How Did We Get the Bible?

How We Got the Bible

Lesson Two:

The Formation of the New Testament

The Inspiration of Scripture

Bible Claims of InspirationBible Claims of Inspiration

““All Scripture is given by inspiration of All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God in righteousness, that the man of God

may be complete, thoroughly equipped may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”for every good work.”

(2 Timothy 3:16, 17)(2 Timothy 3:16, 17)

Bible Claims of InspirationBible Claims of Inspiration

““...No Prophecy of Scripture is of ...No Prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for any private interpretation, for

prophecy never came by the will of prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as man, but holy men of God spoke as

they were moved by the Holy they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”Spirit.”

(2 Peter 1:20-21(2 Peter 1:20-21))

The Nature of Inspiration

• Plenary “Full” Inspiration. Lat. plenus “full.” All of Scripture is inspired.

• Verbal Inspiration. Every word of Scripture is inspired.

• Dynamic Inspiration. Although the the personality and environment of the writer was allowed to show through - the Holy Spirit held absolute control of the outcome.

Language in the First Century

The Language of the Bible

• Hebrew - Most of the Old Testament.

• Aramaic - A few passages of the Old Testament – spoken by Jews in the First Century.

• Koine “Common” Greek - The New Testament.

Jesus & His Disciples spoke Aramaic

“Talitha cumi” – “Little girl, rise up”(Mark 5:41)

“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” - “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

(Matthew 27:46)

Abba · Rabboni · Mammon · Cephas

The Only New Testament Manuscripts in AramaicAramaic (Syriac) are

translations from the Greek.

The Old Testament in Greek

• The Conquest of Alexander the Great brought the Greek language to much of the Ancient World.

The Old Testament in Greek

• The Septuagint (LXX) - translation of the Old Testament done before Christ was the Old Testament for Greek speaking Jews & early Christians.

KoineKoine Greek Greek““There was a time when the scholars who dealt There was a time when the scholars who dealt

with the original text of the New Testament with the original text of the New Testament regarded its Greek as a special Holy Ghost regarded its Greek as a special Holy Ghost

language, prepared under divine direction for the language, prepared under divine direction for the Scripture writers…” Now it is understood that - Scripture writers…” Now it is understood that - “…New Testament Greek is simply a sample of “…New Testament Greek is simply a sample of the colloquial Greek of the first century…The the colloquial Greek of the first century…The

inspired writers…wrote in the ordinary language inspired writers…wrote in the ordinary language of the masses…”of the masses…”(Dana & Mantey’s, (Dana & Mantey’s, Manual Grammar of Manual Grammar of

New Testament Greek, New Testament Greek, pp. 9-10)pp. 9-10)

Greek ScriptUncials – Through 900 AD

Minuscules – After 800 AD

Modern Printed Greek Bible

Scrolls

Papyrus

Parchment

The Codex

The Coming of the Messiah

Messianic ProphecyMessianic Prophecy

““The LORD your God will raise The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your from your midst, from your

brethren. Him you shall hear.”brethren. Him you shall hear.”(Deuteronomy 18:15)(Deuteronomy 18:15)

““Therefore the Lord Himself will Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold the virgin give you a sign: Behold the virgin

shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” shall call His name Immanuel”

Note: Note: Immanuel Immanuel means “God with Us”means “God with Us”

(Isaiah 7:14(Isaiah 7:14))

““Know therefore and understand that Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the command from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be Messiah the Prince, there shall be

seven weeks and sixty-two weeks...”seven weeks and sixty-two weeks...”

(Daniel 9:25)(Daniel 9:25)

Jesus ComesForth as the Promised

Messiah• He claims to be the Messiah.

Jesus the MessiahJesus the Messiah““The woman said to Him, The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is ‘I know that Messiah is coming (who is called Christ). coming (who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’”He.’”

(John 4:25-26)(John 4:25-26)

Messiah• He claims to be the Messiah.• He accepts other people’s claims that He is the Messiah.

“‘…“‘…Who do you say that I am?’ And Who do you say that I am?’ And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’ Jesus answered and said to God.’ Jesus answered and said to Him, ‘Blessed are you … flesh and Him, ‘Blessed are you … flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in but My Father who is in heaven.’”heaven.’”

