THE BELGIC CONFESSION (AD 1561) - ARTICLE VII - THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES TO BE THE ONLY RULE OF FAITH We believe that those Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein. For since the whole manner of worship which God requires of us is written in them at large, it is unlawful for any one, though an apostle, to teach otherwise than we are now taught in the Holy Scriptures: “nay, though it were an angel from heaven,” as the apostle Paul says. For since it is forbidden to “add unto or take away anything from the Word of God,” it does thereby evidently appear that the doctrine thereof is most perfect and complete in all respects. Neither may we consider any writings of men, however holy these men may have been, of equal value with those divine Scriptures, nor ought we to consider custom, or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of time and persons, or councils, decree or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God, since the truth is above all: “for all men are of themselves liars, and more vain than vanity itself.” Therefore, we reject with all our hearts whatsoever does not agree with this infallible rule, as the apostles have taught us, saying, “Prove the spirits, whether they are of God.” Likewise: “If any one cometh to you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house.” SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Galatians 1:8 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Deuteronomy 12:32 32 What thing soever I command you, that shall ye observe to do: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. Revelation 22:18-19 18 I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; [19] and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 1 John 4:1 Chapter 4 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 John 1:10 10 If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into `your' house, and give him no greeting: If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;