Understanding the Authority and Canon of Scripture

Devotional

Day 1: The Hebrew Canon as Jesus' Bible

The Hebrew canon, known as the Tanakh, consists of 24 books that align with the 39 books of the Old Testament in English Bibles. This canon was the Bible of Jesus and the early Jewish community, and it did not include the Apocrypha, which is found in the Catholic canon. Jesus and the New Testament writers affirmed the authority of this Hebrew canon, as evidenced by their teachings and references. Understanding the structure and authority of the Hebrew canon helps us appreciate the foundation upon which Jesus built His teachings. The Tanakh is divided into three sections: the Torah (Law), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings), and it was the authoritative Scripture for Jesus and His followers. [07:39]

"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." (Matthew 5:18, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing the Hebrew canon as Jesus' Bible influence your understanding of the Old Testament today? Can you identify a specific teaching of Jesus that is rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures?

Day 2: The New Testament Canon's Emergence

The New Testament canon emerged from the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who were seen as authoritative figures. Jesus' teachings laid the groundwork for this new canon, which was recognized by the early church as a continuation and fulfillment of the Old Testament. The apostles, chosen by Jesus, were entrusted with His teachings and were seen as authoritative figures whose writings would form the foundation of the church. This recognition was not about creating new Scripture but acknowledging the divine inspiration and authority of these writings. [15:05]

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." (Hebrews 1:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How does the continuity between the Old and New Testaments affect your view of the Bible as a whole? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the New Testament's connection to the Old Testament?

Day 3: The Process of Canonization

The canonization of the New Testament was a process of recognition, not creation. The early church discerned which writings were truly inspired and apostolic, amidst challenges from heretical teachings and false writings. By the fourth century, the 27 books of the New Testament were recognized as authoritative. This process was crucial in preserving the integrity of Christian doctrine and ensuring that the teachings of Jesus and the apostles were accurately transmitted to future generations. The church's role was to recognize the divine inspiration already present in these texts. [29:39]

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you discern the authenticity and authority of spiritual teachings today? How can you apply this discernment in your daily walk with Christ?

Day 4: Preservation of the Texts

The New Testament is unique in its preservation, with over 5,700 manuscript fragments available. This abundance allows for robust textual criticism, enabling scholars to reconstruct the original texts with remarkable accuracy, despite variations. The preservation of these texts is a testament to the care and reverence with which the early church treated the Scriptures. This meticulous preservation process provides a strong foundation for our faith, as we can trust the reliability of the biblical texts we have today. [43:08]

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)

Reflection: How does the preservation of the biblical texts impact your confidence in the Scriptures? What practical steps can you take to engage more deeply with the Bible, knowing its reliability?

Day 5: The Authority of Scripture

The Bible, composed of the Old and New Testaments, is a divinely inspired collection of writings. It serves as the authoritative guide for faith and practice, rooted in the historical and theological continuity from the Jewish Scriptures to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. This authority is not merely historical but is meant to guide and shape our lives today. Recognizing the Bible's authority calls us to align our lives with its teachings and to seek God's will through its pages. [54:53]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to submit to the authority of Scripture? How can you intentionally incorporate the Bible's teachings into your daily decisions and actions?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of the biblical canon, we delved into the composition and authority of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments. We began by examining the Jewish canon, which consists of 24 books that correspond to the 39 books of the Old Testament in our English Bibles. This canon, known as the Tanakh, is divided into three sections: the Torah (Law), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). This structure was the Bible of Jesus and the early Jewish community, and it did not include the Apocrypha, which is found in the Catholic canon. Jesus and the New Testament writers affirmed the authority of this Hebrew canon, as evidenced by their teachings and references.

We then transitioned to the New Testament, discussing how the early church recognized the need for a new canon to document the life and teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus' teachings and the authority he bestowed upon his apostles laid the groundwork for this new canon. The apostles, chosen by Jesus, were seen as authoritative figures whose teachings would form the foundation of the church. The New Testament writings, therefore, emerged as a continuation and fulfillment of the Old Testament, with Jesus at the center.

