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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 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,
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. NOT first recognition of 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 need to verify which ones
were true. 2.With end of age of miracles and prophets,
true writings needed to be verified3.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 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?
Compiling the Books of the NT•MOST books are mentioned very
early, in the 2nd century• The “church fathers” – a group
of influential church leaders & theologians from 2nd – 6th centuries who works lend evidence to NT integrity.
Compiling the Books of the NTThe 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.
Compiling the Books of the NTThe “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
Compiling the Books of the NTThe “church fathers”
• Ignatius (martyred 110 AD) – Quoted from a total of 8 lettersMatt. & Luke, Acts, Rom., etc.• Polycarp (70-155 AD), elder in
Smyrna – identified 17 books of New Testament.
Compiling the Books of the NTThe “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
Compiling the Books of the NTThe “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.
Compiling the Books of the NTThe “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)
Compiling the Books of the NTThe “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
Compiling the Books of the NTThe “church fathers”
• The Muratorian Canon (dated 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 (implies Matt & Mark.)
Compiling the Books of the NT• In all, 20 of the 27 books were
accepted WITHOUT question very early.
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!
Compiling the Books of the NTBooks 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.
Compiling the Books of the NTBooks questioned and why:
• 2 Peter – Most disputed 1) Different style than 1st 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
Compiling the Books of the NTBooks 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!
Compiling the Books of the NTBooks 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).
Books Not Accepted• Books rejected as canon fit into
two categories• Pseudepigrapha (rejected by
virtually all)• Apocryphal (rejected by most,
but accepted by some)
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
Books Not Accepted• Apocryphal books• Shepherd of Hermas – allegory about Jesus
and Hermas - too alegorical, dated 2nd 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
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 3rd or early 4th century. Too suspicious.• Many others like these were rejected for
numerous reasons. MOST apocryphal writings only accepted locally or by a few church leaders.
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