The History In and Of the Bible

The History In and Of the Bible
Part 2: The History of the Bible Lasts 3-4 class periods of the Bible Class

For Review What are the original languages in which the books of the Bible were first written? Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek The terms “Semitic,” “Hebrew,” and “Jew” Shem (ancestor of Canaanite people) Ibri (pl. Ibrim) (Eber, ancestor Abraham, Gen 10:21) Jonah says “I am a Hebrew (ibri)” (1:9) Yihudi (pl. Yihudim) (Judah, surviving kingdom after 722 BC)

Genesis 1:1

For Review: Major divisions in Old Testament History
Patriarchs 3500 yrs Exodus - Judges 400 yrs United Kingdom 120 yrs Judah divided kingdom silence New Testament Christians 1500 BC 1000 BC 930 BC Israel 722 BC 586 BC 4 BC Jesus’ return Abraham ~2000 BC Jesus us 2000 AD period of Patriarchs period of Wanderings period of Conquest Patriarchs BC Exodus – Judges BC United Monarchy BC Divided Monarchy BC Captivity BC

Remember the dates to hang your hat on?
Abraham 2000 BC Moses 1500 BC David 1000 BC Fall of Jerusalem 586 BC

Basic Divisions of the OT
Historical Books Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Written in narrative prose Why are the first 5 books listed separately from the remaining books? First five written by Moses aka Pentateuch “5 scrolls / volumes”

Basic Divisions of the OT
Poetical Books Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Solomon) Written in Hebrew poetry and verse, often sung Prophetical Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations (of Jeremiah), Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi Written in both prose and poetry Our order of the divisions follow the divisions of the LXX

Traditional Jewish Divisions
Luke 24:44 Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Matthew 26:56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Law of Moses, Prophets, Psalms is (sometimes) the first book of the third section, “Writings”

The Law of Moses “Pentateuch” – Greek, meaning ‘five scrolls / volumes’ “Torah” – Hebrew, meaning ‘The Law’ Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

The Prophets Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) The Writings “Ketuvim” – Hebrew, meaning ‘The Writings’ Psalms, Job, Proverbs Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther Daniel, Ezra + Nehemiah, Chronicles This is the order in the BHS, other copies (Leningrad) switch Job and Proverbs around and switch Ruth and Song of Songs around.

Important to Remember Our 39 books are arranged into 24 books in the Jewish division of books!

The Writing of the OT Which books were the earliest written?
Law (aka Torah, Pentateuch, first 5 books of Moses) Deuteronomy 31:9, 26 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. And Moses gave this command, “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God. There it will remain as a witness against you.

The Writing of the OT Joshua followed Moses’ example: Joshua 24:26
And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD.

The Writing of the Old Testament
Historical Books

The Writing of the OT – Historical
The Law of Moses – Period of the Exodus Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy 1450 BC – During the Exodus, while at Sinai and following The Characters we meet: Adam & Eve Satan as a snake Noah Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob Joseph Now we have a problem! Job (Possibly 2000BC) Moses Pharaoh of Egypt Joshua Aaron Miriam Caleb the spy

Joshua – The Exodus and Conquest of Canaan 1350 BC, by General Joshua, Moses’ successor Jericho! Judges – The Period of the Judges 1000 BC, possibly by Samuel the prophet/last Judge Gideon, Samson, Debora Ruth – The Period of the Judges 1000 BC, possibly Samuel Moabite woman who “marries in” Great-grandmother of David, and…??

1+2 Samuel – Unified Monarchy (originally one book, divided later) 900 BC, by Samuel with help from the prophets Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29) Fully completed after Samuel’s death Transition to the monarchy Saul to David Rise and fall of David

1 Kings – Unified Monarchy 570 BC, covering events from about BC No clear author, possibly Jeremiah the prophet The reign of Solomon, David’s son Elijah, the champion of the LORD 2 Kings – Divided Kingdom about 570 BC, covering events from about 800 BC on Northern kingdom “Israel” begins idolatry Elijah, Elisha Southern kingdom “Judah” rollercoaster of faithfulness to idolatry

1 Chronicles – Unified to Divided Kingdoms Originally one book Written about 450 BC, covering events from about BC (Saul’s death) to 970 BC (David’s death) Probably by Ezra, a priest Northern kingdom was dying spiritually, retelling of David’s history 2 Chronicles Events from 970 BC (Solomon become king) to the 500s B.C. (when exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem)

Ezra – Post-Exile from Babylon Written by Ezra the priest around 440 BC Jewish settlers returning home Begin rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple Nehemiah – Post-Exile from Babylon Written by Nehemiah, Jewish official of Persia around 430 BC More settlers returning home Esther – During Exile in Babylon Unknown author around 460 BC Jews saved from genocidal plot in Babylon/Persia

