Well Z, this is not a very strong argument for a few reasons. Number one reason being, nowhere does the Bible say that all we need to know for our Christian faith can be found within the pages of the Bible.
And finally, even Scripture itself tells us this in John 21:25. "There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written."
I felt compelled to respond to this argument as well.
Everything we
need to know for our Christian faith (for our salvation) can be found within the pages of the Bible.
For instance, you mentioned
John 21:25
While that is true that the Bible does not contain every act, word, and expression of Lord Jesus, even John recognizes that all that he wrote in his Gospel is fully sufficient to believe in Lord Jesus, and that by believing we may have life.
John 20:31 (WEB)
31 but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Beyond that:
The fullness of Gospel is in writing by the command of the eternal God so that all Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith.
Romans 16:25-27 (NIV) 25 Now to him who is able to establish you
in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of
the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but
now revealed and made known through
the prophetic writings by the
command of the eternal God, so that
all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith — 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Ephesians 3:4-6 (NIV) 4
In reading this, then,
you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was
not made known to people in other generations as it
has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
2 Corinthians 1:13 (NIV)
13 For we do not
write you anything you cannot read or understand.
Colossians 2:1-8
1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally (
so it has to be in writing). 2 My purpose is that they may have the
full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the Mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4
I tell you this so that no one may deceive you with find sounding arguments.
. . . 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through
hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on
human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
1 Peter 1:10-12 (WEB)
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently. They prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. 12
To them it was revealed, that they served not themselves, but you, in these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.
So the fullness of the Gospel was preached, but was also written down by the Command of the Eternal God to give us complete understanding of the mystery of the Gospel, that for past ages was hidden.
And we are to
earnestly contend for that faith that was once and for all revealed to us so we are not swept of by every wind of doctrine, traditions, and teachings of men, just like the Jewish leaders in Jesus' day were also warned about.
Jude 3-4 (WEB) 3 Beloved, while I was
very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to
write to you
exhorting you to
contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ.
So, by reading the Scriptures in context, we can understand the fullness of the Gospel, which God meant, and commanded, to give us the full riches of complete understanding of the mystery of God’s saving grace that was still a mystery in times past, so that the Gentiles may be lead to obedience that comes from faith (
Romans 15:17-19;
Romans 16:25-27).
So, when I see religions and various people in past times, or even in our own days, introduce some new doctrine, tradition, or teaching not found in the Fully Revealed Word of God,
I am not fooled.
They need to learn the meaning of the warning of Scripture - not to go beyond what is written.
1 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)
6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “
Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
Blessings