One of the teachings and beliefs of Protestantism is that St. Paul in his epistles appealed to the Scripture alone when teaching early Christians about doctrine and practices. They frequently quote 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.” to prove that St. Paul practiced and promoted Sol Scriptura or Bible alone. To better understand this passage we are to read it carefully, what St. Paul tells us that the Scriptures are inspired by God, which means God is its primary author and the Scriptures are “useful” for the person who serves God. Nowhere in this passage tells us that the Bible alone is the sole rule and interpreter of faith for all Christians. Rather it tells us that the inspired word of God is a tool use in the ministry. This passage also does not tell us that everything must me read within the passage of the Bible or that we do not need the teaching authority of the Church. Protestants are the only one who gave a different meaning and interpretation of the passage.
St. Paul himself who wrote the epistle to Timothy on two occasions did not adhere to nor practice and teach the Bible alone doctrine of the Reformers. In fact there are two instances in the Bible wherein St. Paul did not use the Bible alone to settle doctrine disputes but heed the authority of the Church headed by the first Pope St. Peter.
The Church in Corinthians was problematic for Apostle Paul some Christians in Corinth have different interpretations of the teachings of the apostles. Some groups claims that they are following the teachings of Peter and others the teaching of Apollos etc. In face of this division in Corinth St. Paul did not appeal to the authority of the Bible alone but he appealed to his apostolic ministry as having the correct understanding of the teachings of the apostles and Christians in Corinth should accept his teachings for it is the same teachings that is being taught by other apostles. In 2 Corinthians 2:17 St. Paul said,
We are not like so many others, who handle God’s message as if it were cheap merchandise; but because God has sent us, we speak with sincerity in his presence, as servants of Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:17)
In order to settle the dispute regarding to whose interpretation to go by St. Paul distinguished their ministry as having being “sent by God” as opposed to those who were not sent by God. In other words St. Paul is telling the Christians in Corinth to believe only those preachers or teachers that was commissioned by God to spread the Gospels and not those who promote their personal opinions. St. Paul did not appeal to Sola Scriptura like what Protestants would do in this situation, Bible alone doctrine was totally unheard of during the time of the apostles. The apostles would appeal to their ministry as being sent by God or commissioned to spread the Gospel.
In another situation St. Paul appealed to the authority of the Church to settle a doctrinal dispute.FOOTNOTE: Footnote There was a doctrinal question in Antioch whether gentiles need to be circumcised first before being baptized or can they be baptized without being circumcised. St. Paul tells Christians in Antioch that gentiles can be baptized without undergoing circumcisionFOOTNOTE: Footnote, on the other hand Christians in Antioch insists that gentiles should be circumcised before baptism. This doctrinal issue was settled not by appealing to the Bible alone but on the authority of the Church to interpret and teach the Gospel of Christ. Acts chapter 15 is the narrative of the Council of Jerusalem wherein this doctrinal issue was addressed by St. Peter and said,
“After a long debate Peter stood up and said, “My friends, you know that a long time ago God chose me from among you to preach the Good News to the Gentiles, so that they could hear and believe.8 And God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, showed his approval of the Gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he had to us.9He made no difference between us and them; he forgave their sins because they believed. So then, why do you now want to put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry?1 No! We believe and are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.” Acts 15:7-11
Contrary to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura or Bible alone by Protestantism St. Paul did not appeal to the Bible alone to address doctrinal issues rather submits himself to the authority of the Church Magisterium as described in Acts chapter 15. He also reminds us that if we want to know whose interpretation and teaching is correct we have to look for the one who can trace its teaching authority back into the apostles.
The Catholic Truth Society 