FOUNDATIONS

What Is Scripture? (A Biblical Definition)

Scripture must be defined by Scripture itself, not by later institutions, traditions, or councils.

1. WHAT SCRIPTURE CLAIMS TO BE

The Bible does not present itself as a collection of religious reflections, evolving traditions, or community opinions. It consistently identifies itself as the spoken and written word of Elohim.

“All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim…”
— 2 Timothy 3:16

The term translated “God-breathed” (theopneustos) indicates divine origin, not merely divine influence.

Scripture is therefore not defined by:

• Who compiled it

• Who preserved it

• Who canonized it

…but by Who spoke it.

2. SCRIPTURE BEGINS AT CREATION

Scripture does not begin with Moses, Israel, or Sinai.
It begins with creation itself.

“In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth.”
— Genesis 1:1

Before any nation existed:

• Elohim spoke

• Creation responded

• History began

This establishes Scripture as:

• Pre-national

• Pre-institutional

• Universal in scope

The written record comes later; the Word comes first.

3. SCRIPTURE IS UNIFIED, NOT DIVIDED

The Bible never divides itself into “Old” and “New” Testaments as separate messages. Those labels are later organizational tools—not theological categories.

Scripture presents one continuous testimony:

• Promise → Covenant → Fulfillment → Restoration

Yahusha Himself affirms this unity:

“These are the Scriptures that testify about Me.”
— John 5:39

The apostles preach the same understanding.

Peter’s first public proclamation of the Gospel does not introduce new ideas—it expounds Scripture already written:

Joel (Acts 2:16–21)
Psalms (Acts 2:25–28)
Davidic prophecy fulfilled in Messiah

The so-called “New Testament” is therefore not a replacement, but a witness to fulfillment.

4. SCRIPTURE DEFINES TRUTH, NOT TRADITION

Scripture repeatedly warns against elevating tradition above the Word.

“You nullify the word of Elohim for the sake of your tradition.”
— Matthew 15:6

Scripture is presented as:

• The measuring rod

• The standard of truth

• The authority by which claims are tested

“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
— Isaiah 8:20

5. SCRIPTURE IS LIVING AND ACTIVE

Scripture is not static history alone.

“The word of Elohim is living and active…”
— Hebrews 4:12

This does not mean Scripture changes—but that it continues to speak, correct, reveal, and restore across generations.

6. WHAT SCRIPTURE IS NOT

For clarity, Scripture is not:

• A denominational creed

• A church constitution

• A cultural artifact

• A collection of opinions

• A product of councils

Those may interact with Scripture—but they do not define it.

7. WHY THIS MATTERS

How Scripture is defined determines:

• How the Messiah is understood

• How the Gospel is proclaimed

• How truth is discerned

• How restoration is pursued

If Scripture is fragmented, negotiable, or subordinated, everything built upon it becomes unstable.

“Forever, O YHWH, Your word is settled in heaven.”
— Psalm 119:89

This Foundations article establishes a Scripture-based definition, independent of denominational tradition, relying on the internal testimony of the biblical text itself.

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