1. HOW DID WE GET THE NEW TESTAMENT?

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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