The Ultimate Authority

People recognize many things as their ultimate authority.  Things such as the Pope, tradition, human reason, feelings, personal experience, or supposed revelations.  But the true ultimate authority is the Bible alone because it alone is the word of God.  

(2 Peter 1:19-21) "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."  (ESV) 

For a little background we will look at (2 Peter 1:16-18).  The Apostle Peter is dealing with false teachers who are denying the second coming of Christ.  Here Peter refers back to the Transfiguration which was a preview of the second coming of Christ.  Peter along with James and John saw Christ in his glory.  Moses and Elijah appeared and they even heard God the Father affirm that this is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.  

But then in (2 Peter 1:19) Peter refers to something more reliable and authoritative than even this great experience.  He is referring to the Scripture.  He tells his readers they will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place.  The Scripture shines the light of truth into our dark, fallen world.  

In (2 Peter 1:20) we are told no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.  That means the Scripture did not have human origins.  In (2 Peter 1:21) it says no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man.  Men did not write their own opinions or desires.  Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Scripture is the very word of God and the Holy Spirit is the originator and author.  

This passage affirms that the Bible is the ultimate authority.  The Bible is the word of God.  God spoke his word through men while still retaining their personality and style. The Holy Spirit led them to write the exact words of God without error.  Scripture is God's revelation to us therefore it is the supreme standard.  

We need to accept this reality instead of relying on our personal experience, human reason, tradition, or some other supposed authority.  We should live our lives based on the Word of God, the Bible.  When there are questions we should go to the Bible as the ultimate authority.  

All Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16) and Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35).  The Bible is authoritative, clear, sufficient, and inerrant (without error).  The Bible alone is the word of God. With the great Protestant Reformers we say Sola Scriptura (that is Scripture alone).