the history in and of the bible
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The History In and Of the Bible. Part 2: The History of the Bible. For Review. What are the original languages in which the books of the Bible were first written? Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek The terms “Semitic,” “Hebrew,” and “Jew” Shem (ancestor of Canaanite people) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The History In and Of the BiblePart 2:The History of the Bible
For Review•What are the original languages in which the
books of the Bible were first written?•Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek•The terms “Semitic,” “Hebrew,” and “Jew”
▫Shem (ancestor of Canaanite people)▫Ibri (pl. Ibrim) (Eber, ancestor Abraham, Gen
10:21) Jonah says “I am a Hebrew (ibri)” (1:9)
▫Yihudi (pl. Yihudim) (Judah, surviving kingdom after 722 BC)
Genesis 1:1
Patriarchs3500 yrs
Exodus - Judges400 yrs
United Kingdom120 yrs
Judahdivided kingdom
silence New Testament Christians
1500 BC 1000 BC 930 BC
Israel
722 BC586 BC 4 BC Jesus’ return
Abraham~2000 BC Jesus
us2000 AD
period of Patriarchs
period of Wanderings
period of Conquest
For Review: Major divisions in Old Testament History
•Patriarchs 2000-1500 BC•Exodus – Judges 1500-1000 BC•United Monarchy 1000-930 BC•Divided Monarchy 930-586 BC•Captivity 586-400 BC
Remember the dates to hang your hat on?•Abraham•2000 BC•Moses•1500 BC•David•1000 BC•Fall of Jerusalem •586 BC
Basic Divisions of the OT•Historical Books
▫Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
▫Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 + 2 Samuel, 1 + 2 Kings, 1 + 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
▫Written in narrative prose
Why are the first 5 books listed separately from the remaining books?First five written by Moses aka Pentateuch “5 scrolls / volumes”
Basic Divisions of the OT•Poetical Books
▫Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Solomon)
▫Written in Hebrew poetry and verse, often sung
•Prophetical▫Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations (of Jeremiah),
Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
▫Written in both prose and poetry
Traditional Jewish DivisionsLuke 24:44
Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of
Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Matthew 26:56But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all
the disciples deserted him and fled.
Traditional Jewish Divisions•The Law of Moses
▫“Pentateuch” – Greek, meaning ‘five scrolls / volumes’
▫“Torah” – Hebrew, meaning ‘The Law’▫Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy
Traditional Jewish Divisions•The Prophets
▫Joshua, Judges, 1 + 2 Samuel, 1 + 2 Kings, ▫Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, (Hosea, Joel, Amos,
Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi)
•The Writings▫“Ketuvim” – Hebrew, meaning ‘The Writings’▫Psalms, Job, Proverbs▫Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes,
Lamentations, Esther▫Daniel, Ezra + Nehemiah, 1 + 2 Chronicles
Important to Remember•Our 39 books are arranged into 24 books
in the Jewish division of books!
The Writing of the OT•Which books were the earliest written?•Law (aka Torah, Pentateuch, first 5 books of
Moses)
Deuteronomy 31:9, 26So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the
priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.And Moses gave this command, “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant
of the LORD your God. There it will remain as a witness against you.
The Writing of the OT•Joshua followed Moses’ example:
Joshua 24:26And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone
and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD.
The Writing of the Old TestamentHistorical Books
The Writing of the OT – Historical •The Law of Moses – Period of the Exodus
▫Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy▫1450 BC – During the Exodus, while at Sinai and
following▫The Characters we meet:
Adam & Eve Satan as a snake Noah Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob Joseph
•Now we have a problem! Job (Possibly 2000BC)
• Moses• Pharaoh of Egypt• Joshua• Aaron• Miriam• Caleb the spy
The Writing of the OT – Historical
•Joshua – The Exodus and Conquest of Canaan▫1350 BC, by General Joshua, Moses’ successor▫Jericho!
•Judges – The Period of the Judges▫1000 BC, possibly by Samuel the prophet/last
Judge▫Gideon, Samson, Debora
•Ruth – The Period of the Judges▫1000 BC, possibly Samuel▫Moabite woman who “marries in”▫Great-grandmother of David, and…??
