THE SCRIPTURE IN THE EARLY CHURCH – The New Testament Canon (rule)

Scripture for the First Christians – See Acts 8:27ff; Matthew 1:22-23; Mark 12:28-30; Luke 24:27ff; 2Tim 3:16. The Scripture for the first Christians were the Hebrew Scriptures of Israel that were viewed as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Yet see 2Peter 3:15-17! Here we see it implied that Paul’s writings are on the same level as the “other scriptures” (ie. The Hebrew Scriptures). See also 1Timothy 5:18b, where Paul seems to be quoting from Luke 10:7 as “scripture”. This would indicate an even earlier date for Luke’s Gospel than is usually considered!

The Hebrew Canon was not closed until AD90, by a group of rabbis led by Johannen ben Zakkai. The Dispersion, and the emerging “Christian” writings led to this council. It formally endorsed what had long been assumed as the inspired Word of God. Zakkai’s work is pretty much what we today call The Old Testament. Many Christians are surprised to find that the OT Canon was not closed until 60 years after Christ’s death and Resurrection, and that what we use today in the OT part of our Bible was decided by Jewish rabbis who were somewhat concerned with the growing number following Jesus.

The first “books” written in what we now call The New Testament are the letters of the Apostle Paul. The New Testament Canon was not arrived at by any one decision (certainly not by the Council of Nicaea in 325AD!), but was an emerging consensus of Apostolic authority and widespread popularity that began right in the very 1st century.

The first Gospel written was probably Mark. Tradition says Mark was a summary of Peter’s own testimony. Both Luke and Matthew show heavy reliance on Mark as to sequence and substance, indicating that as early as 65-70AD, Christians felt they had a definitive, authoritative written rendition of the life of Christ.

120AD Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, quotes extensively from Mark and Luke, and many of the Letters of Paul, Peter and John.

140AD Marcion of Rome lists 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and 10 of Paul’s Letters. Note – he was anti-Jewish and edited out sections that referenced Judaism.

150AD Justin Martyr, Syrian convert, among other intellectual defenses of the Christian faith (Apologies), writes of the “Memoirs of the Apostles” – quoting extensively and only from Matthew, Mark and Luke. He says they were read from and expounded on in worship.

160AD Tatian, a Syrian, produces “The Diatessaron” – a one volume harmony of all four Gospels – John as the framework, Matthew, Mark, Luke as the body. He uses no other material! In worship, they use “The Diatessaron”, Paul’s Letters (sent by Peter!), and Acts (sent by John!)

182AD Iranaeus, Bishop of Lyon, writes “Against Heresies”, saying the Gospel is “fourfold” – quoting from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and no other source material. He also condemns the so-called “gospel of Judas” and other Gnostic writings beginning to emerge.

Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, in an Easter letter, was the first to write down a complete list of authoritative books as we now have them (367AD), but by consensus, the majority of his list was already considered as scripture, much earlier, in the 1st and into the 2nd century. It is worth noting that the so-called Gnostic “gospels” never seemed to seriously contend in consideration of what was authoritative scripture.

30AD	50	70	90	110	130	150	170	190
Good Friday/ Easter (30-80AD) Rise of Early Church via Oral Witness (36) Stephen Martyred – Acts 7 (36) Peter to Rome (37) Saul converted – Acts 9 (44) Apostle James martyred – Acts 12	(48-51) Galatians (49) Jerusalem Council – Acts 15 (49-50) Paul in Corinth (51-54) 1&2Thess. (53-62) Philippians (54-68) Emperor Nero (56-57) 1&2 Corinthians, Romans (60) Paul imprisoned Acts 28 (62) Book of James (61-62) Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, Timothy/ Titus (61-63) 1Peter (62-64) Paul martyred, as is Peter and James, brother of Jesus (64-68) Gospel of Mark	(67-70) Romans destroy Temple in Jerusalem (65-85) Gospels of Matthew and Luke (relying heavily on Mark’s Gospel) (80-95) Gospel of John (80-100) 1st, 2nd 3rd John (80-95) Revelation (80) The Didache – teaching of the Apostles written	(90) Council of Jamnia sets Hebrew Canon (94) Josephus “Jewish Antiquities” Repeats story of Jesus’ death and resurrection after 3 days – confirms the existence of followers of Christ (95) 1Clement to Corinthians wrtitten	(120) Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna quotes extensively from much of Mark and Luke and many of the Letters (incl. Paul, Peter and John) (120) Shepherd of Hermas written	(140) Marcion lists 4 Gospels and 10 letters of Paul (140-300?) Gnostic “gospels” of James, Thomas, Mary Magdalene, etc. written	(150) Justin Martyr writes his 1st & 2nd “Apology” (arguments for the Christian faith). Also writes “Dialogues with Trypho” He writes of the “Memoirs of the Apostles” quoting extensively from Matthew, Mark and Luke. Says services took place where these were read and expounded upon (160) Tatian produces “The Diatessaron” a one volume harmony of all four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, and ONLY these Gospels	(182-188) Iranaeus “Against Heresies” Says Gospel is “fourfold” (cites Matt. Mark, Luke, John ONLY) Condemns “gospel of Judas”	(200) Muratorian Canon – produced in Rome 4 Gospels, Acts, Letters of P