I. There is not much disagreement on this.

A. There is 27 books which are in the NT.

B.

II. The whole process took place over 3 stages.

A. From the times of the Apostles to 170AD

1. Evidences of the growth in appreciation of the peculiar value of the New Testament writings

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:27, I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

a) God is telling Paul to have this read.

b) They started to read these verses to the christians.

3. 1 Thessalonians 2:13, For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

4. In 1 Corth. 14:37 are more verses and all through the NT there are verse like these proving that God is the one putting this together.

B. From 170AD to 220AD

1. The second we discover the clear, full recognition of a large part of these writings as sacred and authoritative

2. During this time the church were using these books for study already.

3. Also during this period we see differences on books and if the entire chapter should be in them.

C. From the 3rd and 4th century

1. The third acceptance of the complete canon in the East and in the West

III. Christ sent the Holy Spirit to us.

A. John 14:26, But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1. We have to realize that the Holy Spirit help bring the Bible into existence.

B. John 16:13, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1. Again we have the Spirit showing us which scriptures are real and what should not be in the Bible.

IV. Always remember that the key to the canon is divine inspiration.

A. They know that all the Apostles were send by Christ.

1. Christ told them to go and preach the word.

2. The word which He had giving to them.

B. So there fore what the Apostles spoke and wrote was inspirated.

V. The Bible itself tells us it is the word of God.

A. 2 Timothy 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

1. Doctrine is basic teaching for christian.

2. Reproof is where we got off the track.

3. Correction is how to get back on the right track.

4. Instruction in righteousness is how to stay on.

B. 2 Samuel 23:2, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

C. 2 Peter 1:19-21,19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 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.

1 Corinthians 2:10-13,10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Bible Study 9/12/06