The Writing of the OT – Historical •1+2 Samuel – Unified Monarchy
▫(originally one book, divided later)▫900 BC, by Samuel with help from the
prophets Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29)
▫Fully completed after Samuel’s death ▫Transition to the monarchy▫Saul to David▫Rise and fall of David
The Writing of the OT – Historical •1 Kings – Unified Monarchy▫570 BC, covering events from about 970-850 BC▫No clear author, possibly Jeremiah the prophet▫The reign of Solomon, David’s son▫Elijah, the champion of the LORD
•2 Kings – Divided Kingdom▫about 570 BC, covering events from about 800 BC
on▫Northern kingdom “Israel” begins idolatry▫Elijah, Elisha▫Southern kingdom “Judah” rollercoaster of
faithfulness to idolatry
The Writing of the OT – Historical •1 Chronicles – Unified to Divided Kingdoms
▫Originally one book▫Written about 450 BC, covering events from
about 1010 BC (Saul’s death) to 970 BC (David’s death)
▫Probably by Ezra, a priest▫Northern kingdom was dying spiritually,
retelling of David’s history•2 Chronicles
▫Events from 970 BC (Solomon become king) to the 500s B.C. (when exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem)
The Writing of the OT – Historical •Ezra – Post-Exile from Babylon
▫Written by Ezra the priest around 440 BC▫Jewish settlers returning home▫Begin rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple
•Nehemiah – Post-Exile from Babylon▫Written by Nehemiah, Jewish official of Persia
around 430 BC▫More settlers returning home
•Esther – During Exile in Babylon▫Unknown author around 460 BC▫Jews saved from genocidal plot in
Babylon/Persia
The Writing of the Old TestamentThe Poetical Books
The Writing of the OT - Poetical•Job – Era of the Patriarchs
▫Unknown author, probably around 2000 BC▫God uses troubles to draw us closer to him
•Psalms – Written over 1000 year period▫David (73), Asaph (12), Korah’s descendants (9),
Solomon (2), Moses (1), rest are anonymous▫Hymnbook of the OT▫Sung during worship, various festivals and
occasions ▫Probably compiled into its complete form by
Ezra around 450 BC
The Writing of the OT - Poetical•Proverbs – Unified Monarchy
▫Written by Solomon around 950 BC▫Practical wisdom from God
•Ecclesiastes – Unified Monarchy▫Written by Solomon around 950 BC▫A glimpse at life without God (Solomon’s
experience)•Song of Songs (Solomon) – Unified
Monarchy▫Probably written by Solomon around 950 BC▫Christian marriage mirrors God’s relationship
to us, his Church
The Writing of the Old TestamentProphetical Books
The Writing of the OT - Prophetical•Prophets were messengers from God, the
preachers of the OT. They came with a message for an individual or a group of people. The prophets wrote in response to historical events. These bigger prophet books even provide extra details on the historical events.
•Divided into two sub-categories▫The Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
and Daniel▫The Minor Prophets: All the rest▫(Only because of length, NOT importance!)
The Writing of the OT - Prophetical• Isaiah – Divided Kingdom▫Written by Isaiah about 700 BC▫Chapters 1-39 focus on Israel’s sins mainly▫Chapters 40-66 focus on the coming Messiah mainly▫Eventually martyred
Isaiah 9:6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and
peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and
upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The Writing of the OT - Prophetical•Jeremiah – End of Divided Kingdom
▫Written by Jeremiah around 585 BC▫Warned of the coming destruction and exile
by Babylon •Lamentations
▫Written by Jeremiah around 585 BC▫Jeremiah’s lamenting sadness over Judah’s
unfaithful stubbornness to repent ▫Jeremiah carried off into Egypt as an exile,
never saw home again
The Writing of the OT - Prophetical•Ezekiel – Captivity in Babylon
▫Written by Ezekiel the prophet in Babylon over a 20 year period from 593-597 BC
▫God calls us close even through mysterious and scary events
•Daniel – Captivity in Babylon▫Written by Daniel, a Prime Minister in the
Babylonian Empire around 530 BC▫Chapters 1-6: Narrative history▫Chapters 7-12: Visions remarkably similar
to John’s Revelation
The Writing of the OT - Prophetical•Hosea – Divided Kingdom
▫Written by Hosea around 700 BC▫Sent to the Northern Kingdom of Israel▫Warning and call to repentance
•Joel – Divided Kingdom▫Written by Joel around 800 BC▫One of the earliest prophets▫May have studied with Elijah and Elisha
The Writing of the OT - Prophetical•Amos – Divided Kingdom
▫Written by Amos around 700 BC▫Like Joel, sent to the Northern Kingdom
•Obadiah – Divided Kingdom▫Sent to Edom, Judah’s neighbors to the
southeast▫Call to repentance▫Gospel to the world
The Writing of the OT - Prophetical•Jonah – Divided Kingdom
▫Written by Jonah around 775 BC▫From the Northern Kingdom, but sent to
Nineveh to preach repentance and forgiveness to Assyria
▫Wanted no part in that!
