How%20the%20Bible%20come%20together

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How the Bible come together

• Joshua David Fellowships

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Question?

• How it came into existence
• How it has come down to us

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Ten steps from God to us

• God
• The Holy Spirit
• Human Writers
• Original Manuscripts
• Manuscript Copies
• Ancient Version
• Quotation from the Fathers
• Printed editions of the text
• Modern Versions
• Us

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It discusses

1. Inspiration
2. Canonicity
3. Transmission

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Inspiration
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• Inspiration is the mysterious process by which
  divine causality on prophetic agency resulted in
  the original autographs of the Bible which are a
  verbal, plenary, inerrant and authoritative
  revelation.

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• What I'm about to tell you is true. Heaven and
  earth will disappear before the smallest letter
  disappears from the Law. Not even the smallest
  stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until
  everything is completed. Matt. 518
• Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words
  will never pass away. Matt. 2435

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• I am warning everyone who hears the words of the
  prophecy of this book. If you add anything to
  them, God will add to you the plagues told about
  in this book. If you take any words away from
  this book of prophecy, God will take away from
  you your share in the tree of life. He will also
  take away your place in the Holy City. This book
  tells about these things. Rev. 2218-19

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• You have known the Holy Scriptures ever since
  you were a little child. They are able to teach
  you how to be saved by believing in Christ Jesus.
    God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It
  is useful for teaching us what is true. It is
  useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful
  for making our lives whole again. It is useful
  for training us to do what is right. By using
  Scripture, a man of God can be completely
  prepared to do every good thing. 2 Tim. 315-17

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THE CANON OF THE BIBLE

• Characteristics of canonicity
• The Old Testament Canon
• The New Testament Canon
• The apocryphal books and Pseudepigraphal books

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A. Characteristics of canonicity

1. The stimuli for collection
2. Meaning of Canon
3. Test of Canonicity that is inspiration
4. Recognition of Canonicity
5. Bible is Self-Authenticating
6. Canonicity Implies Selection
7. Process of Canonicity

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1. The stimuli for collection

• Books were prophetic
• Demands of early church
• Heretical stimulus
• Missionary stimulus
• Persecutions and politics

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• .Our dear brother Paul also wrote to you about
  that. God made him wise to write as he did. He
  writes the same way in all his letters. He speaks
  about what I have just told you. His letters
  include some things that are hard to understand.
  People who don't know better and aren't firm in
  the faith twist what he says. They twist the
  other Scriptures too. So they will be destroyed.
  2 Peter 315-16
• After this letter has been read to you, send it
  on. Be sure that it is also read to the church in
  Laodicea. And be sure that you read the letter
  from Laodicea. Col. 416

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• While the Lord is watching, here is what I
  command you. Have this letter read to all the
  believers. 1 Thess. 527
• Until I come, spend your time reading Scripture
  out loud to one another. Spend your time
  preaching and teaching. 1 Tim. 413
• God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It
  is useful for teaching us what is true. It is
  useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful
  for making our lives whole again. It is useful
  for training us to do what is right. By using
  Scripture, a man of God can be completely
  prepared to do every good thing. 2 Tim 316-17

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• He said to them, "Go into all the world. Preach
  the good news to everyone Mark 1615
• Brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of
  the good news I preached to you. You received it
  and have put your faith in it. Because you
  believed the good news, you are saved. But you
  must hold firmly to the message I preached to
  you. If you don't, you have believed it for
  nothing.   What I received I passed on to you.
  And it is the most important of all. Here is what
  it is. Christ died for our sins, just as
  Scripture said he would. He was buried. He was
  raised from the dead on the third day, just as
  Scripture said he would be 1 Corn 151-4

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2. Meaning of Canon

• Greek
• Active sense
• Passive sense

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3. Test of Canonicity that is inspiration

• You are a building that is built on the apostles
  and prophets. They are the foundation. Christ
  Jesus himself is the most important stone in the
  building. Eph. 220
• But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will
  guide you into all truth. He will not speak on
  his own. He will speak only what he hears. And he
  will tell you what is still going to happen.
  John 1613

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• In the past, God spoke to our people through the
  prophets. He spoke at many times. He spoke in
  different ways. But in these last days, he has
  spoken to us through his Son. He is the one whom
  God appointed to receive all things. God made
  everything through him. Heb.11-2

