How We Got the Bible

Lesson #3--The Birth of the Bible (Part 1)

I. "It is not possible for us to fix with exact precision the circumstances of the Bible's origin. We cannot go to a specific time and place and say that here the Bible had its birth. As through hundreds of years ancient literary works took shape in many forms, so also from century to century the many books of the Bible were coming into being separately and under varying conditions. ... But the Bible is more than an ordinary collection: it is a treasure-house of sacred books which has grown through the centuries until it has attained its present stature. And it is the firm belief of Christians that the Bible is honored today because in the past it grew under the favorable and directing influence of Him who is the author of all things." (How We Got the Bible, Lightfoot, Sweet Co., 1962, pg. 9)

II. For many years God communicated orally with the Patriarchs such as Adam, Noah, and Abraham. There came a time, however, in God's purpose when He wished for divine revelation to be recorded in written form .

    C. In this gradual way, the Old Testament scriptures finally came to be assembled in an accepted collection about the time of Ezra (400 BC).

    D. Josephus, writing in the first century, said that no book was added to the Hebrew scriptures after the time of Malachi.

    E. Peter makes it clear that the Old Testament prophecies were not the work of mere man (2 Pet. 1:20-21). All of the books which we accept as part of the Old Testament pass the scholarly tests for genuineness, authenticity, and canonicity. No books are left out which O.T. scholars believe should be included. No books are included which scholars believe should be tossed out.

    F. The New Testament collection was also assembled in a gradual way over a shorter period of time (50-100 AD). These books were letters or records written by inspired men and addressed to different churches and individuals.

    G. From the first, these letters and records were distinctively authoritative, and thus they were received with respect and read in the public assemblies wherever Christians worshipped (I Thess. 5:27, Col. 4:16).

    H. The canon of New Testament scriptures was well-established by the 4th century AD