introduction canon- books were accepted as scripture if written by the apostles or a faithful...

IntroductionCanon- books were accepted as Scripture if

written by the apostles or a faithful associate of an apostle.

“This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring

up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words

spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and

Savior spoken by your apostles.” (2 Peter 3:1-2)

The apostles had binding and loosing authority from the Lord as we studied last

night. (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18)

IntroductionEven though Paul was not an original

apostle chosen by Jesus, he saw the resurrected Lord (1 Cor. 15:8) and was inspired by God to write many letters.

“Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,

regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him,

wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things…”

(2 Peter 3:15-16a)

IntroductionThe apostle Paul’s words were to be

obeyed also.

Paul said, “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the

things which I am writing to you are the Lord’s commandment.” (1 Cor. 14:37)

These inspired writings were to be obeyed by all the churches. The apostle Paul

taught the same thing in every church. (1 Cor. 4:17)

“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter

from us.” (2 Thess. 2:15)

When Writings Were Considered Scripture…

….Brethren were commanded to read it.

“I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.” (1 Thess. 5:27)

…They were commanded to circulate it to other churches and read the letters from

other congregations.

“When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans;

and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.” (Colossians 4:16)

…Brethren were commanded not to add or take away from it. (1 Cor. 4:6; Rev. 22:18-

19)

The Bible Teaches that Every Word of God is Inspired, Infallible, and Inerrant“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in

righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy

3:16-17)

Jesus said in response to the devil’s temptation, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4)

Do you believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant word which we can depend on for eternal life? (John 12:48-50)

The World Doesn’t Believe that the Bible is Inspired but Some Brethren

don’t either“No. Have to be honest. In fact my Lord Jesus demands that I be intellectually honest. I can't be a follower of Jesus and not be. And I think the evidence tips the scales in favor of their authenticity. And that's what I would argue,

that's what I've tried to argue here. But I would have to say, I can't just be dogmatic

about that, I'm not a hundred percent certain about that"

Brethren, what if I taught that publicly? Would you accept it? I would hope you wouldn’t!

(Marty Pickup, The Canonicity of the General Epistles, Florida College Annual Lectures, [8

Feb. 2000]).

Scripture Says- It Will Never Pass Away

“the word of our God stands forever” (1 Pt. 1:23)

“Heaven and earth shall pass away by My words shall never pass away” (Matthew

24:35)

“I commend you to God and the word of His grace which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all those who are

sanctified” (Acts 20:32)

But we don’t have the original autographs.

How do we know that there aren’t significant changes due to copyist’s errors, additions, or

subtractions?

Use Test for All Ancient Documents

How many copies of the document are available?

(the more the better to compare it)

Where were the copies found?(if they come from one place, collusion is

possible)

How long passed between the original & its copies?

(if there is a long time period, many changes could have been made and we wouldn’t know it)

What differences exist between the copies?(if there are only a few and if minor, then they

can be trusted to be faithful to the original, but if not, how can you trust it?)

Secular WritingsAuthor Date

WrittenEarliest Copy

Time betweenOriginal & copy

# of copies

Homer(Iliad)




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato 427- 347 BC




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato 427- 347 BC

900 AD




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato 427- 347 BC

900 AD 1200 yrs




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato 427- 347 BC

900 AD 1200 yrs 7




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato 427- 347 BC

900 AD 1200 yrs 7

Aristotle




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato 427- 347 BC

900 AD 1200 yrs 7

Aristotle 384-322 BC




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato 427- 347 BC

900 AD 1200 yrs 7


1100 AD




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato 427- 347 BC

900 AD 1200 yrs 7


1100 AD

1400 yrs




# of copies

Homer(Iliad)

900 BC 400 BC 500 yrs 643

Herodotus

480-425 BC

900 AD 1300 yrs 8

Plato 427- 347 BC

900 AD 1200 yrs 7


1100 AD

1400 yrs 5




# of copies

Caesar




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs.




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs.




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius

75-160 AD




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius

75-160 AD

950 AD




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius

75-160 AD

950 AD

800 yrs.




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius

75-160 AD

950 AD

800 yrs. ?




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius

75-160 AD

950 AD

800 yrs. ?

Tacitus




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius

75-160 AD

950 AD

800 yrs. ?

Tacitus c. 100 AD




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius

75-160 AD

950 AD

800 yrs. ?

Tacitus c. 100 AD

1100 AD




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius

75-160 AD

950 AD

800 yrs. ?

Tacitus c. 100 AD

1100 AD

1000 yrs.




# of copies

Caesar 100-44 BC

900 AD

1000 yrs. 10

Pliny 61-113AD

850 AD

750 yrs. 7

Seutonius

75-160 AD

950 AD

800 yrs. ?

Tacitus c. 100 AD

1100 AD

1000 yrs. 20

Biblical Manuscripts in Greek

Author Date Written

Earliest Copy

Time betweenOriginal &

copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100

AD 125


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100

AD 125 25-250 years


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100

AD 125 25-250 years 5300Greek

Manuscripts


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350

275-300 yrs


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350

275-300 yrs All OT, NT (Matt.- Heb.)