The Poetical Books

The Writing of the OT - Poetical
Job – Era of the Patriarchs Unknown author, probably around 2000 BC God uses troubles to draw us closer to him Psalms – Written over 1000 year period David (73), Asaph (12), Korah’s descendants (9), Solomon (2), Moses (1), rest are anonymous Hymnbook of the OT Sung during worship, various festivals and occasions Probably compiled into its complete form by Ezra around 450 BC

The Writing of the OT - Poetical
Proverbs – Unified Monarchy Written by Solomon around 950 BC Practical wisdom from God Ecclesiastes – Unified Monarchy A glimpse at life without God (Solomon’s experience) Song of Songs (Solomon) – Unified Monarchy Probably written by Solomon around 950 BC Christian marriage mirrors God’s relationship to us, his Church

Prophetical Books

The Writing of the OT - Prophetical
Prophets were messengers from God, the preachers of the OT. They came with a message for an individual or a group of people. The prophets wrote in response to historical events. These bigger prophet books even provide extra details on the historical events. Divided into two sub-categories The Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel The Minor Prophets: All the rest (Only because of length, NOT importance!)

Isaiah – Divided Kingdom Written by Isaiah about 700 BC Chapters 1-39 focus on Israel’s sins mainly Chapters focus on the coming Messiah mainly Eventually martyred Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

Jeremiah – End of Divided Kingdom Written by Jeremiah around 585 BC Warned of the coming destruction and exile by Babylon Lamentations Jeremiah’s lamenting sadness over Judah’s unfaithful stubbornness to repent Jeremiah carried off into Egypt as an exile, never saw home again

Ezekiel – Captivity in Babylon Written by Ezekiel the prophet in Babylon over a 20 year period from BC God calls us close even through mysterious and scary events Daniel – Captivity in Babylon Written by Daniel, a Prime Minister in the Babylonian Empire around 530 BC Chapters 1-6: Narrative history Chapters 7-12: Visions remarkably similar to John’s Revelation

Hosea – Divided Kingdom Written by Hosea around 700 BC Sent to the Northern Kingdom of Israel Warning and call to repentance Joel – Divided Kingdom Written by Joel around 800 BC One of the earliest prophets May have studied with Elijah and Elisha

Amos – Divided Kingdom Written by Amos around 700 BC Like Joel, sent to the Northern Kingdom Obadiah – Divided Kingdom Sent to Edom, Judah’s neighbors to the southeast Call to repentance Gospel to the world

Jonah – Divided Kingdom Written by Jonah around 775 BC From the Northern Kingdom, but sent to Nineveh to preach repentance and forgiveness to Assyria Wanted no part in that! Micah – Divided Kingdom Written by Micah around 700 BC Warned of coming disaster in Jerusalem

Nahum – Divided Kingdom Written by Nahum around 650 BC Sequel to Jonah Habakkuk – Divided Kingdom Written by Habakkuk the priest around 600 BC Contemporary of Jeremiah Zephaniah – Divided Kingdom Written by Zephaniah around 600 BC Spiritual reform in Judah…finally!

Haggai – Post-Exile Written by Haggai around 520 BC Motivate the home-comers Zechariah – Post-Exile Written by Zechariah around 520 BC Sequel to Haggai Malachi – Post-Exile Written by Malachi around 400 BC Last of the prophets until John the Baptizer

Gathering of the Old Testament Canon
Not all of our answers to the canon question will be answered and we will have to trust God about those things. What kind of evidence would someone expect to have for certain things? The lack of evidence does not mean no evidence.

Gathering the Old Testament Canon
Started with Moses after Sinai, then Joshua continued (see above) Kept and read as they were written throughout periods of OT history Meticulously copied by Scribes… every “jot and tittle” Jewish Tradition has Ezra gathering it all into one collection sometime contemporary to Malachi Jews kept copies of the OT as we know it today in the Temple Distributed when the synagogue system began

The Bible itself is the best witness to the authority of the OT: Over 690 quotes of OT in the NT Over 4100 quotes and references to OT events and people 21 NT books quote the OT directly. Of the remaining 6, 3 allude or refer to OT Jesus quotes OT 60 times and 24 different books Apostle Paul quotes/alludes over 100 times Only 5 OT books are not quoted (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs)

What do the following passages have to do with the OT canon?

Deuteronomy 4:2 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

Deuteronomy 4:2 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. God commands to not add or subtract anything to God’s Word. God can, but not people.

2 Kings 22:11–13 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”

2 Kings 22:11–13 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” Josiah treated what they found as God’s Word and listened to it. (The main problem at this time was idolatry, so they most likely found Deuteronomy, which deals with idolatry.)

2 Chronicles 34:19–21 19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. 20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” Parallel account of 2 Kings 22:11-13

2 Chronicles 34:19–21 19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. 20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” Josiah equates what he just heard as the world of the Lord

Daniel 9:2 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.

