KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:1 KJV” Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us”,

(Culled from evidence that demands a Verdict by Josh MacDowell)

The Canon of scripture is the standard by which the various writings of scripture was included to be one book, the Bible. The word Canon comes from the root “Reed”. This is the English word “cane”. The Greek word for it is “Kanon”

The word “Canon” in relation to the word of God became” the officially accepted list of books” The church’s   role was to scrutinize each writing with certain standard that made it acceptable to be included in the Bible. This had to be done because, there were a number of writing which could not be included in the Bible.

The following are the guiding regulations used by the church fathers to include a particular book in the Bible.

1.Is it authoritative–“did it come from the hand of God” Does this book come with a divine “thou saith the Lord”?

2. Is it prophetic-was it written by a man of God.?

3.Is it authentic–The Father’s had the policy of “if in doubt throw it out.

4.Is it dynamic–did it come with the life transforming power of God.

5.Was it received, collected, read and used? -was it accepted by the people of God?

With these regulations, various writings which had no power to transform lives was rejected. This was the reason the apocryphal books were rejected.

Why the apocryphal books were not canonized?

1.They abounded in historical and geographical inaccuracies and anachronism

2 They teach doctrines which are false and foster practices which are at variance with inspired scripture.

3They resort to literary types and display artificiality of subject matter and styling out of keeping with inspired scripture.

4.They lacked the distinctive element which give genuine scripture that divine character such as prophetic power and poetic and religious feeling.

CONFESSION

Thank you, father, for the Holy scriptures for its prophetic power, transforming power and saving power. Thank you for its light that easily defeats the enemy when applied.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works”.

2 Timothy 3:14 & 15 KJV. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.