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The New Testament is a collection of books of the Christian Bible, comprising the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Revelation of St. John the Divine. (Webster) Canon is defined as the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired. (Webster)
Septuegent
The Apocrypha
The Apocrypha is a set of 14 books that had been allowed by the Jewish Sanhedrin
in Jerusalem to be used among Greek speaking Jews over the course of Greek Helenization
that took place between the Old and New Testaments. Although never part of the
Hebrew scriptures, these apocryphal writings had increased in authority merely
by the passing of time. Shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD,
a group of Jewish Rabbis met in Jamnia to codify the ancient scripture for a
population that had now been widely dispersed. They were also reacting to the
Jewish cult of Christianity that continued to grow in popularity. In order to
completely sever ties to these Greek speaking Christians, they purified the
Hebrew canon by discrediting anything that was originally written in Greek.
This, of course, included the Greek Old Testament (Septuegent) and, of course,
the letters of Paul that were ciruclating on par with "the other scriptures"
(1 Peter). Thus the Bible retained by the early Christians contained the Apocrapha,
and the Jewish Bible clarified what were the original Hebrew scriptures.
To Christians, the New Testament was recognized as as the inspired word of God beginning in Acts chapter 15 when the council of Jerusalem excused Gentile belivers from the burden of Hebrew law. Instead, the teachings of Christ became their "New Covenant" or Testament. Peter dictated to Mark the teachings and activities of Christ and other first hand accounts came into cirrculation. Mark is placed first because of its simplicity; the Gospels of Matthew and Luke seem to use passages from Mark. John's account has his own unique style which sets it apart from the three "synoptic gosples". Luke compiled from reliable sources and also reported on the "Acts of the Apostels" much of which he experienced first hand as he traveled with Paul. Paul's inspired letters were currculated and copies were collected by first century church leaders as were other epistles from reliable authors such as James, the brother of Jesus, and intimate eyewitnesses accounts from John and Peter.
The integrity of the gospel writers is apparent as they share personal faults and weaknesses that could be used against them. There were many times that the apostles couldn’t comprehend the miracles and mysteries of Jesus but they included them in their writings. Their honest sincerity even records faithless times when they doubted God. Paul too, records his intimant struggles is Romans 7.
The earliest church elders were extremely cautious in their acceptance of these early Christian scriptures. Paul knew of counterfeits and signed his distinctive signature after he had dictated his letters. The authority of an eyewitness apostle who also confirmed the accurate theology taught in Paul's writings, provided the standard to test subsequent documents that appeared. In this manner, the New testament, as we have it today, was considered a closed cannon shortly after the last apostle died. The martyerdom of many apostles also lends support to the credibility of a message they were willing to die for.
Although the Apocraphal books of the Greek Old Testament remained in use, the were never given the authority of the orignial Hebrew scriptures that were often referred to by Jesus and the Apostles. Contextual criticism of the Aprocrapha's multiple errors in history, geography, and doctrine, lead the reformers to finally remove that section from subsequent translations.
Like the Jewish Rabbies who had met in Jamnia over a thousand years earlier in reaction to a weakened Judiasm, the actions of Christian reformers catipalted the Roman Catholic church into a counter-reformation that sought to strenghten their weakening position. Thus the Council of Trent formally codified the Apocrapha from which they had acquired teachings that went counter to those of the first century church. Doctrines of purgatory, paying money for forgiveness of sin, and Maryoitry all received a stronger stance in oppostion to the Reformation. This is why the Apocrapha has never been a part of the Hebrew or Protestant Bibles.
When questioning the authenticity of written works such as the New Testament, there are several points in which one must be aware. As Christians, we know that the New Testament Canon is the inspired Word of God and is profitable for teaching, reproof and training in righteousness; therefore we simply believe it is true. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) However, further research must be carried out in order to prove its authenticity and validity to unbelievers.