Daniel 9:2 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. Daniel (a contemporary of Jeremiah) knew what Jeremiah wrote (or what Jeremiah dictated and his scribe wrote) and called it “Scriptures”

Nehemiah 8:1–3 1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel. 2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Nehemiah 8:1–3 1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel. 2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Book of the Law of Moses was around and able to be read. In the timeframe that Ezra had (6 hrs), a person can read the entire Pentateuch.

Matthew 23:35 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Matthew 23:35 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Like our from A to Z, Abel’s murder was in Genesis (first book) and Zechariah’s in Chronicles (last book in Jewish order of books)

Luke 16:29–31 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

Luke 16:29–31 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Moses and the Prophets (twofold way of talking about entire OT) is sufficient

Luke 24:27 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Luke 24:27 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Moses and all the Prophets = all the Scriptures

Luke 24:44 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Luke 24:44 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms = 3fold way of talking about entire OT, for Psalms is the first book of the 3rd section in some orders of the OT; Psalms is also one of the most Christocentric books of the OT

John 5:39 39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,

John 5:39 39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, This implies there was something definitive to study at Jesus’ time to learn about the Messiah.

2 Timothy 3:15–16 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:15–16 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, There was something definitive for Timothy to know and it is God-breathed (inspired)

Hebrews 11 – Heroes of Faith Chapter The writer to the Hebrews could talk about people from the past and his readers would know what he was talking about, people who lived thousands of years before them.

Gathering of OT Canon Sirach 38:34-39:1 (ca. 180 BC)
How different the one who devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High! 39 He seeks out the wisdom of all the ancients, and is concerned with prophecies; The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Sir 38:34–39:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Examples outside of Scripture for the gathering of OT Canon

Gathering of OT Canon Prologue to Sirach (published 117 BC)
Many great teachings have been given to us through the Law and the Prophets and the others that followed them So my grandfather Jesus, who had devoted himself especially to the reading of the Law and the Prophets and the other books of our ancestors, Not only this book, but even the Law itself, the Prophecies, and the rest of the books differ not a little when read in the original. The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Sir Pro:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Gathering of OT Canon 2 Maccabees 2:13-15 (no later than 100 BC)
13 The same things are reported in the records and in the memoirs of Nehemiah, and also that he founded a library and collected the books about the kings and prophets, and the writings of David, and letters of kings about votive offerings. 14 In the same way Judas also collected all the books that had been lost on account of the war that had come upon us, and they are in our possession. 15 So if you have need of them, send people to get them for you. The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (2 Mac 2:13–15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Gathering of OT Canon 4QMMT (no later than early 1st century AD)
And you k[now…] {94} to be found in our actions deceit or betrayal or evil, for concerning […w]e give […] {95} to you we have wr[itten] that you must understand the book of Moses [… pro]phets and of David […] {96} […] generation. And in the book it is written […] not to {97} […] And further it is written that […] from the path and you will undergo evil. And it is written {98} […] and we determined […] {99} […] And it is written that {100} […] these [...] shall happen to you at the end of days, the blessing {101} and the curse [… ass]ent in your heart and turn to me with all your heart {102} [… a]ll your soul [… e]nd [...] and you shall be […] {103} […] Moses and in […prop]hets that […] will come upon you which […]

Gathering of OT Canon Philo, De vita contemplative 25 (no later than 50 AD) (25) And in every house there is a sacred shrine which is called the holy place, and the monastery in which they retire by themselves and perform all the mysteries of a holy life, bringing in nothing, neither meat, nor drink, nor anything else which is indispensable towards supplying the necessities of the body, but studying in that place the laws and the sacred oracles of God enunciated by the holy prophets, and hymns, and psalms, and all kinds of other things by reason of which knowledge and piety are increased and brought to perfection. Philo of Alexandria, & Yonge, C. D. (1995). The works of Philo: Complete and unabridged (700). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.

Purpose of the Old Testament
Very simple: Announce and point to Christ! Historical Books show how God used history to accomplish the gospel promise of Jesus Poetical Books are praise songs about God’s love and forgiveness in the coming Messiah Prophetical Books give clue after clue of information regarding the coming Messiah like peeling back the layers of an onion Virgin birth Bethlehem Time in Egypt Lived in Galilee Palm Sunday parade Sold for 30 silver coins Crucifixion Time in Egypt

Some prophecies and psalms give a foretelling while others are written in the first-person with the Messiah speaking himself Some prophecies find fulfillment in the near future for God’s OT people while at the same time having double-fulfillment in the time of Jesus Luke 24:44 Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Odds of one person fulfilling OT Messianic Prophecies
8 prophecies = 1x10 to the 17th power, same odds of one person, blindfolded, picking one marked coin out of enough coins to cover Texas. 48 prophesies = 1x10 to the 157th power. There are some 60 OT Messianic prophecies

