The Canon of Scripture.
How was it put together?
The books of the Bible were canon (authoritative—biblical) the moment they were written. The Bible is self-authenticating since its books were breathed out by God. (2 Timothy 3:16) Their canonicity was inherent, since they came from God. People and councils only recognized and acknowledged what was already true. No Bible book became canon by the action of a church council.1
The authenticity of the Old Testament occurred in phases. The Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) was identified as authoritative (canonized) as Ezra read it in 444 BC (Nehemiah 8:1-10:39). Acceptance of the prophet's writings took place between 200 and 300 BC as much of what they predicted took place. The final recognition of the Old Testament text happened at a Synod of Jewish rabbis in Jamnia in AD 90. The New Testament authoritatively quotes or alludes to the Old Testament over 250 times, further reinforcing its authority.
The authority of all twenty-seven New Testament books were finally affirmed in AD 397 at the third Council of Carthage. The canon of Scripture is now closed. The Bible is complete. There are no more additions to the sixty-six books.
The authenticity of the Old Testament occurred in phases. The Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) was identified as authoritative (canonized) as Ezra read it in 444 BC (Nehemiah 8:1-10:39). Acceptance of the prophet's writings took place between 200 and 300 BC as much of what they predicted took place. The final recognition of the Old Testament text happened at a Synod of Jewish rabbis in Jamnia in AD 90. The New Testament authoritatively quotes or alludes to the Old Testament over 250 times, further reinforcing its authority.
The authority of all twenty-seven New Testament books were finally affirmed in AD 397 at the third Council of Carthage. The canon of Scripture is now closed. The Bible is complete. There are no more additions to the sixty-six books.
The three tests placed upon the New Testament writings to determine their authenticity were the following:
1. Authorship.
Eyewitness evidence. All the writings had to be either written or backed by an apostle of Jesus Christ. Peter backed Mark's writings. Paul backed Luke's writings.
2. Agreement.
Internal evidence. The content of the writings had to agree with the revealed will of God. The Old Testament was a good source of comparison for this.
3. Acceptance.
External Evidence. All the writings had to receive unanimous acceptance by the early churches. The early Church was in surprising agreement among itself as to what was authentic and what was not.
Other Resources
- Watch No, the Church Didn't Create the Bible. (5:59) The Gospel Coalition
- Watch Did The Early Church Councils Decide What We Believe About Jesus? (3:57) J. Warner, Wallace
- Read How and When Was The Canon of the Bible Put Together? Got Questions
- Read What is the Canon of Scripture? Got Questions
- Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular, Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago: Moody, 1978) 119 Kindle.