God's saving grace in Jesus Christ, received through faith. A leader's confidence, popularity or personal testimony cannot supply authority for imposing a condition Scripture does not support.
Develop a sustainable practice of reading whole biblical books in manageable portions. Notice repeated ideas, write down questions and consult reliable help when needed. Ask how the passage reveals God, exposes human need and directs your response. Discuss difficult passages with mature Christians rather than carrying every uncertainty alone. For this lesson, read 2 Timothy 3:14–17 and identify each purpose Paul gives for Scripture. Choose one purpose you have neglected, and let it shape how you approach your next week of Bible reading.
Bring it into everyday life
- Choose one familiar Christian claim. What biblical evidence supports it?