HOW WE GOT THE BIBLEHOW WE GOT THE BIBLE

Development of the CanonDevelopment of the Canon

What Books Should be in the What Books Should be in the Bible?Bible?

2 Tim. 3:16-17; Col. 3:172 Tim. 3:16-17; Col. 3:17

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Development of Development of the Canon of the Canon of ScriptureScripture Canon – “a reed or Canon – “a reed or

measuring rod”measuring rod” Came to mean “the norm or Came to mean “the norm or

rule”rule” Eventually, “catalog or list”Eventually, “catalog or list”

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Development of Development of the Canon of the Canon of ScriptureScripture Collection of writings which Collection of writings which

are God-breathed & thus, are God-breathed & thus, authoritativeauthoritative Recognize the difference Recognize the difference

between between inspirationinspiration & & canonizationcanonization

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Books Categorized Books Categorized into Four Groupsinto Four Groups Virtually all agree they Virtually all agree they

belongbelong Most all agree they belongMost all agree they belong Most agree do not belongMost agree do not belong Virtually all agree do not Virtually all agree do not

belongbelong

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What Determines What Determines Canonicity?Canonicity? Inspiration determines Inspiration determines

canonicity - canonicity - 2 Tim. 3:16-172 Tim. 3:16-17 No man, Church or Council No man, Church or Council

made the Bible books made the Bible books authoritative! authoritative! 2 Ths. 2:15; 2 Ths. 2:15; Eph. 3:3-5Eph. 3:3-5

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Inspired Inspired WritingWriting

Divine Divine AuthorityAuthority

CanonicalCanonical

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Tests of CanonicityTests of Canonicity

Apostolicity – Apostolicity – 1 Cor. 14:371 Cor. 14:37 Identify,Identify, 2 Ths. 3:17 (Jno. 13:20) 2 Ths. 3:17 (Jno. 13:20) Necessary instruction,Necessary instruction, 1 Tim. 3:15 1 Tim. 3:15 Viewed as Scripture, Viewed as Scripture, 2 Pet. 3:15-2 Pet. 3:15-

16; 1 Tim. 5:18 (Lk. 10:7)16; 1 Tim. 5:18 (Lk. 10:7)

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Tests of CanonicityTests of Canonicity

Apostolicity – Apostolicity – 1 Cor. 14:371 Cor. 14:37 Make sure Make sure onlyonly apostolic, apostolic,

prophetic writings (inspired) prophetic writings (inspired) were were receivedreceived as binding as binding upon men!! upon men!! (Gal. 1:8-9; 2 (Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Ths. 3:17)Ths. 3:17)

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Tests of CanonicityTests of Canonicity

Character of its contentsCharacter of its contents Harmonize with apostles’ Harmonize with apostles’

doctrinedoctrine Important to make sure Important to make sure

profane, purely human writings profane, purely human writings were were notnot receivedreceived as binding as binding upon men!! upon men!! (2 Ths. 2:1-2; (2 Ths. 2:1-2; Matt. 24:4)Matt. 24:4)

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Tests of CanonicityTests of Canonicity

Universality Universality General acceptance of the bookGeneral acceptance of the book Important that all mankind Important that all mankind

accept as authoritative every accept as authoritative every book that is inspired by God!! book that is inspired by God!! (1 Ths. (1 Ths. 5:27; Col. 4:16; 2 Pet. 3:16)5:27; Col. 4:16; 2 Pet. 3:16)

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Why Have a Canon?Why Have a Canon? Identify the accepted Identify the accepted

(approved) standard (approved) standard Combat false teachers – Combat false teachers – 2 Pet. 2 Pet.

2: 1-2; 3:1-3, 16; 1 Jno. 4:1, 62: 1-2; 3:1-3, 16; 1 Jno. 4:1, 6 Identify the counterfeitIdentify the counterfeit

Forged books –Forged books – 2 Ths. 2:1-2 2 Ths. 2:1-2

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The Canon of The Canon of ScriptureScripture Confident in the accuracy Confident in the accuracy

of the canon of the canon Will you take the Bible & Will you take the Bible &

use it to be saved in use it to be saved in Christ?Christ? (2 Tim. 2:15; (2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11-12)Acts 17:11-12)