Saint Augustine on Scripture and the Apostolic Church

Saint Augustine argues that Scripture cannot be separated from the Apostolic Church. He states that a person cannot claim to be Christian while teaching doctrine that contradicts the Christian faith. The authority of the gospel and apostolic writings derives from the church founded by the apostles, which bears witness to the authenticity of those writings.

Because the church founded by the apostles preserves the apostolic writings and confirms their authority, accepting the supreme authority of Scripture entails recognizing the apostolic authority of that church. This authority is maintained worldwide through the succession of bishops. Augustine's reasoning shows that the church and Scripture are interdependent: the church authenticates Scripture, and Scripture guides the church.

The argument emphasizes that the apostolic succession of bishops is the means by which the church's witness to Scripture continues across generations.