2. Introduction Canon- books were accepted as Scripture if written by the apostles or a faithful associate of an apostle. “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.” (2 Peter 3:1-2) The apostles had binding and loosing authority from the Lord as we studied last night. (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18)

3. Introduction Even though Paul was not an original apostle chosen by Jesus, he saw the resurrected Lord (1 Cor. 15:8) and was inspired by God to write many letters. “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things…” (2 Peter 3:15-16a)

4. Introduction The apostle Paul’s words were to be obeyed also. Paul said, “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I am writing to you are the Lord’s commandment.” (1 Cor. 14:37) These inspired writings were to be obeyed by all the churches. The apostle Paul taught the same thing in every church. (1 Cor. 4:17) “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” (2 Thess. 2:15)

5. When Writings Were Considered Scripture… ….Brethren were commanded to read it. “I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.” (1 Thess. 5:27) …They were commanded to circulate it to other churches and read the letters from other congregations. “When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.” (Colossians 4:16) …Brethren were commanded not to add or take away from it. (1 Cor. 4:6; Rev. 22:18-19)

6. The Bible Teaches that Every Word of God is Inspired, Infallible, and Inerrant “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Jesus said in response to the devil’s temptation, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4) Do you believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant word which we can depend on for eternal life? (John 12:48-50)

7. The World Doesn’t Believe that the Bible is Inspired but Some Brethren don’t either “No. Have to be honest. In fact my Lord Jesus demands that I be intellectually honest. I can't be a follower of Jesus and not be. And I think the evidence tips the scales in favor of their authenticity. And that's what I would argue, that's what I've tried to argue here. But I would have to say, I can't just be dogmatic about that, I'm not a hundred percent certain about that" Brethren, what if I taught that publicly? Would you accept it? I would hope you wouldn’t! (Marty Pickup, The Canonicity of the General Epistles, Florida College Annual Lectures, [8 Feb. 2000]).

8. Scripture Says- It Will Never Pass Away “the word of our God stands forever” (1 Pt. 1:23) “Heaven and earth shall pass away by My words shall never pass away” (Matthew 24:35) “I commend you to God and the word of His grace which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32) But we don’t have the original autographs. How do we know that there aren’t significant changes due to copyist’s errors, additions, or subtractions?

9. Use Test for All Ancient Documents How many copies of the document are available? (the more the better to compare it) Where were the copies found? (if they come from one place, collusion is possible) How long passed between the original & its copies? (if there is a long time period, many changes could have been made and we wouldn’t know it) What differences exist between the copies? (if there are only a few and if minor, then they can be trusted to be faithful to the original, but if not, how can you trust it?)

10. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad)

11. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC

12. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC

13. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs

14. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643

15. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus

16. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC

17. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD

18. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs

19. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8

20. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato

21. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato427- 347 BC

22. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato427- 347 BC 900 AD

23. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato427- 347 BC 900 AD1200 yrs

24. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato427- 347 BC 900 AD1200 yrs7

25. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato427- 347 BC 900 AD1200 yrs7 Aristotle

26. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato427- 347 BC 900 AD1200 yrs7 Aristotle384-322 BC

27. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato427- 347 BC 900 AD1200 yrs7 Aristotle384-322 BC 1100 AD

28. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato427- 347 BC 900 AD1200 yrs7 Aristotle384-322 BC 1100 AD1400 yrs

29. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Homer (Iliad) 900 BC400 BC500 yrs643 Herodotus480-425 BC 900 AD1300 yrs8 Plato427- 347 BC 900 AD1200 yrs7 Aristotle384-322 BC 1100 AD1400 yrs5

30. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar

31. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC

32. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD

33. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.

34. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10

35. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny

36. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD

37. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD

38. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.

39. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7

40. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius

41. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius75-160 AD

42. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius75-160 AD 950 AD

43. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius75-160 AD 950 AD800 yrs.

44. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius75-160 AD 950 AD800 yrs.?

45. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius75-160 AD 950 AD800 yrs.? Tacitus

46. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius75-160 AD 950 AD800 yrs.? Tacitusc. 100 AD

47. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius75-160 AD 950 AD800 yrs.? Tacitusc. 100 AD1100 AD

48. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius75-160 AD 950 AD800 yrs.? Tacitusc. 100 AD1100 AD 1000 yrs.

49. Secular Writings AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies Caesar100-44 BC900 AD1000 yrs.10 Pliny61-113 AD 850 AD750 yrs.7 Seutonius75-160 AD 950 AD800 yrs.? Tacitusc. 100 AD1100 AD 1000 yrs.20

50. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament

51. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100

52. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 125

53. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years

54. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts

55. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus

56. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century

57. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350

58. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrs

59. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.)

60. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus

61. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus 1 st century

62. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus 1 st century AD 350

63. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus 1 st century AD 350300 yrs (WWW 2010)

64. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus 1 st century AD 350300 yrs (WWW 2010) Parts of OT, NT complete

65. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus 1 st century AD 350300 yrs (WWW 2010) Parts of OT, NT complete Codex Alexandrinus

66. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus 1 st century AD 350300 yrs (WWW 2010) Parts of OT, NT complete Codex Alexandrinus 1 st century

67. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus 1 st century AD 350300 yrs (WWW 2010) Parts of OT, NT complete Codex Alexandrinus 1 st century AD 400

68. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus 1 st century AD 350300 yrs (WWW 2010) Parts of OT, NT complete Codex Alexandrinus 1 st century AD 400350 yrs

69. Biblical Manuscripts in Greek AuthorDate Written Earliest Copy Time between Original & copy # of copies/ Contents New Testament AD 45 – 100 AD 12525-250 years5300 Greek Manuscripts Codex Vaticanus 1 st century AD 325-350 275-300 yrsAll OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.) Codex Sinaiticus 1 st century AD 350300 yrs (WWW 2010) Parts of OT, NT complete Codex Alexandrinus 1 st century AD 400350 yrsContains most of OT and NT

70. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty)

71. Chester Beatty P 46

72. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th

73. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’s

74. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 AD

75. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan

76. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus)

77. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9

78. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s AD

79. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 AD

80. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland)

81. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67

82. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-28

83. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-28 60’s

84. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-28 60’sc. 200 AD

85. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-28 60’sc. 200 ADBarcelona, Fundacion

86. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-28 60’sc. 200 ADBarcelona, Fundacion P 52 (John Rylands)

87. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-28 60’sc. 200 ADBarcelona, Fundacion P 52 (John Rylands) John 18:31-33, 37-38

88. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-28 60’sc. 200 ADBarcelona, Fundacion P 52 (John Rylands) John 18:31-33, 37-38 c. 96 AD

89. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-28 60’sc. 200 ADBarcelona, Fundacion P 52 (John Rylands) John 18:31-33, 37-38 c. 96 ADc. 130 AD

90. Early NT Greek Fragments Papyri Manu. ContentsOriginal Written MSS Date Location P46 (Chester Beatty) Rom, Heb 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, Gal, 1 Th 50’s-70’sc. 200 ADDublin Ann Arbor, Michigan P66 (Bodmer Papyrus) John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26; fragment 14:29-21:9 70’s ADc. 200 ADCologny, Geneva (Switzerland) P67Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-28 60’sc. 200 ADBarcelona, Fundacion P 52 (John Rylands) John 18:31-33, 37-38 c. 96 ADc. 130 ADManchester, England

92. P 52 John Rylands Fragment

93. Before AD 325, the Church Fathers quoted almost all of the NT “Geisler and Nix wrote, “...a brief inventory at this point will reveal that there were some 32,000 citations of the NT prior to the time of the Council of Nicea (325). These 32,000 quotations are by no means exhaustive, and they do not include the 4 th century writers. Just adding the number of references used by one other writer, Eusebius, who flourished prior to and contemporary with the council of Nicea, will bring the total citations of the NT to over 36,000” (A General Introduction to the Bible)

94. Church Fathers Quoted Most of the NT Bruce Metzger wrote, “...so extensive are these citations that if all other sources for our knowledge of the text of the NT were destroyed, they would be sufficient alone for the reconstruction of practically the entire NT.” (The Text of the NT) “Sir David Darymple conducted an extensive search of the writings of the 2 nd and 3 rd century ‘church fathers’ and was able to find all but 11 verses of the entire NT” (Charles Leach, Our Bible. How We Got It, p. 35-36) “Is the Bible Text Reliable?” (John A. Smith, “The Inspiration and Authority of The Bible” Truth Lectures)

95. There are Very Few Variances in Thousands of Manuscripts “Geisler and Nix conclude that only 40 lines (or 400 words) of the NT are in doubt which amounts to ½ of 1 % of the text of the NT)” (Smith, p. 330) “Neil Lightfoot observes: ‘The variant readings in the manuscripts are not of such a nature that they threaten to overthrow our faith. Except for a few instances, we have an unquestioned text; and even then not one principle of faith or command of the Lord is involved’” (ibid, p. 331) The vast majority of the variations are minor (spelling, punctuation, and footnotes are made on those verses in the newer versions).

96. Conclusion The NT passes the test more than any other ancient document. We have a multitude of manuscript copies (5,300) compared to few copies of secular writers (10 or fewer for most). These copies were found in many different places (Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Italy) which would make collusion practically impossible.

97. Conclusion The time span between the original and a copy is from 30 to 250 years compared to 1,000+ years for most secular documents. No doctrine is affected by any of the variances in the readings of the text. The church fathers in their writings alone could practically reproduce the NT without any other documentation.

98. Conclusion FF Bruce said, “The evidence of our NT writings is ever so much greater than the evidence for many writings of classical authors, the authenticity of which no one dreams of questioning. And if the NT were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be as beyond all doubt”.

99. Conclusion Josh McDowell said, “After trying to shatter the historicity and validity of the Scripture, I came to the conclusion that they are historically trustworthy. If one discards the Bible as being unreliable, then he must discard almost all literature of antiquity. One problem I constantly face is the desire on the part of many to apply one standard or test to secular literature and other to the Bible. One needs to apply the same test, whether the literature under investigation is secular or religious. Having done this, I believe one can hold the Scriptures in his hand and say, ‘the Bible is trustworthy, and historically reliable.” (A Ready Defense)

100. Conclusion Jesus said, "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. "I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me." (John 12:48-50) Put all your trust in every single word of the Bible and obey Him rather than man!