1. Are There LOST Books of The Bible?
Part 1 - Intro

2. Claiming there are “lost books”
Suggests we do not have all that we should have
Suggests there was some failure in the past to retain God’s word and somehow it vanished and is no longer available today

3. What do people mean when they say the “canon” of Scripture?
Genesis
Revelation
RULE

4. “CANON?” “Canon” means “rule,” “sphere,” or “line”
Galatians 6:16, “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God”

5. Process of Canonization
Not by an ancient historian or council of men judging what is and is not God’s word
Not the outcome of what fallible man preferred the “Bible” to consist of

6. Process of Canonization
Jesus promised a helper (the Holy Spirit) to be given to His apostles
Jn. 14:26; 16:13-15; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:2, 4, 5, 8
Their message is inspired (Matt. 10:19, 20)
Was viewed as fulfilled
Acts 2:1-4, 32, 33

7. DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CANONIZES BOTH TESTAMENTS
Old Testament Prophecy
New Testament Apostles
MOSES Matt. 8:4; Mk. 7:10-13; 12:26; Jn. 3:14; 7:23; etc.
PROPHETS
Matt. 12:39; 13:35; 21:5; etc.
John 16:13
Luke 24:44-49

8. Process of Canonization
Ezra
3:2, 4; 6:18
Isaiah
63:12
Daniel
9:11, 13
Malachi
4:4
Process of Canonization
The prophets accepted the books of Moses as Holy Scripture

9. Process of Canonization
Law of Moses
Genesis
Rom. 4:17 | 1 Cor. 15:45
Exodus
Rom. 7:7; 9:15 | 2 Cor. 8:15
Leviticus
Rom. 13:9 | 1 Pet. 1:16
Numbers
Acts 13:18 | 1 Cor. 10:8-10
Deuteronomy
Acts 3:22 | Rom.10:19
Process of Canonization
The apostles accepted the Law of Moses as Holy Scripture John 1:17: “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

10. Process of Canonization
Book of Psalms
Acts 1:16-20
Acts 2:25-32
Acts 13:32-37
Romans 11:9
Process of Canonization
The apostles accepted the Psalms as Holy Scripture Luke 20:42, 43: “Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."’”

11. Process of Canonization
Prophets
Acts 15:15-17
Amos 9:11, 12
Romans 1:17
Habakkuk 2:4
Romans 9:13
Malachi 1:2, 3
Romans 9:25, 26
Hosea 1:10; 2:23
Galatians 4:27
Isaiah 44:1
Process of Canonization
The apostles accepted the Prophets as Holy Scripture
2 Peter 3:2: “that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord…”

12. New Testament Canonization
The early church accepted apostolic authority (Acts 2:33, 37, 42; 1 Thess. 2:13)
Paul had this authority (1 Cor. 9:1, 2; 11:23; 14:37)
Corinth serves as an example of seeking proof to validate such authority ( 2 Cor. 13:3; 12:11, 12; cf. Mk. 16:17, 18)

13. New Testament Canonization
The early church accepted their preaching and written letters as inspired (1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Thess. 2:15; Col. 4:16)
Peter equated Paul’s writings with Scripture (2 Pet. 3:15, 16)
Paul quoted from Luke’s gospel as Scripture (1 Tim. 5:18; cf. Deut. 25:4; Lk. 10:7)
Jude quotes from Peter (cf. Jude 17, 18; 2 Pet. 3:3)

14. New Testament Canonization
TESTING
The early church had to:
Test against false apostles and prove what is true (2 Cor. 11:13; Rev. 2:2)
Test against false letters (2 Thess. 2:2)
The canonization (sphere) of Scripture would be the outcome

15. New Testament Canonization
VERIFICATION
A distinguished salutation from Paul’s own hand (2 Thess. 3:17)
Going to the source (cf. Acts 15:2, 25-27)

16. Verification & Comradery?
Books that bore an apostolic stamp could be verified by others connected with an apostle’s work
Romans was penned by Tertius (Rom. 16:22)
Luke and Timothy worked close with Paul (2 Tim. 4:11)
Silvanus (Silas) and Mark worked close with Peter and Paul (1 Pet. 5:12; 2 Cor. 1:19; Col. 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:13)
The apostles validated their companions and their companions could verify what was apostolic

17. Verification and Safeguards!
The early church practiced safeguards against deceivers
The practice of writing letters of commendation was in play (2 Cor. 3:1; Acts 18:27; 1 Cor. 16:10)
Sending multiple choice men of reputation to be representatives (Acts 15:25-27)
What was received by an apostle could not be changed by anyone
not another apostle or even an angel (Gal. 1:6-9)

18. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

19. Jesus
Was not concerned about the Bible becoming corrupted or books being lost (Matt. 24:35)
Paul
Believed Timothy could be wise for salvation from reading the “copies” and “translations” of the Scriptures that existed at that time (2 Tim. 3:15, 16)
1 Pet. 1:23-25

20. Still To Come Consideration of the transmission of texts
A word of caution regarding the use of some modern translations
The allegations regarding some lost books mentioned in Scripture