(Matthew 16:15-17)(Matthew 16:15-17)

Jesus the MessiahJesus the Messiah

Messiah• He claims to be the Messiah.• He accepts other people’s claims that He is the Messiah.

• He fulfills prophecy pointing to the Messiah.

Jesus: The Prophesied Jesus: The Prophesied MessiahMessiah

Born in Bethlehem - Taught in GalileeBorn in Bethlehem - Taught in Galilee(Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:1-2)(Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:1-2)

Tribe of Judah - Descendent of DavidTribe of Judah - Descendent of David(Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 9:7)(Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 9:7)

Side Pierced – No Broken BonesSide Pierced – No Broken Bones(Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 34:20)(Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 34:20)

Died with Wicked - Buried with RichDied with Wicked - Buried with Rich (Isaiah 53:9)(Isaiah 53:9)

The Great CommissionThe Great Commission““Go therefore and make Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that them to observe all things that I have commanded you...’”I have commanded you...’”

(Matthew 28:19,20)(Matthew 28:19,20)

The Spirit of TruthThe Spirit of Truth““However, when He, the Spirit of However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…”you into all truth…”

(John 16:13)(John 16:13)

“…“…He will teach you all things He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance and bring to your remembrance all things that 1 said to you.”all things that 1 said to you.”

(John 14: 26) (John 14: 26)

The Apostles’ WritingsThe Apostles’ Writings

“…“…The things which I The things which I write to you are the write to you are the commandments of the commandments of the Lord.”Lord.”

(1 Corinthians 14:37)(1 Corinthians 14:37)

The Gospels

• The first four books of the NT relating the life of Jesus on Earth.

• Gospel means “Good News.”

• Written by the Apostles Matthew & John and early disciples Mark & Luke.

MatthewMatthew

Writing of the Gospels

MarkMark

MatthewMatthew LukeLuke

JohnJohn

Ca. 60s ADCa. 60s AD

Ca. Late 70s ADCa. Late 70s AD

MatthewMatthew

MarkMark LukeLuke

JohnJohn

Ca. 40-50s ADCa. 40-50s AD

Irenaeus of Lyons ca. 180 AD

Describes how the Gospels were written –

“…Matthew among the Hebrews issued a Writing of the gospel in their own tongue, while Peter and Paul were preaching the gospel at Rome and founding the church. After their decease Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter,…”

“… also handed down to us in writing what Peter had preached. Then, Luke, the follower of Paul, recorded in a book the gospel as it was preached by him. Finally John, the disciple of the Lord…himself published the gospel while he was residing at Ephesus in Asia.”

(Against Heresies, III.1)

Speaking of Jesus’ first disciples says –

“They first preached it abroad and then later by the will of God handed it down to us in Writings, to be the foundation and pillar of our faith…For after our Lord had risen from the dead, they were clothed with power from on high when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were filled with all things and had perfect knowledge.”

(Against Heresies, III.1)

Man Says This Isn’t True!

B.H. Streeter’s

Q Hypothesis(Ger. Quelle - “source”)

*Claims a hypothetical document was written before any of the gospels with Jesus’ sayings.

* Where Matthew & Luke differ from Mark, Q was the source.

* Luke supposedly follows the order of Q more closely than Matthew.

What Is The What Is The Truth?Truth?

Similar wording and order does Similar wording and order does not show a common written not show a common written

source.source.

The Holy Spirit is the The Holy Spirit is the Common SourceCommon Source

““But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my whom the Father will send in my

name, He will teach you all things, name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all and bring to your remembrance all

things that I said to you.”things that I said to you.”

(John 14:26)(John 14:26)

The Holy Spirit is the The Holy Spirit is the Common SourceCommon Source

““These things we also speak, These things we also speak, not in words which man’s not in words which man’s

wisdom teaches but which the wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches...”Holy Spirit teaches...”

(1 Corinthians 2:13)(1 Corinthians 2:13)

source.source. Early Christian writers do not Early Christian writers do not

speak of a speak of a Q Q source.source.

Claims of Three Early Claims of Three Early WritersWriters

Papias Papias (ca. 120 AD).(ca. 120 AD).

