CANONICITY
Pastor Jim Hakes
Life-Line Ministries
Canonicity is the process of recognizing which books are intended by God to rule or measure our
lives. It is the discovery of which books are inspired and therefore, authoritative.
The word “canon” is derived from the Greek “Kanon, which is from the Hebrew word “Kaneh.” It
means, “Measuring Rod.”
For some 2500 years after God created Adam and Eve, the world did not have a Bible. During this
time, God spoke directly to our first parents and to the other great men of God.
Synonyms used in the Bible of canonicity:
Sacred Scripture; Authoritative writings; Books that defile the hands; prophetic Books.
Key Verse for canonization: II Peter 1:21
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit was the source of all that God’s chosen men wrote as Old Testament Scriptures.
It was God’s supernatural touch in giving His truths to those men to put in writing.
Inadequate tests for Canonicity:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Age test.
Hebrew Language.
Conformity to the law.
Pragmatic test (Experience).
Old Testament Canonicity:
1. The Law (5 Books)
2. The Prophets (8 Books)
3. The Writings (11 Books)
There are six basic questions for recognizing Scripture:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Is it inspired? (2 Timothy 3:16).
Was the human author a holy man of God, borne along by the Holy Spirit? (2 Peter 1:21).
Is the writing authentic? (Duet. 18:21; Hebrews 6:18).
Is it genuine? (2 Thess. 2:2).
Is it dynamic? (Hebrews 4:12).
Was the writing accepted by the people of God? (1 Thess. 2:13).
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Old Testament Canon:
The Bible is a book written and collected over almost two millennia without each contributing author
being aware of how his chapter would fit into the overall plan.
Neither the prophets who composed the books nor the people of God who collected them were
consciously constructing the overall unity in which each book was to play a part.
The canon of the Old Testament was completed about 400 BC.
The books that were questioned by all are: Ecclesiastes; Ezekiel; Proverbs; Esther; Song of Solomon.
New Testament Canon:
The selecting process for the New Testament books began immediately in the first century church. The
first churches began the process of canonization by selecting only the authentic Apostolic writings.
There was immediate recognition of the inspiration of all 27 books. Two local councils ratified the 27
canonical books. The Hippo and Carthage councils.
20 of the 27 books of the New Testament were accepted by all. The books questioned were:
Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3rd John, Jude, and Revelation.
Why were some books rejected?
1. Much of the Apocrypha (books disputed by some) were rejected because of the
Six principles of authenticity.
2. The New Testament never cites an apocrypha book as inspired.
3. Alexandria was the place of translation of the LXX, but was not the place of
canonization.
4. Jesus never quoted from any book of the Apocrypha.
5. Artistic representations are not grounds for determining canonicity.
6. early church fathers spoke against the Apocrypha.
7. There were no qualified Hebrew scholars present at the councils of Hippo and
Carthage.
8. The council of Trent is polemical and prejudicial against Luther and Protestants.
NOTES:
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