1. Can We Count on the Bible? (5) The Canon of the New Testament

2. 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?

3. How the Word of God Spread Jesus revealed the word of God Jn 14:10, 24; 5:19, 7:16 He promised the Holy Spirit – John 14:25-26, 16:7-11 The Apostles spoke with authority – 1 Cor. 2:6-14,

4. How the Word of God Spread The written letters were circulated almost immediately – Col. 4:16, 1 Thess. 5:27 – Read to all Galatians 1:2 – churches of Galatia Rev. 1:11 – 7 churches of Asia 1 Pet. 1:1 – “To pilgrims…”

5. 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?

6. Compiling the Books of the NT The first recorded record of all 27 books was 367 AD in a letter written by Athanasius. NOT first recognition of Books were mentioned and (partial) lists compiled very early!

7. Compiling the Books of the NT Why the need for a NT Canon? 1.As Gospel spread need to verify which ones were true. 2.With end of age of miracles and prophets, true writings needed to be verified 3.The growth of heretical movements 4.As gospel spread to foreign lands, need for translations 5.Persecutions – “Who wanted to die for just a religious book?”

8. Compiling the Books of the NT Criteria for determining canonicity 1.Did it possess the quality of inspiration? 2.Did it have apostolic authority Either an apostle or one with the apostles. 3.Did it agree with canon of truth? 4.Was work accepted and circulated by early churches?

9. Compiling the Books of the NT MOST books are mentioned very early, in the 2 nd century The “church fathers” – a group of influential church leaders & theologians from 2 nd – 6 th centuries who works lend evidence to NT integrity.

10. Compiling the Books of the NT The contribution of the “church fathers” NOT inspired! Don’t forget this! They helped identify books that were accepted as inspired. They quoted from NT books helping to compile its context They helped construct a history of church development and heresies.

11. Compiling the Books of the NT The “church fathers” Clement of Rome (in 95 AD) – wrote a letter to the Corinthians referencing Matthew & Luke. Also familiar with Hebrews, Romans, Corinthians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 1 Peter and Ephesians

12. Compiling the Books of the NT The “church fathers” Ignatius (martyred 110 AD) – Quoted from a total of 8 letters Matt. & Luke, Acts, Rom., etc. Polycarp (70-155 AD), elder in Smyrna – identified 17 books of New Testament.

13. Compiling the Books of the NT The “church fathers” “The first three outstanding church fathers… used bulk of the New Testament…only Mark, 2 & 3 John, Jude & 2 Peter are not clearly attested.” Milton Fisher, The origin of the Bible

14. Compiling the Books of the NT The “church fathers” Irenaeues of Lyons (~120-~200) In “Against Heresies” quotes or alludes to all books of New Testament except, Philemon, 2 Peter, 3 John & Jude. Attests to the FOUR gospels.

15. Compiling the Books of the NT The “church fathers” Marcion (144 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)

16. 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. Wrote, “Gospel of Truth”, a Gnostic gospel which was patently rejected

17. Compiling the Books of the NT The “church fathers” The Muratorian Canon (dated ca. 200 AD) – a manuscript written in 8 th 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 (implies Matt & Mark.)

18. Compiling the Books of the NT In all, 20 of the 27 books were accepted WITHOUT question very early.

19. Compiling the Books of the NT What about the other 7 books? NOTE: These books were not generally rejected, but there were questions by some. The were “slow” to be accepted!

20. Compiling the Books of the NT Books questioned and why: Hebrews – because author was unknown, referenced earlier. James – teachings on faith and works compared to writings of Paul. Same message to two different groups and reasons.

21. Compiling the Books of the NT Books questioned and why: 2 Peter – Most disputed 1) Different style than 1 st Peter 2) 3:2-4 makes reference to earlier generation 3) Mention of letters of Paul (2 Pet. 3:15-16) 4) Materials similar to Jude

22. 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 in OT. Revelation – Apocalyptic nature. Question more about interpretation than inspiration!

23. 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).

24. Books Not Accepted Books rejected as canon fit into two categories Pseudepigrapha (rejected by virtually all) Apocryphal (rejected by most, but accepted by some)

25. Books Not Accepted Books rejected by all Gnostic gospels – Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Truth, etc. – content and date Gospel of Ebionites – stressed keeping Old Law and heresies about Jesus – content and date

26. Books Not Accepted Apocryphal books Shepherd of Hermas – allegory about Jesus and Hermas - too alegorical, dated 2 nd century 1 Clement – ca 95-96 AD to Corinth, questionable content and unavailable (complete) until 1873 Epistle of Barnabas – early enough, and similar to Hebrews in content - filled with allegory and anti-Jewish. Questionable content and doubtful authorship

27. Books Not Accepted Apocryphal books Didache, “Teaching of the Twelve” – (100-120 AD) A manual of church order and practices- too late, unknown author, lost and rediscovered in 1873. Epistle of the Laodiceans – possible letter referenced in Col. 4:16, Included in early Bibles. Not discovered until late 3 rd or early 4 th century. Too suspicious. Many others like these were rejected for numerous reasons. MOST apocryphal writings only accepted locally or by a few church leaders.

28. 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