Lesson 4
1) Comes from the Greek word which meant:
* A measuring rule
* A standard or limit
* A reed (used as a means of measurement in O.T. - Ezekiel 42:16-20)2) The word comes to mean a 'measuring rod or standard'
3) Thus "Canon of Scripture" is the standard or measurement by which a writing was judged to be inspired or authoritative.
II. DETAILS OF THE CANON
1. Canon of Scripture is made up of 66 books. 2. There are two major sections - Old Testament and New Testament
Concerning the Canon of Old Testament Books:
1) Consists of 39 books
2) Broken down into 5 major areas
* Books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy) - Called the Pentateuch
* Books of History (Joshua through Esther)
* Books of Poetry ( Job through Song of Solomon)
* Books of Major Prophets (Isaiah through Daniel)
* Books of Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi)
Concerning the Canon of New Testament Books:
1) Consists of 27 books
2) Broken down into 5 major areas
* Biography (Matthew through John) - Deals with life of Jesus
....In Matthew Jesus is presented as King
....In Mark Jesus is presented as Servant
....In Luke Jesus is presented as Son of Man
....In John Jesus is presented as Son of God
* History (Acts) - Deals with history of the church
* Pauline Epistles (Romans through Philemon) - Deals with letters written to specific churches
....Prison Epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Written from Prison in Rome)
....Pastoral Epistles - I, II Timothy and Titus (Written to Paul's 'preacher boys')
* General Epistles (Hebrews through Jude) - Deals with letters placed in general circulation, but not specific churches as in Paul's Epistles
* Prophecy (Revelation) - Deals mostly with future evenets climaxed at Christ's Second Coming.
III. DETERMINING THE CANON
What standards were used to determine which books belonged in the Canon.
Concerning the Old Testament, the Canon was determined by three standards:
1) Was it inspired by God, written by a prophet or someone with the gift of prophecy?
2) Was it recognized by men of God?
3) Was it accepted and preserved by the people of God?
Concerning the New Testament, the Canon was determined by four standards:1) Was the book authored by an apostle or someone closely associated with an apostle?
2) Was the book in harmony with apostolic doctrine?
3) Was the book read and used in the churches?
4) Was the book recognized and used by the next generations after the early church (especially by the apostolic successors)?
2) It opens the door for judgment. - Deuteronomy 4:1,2; Proverbs 30:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19
1) It opens the door for errors.
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