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
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     Every church that exists today can be traced back to the founder, the place it began, and even the year.  For example, records show that the Baptist Church was founded by John Smyth in London, England (1607); Presbyterians were founded by John Calvin in Switzerland (1535); Jehovah's Witnesses were founded by Charles T. Russell in Pennsylvania (1874); the Methodist Church was founded by John Wesley in London, England (1729), etc. This can be done for every religious group that exists today.  The problem is, we want to be a part of the church that we read about in the Bible and no church that has come into existence after the Bible was completed is old enough to be that church.  Not only that, but we want to be a part of the church that was built by God and not by any man.  So, what is that church?
     The oldest church in the world is the one that was built by Christ Himself (Acts 2).  It is called the “church of Christ” because it belongs to Him (Rom. 16:16). He was the one who ensured that His church would be built no matter what (Mat. 16:18).  He is the head over His church and it will stand forever (Eph. 1:22; Luke 1:32,33).  The church that belongs to Christ first met in Jerusalem.  It was there that Jesus Himself declared that it would begin (Luke 24:47).  So, it is the first and oldest church in the history of the world.  It began in the year 33 AD, long before the establishment of the Catholic Church (606 AD) which claims to be the oldest religion today.  Thus, the Catholic Church is not the oldest religion, but it is the oldest group of apostates from the Lord’s church. 
     From the first century forward everyone who has obeyed the doctrine of Christ has been added to the church of Christ (Acts 2:47).  Consequently, Jesus’ terms of salvation (faith, repentance, confession, and baptism), worship, prayer, fellowship, and godly living have been passed down through God’s Word and His church from generation to generation producing a living body today (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 4:16;2 Tim. 2:2; 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:5).  It is not a sect, a cult, or a denomination, but it is simply the church that Jesus came to build (Mat. 16:18), purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28), and will save everyone who obeys Him (Acts 2:47). 
Derrick Coble