Irenaeus Irenaeus (ca. 150 AD).(ca. 150 AD).

Origen Origen (ca. 210 AD).(ca. 210 AD).

Claim that Matthew, Mark, Claim that Matthew, Mark, (Luke & John) wrote the (Luke & John) wrote the

Gospels themselvesGospels themselves

Origen of Alexandria ca. 210 AD

In the introduction to his commentary on Matthew –

“I have learned by tradition that the Gospel according to Matthew, who was … an Apostle of Jesus Christ, was written first; … The second written was that according to Mark, who wrote it according to the instruction of Peter, … And third, was that according to Luke, the Gospel commended by Paul,… Last of all, that according to John..”

MatthewMatthew

MarkMark LukeLuke

JohnJohn

Ca. 40-50s ADCa. 40-50s AD

No Q Document?

Claims of Three Early Claims of Three Early WritersWriters

Papias Papias (ca. 120 AD).(ca. 120 AD).

Irenaeus Irenaeus (ca. 150 AD).(ca. 150 AD).

Origen Origen (ca. 210 AD).(ca. 210 AD).

None of them speak of a Q None of them speak of a Q source document!source document!

Papias of Hierapolis ca. 120 AD

Only addresses the composition of Matthew & Mark, and says…“Matthew collected the oracles (Gr. logia) in the Hebrew language, and each interpreted them as best he could.” (As quoted in Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical

History, Bk 3, 39.16)

The Logia of Jesus’ “Papias’ observation about Matthew’s connection with The Sayings (logia), is

naturally understood to mean taking down Jesus’ words as he uttered them…His

further statement that each one translated them as best he could seems to refer

primarily to the Twelve…I cannot see that any published book of these sayings is

indicated, as is often assumed.”(Edgar J. Goodspeed, Matthew:

Apostle & Evangelist, p. 88)

source.source. Early Christian writers do not Early Christian writers do not

speak of a speak of a Q Q source.source. This theory seeks to discredit the This theory seeks to discredit the

Bible’s clear claims of inspiration.Bible’s clear claims of inspiration. There is no evidence for There is no evidence for

this false theory! this false theory!

The New Testament Canon

MatthewMatthewMarkMarkLukeLukeJohnJohnActsActs

RomansRomans1 Corinthians1 Corinthians2 Corinthians2 Corinthians

GalatiansGalatiansEphesians Ephesians PhilippiansPhilippiansColossiansColossians

1 Thessalonians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy1 Timothy2 Timothy2 Timothy

TitusTitusPhilemonPhilemonHebrewsHebrews

JamesJames1 Peter1 Peter2 Peter2 Peter1 John1 John2 John2 John3 John3 JohnJudeJude

RevelationRevelation

Books of the New Books of the New TestamentTestament

27 Books27 Books

BooksBooksof of

HistoryHistory

BooksBooksof of

HistoryHistory

27 Books27 Books

The The GospelsGospels

27 Books27 Books

==The Life of The Life of

ChristChrist

==The Life of The Life of

ChristChrist

27 Books27 Books

Acts ofActs ofThe The

ApostlesApostles

Acts ofActs ofThe The

ApostlesApostles

27 Books27 Books

Volume 1:Volume 1:Life of ChristLife of ChristVolume 1:Volume 1:Life of ChristLife of Christ

Volume Volume 2:2:

History of History of thethe

Early Early ChurchChurch

Volume Volume 2:2:

History of History of thethe

Early Early ChurchChurch

27 Books27 Books

Letters Letters to to

ChurchesChurches

27 Books27 Books

IndividualsIndividuals

27 Books27 Books

GeneralGeneralEpistlesEpistlesGeneralGeneralEpistlesEpistles

27 Books27 Books

ProphecyProphecyProphecyProphecy

The Early Church’s Use of New

Testament Books

The New Testament in Early Church Writers

• Preserves the New Testament Text.

• Used in Worship. • Used as a Source of

Authority.

NT Quotations in Early Church Writers

“Indeed, so extensive are these citations that if all other sources of our knowledge of the text of the New Testament were destroyed, they would be sufficient alone for the reconstruction of practically the entire New Testament”

(The Text of the New Testament, Bruce Metzger, p. 86).

Authority.

