There are many questions about the Bible such as…
- What caused the 66 books that we have to become scripture?
- How do we know the Bible consists of no more or no less that 66 books?
- Why the Bible? Why only this Bible?
To answer that we have to look at the process of how God brought the Bible together. That is called canonization. There are ways to recognize the canonical books of the Bible. Here are some of the key criteria:
Old Testament
- Was the human author recognized as a spokesman of God?
- Is the book historically accurate?
- Is there New Testament evidence for the canonicity of the book?
New Testament
- Apostolic Association: Was the book written by an Apostle, or an immediate associate of an apostle?
- Apostolic Doctrine: Is the content of the book consistent with the teaching of the other books / teaching of the other Apostles?
- Has the book been acknowledged by the Lord or one of His apostles?
- Is the book morally edifying, and is there widespread acceptance in the church?
God has given us everything in Genesis to Revelation. In Genesis, eternity past: in the beginning God created. God took formless barrenness and made what we enjoy. In each of the books is our present, showing us how we live our lives for God. In Revelation, God gave us eternity future. All we have to do is follow His Word. Amen.
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