The 66 books of the Bible we have today form what is called the “canon”. This is a term used to describe the books of the Bible that are divinely inspired. Even though God used Jewish rabbis and early Christian fathers in the canon’s determination process, God Himself is the one who decides which books belonged and which did not.
Old Testament
The Old Testament was well-established by the time Jesus came to earth. Jesus frequently mentioned the Old Testament and showed that that part of Scripture was complete.
Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19).
Jesus spoke to His audience who knew Scripture. Jesus did not contradict what was already written, but confirmed it.
Again He said, “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail” (Luke 16:16-17).
Jesus frequently referred to the Old Testament as the Law and the Prophets, because it contains the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets. Until John the Baptist, the Old Testament was preached. Even though Jesus was preaching the gospel of the New Testament, the writings of the Old Testament still stand.
Jesus read from the Old Testament. He read from the book of Isaiah (Luke 4:16-21). He also questioned the religious leaders by referring to the writings of David in the Psalms (Matthew 22:41-45).
So there is no question about the Old Testament canon, because Jesus confirmed it.
Furthermore, from archaeology, we find many parts of the Old Testament preserved in what is known as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which contain partial or complete portions from all books of the Old Testament Bible except the book of Esther.
New Testament
During the first century of the Christian church, the New Testament was being written and recognized.
Peter considered Paul’s letters as Scripture:
“Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also 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.” (2 Peter 3:14-16)
Paul quoted from Luke in his letter to Timothy and recognized Luke’s writing as Scripture, as authoritative as the Old Testament:
“For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing’ [Deuteronomy 25:4] and ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’ [Luke 10:7].” (1 Timothy 5:18)
The first canon
The first canon of the New Testament that we know of is called the Muratorian Canon. It was dated to 180 AD, and lists 22 of the 27 books that form the New Testament. The Muratorian Canon included all of the New Testament books except Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and 3 John.[1]
The Codex Sinaiticus contains one of the earliest complete New Testaments ever found. It was dated to around 350 AD.
The early church elders gathered during the Council of Hippo (AD 393) and the Council of Carthage (AD 397), and confirmed the same 27 books we know today as authoritative.
These councils of the Christian church used the following principles in the determination process:
- Was the writer an apostle or eye witness disciple of Jesus?
- Is the book already accepted by the church in general?
- Does the book contain consistent doctrine and correct teaching?
- Does the book reflect high spiritual values consistent with the work of the Holy Spirit?
However, it is important to understand that no human council determined what went into the Bible. It was God alone who determined which writings belonged in the Bible. God imparted to His followers what He had already decided. The human process of collecting the writings of the Bible can be flawed, but God, in His sovereignty, and despite our ignorance and stubbornness, brought the early church to the recognition of the books He had already inspired.[2]
God’s Sovereignty
God, being all-powerful and all-knowing, moved men who wrote down the words of God. God led His disciples to recognize His writings, and God preserves His word for all generations.
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“‘All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.’
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:22-25)
[1] What is the Muratorian Canon? Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/Muratorian-Canon.html.
[2] How and when was the canon of the Bible put together? Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/canon-Bible.html.
To learn more see Bible Preservation over Time.