Justin Martyr ca. 150 AD

Describing the Lord’s Supper, mentions -

“For the Apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, thus handed down what was commanded them: that Jesus, taking bread and having given thanks said, ‘Do this for my memorial, this is my body...”

(First Apology, 66)

Justin Martyr ca. 150 AD

Describing the worship on the Lord’s Day -

“And on the day that is called Sunday there is a meeting in one place of those who live in cities or the country, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read as long as time permits.”

(First Apology, 67)

Authority.

Clement of Rome ca. 96 AD

Writing to the church in Corinth says -

“Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle. What he wrote to you in the beginning of the Gospel? Of a truth he charged you in Spirit concerning himself and Cephas and Apollos, because that even then ye had made parties.”

(To the Corinthians, 47.1)

Ignatius of Antioch ca. 100 AD

Writing to the church in Philadelphia says -

“…Taking refuge in the Gospel, as in Jesus flesh, and in the Apostles, as in the presbytery of the church. And the Prophets,…because they anticipated the gospel in their preaching and hoped for and awaited Him...”

(To the Philadelphians, 5)

Ignatius of Antioch ca. 100 AD

Who already reflects apostasy regarding a single bishop over a church, writing to the church in Philadelphia speaks of his critics as saying -

“…If I don’t find it in the original documents, I don’t believe it is in the gospel.”

(To the Philadelphians, 8)

Papias of Hierapolis ca. 120 AD

Speaking of his own habit of asking anyone who had known the Apostles, what they had said, says…

“For I did not suppose that information from books would help me so much as the word of the living and surviving voice” (As quoted in Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical

History, Bk 3, 39.16)

Writings After the New Testament

Post-New Testament Books

Many religious works were produced in the period after the New Testament. Two important groups are:

• The Apostolic Fathers

• Gnostic Writings

The Apostolic Fathers

The Apostolic FathersThe Apostolic Fathers

• A term applied to the earliest Christian A term applied to the earliest Christian writing after the New Testament.writing after the New Testament.

1 & 2 Clement • Epistle of Barnabas • Epistles of Ignatius 1 & 2 Clement • Epistle of Barnabas • Epistles of Ignatius

Epistles of Polycarp • Didache (“Teaching of the Twelve”)Epistles of Polycarp • Didache (“Teaching of the Twelve”)

Shepherd of HermasShepherd of Hermas

• Some NT manuscripts included some of these Some NT manuscripts included some of these works (as supplemental texts). works (as supplemental texts).

• These works offer insight into church history These works offer insight into church history (& apostasy) but are not inspired.(& apostasy) but are not inspired.

Tertullian of CarthageTertullian of Carthage(ca. 200 AD)(ca. 200 AD)

Critical of Critical of The Shepherd’s The Shepherd’s allowance of allowance of forgiveness to adulterers, says that it...forgiveness to adulterers, says that it...

““...deserved to find a place in the Divine ...deserved to find a place in the Divine canon; if it had not been habitually canon; if it had not been habitually judged by every council of Churches judged by every council of Churches (even of your own) among apocryphal (even of your own) among apocryphal and false (writings); itself adulterous...”and false (writings); itself adulterous...”

((On Modesty, On Modesty, 10)10)

Eusebius of CaesareaEusebius of Caesarea(ca. 320 AD)(ca. 320 AD)

““Among the rejected writings must be Among the rejected writings must be reckoned also the Acts of Paul, and the reckoned also the Acts of Paul, and the so-called so-called Shepherd,Shepherd, and the Apocalypse and the Apocalypse of Peter, and in addition to these the of Peter, and in addition to these the extant epistle of Barnabas, and the so-extant epistle of Barnabas, and the so-called Teachings of the Apostles...”called Teachings of the Apostles...”

((Ecclesiastical History, Ecclesiastical History, Bk. 3, 25).Bk. 3, 25).

Eusebius of CaesareaEusebius of Caesarea(ca. 320 AD)(ca. 320 AD)

““...of Hermas, to whom the book called ...of Hermas, to whom the book called The The Shepherd Shepherd is ascribed, ... cannot be placed among is ascribed, ... cannot be placed among the acknowledged books; while by others it is the acknowledged books; while by others it is considered quite indispensable, especially to considered quite indispensable, especially to those who need instruction in the elements of those who need instruction in the elements of the faith. Hence, as we know, it has been the faith. Hence, as we know, it has been publicly read in churches, and I have found that publicly read in churches, and I have found that some of the most ancient writers used it.”some of the most ancient writers used it.”

