Untitled Sermon (3)

How did we get the biblical canon we have today, and how can we trust that it is truly the Word of God?

Apologetic Message Series for Relentless Youth

Prepared by Kevin S. Johnson

The Foot.

How do we know the bible is infallible? Never Wrong? Inerrant? And even the only tool to measure your life by. How do you know 12 inches is a foot? 1 foot was originally determined by the actual foot of the roman emperor. In England the first inch was officially determined to be the width of an average grown man’s thumb, and King Henry the 1st determined the official measurement of a foot based on his royal booted foot. In fact prior to King Henry, the official measurement of a foot was the length of the ruling monarch’s forearm. In 1795 France alone had over 700 measurements, boasting different methods in nearly EVERY INDUSTRY.

If measurement for thousands of years had no universal standards, it’s no wonder it wasn’t until the late 18th century when measurements became standard that we began to see major industrial progress beginning between 1760 to 1840 Historically known as the Industrial Revolution.

Precise, Universal, and Accurate Tools of Measurement Are Essential for Growth, Productivity, and the Development of Society.

Ruler, Measuring Cups, Temperature, Volume, Weight (scales), etc!

Bridges collapse if too heavy, or built wrong. Proper adherence to measurements and their capacity can sustain life, or take life if not respected.

What is the instrument of Measurement for OUR LIFE? The Bible

3 Points To Biblical Canon and “Why Is The Bible So Important?”

Where Did We Find The Original Bible?

How Many Books Are Like It?

How Do We Know These Are The Online Inspired Books?

Where Did We Find The Original Bible?

It’s actually 66 DIFFERENT books from texts and scrolls found abroad and a large portion in the Dead Sea Scrolls (search this stuff and discuss)

How many books are there like it? Why only 66?

Why isn’t other 2nd temple writings from jesus’ time included in our bible.

Ie. Macabees, Enoch 1, 2, and 3, Jubilee’s, the war scrolls, other letters paul wrote that were found,

44+ books that are referenced in the bible, but not determined as “scripture” or Canon”

WHY?

Are these books evil to read?

If someone does read them, what should they consider or keep in mind?

Hint - if it takes the focus off of the necessity of the Gospel, then toss it out.

How then did we decide to put these 66 books together to make one book and call itInerant, and scripture?

How did we determine its validity?

Answers: Between A.D. 90 and 100, a group of Jewish scholars met at Jamnia in Israel to consider matters relating to the Hebrew Scriptures. It has been suggested that the canon of the Jewish Scriptures was agreed here; (OLD TESTAMENT WRITINGS)

Answer. For the NEW TESTAMENT. “Test’s became necessary. 5 main tests, and they had to pass all 5 to be considered.

Apostolic - Does it come from an apostle.

Authentic - Does it have a ring of truth?

Ancient - Has it been used from the earliest times?

Accepted - Are most churches using it?

Accurate - Does it conform to orthodox teaching of churches?

Why Is This All Important?

Why does it matter what books are canon and which are not?

If it’s canon, and considered to be divinely inspired by God as inerent text, how does that affect our thoughts and actions?

What if there were no rules for anything? Canon mean’s rule, or measure.

What if the sea had no measure to where it could flow?

What if all laws were just based upon opinions and feelings?

Would truth be relative?

Could up be down if there was no absolute measure of direction, time and space?

Can a man kill and consume the flesh of another man and it be ok because for one of them, that’s his measure of whats “ok”

How do we handle scripture when we read things we don’t agree with?

What if you are pro-choice? Then read all the scriptures explaining how that’s wicked?

What if you are pro-LGBTQAP+ and or want to live a lifestyle like that yourself? But then read scripture that disagrees with that lifestyle and calls it sinful?

What if you like to talk behind your friends (or enemies) backs and gossip because it’s fun, but then read scripture that God hates gossip and false witness?

What if you think its okay to have sex before marriage, but then find evidence in the word that its in fact, not?

Answers:

Scripture as Final Authority. 1 Corinthians 2:5

English Standard Version Chapter 2

5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Can not ADD or TAKE AWAY anything from it

English Standard Version Chapter 22

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

How Do We Know It Is The Word of God?

It is self authenticating.

It claims to be the word of God.

The bible should be allowed to speak for itself.

The bible should be able to testify on it’s own behalf

The witness of the holy spirit demonstrates the truthfulness of the scripture.

Examine the evidence that God has given

There Are Three Lines of Evidence for the Truth of Jesus’ Claims: Miracles, Fulfilled Prophecy and His Resurrection

We Should Do What Jesus’ Followers Did: Emphasize These Three Areas of Evidence

Ultimately, We Must Taste and See for Ourselves

How Will You Respond To His Word?

God loves you and has a plan for your life. Sin will destroy you. Christ Jesus died to save you. Repent and believe the Gospel. Be Baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. Abide in Christ and his body the Church. Go make disciples.