The process of canonization was not arbitrary but involved discerning which writings were truly inspired and apostolic. The early church faced challenges from heretical teachings and false writings, which spurred the need for a definitive canon. By the fourth century, the church had recognized the 27 books of the New Testament as authoritative, a process that was more about recognition than creation.

We also touched on the preservation of these texts, noting the vast number of manuscript fragments available, which far exceed those of other ancient writings. This abundance of manuscripts, while presenting challenges due to variations, also provides a robust basis for textual criticism, allowing scholars to reconstruct the original texts with remarkable accuracy.

In conclusion, the Bible we have today, composed of the Old and New Testaments, is a carefully preserved and divinely inspired collection of writings. It serves as the authoritative guide for faith and practice, rooted in the historical and theological continuity from the Jewish Scriptures to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

Key Takeaways

1. The Hebrew Canon and Jesus' Bible: The Hebrew canon, or Tanakh, consists of 24 books that align with the 39 books of the Old Testament in our English Bibles. This canon was the Bible of Jesus and the early Jewish community, and it did not include the Apocrypha. Jesus affirmed the authority of this canon, as seen in his teachings and references. [07:39]
2. The Emergence of the New Testament Canon: The New Testament canon emerged from the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who were seen as authoritative figures. Jesus' teachings laid the groundwork for this new canon, which was recognized by the early church as a continuation and fulfillment of the Old Testament. [15:05]
3. The Process of Canonization: The canonization of the New Testament was a process of recognition, not creation. The early church discerned which writings were truly inspired and apostolic, amidst challenges from heretical teachings and false writings. By the fourth century, the 27 books of the New Testament were recognized as authoritative. [29:39]
4. Preservation of the Texts: The New Testament is unique in its preservation, with over 5,700 manuscript fragments available. This abundance allows for robust textual criticism, enabling scholars to reconstruct the original texts with remarkable accuracy, despite variations. [43:08]
5. The Authority of Scripture: The Bible, composed of the Old and New Testaments, is a divinely inspired collection of writings. It serves as the authoritative guide for faith and practice, rooted in the historical and theological continuity from the Jewish Scriptures to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. [54:53]
** [54:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:25] - Introduction and Prayer
[01:01] - The Apocrypha and the Canon
[02:35] - The Hebrew Canon: Tanakh
[03:51] - The Structure of the Hebrew Bible
[05:00] - The Septuagint and the Apocrypha
[06:28] - Jesus and the Jewish Scriptures
[07:39] - Jesus' Bible: The Hebrew Canon
[11:02] - The Authority of the Hebrew Canon
[12:39] - Transition to the New Testament
[14:48] - The Emergence of the New Testament Canon
[18:16] - Apostolic Authority and Inspiration
[22:52] - Paul's View on Apostolic Teaching
[27:21] - Peter's Recognition of Paul's Writings
[29:39] - The Process of Canonization
[43:08] - Preservation of the Texts
[54:53] - Conclusion and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Luke 24:44 - "Now he said to them, 'These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.'" [06:47]
2 Timothy 3:14-15 - "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." [05:55]
2 Peter 3:16 - "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." [27:43]

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Observation Questions:

What are the three sections of the Hebrew canon, and how do they correspond to the books in our English Old Testament? [02:56]
How did Jesus affirm the authority of the Hebrew Scriptures according to the sermon? [06:28]
What role did the apostles play in the formation of the New Testament canon? [18:55]
How does the abundance of New Testament manuscript fragments contribute to the preservation and accuracy of the biblical texts? [43:08]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the structure of the Hebrew canon (Tanakh) reflect the continuity between the Old and New Testaments? [03:15]
In what ways did Jesus' teachings and authority influence the early church's recognition of the New Testament canon? [15:05]
How does the process of canonization reflect the early church's response to heretical teachings and false writings? [29:39]
What implications does the preservation of numerous manuscript fragments have for our understanding of the Bible's reliability? [43:08]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the role of the Hebrew Scriptures in your own faith journey. How can you deepen your understanding of the Old Testament as part of your spiritual growth? [06:28]
Consider the authority of Jesus' teachings in your life. How can you ensure that His words are central to your daily decisions and actions? [15:05]
The early church faced challenges from false teachings. How can you discern and address false teachings in today's context? [29:39]
With the vast number of New Testament manuscripts available, how can you use this knowledge to strengthen your confidence in the Bible's reliability? [43:08]
How can you incorporate the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments into your daily life to guide your faith and practice? [54:53]
Identify a specific way you can engage with the Bible this week to deepen your understanding of its historical and theological continuity. [54:53]
Think of a time when you encountered a challenging or confusing passage in the Bible. How did you approach it, and what resources or strategies can you use in the future to gain clarity? [52:39]

