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The term “canon” originates from the legal standard used to assess if a book met a certain criterion. It is crucial to understand that the Scriptures were considered canonical from the moment they were written. Scripture held its status as Scripture from the instant the pen made contact with the parchment. This distinction is significant because the foundation of Christianity lies in the authority of Scripture. Without a clear definition of Scripture, it becomes challenging to differentiate between theological truths and falsehoods.
What criteria or benchmark was employed to determine which books should be recognized as Scripture? A pivotal verse shedding light on the process, purpose, and timing of the delivery of Scripture is Jude 3, which affirms that the faith of a Christian “was once for all delivered to the saints.” Given that our faith is shaped by Scripture, Jude essentially conveys that Scripture was given once for the benefit of all believers. It is reassuring to realize that there are no concealed or lost manuscripts waiting to be discovered, no undisclosed texts known only to a select few, and no individuals possessing exclusive revelations that necessitate a journey up a Himalayan peak for enlightenment. We can trust that God has not abandoned us without a testimony. The same divine power that was employed to inspire His Word has also been utilized to safeguard it.
Psalm 119:160 proclaims that the entirety of God’s Word is truth. With this foundation, we can evaluate writings beyond the accepted canon of Scripture to determine their validity. For instance, the Bible asserts the divinity of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7;Matthew 1:22-23;John 1:1,2, 14
, 20:28; Acts 16:31, 34; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1). However, many non-biblical texts, claiming to be Scripture, argue that Jesus is not God. When clear contradictions exist, the established Bible is to be trusted, leaving the others outside the sphere of Scripture.
In the early centuries of the church, Christians were sometimes put to death for possessing copies of Scripture. Because of this persecution, the question soon arose, “What books are worth dying for?” Some books may have contained sayings of Jesus, but were they inspired as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16? Church councils played a role in publicly recognizing the canon of Scripture, but often an individual church or groups of churches recognized a book as inspired from its writing (e.g., Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). Throughout the early centuries of the church, few books were ever disputed, and the list was basically settled by A.D. 303.
When it came to the Old Testament, three important facts were considered: 1) The New Testament quotes from or alludes to every Old Testament book but two. 2) Jesus effectively endorsed the Hebrew canon in Matthew 23:35 when He cited one of the first narratives and one of the last in the Scriptures of His day. 3) The Jews were meticulous in preserving the Old Testament Scriptures, and they had few controversies over what parts belong or do not belong. The Roman Catholic Apocrypha did not measure up and fell outside the definition of Scripture and has never been accepted by the Jews.
Most questions about which books belong in the Bible dealt with writings from the time of Christ and forward. The early church had some very specific criteria for books to be considered as part of the New Testament. These included: Was the book written by someone who was an eyewitness of Jesus Christ? Did the book pass the “truth test”? (i.e., did it concur
When the early church councils met to discuss the canon of Scripture, they did not determine which books should be considered Scripture. The books that were accepted in the New Testament at that time have stood the test of time, and Christian orthodoxy has embraced them for centuries without much dispute.
The confidence in the acceptance of specific books can be traced back to the first-century recipients who provided firsthand testimony regarding their authenticity. Additionally, the subject matter of the book of Revelation concerning the end times, along with the warning against adding to its words in Revelation 22:18, strongly suggests that the canon was closed when it was written around A.D. 95.
It is crucial not to overlook a significant theological point. Throughout millennia, God has used His Word primarily to reveal Himself and communicate with humanity. The decision on whether a book is considered Scripture was made when God chose the human author to write it. To ensure the preservation of His Word over the centuries, God guided the early church councils in recognizing the canon.
The knowledge about God’s true nature, the origin of the universe and life, the meaning and purpose of life, the marvels of salvation, and future events, including the destiny of humanity, surpasses the natural observation and scientific capabilities of humans. The Word of God, which has been cherished and applied by Christians for centuries, is sufficient to provide us with all the information we need to understand Christ (John 5:18;Acts 18:28;Galatians 3:22;2 Timothy 3:15) and to guide, correct, and instruct us in righteousness «All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: », (2 Timothy 3:16).