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus

1st century


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus

1st century

AD 350


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus

1st century

AD 350 300 yrs(WWW 2010)


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus

1st century

AD 350 300 yrs(WWW 2010)

Parts of OT,NT

complete


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus

1st century

AD 350 300 yrs(WWW 2010)

Parts of OT,NT

complete

CodexAlexandrin

us


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus

1st century

AD 350 300 yrs(WWW 2010)

Parts of OT,NT

complete

CodexAlexandrin

us

1st century


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus

1st century

AD 350 300 yrs(WWW 2010)

Parts of OT,NT

complete

CodexAlexandrin

us

1st century

AD 400


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus

1st century

AD 350 300 yrs(WWW 2010)

Parts of OT,NT

complete

CodexAlexandrin

us

1st century

AD 400 350 yrs


Author Date Written

Earliest Copy


copy

# of copies/

Contents

NewTestament

AD 45 – 100


Manuscripts

CodexVaticanus

1st century

AD325-350


CodexSinaiticus

1st century

AD 350 300 yrs(WWW 2010)

Parts of OT,NT

complete

CodexAlexandrin

us

1st century

AD 400 350 yrs Contains most of OT

and NT

Early NT Greek FragmentsPapyriManu.

Contents Original Written

MSS Date

Location

P46 (Chester Beatty)

Chester Beatty P 46



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD

DublinAnn Arbor, Michigan



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD


P66 (Bodmer Papyrus)



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67 Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-

28



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67 Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-

28

60’s



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67 Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-

28

60’s c. 200 AD



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67 Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-

28

60’s c. 200 AD

Barcelona, Fundacion



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67 Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-

28

60’s c. 200 AD


P 52(John

Rylands)



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67 Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-

28

60’s c. 200 AD


P 52(John

Rylands)

John 18:31-33, 37-38



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67 Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-

28

60’s c. 200 AD


P 52(John

Rylands)

John 18:31-33, 37-38

c. 96 AD



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67 Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-

28

60’s c. 200 AD


P 52(John

Rylands)

John 18:31-33, 37-38

c. 96 AD c. 130 AD



MSS Date

Location


Rom, Heb1 & 2 Cor,

Gal,Phil, Gal, 1 Th

50’s-70’s

c. 200 AD



John 1:1-6:11, 6:35- 14:26;

fragment 14:29-21:9

70’s AD c. 200 AD

Cologny, Geneva

(Switzerland)

P67 Matt. 3:9,15; 5:20-22, 25-

28

60’s c. 200 AD


P 52(John

Rylands)

John 18:31-33, 37-38

c. 96 AD c. 130 AD

Manchester, England

P 52 John Rylands Fragment

Before AD 325, the Church Fathers quoted almost all of the NT

“Geisler and Nix wrote, “...a brief inventory at this point will reveal that there were

some 32,000 citations of the NT prior to the time of the Council of Nicea (325). These

32,000 quotations are by no means exhaustive, and they do not include the 4th century writers. Just adding the number of

references used by one other writer, Eusebius, who flourished prior to and

contemporary with the council of Nicea, will bring the total citations of the NT to over

36,000”(A General Introduction to the Bible)

Church Fathers Quoted Most of the NT

Bruce Metzger wrote, “...so extensive are these citations that if all other sources for our knowledge of the text of the NT were destroyed, they would be sufficient alone for the reconstruction of practically the

entire NT.” (The Text of the NT)

“Sir David Darymple conducted an extensive search of the writings of the 2nd and 3rd

century ‘church fathers’ and was able to find all but 11 verses of the entire NT” (Charles Leach, Our Bible. How We Got It,

p. 35-36)

“Is the Bible Text Reliable?” (John A. Smith, “The Inspiration and Authority of The Bible” Truth Lectures)

There are Very Few Variances in Thousands of Manuscripts

“Geisler and Nix conclude that only 40 lines (or 400 words) of the NT are in doubt which

amounts to ½ of 1 % of the text of the NT)” (Smith, p. 330)

“Neil Lightfoot observes: ‘The variant readings in the manuscripts are not of such a nature that

they threaten to overthrow our faith. Except for a few instances, we have an unquestioned text;

and even then not one principle of faith or command of the Lord is involved’” (ibid, p. 331)

The vast majority of the variations are minor (spelling, punctuation, and footnotes are made

on those verses in the newer versions).

ConclusionThe NT passes the test more than any

other ancient document.

We have a multitude of manuscript copies (5,300) compared to few copies of

secular writers (10 or fewer for most).

These copies were found in many different places (Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Turkey,

Greece, Italy) which would make collusion practically impossible.

ConclusionThe time span between the original and a

copy is from 30 to 250 years compared to 1,000+ years for most secular

documents.

No doctrine is affected by any of the variances in the readings of the text.

The church fathers in their writings alone could practically reproduce the NT without any other documentation.

ConclusionFF Bruce said,

“The evidence of our NT writings is ever so much greater than the evidence

for many writings of classical authors, the authenticity of which no one dreams of

questioning. And if the NT were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be as

beyond all doubt”.

ConclusionJosh McDowell said, “After trying to shatter the

historicity and validity of the Scripture, I came to the conclusion that they are historically

trustworthy. If one discards the Bible as being unreliable, then he must discard almost all

literature of antiquity. One problem I constantly face is the desire on the part of many to apply one standard or test to secular literature and

other to the Bible. One needs to apply the same test, whether the literature under

investigation is secular or religious. Having done this, I believe one can hold the Scriptures in his hand and say, ‘the Bible is trustworthy, and historically reliable.” (A Ready Defense)

ConclusionJesus said, "He who rejects Me and does not

receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge

him at the last day. "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself

who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. "I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I

speak just as the Father has told Me." (John 12:48-50)

Put all your trust in every single word of the Bible and obey Him rather than man!

introduction canon- books were accepted as scripture if written by the apostles or a faithful...

Documents

word of god

man of god

inspiration of god

inerrant word

word of mouth

resurrected lord

mouth of god matthew

inspired writings