Why should Scripture be trusted as God’s Word? Calvin argues that the Bible does not receive its authority from the Church, but from God Himself, confirmed inwardly by the Holy Spirit. While the Church bears witness to Scripture, it does not stand above it; rather, the Church is built upon the Word, not the other way around (Ephesians 2:20). Calvin insists that Scripture is self-authenticating—recognized by the believer much like light is known by sight or sweetness by taste—and that resting its authority on human approval would leave troubled consciences without true assurance. Addressing a frequently misused quote from Augustine, Calvin clarifies that even Augustine grounded certainty not in ecclesial decree but in divine illumination, showing that the Spirit alone confirms the Scriptures as the very voice of God speaking to His people.

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