What about the Apocrypha?
Collection of documents written during the last two centuries before Christ, which are not part of the inspired Word of God, namely, the Old Testament Scriptures. 1 + 2 Esdras Tobit Judith Additions to the Book of Esther Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach Baruch The Letter of Jeremiah (often added on to Baruch) The Prayer of Azariah; the Song of the Three Young Men; Susanna Bel and the Dragon The Prayer of Manasseh 1 + 2 Maccabees

What about the Apocrypha?
"Apocrypha" – Greek, meaning “hidden” In Jewish synagogues these writings were kept in a separate locker and were never read in public meetings. “Hidden” because they are worthless or heretical. Some are issued under false names (Wisdom of Solomon, Book of Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah). They contain a lot of statements that are either contrary to fact or Bible truth. If you have any questions if the Apocrypha should be in the OT, just read them. They are different than the rest of the OT.

Completion of OT Canon …
Luke 24:44 Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Already at Jesus’ time, there was this understanding of the entire OT canon

The Writing of the New Testament

The Writing of the NT Unlike the classical Greek texts of Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates which were written in the formal, classical Greek style of the post- Alexander world, the NT was written in a style of Greek called “koine” meaning “common.” The Greek of the NT was everyday, ordinary “street Greek.” Aramaic, the Babylonian-influenced Hebrew dialect was more widely spoken in Palestine than koine Greek

The Writing of the NT

Basic Divisions of the NT
Historical Books Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts Doctrinal Epistles Books Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, Peter, 1 – 3 John, Jude Prophetic Book Revelation

Historical Books

The Writing of the NT - Historical
The first four books of the New Testament tell Jesus’ story. We call them gospels, which literally mean “good news.” The gospels take up almost half of the New Testament. The four men who wrote the gospels were as different as the style of their writing. They devote about a third of their pages to the last week of Jesus’ life. Acts picks up where the gospels leave off.

Matthew Written by Matthew (Levi), a former tax collector who was also one of the twelve “Apostles,” the hand- picked, personally-trained missionaries of Jesus Written around AD Wrote mainly to his fellow Jews to convince them that Jesus was the promised Messiah (Christ) Thus, he quotes the OT over 50 times

Mark Written by John-Mark, not one of the twelve. Cousin of Barnabas and friend of Peter. Went with Paul on his first missionary journey Written around AD Focuses a lot on the activities of Jesus. Action- packed Some think that maybe Peter dictated this gospel account to him

Luke Written by Luke, a medical doctor. Very detail oriented Written in probably AD Like Mark, also not one of the twelve. Probably the only writer of the NT who was not Jewish Famous for his “Christmas Account” (Ch. 2)

John Written by John, one of the twelve. Brother of James and son of Zebedee Former fisherman from Capernaum, Galilee Written much later around the late 80’s AD Unlike the previous three gospel accounts, John’s is not a biography. The Holy Spirit used his account to fill in many spaces in the others. Only covers roughly 20 days of Jesus’ life. Lots of Jesus’ teachings

Acts (of the Apostles) “2 Luke” Luke’s sequel to his gospel account. Written in the early 60’s AD Historical account of the Christian Church starting in Jerusalem and spreading out to the world Covers the period of time from AD As a “gentile,” Luke shows deep appreciation and emphasis on mission work to the non-Jewish world!

Doctrinal Letter Books “Epistles”

The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters
Jesus trained the apostles to pass on his teachings. The missionary Paul led the recruitment of Christianity to non-Jewish people. He wrote 13 letters to different groups and individuals, which Christians circulated. These make up most of the second part of the New Testament. Other Christian leaders, like Peter, John, and James, also wrote letters. Sometimes they are called “Epistles” – Greek meaning “letters”

A little bit about the Apostle Paul He was from Tarsus. His original name was Saul. He had learned the tentmaker vocation. He was a trained Jewish rabbi and Pharisee He was a former persecutor of Christians. His conversion came on the road to Damascus while hunting down Christians. He helped set up little groups of Christians all over Turkey and Europe

Knowing these things about Paul’s former life, what is so amazing about his life as a missionary? Different answers, but one is just as he was so zealous against Christianity, he became zealous for Christianity; he so wanted to kill Christians, he became willing to die as a Christian.

Romans Written by Paul during his 3rd mission trip at around 57 AD Written to Christians facing deadly persecution in the city of Rome Focuses NOT on our “being good” for God, but first that Jesus was good FOR us! Saved through Jesus’ merit!