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• O.T.Prophetic Authority
• N.T. Apostolic Authority

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• 4. Recognition of Canonicity
• (Gods people i.e. Jews in OT, Church in NT )
• 5. Bible is Self-Authenticating
• (The Bible is the own witness to its authority,
  because it is inspired. )
• 6. Canonicity Implies Selection
• (exclude the apocryphal books and Pseudepigraphal
  books )

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7. Process of Canonicity

1. Selecting
2. Reading
3. Circulating
4. Collecting
5. Quotation

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a. Selecting

• Jesus did many other miraculous signs in front
  of his disciples. They are not written down in
  this book. John 2030
• Jesus also did many other things. What if every
  one of them were written down? I suppose that
  even the whole world would not have room for the
  books that would be written.John2125
• Many people have attempted to write about the
  things that have taken place among us. Reports of
  these things were handed down to us. There were
  people who saw these things for themselves from
  the beginning and then passed the word on.   I
  myself have carefully looked into everything from
  the beginning. So it seemed good also to me to
  write down an orderly report of exactly what
  happened. I am doing this for you, most excellent
  Theophilus. I want you to know that the things
  you have been taught are true." Luke 11-4

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b. Reading

• While the Lord is watching, here is what I
  command you. Have this letter read to all the
  believers.1 Thes. 527
• Blessed is the one who reads the words of this
  prophecy. Blessed are those who hear it and think
  everything it says is important. The time when
  these things will come true is near. Rev. 13

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c. Circulating

• The voice said, "Write on a scroll what you see.
  Send it to the seven churches in Asia Minor. They
  are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis,
  Philadelphia and Laodicea." Rev. 111
• After this letter has been read to you, send it
  on. Be sure that it is also read to the church in
  Laodicea. And be sure that you read the letter
  from Laodicea. Col. 416

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d. Collecting

• ..Our dear brother Paul also wrote to you
  about that. God made him wise to write as he did.
  He writes the same way in all his letters. He
  speaks about what I have just told you. His
  letters include some things that are hard to
  understand. People who don't know better and
  aren't firm in the faith twist what he says. They
  twist the other Scriptures too. So they will be
  destroyed. 2 Peter 315-16

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• Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our
  Lord Jesus Christ said was going to happen. They
  told you, "In the last days, some people will
  make fun of the truth. They will follow their own
  ungodly longings." Jude 17-18
• I want you to remember the words the holy
  prophets spoke in the past. Remember the command
  our Lord and Savior gave through your apostles.
  First of all, here is what you must understand.
  In the last days people will make fun of the
  truth. They will laugh at it. They will follow
  their own evil longings.2 Peter 32-3

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New Testament books first found at different
places
Places New Testament books
Palestine Matthew, James, Hebrews
Asia Minor John, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Philemon, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude, Revelation
Greece 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Luke
Crete Titus
Rome Romans
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e. Quotation

• Scripture says, "Do not stop the ox from eating
  while it helps separate the grain from the
  straw."(Deuteronomy 254) Scripture also says,
  "Workers are worthy of their pay."(Luke 107)1
  Tim. 518
• Don't stop an ox from eating while you use it to
  separate grain from straw. Deuteronomy 254
• Stay in that house. Eat and drink anything they
  give you. Workers are worthy of their pay. Do not
  move around from house to house. Luke 107

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B. The Old Testament Canon

• "Do not think I have come to get rid of what is
  written in the Law or in the Prophets. I have not
  come to do that. Instead, I have come to give
  full meaning to what is written. Matt. 517
• Jesus explained to them what was said about
  himself in all the Scriptures. He began with
  Moses and all the Prophets. Luke 2427

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• "So you will pay for all the godly people's
  blood spilled on earth. I mean from the blood of
  godly Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of
  Berekiah. Zechariah was the one you murdered
  between the temple and the altar. Matt. 2335
• Jesus said to them, "This is what I told you
  while I was still with you. Everything written
  about me must happen. Everything written about me
  in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms
  must come true." Luke 24 44