Defined as various religious writings of uncertain origin and doubtful authenticity, the Apocrypha contains numerous fallacies and errors. Though the Roman Catholic Church accepted the Apocrypha into their Bible, Christians have found many evidences against the false works. For instance, the book of Tobit contains verses embracing superstitions such as touching the heart and liver of a fish to keep demons away. Another book of the Apocrypha called 2 Maccabees proves that the Apocrypha is definitely not Biblical. The book tells of a nobleman who “plucked out his bowels[…] and cast them upon the throng” to escape wickedness on earth and later died. Ecclesiasticus also contradicts the inspired Word of God by saying that one can buy salvation. The Apocrypha states that “alms maketh an atonement for sins”. The Bible says that the only way to get to gain eternal life is to believe and confess your sins and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31) The Apocrypha contains many other doctrinal contridictions, and errors in geography and history which are why they were not accepted into the Canon.
Some claim that there are controversial books in the Bible that discredit the Epistles of Paul. Martin Luther was one of those who despised the book of James because of its apparent contradiction to Luther's idea of salvation by faith alone as taught by Paul. The crucial point that Martin Luther failed to realize was that James was addressing the Jews while Paul wrote to Christians and fellow believers of the Word. James wrote to the Jews as a counselor and in order that they might grow in the Christian faith. He included many portions of useful advice to aid them during their sufferings. When one decides to critique scriptures, one must ask who the intended audience was at that time and read the scripture in context. It is never profitable to take scriptures and twist them out of context to fit a presupposed truth.
2 Peter 3 warns against false prophets and heretics who distort God’s Word to their own destruction. The book reminds its audience to be wary during the last days when men will rise up and try to turn us from the truth of God’s Word. From the Gnostic heretics that Paul dealt with, to today's cults of Christianity who manipulate scripture like the Jehovah Witnesses, or add their own scripture like the Book of Mormon, evangelicals stand still stand secure God's word.
The flawless, life giving text of the New Testament clearly reveals God’s inspiration upon the authors who wrote this holy work as He guided them and filled their minds with His perfect words.
Questions:
1. True or False: The Apocrypha was accepted into the Bible but then rejected
due to false teachings.
2. What is the order that these books were written?
A. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts
B. Matthew, Luke, Mark, John, Acts
C. Matthew, John, Acts, Mark, Luke
D. Mark, Matthew, Luke, Acts, John
E. They were written all together.
3. How do we know the authors wrote truthfully?
A. They were inspired by Joseph
B. They wrote honestly
C. They doubted Jesus
D. They loved the Lord
4. Which book did Martin Luther dislike?
A. Matthew
B. The Apocrypha
C. James
D. Mark
E. Tobit
Bibliography:
1. Bible, The. New American Standard Version.
2. Breaker, Robert III. “The Book of James”. RobertBreaker.com.
22 Jan 2004.
<http://www.robertbreaker.com/honduras/honduras/pages/james.htm>.
3. Pickett, Russ. “The Apocrypha”. Faith Mountain. Sep 2003. Russpickett.com.
22 Jan 2004
<http://www.russpickett.com/basic/apoc.htm>.
4. Random House Webster’s Dictionary. 2001 ed.
5. Warfiield, B.B. “The Formation of the Canon of the New Testament”.
Center For Reformed Theology and Apologetics. 1892. Center For Reformed Theology
and Apologetics. 22 Jan 2004
<http://www.crta.org/bible/warfield_canon.html>.
6. Warner, Tim. “2 Peter 3 and the Day of our Lord”. Nov 2001.
The Last Trumpet-Post-Trib-Research Center. Geocites.com. 22 Jan 2004
<http://www.geocities.com/lasttrumpet_2000/2peter3.html>
7. “What’s in the 27 Books of the New Testament?” Home Church
Ministries. 18 Jan 2004. Big Valley Grace Community Church. 22 Jan 2004
<http://homechurch.bvg.org/Documents/NTBooks.htm>
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