1 Corinthians Written by Paul to Greek Christians in Corinth, Greece in about 56 AD The congregation was struggling to “be different” from the hedonistic, permissive Greek culture 2 Corinthians Written by Paul a year later in around 57 AD Warnings against “false Apostles” who were misleading them with false doctrine

Galatians Paul’s first letter, written in AD to Christian congregations scattered throughout the Galatian province of Asia Minor (western Turkey) Christianity is not about putting ourselves under laws to be “better Christians” Freedom from OT regulations Note Paul’s anger that they had abandoned Christian freedom for laws and regulations to “be saved”

Ephesians (“Prison Letter”) Written by Paul around 63 AD while a prisoner in Rome to Christians in Ephesus, Turkey We are saved by grace through faith, not ourselves! Philippians (“Prison Letter”) Written by Paul around 63 AD while a prisoner in Rome to Christians in Philippi, Macedonia Secrets to happiness and success…!

Colossians (“Prison Letter”) Written by Paul around 63 AD while a prisoner in Rome to Christians in Colossae, Turkey Surrounded by strange ideas, new age spiritualists, and cults 1 Thessalonians Written by Paul about 50 AD to Christians in Thessalonica, Greece Jesus is coming back soon! 2 Thessalonians Written by Paul in the early 50’s AD Things will go from bad to worse before Jesus returns

Map of Paul’s letters

1 + 2 Timothy (“Personal, Pastoral Letter”) Written by Paul to a young pastor named Timothy in Ephesus, Turkey in 60 and 67 AD He was half-Jew, half-Greek What it means to be a leader of other Christians Last letter Paul wrote before killed in Rome Titus (“Personal, Pastoral Letter”) Written by Paul to a young pastor named Titus in Crete in the mid-60’s AD Be a positive mentor to other Christians in attitude and behavior

Philemon (“Personal Letter”) Written by Paul in 63 AD Philemon was a Christian convert who lived in Colossae (his home was the Colossian church) A slave named Onesimus had escaped from Philemon and had come to Paul for help Welcome him back as a brother! This concludes the 13 letters of Paul

1 + 2 Timothy (“Personal, Pastoral Letter”) Written by Paul to a young pastor named Timothy in Ephesus, Turkey in 60 and 67 AD He was half-Jew, half-Greek What it means to be a leader of other Christians Last letter Paul wrote before killed in Rome Titus (“Personal, Pastoral Letter”) Written by Paul to a young pastor named Titus in Crete in the mid-60’s AD Be a positive mentor to other Christians in attitude and behavior

Philemon (“Personal Letter”) Written by Paul in 63 AD Philemon was a Christian convert who lived in Colossae (his home was the Colossian church) A slave named Onesimus had escaped from Philemon and had come to Paul for help Welcome him back as a brother! This concludes the 13 letters of Paul

Hebrews Written by an unknown author in the mid-60’s AD Written to Jewish Christians who were being told “Jew. Christian. It’s all the same. Who cares?” Opens up the pages of the OT to show beyond all doubt that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah promised all throughout the OT! Includes a “Hall of Fame” of OT believers

James Written by James about 40 AD He was the half brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). He was the son of Mary and Joseph. He became a believer after Jesus came back to life (1 Corinthians 15:7). He became the head leader for the Christian group in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17). He died in 62 A.D because he took a stand for Jesus. If you’re going to call yourself a Christian, act like it!

1 + 2 Peter Two letters written by Peter, one of the twelve, in the late 60’s AD Written to Christians who are undergoing persecution for their faith and hearing lies and are tempted to doubt Jesus 1-3 John Written by John, one of the twelve, in the early 90’s AD Encourages Christians who were hearing false doctrine and claims about Jesus and his Word

Jude Written by Jude (Judah, Judas) in the mid 70’s AD to Christians who need to fight hard for Bible truths He was the half brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). He was the younger brother of James. He was the son of Mary and Joseph.

Prophetical Book

The Writing of the NT – Prophetical
Revelation, the final book, is also a letter. It is unlike any of the other letters. It predicts the future for Christians, right up to the end. Much of it is in picture language, which can be hard to understand. Written by John, one of the twelve, in the late 90’s AD from the island of Patmos, off the Turkish coast It gives us a look behind the scenes in the battle between good and evil. It ends with a picture of the new universe and the new earth.

The Writing of the NT – Prophetical
Revelation (cont.) Question: How long do you expect to live? You will live forever, either in God’s Paradise or his punishment place, Hell Jesus will decide, based on whether or not you believe and depended on what He did in your place. Every day in His happy home will be fresh, fun, and exhilarating. Kind of puts our bad days in perspective, doesn’t it?

Gathering of the NT Canon
These aren’t our Words! John 14:16 [Jesus said] “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 1 Corinthians 2:13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Share the Word! Colossians 4:16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Copies meticulously made and sent around

The Word is spreading! 2 Peter 3:15, 16 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Not all of our answers to the canon question will be answered and will have to trust God about those things. What kind of evidence would someone expect to have for certain things? The lack of evidence does not mean no evidence.

