Introduction
A common question in Christian apologetics is: Which came first, the Bible or the Church? Many Protestants claim that the Bible is the sole authority for faith (Sola Scriptura). Yet, history and Scripture show that Jesus Christ founded the Church first — not the Bible. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, gave us the Bible.
This article explores the biblical, historical, and theological evidence for the primacy of the Church, the origin of the Bible, and the rise of the “Bible Alone” doctrine.
1. Jesus Christ Founded the Church, Not the Bible
“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
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Jesus did not write a single book of the New Testament.
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Instead, He established a living, teaching authority — the Church.
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The Apostles preached orally (cf. 2 Thess. 2:15) for decades before a single New Testament book was written.
Thus, the Church existed and functioned for nearly 400 years before the Bible was formally compiled.
2. The Bible Came from the Church
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The Old Testament was already recognized by Jews, but with varying lists.
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The New Testament was written between 50–100 AD, but not collected as a single “Bible” until the 4th century.
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The Catholic Church, through the Councils of Rome (382), Hippo (393), and Carthage (397, 419), determined which writings were inspired.
CCC 120: “It was by the apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings are to be included in the list of the sacred books.”
Without the Church, there would be no Bible as we know it today.
3. The Early Christians Did Not Practice “Bible Alone”
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For the first centuries, most Christians were illiterate and Scripture was not widely available.
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They relied on the oral teaching, liturgy, and authority of bishops.
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The Bible was always read within the Church, not apart from it.
St. Irenaeus (c. 180 AD):
“It is within the power of all, therefore, in every Church, who may wish to see the truth, to contemplate clearly the tradition of the Apostles manifested throughout the whole world.” (Against Heresies, 3.3.1)
St. Augustine (c. 397 AD):
“I would not have believed the Gospel had not the authority of the Catholic Church moved me.” (Contra epistolam Manichaei, 5)
4. The Doctrine of “Bible Alone” (Sola Scriptura)
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The idea that the Bible is the sole authority in faith and morals was not taught by Christ or the Apostles.
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It originated with Martin Luther in the 16th century Reformation (c. 1517).
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Luther also removed seven books (the Deuterocanonicals) from the Old Testament, breaking with the ancient canon.
CCC 82: “Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.”
Thus, “Bible Alone” is a man-made doctrine, absent in the early Church.
5. Biblical Evidence Against “Bible Alone”
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2 Thess. 2:15 – “Stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.”
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1 Tim. 3:15 – “The Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
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John 21:25 – Not everything Jesus said and did is written.
The Bible itself points to the authority of the Church and Sacred Tradition.
6. Comparison Table: Bible Alone vs. Church & Bible
| Aspect | “Bible Alone” (Sola Scriptura) | Catholic Teaching |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | Martin Luther (16th c.) | Jesus Christ (1st c.) |
| Authority | Bible only | Bible + Tradition + Magisterium |
| Canon of Scripture | Disputed (66 books) | Universal until 16th c. (73 books) |
| Early Christian Practice | Unknown | Relied on bishops, liturgy, oral teaching |
| Scripture Interpretation | Individual, private | Within the Church, guided by Holy Spirit |
| CCC Teaching | Rejected | CCC 82, 120, 1384 affirm Church authority |
7. The Catechism on Church and Scripture
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CCC 80: “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are bound closely together and communicate one with the other.”
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CCC 81: “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God… and Sacred Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God entrusted to the apostles.”
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CCC 119: “It is the task of the Magisterium to authentically interpret the Word of God.”
The Church is not above the Bible — but serves it faithfully as guardian and interpreter.
Conclusion
The truth is clear: the Church came first, not the Bible. Jesus Christ founded the Church as His visible body on earth, and from within the Church the Bible was compiled, preserved, and handed down.
The doctrine of “Bible Alone” is a 16th-century invention that contradicts Scripture, history, and the consistent faith of Christians for 1,500 years.
“The Church of the living God is the pillar and foundation of truth.” (1 Tim. 3:15)
To be faithful to Christ, one must be faithful to the Church that gave us the Bible — the Catholic Church.
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