The Complete Canon
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Gather
1. measurement in their minds and record their guesses down to the sixteenth of an inch.
2. Reveal the true measurements and congratulate the person who was the closest for each object.
ASK: How well do you trust your ability to guess measurements?
ASK: Describe a situation in which you would want to have exact measurements.
The sixty-six books that make up the Bible all had to measure up before being accepted as Scripture. The measuring stick was strict. We will learn today about the standard by which each of the books was judged. We will find our Bibles are complete and trustworthy
Definition of Canonicity
Definition of Canonicity
The term “canon” comes from a Latin word meaning “ruler, rule, model, standard.” The Latin word came from the Greek word kanon, which refers to any straight rod or bar used as a standard. Kanon may have come from kanna, another Greek word meaning “reed.” The ancients used straight reeds as measuring rods. In that sense, a ruler or yardstick could be called a canon. In time, the word “canon” came to be used for items that had been measured and found to meet the standard.
In the earliest years of the Christian faith, believers recognized that certain books were inspired by God, or breathed out by Him, when they were written. These were recognized as the “canon” of Scripture.
Five Tests of the Canonicity
Five Tests of the Canonicity
God determined which writings were to be included in the Canon. The Holy Spirit led the people of Israel and then the people of the early church to recognize which writings were inspired Scriptures and part of the Canon. Five basic principles guided the early Christians in recognizing which books were given by God.
ASK: What might you list as a test of canonicity?
1. Does the Book Express God’s Authority?
1. Does the Book Express God’s Authority?
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The early Christians noticed whether a book expressed the authority of God.
After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying,
Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
ASK: What common phrase is found in these verses? The word of the Lord came.
Phrases that attribute words to the Lord clearly show that the words are not simply a man’s idea or philosophy. Such statements are found at least 3,808 times in the Old Testament. God clearly communicated that the Scriptures are authoritative.
In some of his epistles, the apostle Paul spoke of the authority of his writing.
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
Paul recognized that nothing he said of his own authority would have been anything more than man’s words. He even said that if he or anyone else tried to come up with his own gospel, then that person should be accursed, or eternally condemned.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
All the Gospels contain quotations of Jesus Christ and accounts of God speaking from Heaven as well. Matthew 3:13–17, for example, includes words attributed to Jesus as well as a direct message from God in Heaven concerning Jesus.
Many books written over the years of Old and New Testament history did not have the authoritative ring of “thus says the Lord.” While there may well have been truth in them, they were not recognized as being from God Himself.
Was the Writer Authorized by God?
Was the Writer Authorized by God?
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
God spoke through holy men in communicating the Scriptures. So in determining which books were from God, the early Christians considered whether the writers of Old Testament books were prophets, lawgivers, or leaders in Israel and whether the writers of New Testament books were apostles or those who were backed by an apostle.
Once the human writers were recognized as authorized by God, the early Christians needed to consider whether each book was written by the name it bears. For those books that don’t list an author, they considered whether the book was written by the person traditionally recognized as the author. And for books, such as Hebrews, that are not associated with an author directly or traditionally, they considered whether the book was written during the time associated with the book. Books that appear to be forged or written later than claimed weren’t included in the Canon.
None of the 66 books of the Bible fails this test. For instance, all five books of the Pentateuch have always been traditionally assigned to Moses. The evidence for his authorship is substantial.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
ASK: What did God ask Moses to do? To write the account of the victory over the Amalekites.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.
Moses not only wrote about what God told him to write, but he also wrote that God told him to write about it. That is for our benefit. It gives us confidence that God intended for the history of His interaction with Israel to be recorded and that He intended for Moses to be the one to record that history.
Other places in the Pentateuch say that Moses recorded both the Lord’s instructions to Israel (Exod. 24:4; Deut. 31:9, 24) and the records of their journeys with the Lord (Num. 33:2). Within the Pentateuch, Moses’ writings are referred to as the words of this law and the book of this law (Deut. 28:58, 61). Outside the Pentateuch Joshua refers to them as the book of the law of Moses (Josh. 8:31) while Nehemiah calls the Pentateuch the book of Moses (Neh. 13:1). First Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Daniel also attribute the Pentateuch to Moses. The evidence is clear that Moses wrote the Pentateuch and that he recorded real history under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
ASK: How important is knowing the words the Pentateuch attributes to God were said by God and recorded by Moses? Why? Highly important because Moses recorded the words God spoke in the creation of the universe.