Gathering of the Canon NT: Completed in about 50 years.
NT: More early manuscripts. Manuscript evidence extant from less than 100 years after the originals . NT: Rapid multiplication and spread of copies. OT: Writing spread out over 1000 years. OT: Relatively few early manuscripts. For some books 1000 years of transmission for which no manuscript evidence exists. OT: Multiplication of copies gradual and confined

Gathering the New Testament Canon
What do the following passages have to do with the NT canon?

Gathering of the Canon Matthew 28:18–20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Gathering of the Canon Matthew 28:18–20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus implies there is going to be some way for the apostles to teach all that Jesus commanded, either orally or written down.

Gathering of the Canon Luke 1:1–4
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Gathering of the Canon Luke 1:1–4
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Others too (other gospel writers?) had written accounts, Luke too wrote this to make Theophilus certain of what he had learned

Gathering of the Canon John 20:30–31
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Gathering of the Canon John 20:30–31
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. We do not have all of Jesus’ miracles recorded, but what we do have is to show he is our Savior.

Gathering of the Canon John 21:25
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Gathering of the Canon John 21:25
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. There are other things Jesus did, not in the gospels.

Gathering of the Canon Acts 20:35
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Gathering of the Canon Acts 20:35
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Paul (from memory or a book?) quotes from Jesus, this is not a quote from the gospels though, agrapha = something not written down This verse proves the last slide, other things Jesus did or said that are not in the gospels.

Gathering of the Canon Colossians 4:16
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

Gathering of the Canon Colossians 4:16
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. There is a sharing of letters going on.

Gathering of the Canon 1 Thessalonians 5:27
27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. Letters are to be read to everyone.

15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. What the apostles wrote or spoke in their teaching was something to be held onto.

Gathering of the Canon 1 Timothy 5:18
18 For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”

Gathering of the Canon 1 Timothy 5:18
18 For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Paul quotes from the OT (Deut 25:4) and NT (Luke 10:7) and treats both as authoritative.

Gathering of the Canon 2 Peter 3:15–16
15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Gathering of the Canon 2 Peter 3:15–16
15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Peter equates Paul’s letters with “the other Scriptures”

Gathering of the Canon Revelation 22:18–20
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Gathering of the Canon Revelation 22:18–20
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. God commands to not add or subtract from “the prophecy of this book” If anyone claims to have a new prophecy from God. Listen to them. If it is against Scripture, you know it’s false. It agrees with what is already in Scripture, then why would you need it?

Gathering of the Canon Marcion (c.85-c.160) is the first person known to us who published a fixed collection of what he thought the New Testament books. Marcion’s gospel was an edited version of Luke and 10 letters of Paul (Pastoral Epistles excluded) some letters were shortened or edited e.g. parts of Romans. Defending what the canon is was a defense against Marcion and Montanus (late 2nd cent.) Bruce, Frederick Fyvie ( ). The Canon of Scripture (p. 134). Intervarsity Press - A. Kindle Edition. It seems that much of the discussion of the NT canon was to defend what was accepted already, but denied by Marcion

Muratorian Canon Discovered in Milan, Italy in 1750 Document dates to 160 AD Lists the 4 gospels, Acts, 16 Letters, and Revelation The Itala Latin translation of Bible dating to about 150 AD Lists the same as the Muratorian plus the rest

The Pishita Pre-150 AD found in Syria Lists all NT except for 2 Peter, 2 +3 John, Jude, and Revelation Council at Hippo, Africa in 393 AD First time a council recognized the OT and NT Canon as we have in our Bibles. 66 books (37 OT and 27 NT books)

Athanasius in his 39th Festal Epistle of 367 aD names the OT and NT books. This is the first time all 27 books of NT are named. First time all the books of OT and NT are named.

2. … I beseech you to bear patiently, if I also write, by way of remembrance, of matters with which you are acquainted, influenced by the need and advantage of the Church. 3. In proceeding to make mention of these things, I shall adopt, to commend my undertaking, the pattern of Luke the Evangelist, saying on my own account: ‘Forasmuch as some have taken in hand,’ to reduce into order for themselves the books termed apocryphal, and to mix them up with the divinely inspired Scripture, concerning which we have been fully persuaded, as they who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, delivered to the fathers; it seemed good to me also, having been urged thereto by true brethren, and having learned from the beginning, to set before you the books included in the Canon, and handed down, and accredited as Divine; Athansius was just saying what everyone knew as the canon

The discussion of the New Testament canon that took place in the post-apostolic period did not establish the canon. Rather, it was a discussion in which faithful leaders of the church defended the canon against the attacks of heretics and defined more clearly why these 27 books comprised the canon. Prof. David Kuske, Biblical Interpretation: The Only Right Way The Holy Spirit established the canon, the Church only recognized it. Key point: this is not what is described today in the canon question, people think that these councils established it

Gathering the OT & NT Canon
originally this word indicated a “measuring stick” eventually came to mean “rule” or “standard” How do we recognize which books are canonical and which ones are not? The Holy Spirit tells us Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Luke 24:32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

The Canon is “self-authenticating” John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

The discussion of the New Testament canon that took place in the post-apostolic period did not establish the canon. Rather, it was a discussion in which faithful leaders of the church defended the canon against the attacks of heretics and defined more clearly why these 27 books comprised the canon. Prof. David Kuske, Biblical Interpretation: The Only Right Way

Dead Sea Scrolls Qumran = Community from about 150 BC to 70 AD, MT 900 AD very similar to what was found here!

Importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls
More like Dead Sea Scraps than Scrolls; 972 texts discovered

The Dead Sea Scrolls Biblical Texts Isaiah 40:2-28

Time has reduced most of the Dead Sea scrolls to tatters and small fragments. As noted above, only a few of the leather manuscripts are substantially preserved, and all of these came from the first or last cave discovered (Cave 1 or Cave 11). The best-preserved scroll of all is probably the one shown here, the great Isaiah scroll from Cave 1, known by the siglum 1QIsaa. It contains the complete text of all 66 chapters of the biblical book of Isaiah, with only a few small gaps. It was one of the scrolls found in the initial Bedouin discovery of 1947, which also included a second, less complete manuscript of Isaiah (1QIsab), which is discussed in Image 272. In addition to 1QIsaa and 1QIsab the Qumran caves yielded 19 other Isaiah manuscripts (18 from Cave 4 and one from Cave 5), and another was found in the Wadi Murabba‘at caves farther south. The total number of 21 Qumran scrolls of Isaiah is surpassed by only two other biblical books: Psalms (36) and Deuteronomy (29). 1QIsaa was constructed of 17 sheets of carefully prepared leather sewn together with linen thread. Sewn seams are visible in the image on the viewer's left of the unrolled surface and on the outside of the right-hand roll. The individual sheets, which average 10.3 inches in width, vary greatly in length, but their combined length is about 23.5 feet. The text is divided into 54 columns with lines per column. The scribe made numerous small copying mistakes, many of which are corrected in his own hand. The manuscript also contains a number of later corrections made by other scribal hands. The text of 1QIsaa, like that of many but by no means all of the Qumran scrolls, is of the proto-Masoretic type. That is, it is extremely close to the text preserved and transmitted by the Tiberian scholars of the early Middle Ages (see the caption to Image 296) and still printed in Hebrew Bibles today. This close kinship is evident despite the fact that the scroll, which can be shown by its script to have been copied c. 100 B.C.E., is roughly 1,000 years older than any Masoretic manuscript--or, indeed, than any Hebrew text of Isaiah known before the Qumran discoveries. Thus there was a stir of excitement when early study of 1QIsaa in the years immediately following its discovery and publication confirmed that the Hebrew text used in worship today is a text of high antiquity, having been transmitted by Jewish tradition with extraordinary fidelity. Apart from the mistakes mentioned above, most passages in 1QIsaa are indistinguishable from the corresponding passages in the Masoretic Text printed in modern Hebrew Bibles, except in matters of spelling. Ironically, the spelling conventions in the scroll are typologically more modern than those used in modern Bibles! Great Isaiah

