HOW WE GOT THE BIBLE Development of the Canon

1
HOW WE GOT THE BIBLEDevelopment of the Canon

• What Books Should be in the Bible?
• 2 Tim. 316-17 Col. 317

2
Development of the Canon of Scripture

• Canon a reed or measuring rod
• Came to mean the norm or rule
• Eventually, catalog or list

3
Development of the Canon of Scripture

• Collection of writings which are God-breathed
  thus, authoritative
• Recognize the difference between inspiration
  canonization

4
Books Categorized into Four Groups

• Virtually all agree they belong
• Most all agree they belong
• Most agree do not belong
• Virtually all agree do not belong

5
What Determines Canonicity?

• Inspiration determines canonicity - 2 Tim.
  316-17
• No man, Church or Council made the Bible books
  authoritative! 2 Ths. 215 Eph. 33-5

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Inspired Writing
Divine Authority
Canonical
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Tests of Canonicity

• Apostolicity 1 Cor. 1437
• Identify, 2 Ths. 317 (Jno. 1320)
• Necessary instruction, 1 Tim. 315
• Viewed as Scripture, 2 Pet. 315-16 1 Tim.
  518 (Lk. 107)

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Tests of Canonicity

• Apostolicity 1 Cor. 1437
• Make sure only apostolic, prophetic writings
  (inspired) were received as binding upon men!!
  (Gal. 18-9 2 Ths. 317)

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Tests of Canonicity

• Character of its contents
• Harmonize with apostles doctrine
• Important to make sure profane, purely human
  writings were not received as binding upon men!!
  (2 Ths. 21-2 Matt. 244)

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Tests of Canonicity

• Universality
• General acceptance of the book
• Important that all mankind accept as
  authoritative every book that is inspired by
  God!! (1 Ths.
  527 Col. 416 2 Pet. 316)

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Why Have a Canon?

• Identify the accepted (approved) standard
• Combat false teachers 2 Pet. 2 1-2 31-3,
  16 1 Jno. 41, 6
• Identify the counterfeit
• Forged books 2 Ths. 21-2

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The Canon of Scripture

• Confident in the accuracy of the canon
• Will you take the Bible use it to be saved in
  Christ? (2 Tim. 215 Acts 1711-12)