Sermon Clips

The Hebrew canon was traditionally 24 books, which include all of our 39 and no more, and these are divided into three sections. The reason it goes from 39 to 24 is because they combine some that we separate. There are three sections in the Old Testament Jewish Hebrew Canon: Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim. [00:02:40]

The earliest Christian witnesses show that the apocryphal books included in the Septuagint were not counted as canonical. It's very interesting that our English Bible is given in the order in the Old Testament of the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament but it omits all the apocryphal books which were in the Greek Testament. [00:05:05]

Jesus was recognized by the early church as having Authority equal to and beyond the Old Testament Scriptures. We're arguing now that there's coming into being the concept of a New Testament canon. How is it coming to being? Jesus was teaching them as one having Authority and not as their scribes. [00:14:48]

The early church saw the teaching that emerged from Jesus and the apostles as comprising a completed body of truth about the faith. Jude 1:3: Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the Saints. [00:21:26]

Peter saw Paul's writings as part of an enlarging canon of Scripture alongside the Old Testament Scriptures. This is very important. 2nd Peter 3:16: Paul wrote to you in all his letters, speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the scriptures, to their own destruction. [00:27:33]

The process of canonization: How did the church do that? Before I say any more, I mean something just came to my mind, which when I heard it years and years ago from Dr. Gull, my professor in Germany, it was very, very significant. I'll just throw it out to you, see if you can store it away and use it when it comes in handy. [00:28:57]

The main criterion for the books that were recognized as authoritative and canonical was apostolicity. Not just was it a book written by an apostle, but also was it written in the company of an apostle or presumably with his endorsement and approval. For example, here they are: Matthew, these are just the authors now. [00:32:41]

The church assuredly did not make the New Testament; the two grew up together. I'm going to distance myself, therefore, from the Roman Catholic understanding of authority here, where there's the authority of the church, and go with F.F. Bruce and other Protestants. F.F. Bruce puts it like this: What is particularly important to notice is that the New Testament Canon was not demarcated by the arbitrary decree of any church council. [00:38:10]

The New Testament is unique in having so many manuscripts. Yes, no other ancient book comes close to this kind of wealth of diverse preservation. What are some of these oldest manuscripts? The oldest is a papyrus that comes from about AD 130. Just confirm that again today. Some data is into the 1st century and some later like this and contains John 18:31-33 and 37 following. [00:45:11]

The huge number of manuscripts of the New Testament results in two things: one, there are many variations in wording among them because they were all copied by hand and subject to human error. There are so many manuscripts that these errors tend to be self-correcting by the many manuscript witnesses we have to compare. [00:46:39]

The words in our opinion still subject to doubt only make up about one sixtieth of the whole New Testament. Substantial variation is but a small fraction of the whole residuary variation and can hardly form more than a thousandth part of the entire text. F.F. Bruce puts it this way: The variant readings about which any doubt remains among textual critics of the New Testament affect no material question of historic fact or of Christian faith and practice. [00:52:39]

The Bible is inspired and inerrant in the original manuscripts. Let me pray and I'll let you go. We'll be here at 9:00 in the morning. We'll have three hours together. We'll take a break in the middle and we'll see how far we can get. Father in heaven, thank you so much for your help tonight and for your word. [00:54:53]

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Understanding the Authority and Canon of Scripture

Devotional

Day 1: The Hebrew Canon as Jesus' Bible

Day 2: The New Testament Canon's Emergence

Day 3: The Process of Canonization

Day 4: Preservation of the Texts

Day 5: The Authority of Scripture

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Understanding the Authority and Canon of Scripture

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