2. How We Got the Bible Dissemination and Canon of the New Testament

3. General Outline 5.Early Gospel Sources 6.The Writing of the New Testament 7.The Dissemination of the New Testament 8.The New Testament Canon

4. Conclusions from Last Week The writing of the New Testament comes from a variety of authors, contexts, and episodes that fit within the middle of the first century. The writing of the New Testament comes from a variety of authors, contexts, and episodes that fit within the middle of the first century. The books comprise a snapshot of the early church wrestling with difficult issues. The books comprise a snapshot of the early church wrestling with difficult issues. It stands alone as the definitive picture of the identity and function of the church. It stands alone as the definitive picture of the identity and function of the church.

5. New Testament Scribes Matthew 13:52 (ESV) And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:52 (ESV) And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 23:34 (ESV) “Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,” Matthew 23:34 (ESV) “Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,”

6. New Testament Scribes Notable New Testament Scribes include: Silas, 1 Peter 5:12 (a prophet?, Acts 15:32) Silas, 1 Peter 5:12 (a prophet?, Acts 15:32) Tertius, Romans 16:22 Tertius, Romans 16:22 Timothy, Colossians 1:1, 23; 4:18 Timothy, Colossians 1:1, 23; 4:18

7. Dissemination of the NT The church, from the earliest times, worked to spread the writings of the early church, Acts 15:22-30. Acts 15:22-23 (ESV) Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter: … Acts 15:22-23 (ESV) Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter: …

8. Dissemination of the NT The church, from the earliest times, worked to spread the writings of the early church, Acts 15:22-30. Acts 15:22-23 (ESV) … “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Acts 15:22-23 (ESV) … “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Acts 15:30 (ESV) So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. Acts 15:30 (ESV) So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.

9. Dissemination of the NT Not only was a letter written, but Luke records that this letter was sent and delivered. Not only was a letter written, but Luke records that this letter was sent and delivered. Not only was the letter sent and delivered, but the contents of the letter survived so that Luke could include it in the text of the history of Acts. Not only was the letter sent and delivered, but the contents of the letter survived so that Luke could include it in the text of the history of Acts.

10. Dissemination of the NT It is implicit in several texts that they were to be spread to various churches. Seven churches of Asia, Revelation 1:4 Seven churches of Asia, Revelation 1:4 Churches of Galatia, Galatians 1:2 Churches of Galatia, Galatians 1:2 Churches of Rome, Romans 16:1-16 Churches of Rome, Romans 16:1-16

11. Dissemination of the NT Exchanging of letters was commanded by the apostles and became common practice, Colossians 4:15-16. Exchanging of letters was commanded by the apostles and became common practice, Colossians 4:15-16. Letters from apostles were considered as if the apostles had said it themselves in person, 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Letters from apostles were considered as if the apostles had said it themselves in person, 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Letters were considered to carry great authority, 2 Thessalonians 3:14. Letters were considered to carry great authority, 2 Thessalonians 3:14.

12. Critical Reading & Listening John emphasize the need to listen critically. 2 John 7-11 2 John 7-11 3 John 9-12 3 John 9-12 Revelation 2:2 Revelation 2:2

13. Critical Reading & Listening Discerning of Spirits 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (note v. 10) 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (note v. 10) 1 Corinthians 14:29, 37-38 1 Corinthians 14:29, 37-38 1 John 4:1-3 1 John 4:1-3 Receiving the Word as From God 1 Thessalonians 2:13 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Galatians 1:6-9 (note preached/received) Galatians 1:6-9 (note preached/received)

14. What Is Scripture? 2 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV) And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 2 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV) And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

15. Historical Canons Marcion the Heretic (Early Second Century) Tried to become a bishop in Rome. Tried to become a bishop in Rome. Rejected all of the Hebrew canon and its God. Rejected all of the Hebrew canon and its God. Accepted only an edited version of Luke from the Gospels. Accepted only an edited version of Luke from the Gospels. He also accepted 10 edited Pauline letters. He also accepted 10 edited Pauline letters. The church as it existed at that time rejected both his teachings and his canon. The church as it existed at that time rejected both his teachings and his canon.

16. Historical Canons Muratorian Canon (Late Second Century) Gospels: Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, Acts Gospels: Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, Acts Church Epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians Church Epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians Individual Letters: Philemon, Titus, 1 & 2 Timothy Individual Letters: Philemon, Titus, 1 & 2 Timothy General: Jude, Two letters of John General: Jude, Two letters of John Revelation of John Revelation of John Book of Wisdom (not written by Solomon) Book of Wisdom (not written by Solomon) [Revelation] “of Peter” (some rejected it) [Revelation] “of Peter” (some rejected it) Shepherd of Hermas (good but not be read in church) Shepherd of Hermas (good but not be read in church)

17. Historical Canons Eusebius (4 th Century) writes about 22 books and then mentions 5 more that he claimed were somewhat disputed. Eusebius (4 th Century) writes about 22 books and then mentions 5 more that he claimed were somewhat disputed. Athanasius (367 AD) lists 27 books that form true Christian teaching. Athanasius (367 AD) lists 27 books that form true Christian teaching. Jerome (342-420 AD) lists the same 27 books as Athanasius but mentions that the Western church questioned Hebrews and the Eastern church questioned Revelation. Jerome (342-420 AD) lists the same 27 books as Athanasius but mentions that the Western church questioned Hebrews and the Eastern church questioned Revelation. Jerome’s Latin Vulgate contained all 27 books. Jerome’s Latin Vulgate contained all 27 books.

18. Debated Books James James – Con: Lacks “gospel”; Jewish content – Pro: James seems to be the brother of Jesus. Hebrews Hebrews – Con: Jewish content; Strange style; No clear author – Pro: Quoted from early times; Associated with Paul Revelation Revelation – Con: Association with mysticism and Montanism – Pro: Associated with John from very early