This article challenges the thesis that only oral tradition can explain citations in the apostolic fathers, by considering a statement by Papias about the written gospels of Matthew and Mark.

This article investigates the reasons why Scripture is the hightest authority, above other authorities such as oral tradition, the church, and creeds. The author suggests that the central argument for the authority of Scripture relates to Christ himself. Not only is Scripture an authority; it is the only authority. This is a carefully argued topic, with the word "authority" itself investigated as to its meaning in different ages.

Was the period of transmission of the words and deeds of Jesus exclusively an oral tradition? Stein argues that it was not.