Establishing the New Testament Canon: Authority and Apostolicity

The early church faced a significant challenge in determining which texts would form the New Testament Canon. With the arrival of Jesus, it was clear that the Old Testament would be supplemented by new teachings and revelations. However, not everything could be considered new revelation, so the issue of Canon became crucial. The early church, under God's providence, identified authoritative texts that would form the New Testament. Jesus was recognized as having authority equal to and beyond the Old Testament scriptures, which necessitated the expansion of the Canon. His teachings and the teachings of the apostles were seen as a completed body of truth about the faith.

Jesus prepared the early church for this expansion by appointing apostles as authoritative spokesmen. These apostles were given the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth, ensuring that their teachings were reliable and authoritative. The early church saw the teachings of Jesus and the apostles as a foundation for the faith, a foundation that was unrepeatable and essential for the church's growth and stability.

The rise of heretical teachings and distorted books, like those of Marcion, spurred the process of canonization. The early church needed a measuring rod to determine the authenticity of teachings and to maintain doctrinal integrity. The main criterion for inclusion in the Canon was apostolicity, meaning the text was either written by an apostle or in the company of an apostle. This ensured that the writings were rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

The New Testament Canon, as we know it today, consists of 27 books, including narratives, letters, and visions. The first known list of all 27 books is found in the Festal Letter of Athanasius in 367 AD. However, the core list was known much earlier, around the end of the second century. The church did not create the Canon; rather, it recognized the texts that were divinely inspired and authoritative for the faith.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Authority of Jesus: Jesus' authority was recognized as equal to and beyond the Old Testament scriptures, necessitating the expansion of the Canon. His teachings were seen as foundational and unrepeatable, forming the basis for the New Testament. [03:10]
• 2. Role of the Apostles: Jesus appointed apostles as authoritative spokesmen, ensuring that their teachings were reliable and guided by the Holy Spirit. This apostolic authority was crucial for the early church in determining the Canon. [08:28]
• 3. The Process of Canonization: The rise of heretical teachings and distorted books highlighted the need for a Canon. The early church needed a measuring rod to maintain doctrinal integrity and ensure the authenticity of teachings. [22:08]
• 4. Apostolicity as a Criterion: The main criterion for inclusion in the Canon was apostolicity, ensuring that the texts were rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. This criterion helped the early church discern which writings were divinely inspired. [23:23]
• 5. Recognition, Not Creation: The church did not create the Canon; it recognized the texts that were divinely inspired and authoritative for the faith. This recognition was guided by the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. [27:08]
  ** [27:08]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - The Challenge of Canon
• [01:02] - New Testament Assumptions
• [02:04] - Closed Canon Concept
• [03:10] - Jesus' Authority
• [04:29] - Jesus' Bold Claims
• [05:46] - The Rise of the New Testament
• [07:36] - Jesus' Preparation for Canon
• [09:24] - Apostolic Reliability
• [11:50] - Early Church's View
• [13:12] - Apostolic Foundation
• [15:44] - Teaching in the Early Church
• [18:42] - Paul's Apostolic Claim
• [20:14] - Peter's Testimony on Paul
• [22:08] - Heretical Challenges
• [23:23] - Apostolicity Criterion
• [27:08] - Recognition of the Canon

1. Luke 24:27 - "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself."
2. John 14:26 - "But the Advocate, 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."
3. 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. 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."

1. What role did Jesus' authority play in the expansion of the Canon according to the sermon? ([03:10])
2. How did the early church view the teachings of Jesus and the apostles in terms of their foundational importance? ([11:50])
3. What was the main criterion for a text to be included in the New Testament Canon? ([23:23])
4. How did the rise of heretical teachings influence the process of canonization? ([22:08])

1. Why was it necessary for the early church to recognize Jesus' authority as equal to and beyond the Old Testament scriptures? How does this understanding impact our view of the New Testament today? ([03:10])
2. In what ways did the Holy Spirit play a role in guiding the apostles to ensure their teachings were reliable and authoritative? How does this influence our trust in the New Testament writings? ([09:57])
3. How did the early church's need for a "measuring rod" to maintain doctrinal integrity shape the formation of the New Testament Canon? ([22:08])
4. What does the concept of apostolicity tell us about the relationship between the apostles and the texts included in the New Testament? ([23:23])

1. Reflect on the authority of Jesus in your own life. How does recognizing His authority influence your daily decisions and actions? ([03:10])
2. The apostles were chosen as authoritative spokesmen for Jesus. How can you ensure that the teachings you follow are rooted in the apostolic foundation? ([08:28])
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the apostles. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in understanding and applying the Bible in your life? ([09:57])
4. The early church faced challenges from heretical teachings. How can you discern and protect yourself from false teachings today? ([22:08])
5. Apostolicity was a key criterion for the Canon. How can you apply the principle of apostolicity when evaluating new teachings or interpretations of the Bible? ([23:23])
6. The early church recognized the Canon rather than creating it. How can you cultivate a practice of recognizing and valuing the divinely inspired texts in your personal study? ([27:08])
7. How can the process of canonization and the recognition of authoritative texts inspire you to engage more deeply with the Bible and its teachings? ([27:08])