Chapter I of the Westminster Confession: Scripture as the Supreme Rule of Faith

Rev. C•D•F• Warrington, M.Div.
By Rev. C•D•F• Warrington, M.Div.

Ordained Minister, M.Div.

May 23, 2026

2 min read

Oil painting of an open Westminster Confession with scripture as the supreme authority depicted in golden scholarly candlelight

The Westminster Confession begins with Scripture, and this is not arbitrary. Before addressing God, man, sin, or salvation, the Confession must address how we know anything about these subjects reliably. Chapter I on Holy Scripture is the epistemological foundation on which everything else rests.

Necessity: Why We Need Scripture

Chapter I opens by acknowledging that the light of nature and creation reveal God's goodness and power to some degree. But natural revelation is insufficient for saving knowledge of God. Special revelation through Scripture is necessary for the church to know God's will for worship and salvation. This is the context in which Scripture was given: to supply what unaided reason cannot reach.

Authority: Not From the Church but From God

Chapter I insists that Scripture's authority does not depend on the testimony of any church. The Bible is authoritative because it is the Word of God, whose authority is intrinsic. The church receives and recognizes Scripture but does not give it authority. This directly countered the Roman Catholic position that the church's testimony establishes Scripture's credibility.

The Perspicuity of Scripture

Chapter I's doctrine of perspicuity holds that the things necessary for salvation are clearly enough taught in Scripture that even ordinary believers can understand them. This does not mean every passage is equally clear, but it does mean Scripture does not require a magisterium to decode it for the laity. The Reformation principle of the priesthood of all believers rests in part on this conviction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chapter I of the Westminster Confession teach about Scripture?

Chapter I teaches that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of God, given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and are therefore infallible in all they teach. Scripture is the supreme rule of faith and practice, sufficient for everything needed for salvation and holy living.

What does Westminster Chapter I mean by the 'sufficiency' of Scripture?

Sufficiency means that Scripture contains everything necessary for faith and godliness. Nothing beyond Scripture — no church tradition, no new revelation, no extrabiblical authority — is required to know God's will for salvation. The Westminster Divines included this against both Roman Catholic appeals to tradition and enthusiast appeals to new prophecy.

How does Westminster Chapter I describe Scripture's self-authentication?

Section 5 teaches that Scripture's authority does not ultimately rest on the church's testimony but on 'the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.' The Spirit who inspired Scripture also illuminates readers to recognize its divine authority.

What does Westminster Chapter I say about the perspicuity of Scripture?

Section 7 teaches that Scripture is clear enough in all things necessary for salvation that even the unlearned may understand them through ordinary means. Not all parts are equally clear, but the essential message of the gospel is accessible to all who read with diligence and humility.

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