We must be careful not to let theologians talk us into doubting the genuineness of God’s Word, as if they have more authority on the authors of the Scriptures than the Bible has itself.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
ASK: What warning did Paul give to the believers in Galatia who had begun to follow a false gospel? That those who change the gospel pervert it and bring trouble to those who fall for their convincing arguments.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
ASK:What admonition did John give to believers? To test those who come to them with new doctrines to see if their teaching aligns with the truth in God’s Word.
Is the Book’s Message Authentic?
Is the Book’s Message Authentic?
- Authenticity deals with the content of Scripture. What does it say about God? Is its message consistent with the rest of the Bible? If a book contradicted another book of Scripture, then it would be suspect. The Bereans set an example by comparing Paul’s message to existing Scripture to see whether what he said was in accord with other parts of the Word of God (Acts 17:11).
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
ASK: What was the result of the Berean’s faithful testing of the genuineness of Paul’s teaching? Many of them believed.
Jesus used the Old Testament with approval of the text. The Scriptures
Jesus used were organized with Genesis first and Chronicles (combined 1 and 2 Chronicles) last. While speaking against some lawyers, he mentioned Abel and Zechariah, two murdered prophets (Luke 11:51).
Jesus spoke to the authority of the entire Old Testament by referring to historical events in its first and last books. We could say Jesus used the Old Testament with such confidence that He regarded its historical records as adequate evidence to condemn the religious leaders of His day. Jesus’ testimony regarding the Old Testament Scriptures is strong.
All of Scripture is incredibly harmonious. There are no contradictory doctrines when each passage is carefully studied in context.
Does the Book have God’s Transformative Power?
Does the Book have God’s Transformative Power?
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The fourth test of canonicity is the evidence that the book was inspired by God. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the inspired Word of God is quick, powerful, and piercing. Its message powerfully transforms those who receive it (1 Thess. 2:13). The people of God recognized transforming power in the books that became part of the canon of Scripture.
ASK: What books of the Bible has God used to powerfully affect your life?
ASK: How do the effects of God’s Word help build your confidence in it?
A good way to judge whether a book is inspired is to read it alongside other books that are not part of the Scriptures. The differences between the two become quite evident. For example, books from the Apocrypha, written from about 400 BC to the time of Christ, have a markedly different character than the books included in the canon of Scripture. They do not speak authoritatively; nor are they cohesive with the rest of Scripture.
Was the Book Originally Received as Scripture?
Was the Book Originally Received as Scripture?
And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto all the elders of Israel.
And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,
When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:
And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
The capstone of all questions and tests was if God’s people recognized a book in the Bible as being from God when it was written and then read over the years. The question of what books belonged in the Jewish canon of Scripture had been settled centuries before the time of Christ.
The scrolls containing the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms (Luke 24:44) had been collected in the tabernacle and later in the temple.
And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
The early leaders of the church quoted from the Epistles and the Gospels in the same way they quoted from the Old Testament books.
Records of worship in the early church indicate that the books of the New Testament were read along with the Old Testament in the second century AD. Early church councils didn’t announce which books to use. They simply stated they used the sixty-six books of Scripture because they recognized them to be the Word of God.
The Council of Carthage in AD 397 was the first church council to recognize the twenty-seven books of the New Testament as belonging to the Canon. Most of the New Testament books had already been considered canonical before then. The books of Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, and Jude were debated some but were eventually recognized. All twenty-seven books in the New Testament have proven to be indeed worthy of their place in the canon of Scripture.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The canon of Scripture is the collection of books inspired by the Holy Spirit. There are five tests to determine whether a book belongs in the Canon. None of the books in the Bible fail to meet the standard for inclusion in the Canon. We can trust our Bibles are both complete and effective in changing our hearts and minds to be more like Christ.
