Why 66?
.
How Can We Be Sure Which Books Belong in Our Bible?
Brian H. Edwards
There are
66 books in the Bible.
Taken
together, these are known as the canon of divine revelation.
They were written over a period of around two thousand years by about
forty different writers.
However, just one author inspired them—God. But how
can we be sure that these 66 books are the only inspired Scriptures, no more or
less?
The Old Testament
The ancient Hebrews had a clearly defined body of Scriptures. The Word
of God was recognized from the very beginning, and there was no doubt which
books belonged.
The Jews did not arrange their books in the same way as
Christians do, however, and some books were combined. But the content was the
same. No more or less.
Evidence within the Bible indicates that most of the books of the Old
Testament were written at the time of the events they record, and they were
accepted as God’s Word at the time the words were given. Historical records
outside the Bible reinforce this conclusion.
Jesus verified that the Old Testament writings were always Scripture
when He quoted from the Old Testament and claimed,
“It is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7,10) and
“Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35 NIV).
Paul had no
doubt that the Jews were “entrusted with
the very words [the oracles] of God” (Romans 3:2, NIV).
Modern-day
theologian Carl F. H. Henry wisely concluded, “The church inherited the Old Testament, and Jesus defended, encouraged
and exemplified faithful submission to these writings as an inspired canon.”
A famous Jewish
council met at Jamnia around AD 100. Its purpose was not, as is often
erroneously suggested, to decide which books would be included among the sacred
writings for the Jews. The purpose was which books were already accepted. The council had access to the same Old
Testament canon that we have today.
The New Testament
Evidence within the Bible supports the conclusion that most of the New
Testament was written by AD 70, while the writings of John came a little later. Most of the books name the author, and all the books give other helpful clues, which the book of Acts helps us to date more accurately.
Several
statements in the Bible indicate that the New Testament would be written by
apostles or approved by them.
Peter called
Paul’s writings “scripture” (2 Peter
3:16).
Paul said he and
other apostles spoke “the word of God”
(1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Before the close of the first century, Clement of
Rome either quoted from or referred to more than half the New Testament books
and called them “scripture.”
By AD 180,
Irenaeus of Lyons quoted over 1,000 passages from all but a handful of the New
Testament books, calling them “holy
Scriptures” given by the Holy Spirit.
At the same
time, Tertullian from North Africa referred to the “New Testament” and
expounded on most of it.
Origen from
Alexandria in AD 240 referred to our 27 books as Scripture, and Athanasius used
the same list in AD 367. They
used no other books in the same way.
It is certain that by the early second century, the
four Gospels (and never any others) and the thirteen letters of Paul were
accepted by the churches across the Roman Empire without question.
Up to the year AD 180, all our New Testament books
(with the single exception of 2 Peter) are found in either direct quotations or
allusions in the writings of the leaders of the churches.
By this year, a
few churches hesitated over James, Jude, 2 and 3 John, 2 Peter, Hebrews, and
Revelation; but all the rest were universally accepted. The church leaders
never used non-canonical books with the same authority as the New Testament
books.
The Muratorian
Canon, originally compiled around AD 150, is our earliest documented evidence
of a body of books that was identified as the New Testament canon of Scripture.
It contains all but four of our New Testament books, though the only surviving
copy from the eighth century is in poor condition and is missing parts. No council
was ever called to debate the contents of the canon—it was almost universally
recognized for what it was, the Word of God.
Why did it take so long for the list of the New
Testament canon to show up?
1. The
apostles did not leave us with a neat list of authoritative books.
2. No scroll
could contain all the books, and the process of making books (called codices)
did not become popular in the Roman Empire until the fourth century.
3. The
churches were widely scattered across the Roman Empire and beyond, from Britain
to North Africa and east into Persia. Early Christians were still facing
persecution and could not easily meet together.
Even though no one church or
leader had authority to dictate to the others, it is amazing that close to AD
150 the Muratorian Canon could list all but four of our New Testament books.
Many deceivers wrote false
gospels and letters, pretending that they were written by the apostles. But the
early church leaders dismissed them as counterfeit and unreliable.
The false gospels and letters
betrayed themselves by their late date of composition—well beyond the time of
the apostles—and by their teaching, which clearly conflicted with the canonical
books and the accepted doctrines of the churches.
Conclusion
We have precisely the books that God planned from eternity—66 books in all.
How Do We Know Each Book of the Bible is Inspired?
The church recognizes that God
inspired the Bible’s 66 books.
God supernaturally chose the
Bible’s human authors, and He confirmed their authenticity through fulfilled
prophecy or miracles. With more than 40 authors from over 19 backgrounds, the
Bible’s message is consistent and without contradiction or error.
The Jews accepted books written
by Moses and the prophets as part of their canon (now called the Old
Testament). In the same way, Christ’s messengers were responsible for the books
that are included in the New Testament.
Additionally, we would expect a
book that came from God to meet certain criteria, including historical,
prophetic, and scientific accuracy; a tone of authority; and a life-changing
message.
The Bible accurately records
historical details about people groups, cities, and customs. Archaeological
finds continue to confirm these details.
Many modern scientific facts can
be found in the Bible or deduced from it:
- the earth is round (Isaiah
40:22),
- the stars are countless (Genesis
15:5),
- living things reproduce after
their kinds (Genesis 1:24-25), and
- there are “paths” in the oceans
(Psalm 8:8).
Concerning prophetic accuracy,
Old Testament passages give more than 50 prophecies of the birth, life, death,
and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and every prophecy (written over 400 years
before His birth) came true.
The Bible’s books also claim to
be God’s words in several verses, including 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2
Peter 1:21. In numerous places, the author says, “thus says the Lord,” laying claim to
divine authorship.
The Bible’s message contains
life-changing power. It convicts men of sin, brings them to the end of
themselves, and then transforms them into new creatures by the power of the
Holy Spirit. No other message has done this for mankind.
The Bible’s divine author gives
it authority. Without being inspired by God, the Bible is just a collection of
men’s writings.
But what man has the authority to
demand perfection of men, convict them of sin, doom them to a hopeless
eternity, and offer them salvation?
No man has the authority, but
Christ does!
Would you want to have a
deeper relationship with the God of the Bible?
God has made it possible
for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in
your own life by receiving His Son, Jesus Christ, and have eternal life.
Say the following
prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins
have separated me from You.
.
RELATED POSTS:
.
RELATED POSTS:
The Bible
a wondrous book given
by God to men
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Are
Jesus’ Words More Important than Paul’s?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Christ Predicted Climate
Patterns
.
.
.
.
lyrics
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
When I feel afraid,
And think I've lost my way.
Still, you're there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus by my guide,
And hold me to your side,
And I will love you to the end.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
And a light unto my path.
You're the light unto my path.
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
When I feel afraid,
And think I've lost my way.
Still, you're there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus by my guide,
And hold me to your side,
And I will love you to the end.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
And a light unto my path.
You're the light unto my path.
No comments:
Post a Comment