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THE HEBREW OLD TESTAMENT ARRANGEMENT THE HEBREW OLD TESTAMENT ARRANGEMENT THE HEBREW OLD TESTAMENT ARRANGEMENT
The Law (Torah) The Prophets (Neviim) The Writings (Kethuvim)
Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Former Prophets Joshua Judges Samuel Kings Latter Prophets Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel The Twelve Poetical Books Psalms Job Proverbs Five Rolls (Megilloth) Ruth Song of Songs Ecclesiastes Lamentations Esther C) Historical Books Daniel Ezra-Nehemiah Chronicles
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HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON
National Events Probable Date of Writing of Canonical Books Suggested History of the Manuscripts and Copies
1500 B.C. Exodus from Egypt Original Pentateuch, Job(?) Original scrolls of Moses stored beside ark
1400 B.C. - Conquest of Canaan - Ark kept at Shiloh Joshua Copy of Law available to Joshua
1100 B.C. - Shiloh destroyed by Philistines and Tabernacle moved - Israels Kingdom established Judges and Ruth Original scrolls dispersed and new copies made (?)
1000B.C. - David captures Jerusalem - Division of Kingdom Davidic Psalms 1 2 Samuel Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon Samuel, David and Levites distribute copies throughout Israel. Apology for Davids reign and his court annals
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HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON
National Events Probable Date of Writing of Canonical Books Suggested History of the Manuscripts and Copies
900B.C. Samaria made capital of Northern Kingdom Obadiah Joel? Copies brought to Northern Kingdom during Elijahs reform(?)
800B.C. Assyrians capture Samaria Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Micah Kings written by a succession of prophets and collected, edited by Jeremiah(?)
700B.C. - Revival under Hezekiah - Revival under Josiah - Daniel taken hostage to Babylon Isaiah Nahum Zephaniah Habakkuk - Copies obtained for Samaritans by Israelite priest at order of Sargon II (2 Kings 1727-28)? - Copy of Book of the Law recovered during Temple repair and copies distributed to the people during Josiahs reform (2 Chron. 346-9,21)?
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HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON HISTORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON
National Events Probable Date of Writing of Canonical Books Suggested History of the Manuscripts and Copies
600B.C. Ezekiel taken captive Jeremiah, Lam. Copies taken to Babylon
587B.C. - Jerusalem destroyed - Cyrus captures Babylon - Jewish returnees rebuild Temple 1 2 Kings Ezekiel Daniel Haggai Zechariah
500B.C. - Ezra returns to Jerusalem - Nehemiah rebuilds walls Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Copies brought back from Babylon
400B.C. Malachi, 1 2 chronicles Copies taken to Samaria at time of Nehemiahs exclusion (Neh. 1328-30)?
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C. The New Testament Canon

• apostolic fathers
• Pseudo-Barnabas (70-130A.D.)
• Clement of Rome (95-97A.D.)
• Ignatius (110A.D.)
• Polycarp (110-50A.D.)..
• Jerome (340-420A.D.)
• Augustine (400A.D.)

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• 2. canons
• Marcion (140A.D.)
• Muratorian (170A.D.)
• apostolic (300A.D.)
• Cheltenham (360A.D.)
• Athanasius (367A.D.)

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• 3. translations
• Tatian Diatessaron (107A.D.)
• Old Latin (200A.D.)
• Old Syriac (400A.D.)

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• 4. councils
• Nicea(325-40A.D.)
• Hippo (393A.D.)
• Carthage(397A.D.)
• Carthage(419A.D.)

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D. The apocryphal books and Pseudepigraphal books

• The Old Testament apocrypha includes 1 and 2
  Esdras, Tobit, Judith, the rest of Esther,
  Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, the Song of the
  Three Children, the Story of Susannah, Bel and
  the Dragon, the Prayer of Manasses, and 1 and 2
  Maccabees.
• The New Testament apocrypha includes The
  Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, The Epistle of
  Barnabas, The First Second Epistles of Clement,
  The Shepherd of Hermas, The Apocalypse of Peter,
  The Acts of Paul, The Epistle of Polycarp to the
  Philippians, The Seven Epistles of Ignatius, The
  Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, The Protevangelium of
  James, The Gospel of the Nativity of Mary, The
  Gospel of Nicodemus, The Gospel of the Saviour?
  Infancy, The History of Joseph the Carpenter.

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Transmission

• Old testament manuscripts
• The Masoretes
• The Septuagint (LXX)
• Dead Sea Scrolls (Qumran Scrolls)
• New testament manuscripts
• Papyri
• Uncials
• Codex Vaticanus 325-50 A.D.
• Codex Sinaiticus 340 A.D
• Codex Alexandrinus 450 A.D
• Minuscules
• Translations