Scripture alone is God's complete revelation; canon is closed
Free Will Baptists deny that there exists any revelation outside of Scripture that carries divine authority for the church. Scripture is affirmed as the complete and final Word of God. The Treatise of the Faith operates within a framework of sola scriptura — the principle that Scripture alone is the supreme norm for Christian faith and practice. No extra-biblical source — whether tradition, ecclesiastical authority, or personal experience — can add to or modify Scripture's teaching.
The Free Will Baptist tradition rejects claims to ongoing authoritative prophecy, apostolic revelation, or inspired texts beyond the 66 canonical books. While believers may experience the Holy Spirit's guidance through prayer, conscience, and providential circumstances, these subjective experiences are not considered revelation in the apostolic sense and must be tested against Scripture.
This stance reflects the Free Will Baptist conviction that the Spirit's primary work is illuminating Scripture and guiding believers through its truth, not providing new revelation. The sufficiency of Scripture means that believers have all they need for salvation, Christian living, and church order in the Bible. Personal experiences, feelings, or impressions — no matter how significant to the individual — cannot establish doctrine or override biblical teaching.
Key Distinctions
- Current revelation:
- denied — Scripture is complete and final
- Prophetic gifts today:
- not affirmed as ongoing — miraculous gifts ceased with Apostolic age
- Tradition authority:
- sola scriptura — Scripture alone is the supreme norm
Scripture References
Sources
- Treatise of the Faith (NAFWB doctrinal standard)
- Free Will Baptist affirm sola scriptura principle