The Formation of the New Testament Canon

Who got to decide what books were included in the Bible? When and how did the books of the New Testament come together? Those are great questions to ask, and prove a real interest and depth to the desire to understand the foundation of our faith. Let’s explore those questions as we tackle the formation of the canon of the New Testament.

---

---

The term “canon” refers to the collection of books which are received and accepted as in some way inspired by God for inclusion in the Bible. The words of these books are considered authoritative for the faith and life of Christians. While the Old Testament was the supreme authority for devout Jews, those who followed Jesus as their master and Lord needed teachings which supported the concept of grace and resurrection above and beyond the Law.

Old Testament Fulfilled by New Testament

The apostles and early church leaders did not preach the Old Testament. Instead, they bore witness to Jesus and His ministry. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets – that is to bring them to a completion (Matthew 5:17). When they used the Old Testament, it was to show that Jesus was the Messiah and that His life, ministry, death and resurrection had been predicted by the prophets of old.

We should not be surprised, therefore, that the words of Jesus were treasured and quoted. Believers who had been eyewitnesses to the ministry and miracles of Jesus would re-tell His teachings and stories based upon their memories. The words and teachings of the Twelve who followed Jesus most closely also took on significance and authority. It is natural that when their teachings began to be written, the documents were circulated among the believers and read during times of worship (Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; Revelation 1:3).

As each gospel was completed, the content was approved because of the respect given to its author (John 21:24). The gospel accounts were used for pubic reading, first in the location of its composition. Matthew’s gospel was probably written in or near Jerusalem. Mark traveled extensively but probably wrote under the guidance of Peter around or near Rome. Luke traveled with Paul and may well have written his gospel while he was in Rome with an imprisoned Paul. John most likely wrote while he was exiled on Patmos which is near modern Turkey. These writings soon were copies and circulated to other cities and churches.

Copying the Scriptures

The collecting and copying of Paul’s letters must have begun early probably within his own lifetime. He instructed that two churches interchange his letters – most likely making copies of them (Colossians 4:16). Peter mentions Paul’s writings in one of his letters (2 Peter 3:16). The copying and circulating of letters was occuring before Peter’s death in the mid-60’s.

Many early Christians enjoyed the foundation and heritage of the Jewish faith. Jewish believers were meticulous in copying Scripture because of its inspiration. They clung to the tradition that no jot or tittle would pass away – no t uncrossed, no I undotted – from God’s word. The early Christians maintained the same reverence for their sacred writings.

Two interesting pieces of information need to be considered at this time. Clement of Rome, who many consider was personally mentored by Paul, wrote in a letter to the Corinthians in about 95 about apostolic authority. He specifically quotes from 1 Corinthians and Hebrews. He gives evidence of being familiar with several other authoritative books being circulated at the time.

A fragment of a listing of the books written by Paul was discovered in 1930 known as the Chester Beatty papyrii. These documents range in age from the second to the fourth centuries. The listing, which includes 14 of Paul’s books in order of largest to smallest, Hebrews is properly sandwiched between the name of Romans and the name of 1 Corinthians.

Criteria for Canon Acceptance

Did there seem to be a criteria for the books that were circulated and seen as authoritative? Theologians speculate what criteria provided the foundation, but most agree on three or four items that were critically necessary. First, the books that were recognized as authoritative had to have either apostolic origin or a strong apostolic connection. Jesus’ apostles wrote most of the books of the New Testament. Of the gospel writers, Matthew and John were apostles. They traveled with Jesus during the three and a half years of His ministry. Just as in research today, primary sources give the most credibility.

Just because an apostle’s name is circulated with the writing did not assure acceptance. The Gospel of Thomas began to be circulated hundreds of years after the Apostle Thomas. The content was filled with gnostic thought, clearly contradicting the teaching of Jesus and other apostles. Many of the stories raised serious questions about their authenticity. This particular gospel was rejected as not carrying the authority or the grandeur of content.

One of the leading New Testament scholars of the 1800s was a Presbyterian scholar named B.B. Warfield (1851-1921). Warfield served significant positions as a part of the Princeton Theological Seminary. His commentaries and books on Paul’s theology are still today considered definitive classics.

Warfield believed the crux of the New Testament canon was clearly decided upon by the end of the first century.

In an article written in 1892, Warfield writes, “In every case the principle on which a book was accepted, or doubts about it laid aside, was the historical tradition of apostolicity.”

In addition to the authority of the apostles, another criteria used was the content of the writing. Early church leaders expected the content of the writing to affirm, not contradict, the writings of other Scripture. Much in the New Testament teaches how Christ fulfilled or expanded upon the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures. One should expect the continuity of God’s Word throughout history.

Finally, the books needed to be widely recognized and widely shared. As books were being considered for the canon, the church leaders’ job was made easier because so many writing were already recognized throughout the Mediterranean region as authoritative.

The canon of the Scriptures was not settled until the Roman Catholic Church councils of Nicea (325), Rome (382), the Synod of Hippo (393) and two councils of Carthage (397 and 419). As our culture becomes increasingly secular, many will cast doubt on the Bible’s origins. Christians need to prepare the minds and action to confidently assert that the Scripture is the work of God, recognized by churches over the years.

In the vivid words of biblical scholar, J.I.Packer, “The church no more gave us [the] canon than Sir Isaac Newton gave us the force of gravity.”

Conclusions