Sola Scriptura

Sola scriptura is a doctrine held by protestants that basically says Christians only use scripture, not oral tradition or human only works. It is in some ways very biblical. Yet, we know the scriptures themselves contain historical proofs. These historical proofs are still prophetic in that a true prophet who is inspired is defining the history.

So, history and examples can still mean sola scripture. Realize Peter was sola scriptura long before protestants. Rome the congregation was sola scriptura in 175 AD. Catholics tend to hide these examples.

1 Peter 4:11

If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

Paul was sola scriptura as well, since the doctrine had to be delivered to them, not decided by them.

2 Thessalonians 2:15

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 

This word "word" was used of Hebrews and Luke's writings. It meant treatise. A written oral teaching.

The churches' speech and sermons should be guided by the oracles "of God". Thus, not man breathed but God breathed. This could be oral as a prophet, but oral prophecies were to cease according to I Cor.13 so that scripture was left to us. Scripture is God breathed. Today's speech is not. 

1 Corinthians 13:8

Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

1 Corinthians 13:10

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

Prophetic speech would cease and so history and doctrine was rolled into permanent scripture. It says knowledge would vanish away, meaning the product of oral traditions would cease to be in memory. All we have left are the histories and doctrines of scripture.

In 175 AD Roman presbyters wrote the number of prophets was complete, showing they did not accept new prophets. They restricted all public reading to recognized prophetic works like the 4 Gospels, Acts, or epistles. That means they accepted their Canon before the councils were called. Extra biblical were removed from Church worship.

We receive also the Apocalypse of John and that of Peter, though some amongst us will not have this latter read in the Church. The Pastor, moreover, did Hermas write very recently in our times in the city of Rome, while his brother bishop Plus sat in the chair of the Church of Rome. And therefore it also ought to be read; but it cannot be made public38 in the Church to the people, nor placed among the prophets, as their number is complete, nor among the apostles to the end of time.

The Church of Rome would not believe in modern prophets, including the Papal prophets. They also did not consider the one sitting in the chair of Rome a prophet. Interesting. Peter had prophetic gifts, the Church in Rome did not at this time.

Rome itself early on was sola scriptura in public practice. They would not allow non prophetic works to be read in public. Since 175ad was before the councils they had no such councils to draw from. Even local works of Rome like the "Shepherd of Hermas" were not read in public worship. It was supposedly written by a church leader in Rome but was excluded from public reading.

The first seven ecumenical councils were after 325ad, so their decisions couldn't have been used in church teaching publicly. There were regional meetings before 325ad but these were after the 175ad date.

synod of Rome 193ad

synod of Carthage 251ad

synod of Antioch 264ad

As you see the Church in Rome was Sola Scripture in the beginning, it only became an issue later through church councils as they introduced non-biblical doctrine and non-biblical authority.

Remember when it was written to obey those who have rule over you, the popes, cardinals, arch-bishops, singular bishop, church councils, etc , did not exist yet. These were not what the writer had in mind.