((Ecclesiastical History, Ecclesiastical History, Bk. 3, 3).Bk. 3, 3).

““Beware of false Beware of false prophets, who come to prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”ravenous wolves.”

(Matthew 7:15)(Matthew 7:15)

The Coming of ApostasyThe Coming of Apostasy

““For the time will come when For the time will come when they will not endure sound they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to doctrine, but according to their own desires because their own desires because they have itching ears…”they have itching ears…”

“…“…they will heap up for them-they will heap up for them-selves teachers and they will selves teachers and they will turn their ears away from the turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to truth and be turned aside to fables.” fables.”

(1 Timothy 4:3,4)(1 Timothy 4:3,4)

The fact of Apostasy The fact of Apostasy doesn’t change the doesn’t change the truth of Scripture!truth of Scripture!

Gnostic Writings

Gnostic False DoctrinesGnostic False Doctrines

• The God of the Old Testament was not The God of the Old Testament was not the Father of Jesus but an Evil God of the Father of Jesus but an Evil God of Warfare and Evil.Warfare and Evil.

• Jesus did not actually come in the flesh Jesus did not actually come in the flesh but only appeared to come in the flesh.but only appeared to come in the flesh.

• Biblical villains were heroes (Cain, Judas, Biblical villains were heroes (Cain, Judas, Sodomites) & heroes were villains.Sodomites) & heroes were villains.

Tatian’s Diatessaron

• A “harmony” of the four Gospels which left out the genealogies of Jesus showing His fleshly ancestry.

• Widely used by Syriac churches for some time.

The Gospel of ThomasJesusJesus says…

“Condemned be, the flesh that depends upon

the soul. Condemned be the soul that

depends upon the flesh.”

The Gospel of Mary Magdalene

JesusJesus says…

“There is no sin. It is you who make sin exist, when

you act according to the habits of

your corrupted nature; this is

where sin lies.”

(p. 7, lines 15-19)

The Gospel of Judas

JesusJesus tells Judas…

“But you will exceed all of

them. For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me.”

“...They declare that Judas the traitor was thoroughly acquainted with these things, and that he alone, knowing the truth as no others did, accomplished the mystery of the betrayal; by him all things, both earthly and heavenly, were thus thrown into confusion. They produce a fictitious history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas.”

(Against Heresies, Book 1, 31.1)

Marcion’s Heresy

Irenaeus says of Marcion that -

“...He mutilates the Gospel which is according to Luke, removing all that is written respecting the generation of the Lord, and setting aside a great deal of the teaching of the Lord, in which the Lord is recorded as most clearly confessing that the Maker of this universe is His Father... In like manner, too, he dismembered the Epistles of Paul...”

Marcion’s Heresy

“... removing all that is said by the apostle respecting that God who made the world, to the effect that He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and also those passages from the prophetical writings which the apostle quotes, in order to teach us that they announced beforehand the coming of the Lord.”He - “...dared openly to mutilate Scriptures”

(Against Heresies, Bk 1, 27.2,4)

Canon Lists & Ecumenical

Councils

Canon Lists Canon Lists

Canon lists do not reflect a Canon lists do not reflect a human process of choosing human process of choosing what was inspired or not. what was inspired or not.

Canon lists are a reflection Canon lists are a reflection of personal (or collective of personal (or collective belief) at a given time.belief) at a given time.

Some show sound analysis Some show sound analysis of Scripture, others do not. of Scripture, others do not.

What Determines What Is Canonical?

• Divine Providence. (God preserves Divine Providence. (God preserves His word).His word).

• Acceptance by the early church.Acceptance by the early church.

• Content. (e.g. Content. (e.g. Epistle of Barnabas Epistle of Barnabas cites as fact the legend of the cites as fact the legend of the Phoenix reborn out of fire).Phoenix reborn out of fire).

