God wants all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4); therefore, He has provided and preserved a collection of authoritative writings (the teachings of which are binding) breathed from Him (2 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16). This collection is what Christians call, "canon" meaning, "reed." It is an ancient word borrowed from the Sumerians indicating something by which one can measure. The term is used five times within the New Testament where it is translated four times as "rule" and once as, "line" (Gal. 6:16; 2 Cor. 10:13,15,16; Phi. 3:16). This means, the Holy Scriptures are a rule to follow by which one can measure his life.
Nonetheless, there are critics who believe that the Bible is not complete. This is evident from the 14 or 15 (depending upon the source) added books to some translations called, "The Apocrypha" which means, doubtful, hidden, or secret. The evidence is clear that these books are not inspired. It is interesting that of the 263 direct Old Testament quotations and 370 allusions to it within the New Testament, it never references any of the apocryphal books.
Further evidence to the lack of inspiration of these books is seen by testimonies of ancient writers against the works and from the errors that are contained within many of the works. First, in A General Introduction to the Bible, Geisler and Nix recorded the following statements: "Philo, Alexandrian Jewish philosopher (20 BC – AD 40) quoted the Old Testament prolifically and even recognized the threefold classification of books, but he never quoted from the Apocrypha as inspired . . . Josephus (AD 30-100), Jewish historian, explicitly excludes the Apocrypha . . . The Jewish scholars of Jamnia (AD 90) did not recognize the Apocrypha." In fact, it was not until AD 1546 at the Council of Trent when the apocryphal books received full canonical status by the Roman Catholic Church. Second, what about all the errors and contradictions that run through the Apocrypha? Would God in all His perfect wisdom give man a collection of documents that contradict plain truth within the New Testament and even error? Since all of God's commandments are righteousness (Psa. 119:172) one could hardly believe that these documents are inspired. For instance, Tobit 5:15-19 teaches that angels have families in direct contradiction to Mark 12:25 which speaks of angels not being given in marriage. In addition, Judith 8:5,6 teaches that it is more honorable to remain single than to marry. If this is the case, why did God institute the holy union of marriage at the beginning of time (Gen. 2:22-24) and require the overseers of His church upon earth (elders) to be married (1 Tim. 3)? Finally, Wisdom 3:1-4 teaches that souls in Hell can escape which contradicts the teaching of the "great gulf" that is fixed so that no one may cross over (Luke 16:26). These are just a few of the false doctrines that are found within the Apocrypha.
So, the internal evidence of the Scriptures and testimony of many men throughout time makes one sure that God has given unto us all His inspired Word and will preserve it for all ages (1 Pet. 1:25). The Bible is complete the way It is and the Apocrypha is not inspired because Christ nor the apostles said those books were from God, many teachings are heresy, the stories are highly mythological and even immoral, there are historical errors, and they are never included in any canonical lists during the first six centuries. God's Word is "true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever" (Psa. 119:160).
~Derrick Coble
Nonetheless, there are critics who believe that the Bible is not complete. This is evident from the 14 or 15 (depending upon the source) added books to some translations called, "The Apocrypha" which means, doubtful, hidden, or secret. The evidence is clear that these books are not inspired. It is interesting that of the 263 direct Old Testament quotations and 370 allusions to it within the New Testament, it never references any of the apocryphal books.
Further evidence to the lack of inspiration of these books is seen by testimonies of ancient writers against the works and from the errors that are contained within many of the works. First, in A General Introduction to the Bible, Geisler and Nix recorded the following statements: "Philo, Alexandrian Jewish philosopher (20 BC – AD 40) quoted the Old Testament prolifically and even recognized the threefold classification of books, but he never quoted from the Apocrypha as inspired . . . Josephus (AD 30-100), Jewish historian, explicitly excludes the Apocrypha . . . The Jewish scholars of Jamnia (AD 90) did not recognize the Apocrypha." In fact, it was not until AD 1546 at the Council of Trent when the apocryphal books received full canonical status by the Roman Catholic Church. Second, what about all the errors and contradictions that run through the Apocrypha? Would God in all His perfect wisdom give man a collection of documents that contradict plain truth within the New Testament and even error? Since all of God's commandments are righteousness (Psa. 119:172) one could hardly believe that these documents are inspired. For instance, Tobit 5:15-19 teaches that angels have families in direct contradiction to Mark 12:25 which speaks of angels not being given in marriage. In addition, Judith 8:5,6 teaches that it is more honorable to remain single than to marry. If this is the case, why did God institute the holy union of marriage at the beginning of time (Gen. 2:22-24) and require the overseers of His church upon earth (elders) to be married (1 Tim. 3)? Finally, Wisdom 3:1-4 teaches that souls in Hell can escape which contradicts the teaching of the "great gulf" that is fixed so that no one may cross over (Luke 16:26). These are just a few of the false doctrines that are found within the Apocrypha.
So, the internal evidence of the Scriptures and testimony of many men throughout time makes one sure that God has given unto us all His inspired Word and will preserve it for all ages (1 Pet. 1:25). The Bible is complete the way It is and the Apocrypha is not inspired because Christ nor the apostles said those books were from God, many teachings are heresy, the stories are highly mythological and even immoral, there are historical errors, and they are never included in any canonical lists during the first six centuries. God's Word is "true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever" (Psa. 119:160).
~Derrick Coble