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Can We Count on the Bible? (4)
The Canon of the New Testament
How the Word of God Spread•Within a few decades gospel
was “preached to every creature under heaven” Col. 1:23• How did that happen?
How the Word of God Spread• Jesus revealed the word of God
– John 14:10, 24; 5:19, 7:16• He promised a Helper, the Holy
Spirit – John 14:25-26, 16:7-11
How the Word of God Spread• The Spirit would instill
confidence – Matt. 10:16-20 • The Holy Spirit falls upon them – Acts 2:1-4, 4:8, 13• Paul – Acts 9:17-18, 13:9
How the Word of God Spread• The Apostles spoke with authority – 1 Cor. 2:6-14, Gal. 1:12 – revelation of Jesus1 Cor. 11:23, 15:3 – “I received”Eph. 3:3-4 – written1 Cor. 14:37 – acknowledge message2 Pet. 3:1-2 – written to remind
How the Word of God Spread• The written letters were circulated
almost immediately – Col. 4:16, 1 Thess. 5:27 – Read to allGalatians 1:2 – churches of GalatiaRev. 1:11 – 7 churches of Asia1 Pet. 1:1 – “To pilgrims…”
How the Word of God Spread• Consider: IF the New Testament
is the word of God, is it unreasonable to think that He had a hand (providentially) in its preservation?
Compiling the Books of the NT• The first recorded record of all
27 books was 367 AD in a letter written by Athanasius. •WAS this the first recognition of
the books of the New Testament?
Compiling the Books of the NT• The first recorded record of all 27
books was 367 AD in a letter written by Athanasius. • WAS this the first recognition of
the books of the New Testament?• NO! Books were mentioned and
(partial) lists compiled very early!
Compiling the Books of the NT•Why the need for a NT Canon?1.As Gospel spread by circulation,
a need to verify which ones were true.
2.With end of age of miracles and prophets, true writings needed to be verified
Compiling the Books of the NT•Why the need for a NT Canon?3. The growth of heretical
movements4. As gospel spread to foreign
lands, need for translations5. Persecutions – “Who wanted to
die for just a religious book?”
Compiling the Books of the NT• Criteria for determining canonicity1.Did it have apostolic authority
Either an apostle or one with the apostles.
2.Did it agree with canon of truth? 3.Was work accepted and circulated
by early churches?
Compiling the Books of the NT• MOST books are mentioned very
early, in the 2nd century• The “church fathers” – a group of
church leaders who wrote works related to the Christian faith. They identified various works as inspired and rejected others.
Compiling the Books of the NT• The “church fathers”• Ignatius (martyred 110 AD) –
Quoted from a total of 8 letters• Polycarp (70-155 AD), elder in
Smyrna – identified 17 books of New Testament.
Compiling the Books of the NT• The “church fathers”• Marcion (144-~200 AD) – A heretic
who rejected the Old Testament, identified Luke and listed all of Paul’s epistles, except 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (though he changed many of them)
Compiling the Books of the NT• The “church fathers”• Valentinus (100-160 AD) – A
Gnostic, but he referenced all four gospels, Romans –Colossians, 1 Peter, 1 John & Revelation
Compiling the Books of the NT• The “church fathers”• Irenaeus of Lyons (120-200 AD)
– in Adversus Haereses (Against Heresies) he quotes from or alluded to all the books of the NT except Philemon, 2 Peter, 3 John, & Jude
Compiling the Books of the NT• The “church fathers”• The Muratorian Canon (ca. 200 AD)
– a manuscript written in 8th century was a copy of this document. Consisted of a list of books beginning with Luke – Philemon, 1 & 2 John, Jude & Revelation. Beginning of document is missing.
Compiling the Books of the NT• The “church fathers”• For a good list of works consult:
http://www.ntcanon.org Consult the TABLE tab. Each author and the books quoted are documented.
Compiling the Books of the NT• In all, 20 of the 27 books were
accepted WITHOUT question.•What about the other 7 books?
Compiling the Books of the NT• Books questioned and why:• Hebrews – because author was
unknown• James – teachings on faith and
works compared to writings of Paul• 2 Peter – different in style to 1st
Peter
Compiling the Books of the NT• Books questioned and why:• 2 & 3 John – limited circulation and
private nature• Jude – mentioned a prophecy of
Enoch not recorded• Revelation – Apocalyptic nature.
Question more about interpretation than inspiration!
Compiling the Books of the NT• Books questioned and why:• NOTE: Such scrutiny demonstrates
the high standard set for recognition as inspired and canon. In short time, all of these were accepted universally by professing Christians (except liberal theologians).
WE CAN trust the Bible we have before us
Let us seek not only to defend it, but also to apply it in our lives