HOW DID WE GET THE NEW TESTAMENT?

The Correct Perspective to Understand Which Writings Are Scripture It is a matter of faith. Human involvement is expected. Canon ≠ every inspired writing The test for revelation has not changed. Christ is the key to accepting or rejecting a book as scripture. These principles apply to what is included. These principles apply to what is excluded.

Jesus’ View of O.T. Jesus Matt. 5:17-20 respect for the law Law & Prophets = law v.18 Lk 24:44-45 fulfilled all that was written Law of Moses and prophets and psalms = scriptures v.45 all before 400 B.C. Jn 10:34 Your law refers to Psalm 82:6 called word of God and scripture in v.35 Paul 1 Cor. 14:21 quotes Is 28:11 as the law

Jesus’ View of N.T. Jesus promised all truth to apostles John 16:12-13 Jesus delegated authority to apostles John 13:20; 20:20-23; Luke 22:29-30 Great faith = authority in word Matt 8:8-10 Promised Holy Spirit in Acts 1:1-9 A witness to become a witness Ac 1:15-26 Fulfilled in Ac 2:1-4 Ac 2:42 apostles’ doctrine preapproved

Insipred, Authoritative Writing Galatians 1:1-10 authority asserted against Judaism Some from Jerusalem affect Antioch Acts 15 go to source of problem v.2 James uses scripture to confirm truth v. 15 They wrote to clarify v.19-29 Effect of letter v.30-32; 16:4 Another false doctrine 2 Thess. 2:1-3 Authority in writing 1 Cor. 14:37

Inspired, Authoritative Writing Instructions a pattern for all churches 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 4:16-17 apostolic example Apostolic guidance a key to N.T. Jn 14:26 Matthew and John wrote eyewitness accounts Mark wrote Peter’s eyewitness account 1 Pt 5:13; Acts 12:12; Mk 14:13-16,26,51-52 Luke wrote eyewitness accounts of disciples Lk 1:1-4; Ac 1:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:6; Ac 21:17; 24:27; 27:1

Confirmation of Authoritative Writing Scripture by prophets is as authoritative as apostles’ writings Ephesians 2:20; 3:5 Paul quotes Luke 10:7 as scripture: The laborer is worthy of his hire (along with Deut. 25:4 You shall not muzzle the ox while it treads out the grain) Acts was a sequel of Luke’s gospel Epistles written by apostles/prophets Epistles were confirmed by spiritual gifts 1 Cor. 14:37

Distribution of Authoritative Writing Scriptures were expected to be shared Colossians 4:16; 2 Cor. 1:1; 2 Pt 1:15 Peter calls Paul’s writing scripture 2 Peter 3:15-16 Peter’s readers (1 Pt 1:1) would know of Paul’s epistles Peter’s readers were located in: Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia 1 Cor. known everywhere by A.D.110

Testimony of early 2nd century (AD 110) Book Rome Macedonia Achaia Asia Asia Minor Syria Matthew ? X Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation x Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, (Shepherd), (Papias)

Recognition of Authoritative Writing Common recognition, acceptance of writing by apostles and prophets as inspired scripture, then distribution Not a contrived selection by a group of men 7 books were challenged (authorship?) Hb, Jm, 2 Pt, 2 Jn, 3 Jn, Jd, Rv Proves only criterion was authorship Disproves accusation of gullibility

Once for All Delivered Jude 3 John 16:13 apostles received all truth Eph. 3:3-5 Spirit revealed it to apostles & prophets They wrote it so we could read and understand 2 Peter 1:12-15 they wrote it so we could have it after they died Heretics claimed continuous revelation

Other Writings Pseudepigrapha (false writings) 50 + “gospels” Jesus stuck a child dead for bumping into Him Infancy Gospel of Thomas Not to be confused with Gospel of Thomas Gospel of Judas –some Gnostics sought to rehabilitate Bible villains (Cainites, Sodomites, Korahites, etc.) Claimed secret knowledge (superiority complex) Col. 2:20-23

Other Writings N. T. “Apocrypha”, “Apostolic Fathers” Clement’s Letter to Corinth, The Didache, The Shepherd of Hermas, etc. Written by early Christians Recommended reading but not authoritative, not scripture (quoted scripture!) Written too recently Not written by apostles or prophets