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Tuesday 27 August 2024

“Proof from scripture”

 What does it really mean to prove things from scripture? Stephen is known in scripture as the first Christian martyr. He was renowned as a deacon and miracle worker who defended the gospel using references from scripture. However, when Stephen presented his message, he did not strictly adhere to the Hebrew Bible alone. Instead, he drew from a broader range of Jewish traditions, including interpretations and details found in sources like the Septuagint and other oral traditions, some of which are not part of the Hebrew Bible. This approach would not align with the later Protestant principle of Sola Scriptura, as defined in the Westminster Confession, which emphasizes proving doctrine solely from the canonical scriptures. Stephen's method was more reflective of the Jewish interpretive practices of his time.