Psalms Text From Hymn Book
See column 19

Liturgical Psalms Text
The cave in which this large scroll was found was discovered early in February 1956 by Ta'amireh Bedouin, members of the same tribe that had discovered the first scroll cave nine years earlier. This was the 11th and last of the caves explored to yield manuscripts. Like the scrolls from Cave 1, which lies only a short distance to the south, those from Cave 11 are substantially preserved, though seriously damaged. By contrast, the manuscripts from Cave 2-10 consist almost entirely of small fragments, with the exception of the so-called Copper Scroll from Cave 3. The scroll shown here was unrolled at the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem in mid-November 1961 by James A. Sanders, then a professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York and now president of the Ancient Biblical Manuscripts Center, Claremont, California. The scroll turned out to be a document consisting of psalms, both canonical and non-canonical. In its present condition, 11QPsa, as it is now identified, measures about 13.5 feet, though its original length cannot be determined. It was originally nine to ten inches high or wide, but the entire bottom is missing, so that it is now only six to seven inches wide. The Hebrew text is written in a precise Herodian book-hand, which can be dated C.E. The individual columns originally had lines, but the damage at the bottom has destroyed 6-7 lines at the end of each column. The surviving portions of the scroll contain all or parts of 41 canonical psalms, including the psalm sometimes called "The Last Words of David" that is preserved in 2 Samuel 23:1-7, as well as seven non-canonical or apocryphal psalms and a prose statement about David. The apocryphal psalms include a portion of the second-century C.E. wisdom book Ben Sira (see Image 288) and the Hebrew original of Psalm 151 of the Greek Bible, which tells how God, by agency of Samuel, lifted up the shepherd-musician David and made him king of Israel. The prose statement about David, which appears in column 27, enumerates the psalms he composed: “David son of Jesse was wise, a light like the light of the sun, and a scribe, discerning and blameless in all his ways before God and men. The Lord gave him a discerning and enlightened spirit. He wrote 3,600 psalms, and songs to be sung before the altar accompanying the ongoing whole-burnt offering for each day, for all the days of the year, 364; and for the gift for the sabbaths, 52 songs; and for the gift for the new moons and for all the times of assembly and for the Day of Atonement, 30 songs. All the songs that he uttered were 446, and songs for playing over the stricken, 4. And the total was 4,050. All these he uttered through prophecy, which was given to him from the Most High.” The portion of the scroll shown in the image contains columns with the end of column 15 at the right and the beginning of column 18 at the left. Column 16 begins with the end of the last verse (26) of Psalm 136 ("... for his steadfast love endures forever"), after which come five verses of Psalm 118, in the order 1, 15, 16, 8, 9, 29. The remaining lines of column 16 contain Psalm 145:1-7, and the missing lines at the bottom probably contained the next five verses (8-12) of the same psalm, since it continues in column 17, which in its preserved portion consists entirely of Psalm 145:13-21, followed by the beginning of an enigmatic subscription: "And this is for a memorial ..." The contents of these two columns are illustrative of the arrangement of 11QPsa as a whole, with its loose combination of canonical and non-canonical psalms in an order that diverges widely from that shared by the traditional received texts of both the Hebrew Bible (Masoretic Text) and the Septuagint, or Greek Bible. Such an arrangement would eventually come to be regarded as unorthodox and improper, but the presence of such a text in Cave 11 at Qumran shows that in late First Temple times a collection like this one, which was probably made for liturgical use or for purposes of study, was permissible. 11QPsa Liturgical Psalms Text

What did they find? 1947 By 1956, eleven caves, 800 documents, including: over 200 copies of Hebrew Scripture Copies of parts of each OT book (except Esther) Aramaic translations of Hebrew texts (called Targums)

What did they find? Tefillin (black, leather boxes with verses from the Torah) and mezuzoth (parchment placed on doorposts with verses from Deut 6:4-9 and 11:13-21) Copies of Apocryphal and Pseudepigraphical books An entire collection of writings unique to this community

Importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Portions of every book in the OT canon (except Esther) were found (also some apocryphal and secular lit) Minor spelling differences found, but not one single point of content or doctrinal difference!

Importance of Dead Sea Scrolls
Qumran (name for the land by the Dead Sea) scrolls show that the books of the OT were something important enough, for this community of Jews, to be kept around and good to read.

Help with the Hebrew OT Scrolls found at Qumran and Ugarit provide additional examples of Hebrew literature More than 1500 Hebrew words appear only once in the Old Testament This additional Hebrew writing provides other instances in which these rare words occurred

A Qumran community? Apparently an extreme sect of Essenes
Rigorous rules of behavior Severe punishments for disobedience The original founder: the Teacher of Righteousness No private property Qumran = name of the area around the Dead Sea

A Qumran community? Celibate?? Some orders of Essenes, but not this one (females found in graves in the community) Meals eaten together, prayer, reading of Scripture, instruction and other religious observances A solar rather than a lunar calendar (unlike other Jews and the modern Jewish calendar) Josephus and Pliny relate that Essenes practiced celibacy, but not all of them. Some did a 3 yr engagement and then married.

A Qumran community? They saw themselves as the“sons of light” but the rest of the Jews were“sons of darkness” They awaited a final battle between good and evil (which, of course, they would win) They awaited a Messiah who would reward them for their faithfulness

Jesus and the Essenes? Both believed in one God, the Hebrew Scriptures, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit Both stressed Isaiah’s prophecy of one calling in the wilderness,“Repent!” Both believed this present age was passing away and a new age was imminent Both believed in angels and demons

Jesus and the Essenes? Both believed all people are sinful
Both believed in God’s forgiveness Both put a high emphasis on prayer Both used the term“sons of light” for their followers Both used water for baptizing/spiritual cleansing Both urged their followers to share their possessions with those in need

Jesus was not an Essene Jesus was never an Essene
Jesus opened His group to sinners, commoners, lepers, outcasts, and women Jesus was (wrongly) called a glutton and a drunkard Jesus viewed purity and impurity as internal

Jesus was not an Essene Jesus did not organize a rigid structure of control within His disciples Jesus stressed that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath Jesus believed in the resurrection

Jesus was not an Essene The New Testament and Christianity center in Jesus The Dead Sea Scrolls never mention Him!

Gathering of the OT & NT Canon
These things mere witness to what Jesus himself promised. Hear it from his mouth! Matthew 5:18 “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” We have Jesus’ promise that he will make sure his life-saving and life-giving Word will get to every generation until he returns!

The History In and Of the Bible

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