The Preservation of God’s The Preservation of God’s WordWord

““For assuredly, I say to you, till For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means jot or one tittle will by no means

pass from the law till all is pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”fulfilled.”

(Matthew 5:18)(Matthew 5:18)

The Preservation of God’s The Preservation of God’s WordWord

““...All flesh is as grass, And all the ...All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of flower falls away, But the word of

the LORD endures forever...”the LORD endures forever...”(1 Peter 1:24-25)(1 Peter 1:24-25)

What Determined What Was Viewed as Canonical?

• Divine Providence. (God preserves His word).

• Acceptance by the early church.

• Content. (e.g. Epistle of Barnabas cites as fact the legend of the PhoenixPhoenix reborn out of fire).

What Determined What WasWhat Determined What WasViewed as Canonical?Viewed as Canonical?

What Determined What Was Viewed as Canonical?

• Content. (e.g. Epistle of Barnabas cites as fact the legend of the Phoenix reborn out of fire).

The Council of Nicea

• The Council convened by Constantine (the First Emperor who believed in Jesus) in 325 AD to address the nature of Christ and gnostic heresies.

• Falsely said to have “decided” the NT canon.

Did Nicea “Decide” the Canon?

Jerome in his preface to his translation of the Apocryphal book of Judith says ... “Among the Jews, the book of Judith is considered among the apocrypha; ... Moreover, since it was written in the Chaldean language, it is counted among the historical books. But the Nicene Council is considered to have counted this book among the number of sacred Scriptures...”

The Synod of Laodicea (343-381)

Issued this statement - “... And these are the books of the New Testament: Four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; The Acts of the Apostles; Seven Catholic Epistles, to wit, one of James, two of Peter, three of John, one of Jude; Fourteen Epistles of Paul, one to the Romans, two to the Corinthians, one to the Galatians, one to the Ephesians, one to the Philippians, one to the Colossians, two to the Thessalonians, one to the Hebrews, two to Timothy, one to Titus, and one to Philemon.”

(Canon 60).

The Letter of Athanasius(367 AD)

““...of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, ...of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Afterwards, the according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz. of Acts of the Apostles and Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz. of James, one; of Peter, two; of John, three; after these, one of James, one; of Peter, two; of John, three; after these, one of Jude. In addition, there are fourteen Epistles of Paul, written in Jude. In addition, there are fourteen Epistles of Paul, written in this order. The first, to the Romans; then two to the this order. The first, to the Romans; then two to the Corinthians; after these, to the Galatians; next, to the Corinthians; after these, to the Galatians; next, to the Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the Colossians; after Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the Colossians; after these, two to the Thessalonians, and that to the Hebrews; and these, two to the Thessalonians, and that to the Hebrews; and again, two to Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to again, two to Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to Philemon. And besides, the Revelation of John.”Philemon. And besides, the Revelation of John.”

(Festal Letter 39).(Festal Letter 39).

Was Something Left Out?Was Something Left Out?

““Does the fact that some lists (and mss) Does the fact that some lists (and mss) contain other texts mean that something may contain other texts mean that something may

have been left out of modern Bibles?”have been left out of modern Bibles?”• No — It simply reflects the fact that some No — It simply reflects the fact that some

valued those texts.valued those texts.

• Some may have viewed these as supplemental.Some may have viewed these as supplemental.

• Some may have mistakenly taken them as Some may have mistakenly taken them as inspired.inspired.

Did “Councils” Determine Did “Councils” Determine What was in the Bible?What was in the Bible?

• Councils or declarations of men Councils or declarations of men do not determine what is Divine, do not determine what is Divine, inspired or authoritative.inspired or authoritative.

• At best, they simply state what is At best, they simply state what is already understood to be true.already understood to be true.

New Testament ReliabilityNew Testament Reliability

* The New Testament Gospels, * The New Testament Gospels, Epistles & Prophecy (Matthew - Epistles & Prophecy (Matthew -

Revelation) were complete and viewed Revelation) were complete and viewed as the inspired word of God by the end as the inspired word of God by the end

of the First Century.of the First Century.

* We can be assured that the New * We can be assured that the New Testament we read in our English Bible Testament we read in our English Bible

is the complete, accurate and wholly is the complete, accurate and wholly inspired word of God.inspired word of God.

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