Wayne Stiles explores the question, “Is the Bible a loose canon?” He explains why the 66 books of Scripture we have today are complete, inspired by God, and preserved for our confidence and application. These 66 books are often referred to as the “Canon of Scripture.”
Lesson Outline
1. The Early Church Understood the Canon Was Closed
The early church recognized the canon based on apostolic authority, doctrinal soundness, and universal acceptance. The 27 New Testament books were recognized, not voted, as Scripture.
- Luke 11:49-51
- Jesus Himself, in Luke 11:49-51, outlines the Old Testament canon by referencing Abel (Genesis) as the first prophet and Zechariah (2 Chronicles) as the last historical figure. This confirms the 39 books of the Old Testament recognized today.
- 1 Timothy 5:18; 2 Peter 3:15
- The early church recognized New Testament writings as Scripture immediately. Paul, in 1 Timothy 5:18, quotes Luke as Scripture, and Peter, in 2 Peter 3:15, refers to Paul’s letters as part of the Scriptures, showing that canonical recognition occurred during the lifetimes of the apostles.
- 2 Peter 1:16
2. The New Testament Says the Canon Will Be Closed
The apostles affirmed that Scripture provides everything we need for life and godliness, and the faith was delivered once for all to the saints.
- 2 Peter 1:2-4
- Jude 3
3. The New Testament Tells the End of the Story
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth, ensuring the Scripture contained all revelation necessary for the church.
- John 16:12-13
- Revelation 22
4. New Books Are Only Proposed by Heretics
Attempts to add books to the canon come from heretics and contradict Scripture; the universal church did not accept such additions.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
- Galatians 1:8
5. God Guards His Word
God ensures His Word is preserved and warns against adding or taking away from Scripture. Jesus’ words endure forever.
- Revelation 22:18-19
- Proverbs 30:6
- Luke 21:33
Conclusion
The Bible we hold today—66 books written by 40 different authors over a period of 1,500 years, on three different continents and in three different languages—speaks with one unified theme. What are the odds that such diversity would produce such harmony? And yet it does.
That unified theme is this: the glory of God through the redemption of mankind by means of the salvation offered through the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel. Every book of Scripture points to this one message.
Application:
Read God’s Word each day and apply it to some area of your life each day. Make it a priority to read and apply what God has made a priority to write and preserve. People have died throughout the centuries defending and guarding the books that we have in the Canon of Scripture—the Bible we have today.