•Micah – Divided Kingdom▫Written by Micah around 700 BC▫Warned of coming disaster in Jerusalem
The Writing of the OT - Prophetical•Nahum – Divided Kingdom
▫Written by Nahum around 650 BC▫Sequel to Jonah
•Habakkuk – Divided Kingdom▫Written by Habakkuk the priest around 600
BC▫Contemporary of Jeremiah
•Zephaniah – Divided Kingdom▫Written by Zephaniah around 600 BC▫Spiritual reform in Judah…finally!
The Writing of the OT - Prophetical•Haggai – Post-Exile
▫Written by Haggai around 520 BC▫Motivate the home-comers
•Zechariah – Post-Exile▫Written by Zechariah around 520 BC▫Sequel to Haggai
•Malachi – Post-Exile▫Written by Malachi around 400 BC▫Last of the prophets until John the Baptizer
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Not all of our answers to the canon
question will be answered and we will have to trust God about those things.
•What kind of evidence would someone expect to have for certain things?
•The lack of evidence does not mean no evidence.
Gathering the Old Testament Canon• Started with Moses after Sinai, then Joshua
continued (see above)• Kept and read as they were written throughout
periods of OT history• Meticulously copied by Scribes… every “jot and
tittle”• Jewish Tradition has Ezra gathering it all into
one collection sometime contemporary to Malachi
• Jews kept copies of the OT as we know it today in the Temple
• Distributed when the synagogue system began
Gathering the Old Testament CanonThe Bible itself is the best witness to the authority of the OT:• Over 690 quotes of OT in the NT• Over 4100 quotes and references to OT events
and people• 21 NT books quote the OT directly. Of the
remaining 6, 3 allude or refer to OT▫Jesus quotes OT 60 times and 24 different books▫Apostle Paul quotes/alludes over 100 times
• Only 5 OT books are not quoted (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs)
Gathering the Old Testament Canon•What do the following passages have to
do with the OT canon?
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Deuteronomy 4:2 • 2 Do not add to what I command you and
do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Deuteronomy 4:2 • 2 Do not add to what I command you and
do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.
•God commands to not add or subtract anything to God’s Word. God can, but not people.
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon• 2 Kings 22:11–13 • 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the
Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13 “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon• 2 Kings 22:11–13 • 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he
tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13 “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”
• Josiah treated what they found as God’s Word and listened to it. (The main problem at this time was idolatry, so they most likely found Deuteronomy, which deals with idolatry.)
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon• 2 Chronicles 34:19–21 • 19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he
tore his robes. 20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21 “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.”
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon• 2 Chronicles 34:19–21 • 19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his
robes. 20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21 “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.”
• Josiah equates what he just heard as the world of the Lord
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Daniel 9:2 • 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel,
understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Daniel 9:2 • 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel,
understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
•Daniel (a contemporary of Jeremiah) knew what Jeremiah wrote (or what Jeremiah dictated and his scribe wrote) and called it “Scriptures”
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon• Nehemiah 8:1–3 • 1 all the people assembled as one man in the square
before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. 2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon• Nehemiah 8:1–3 • 1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before
the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. 2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
• Book of the Law of Moses was around and able to be read. In the timeframe that Ezra had (6 hrs), a person can read the entire Pentateuch.
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Matthew 23:35 • 35 And so upon you will come all the
righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Matthew 23:35 • 35 And so upon you will come all the
righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
•Like our from A to Z, Abel’s murder was in Genesis (first book) and Zechariah’s in Chronicles (last book in Jewish order of books)
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Luke 16:29–31 • 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses
and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Luke 16:29–31 • 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the
Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
•Moses and the Prophets (twofold way of talking about entire OT) is sufficient
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Luke 24:27 • 27 And beginning with Moses and all the
Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Luke 24:27 • 27 And beginning with Moses and all the
Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
•Moses and all the Prophets = all the Scriptures
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Luke 24:44 • 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you
while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Luke 24:44 • 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you
while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
•Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms = 3fold way of talking about entire OT, for Psalms is the first book of the 3rd section in some orders of the OT; Psalms is also one of the most Christocentric books of the OT
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•John 5:39 • 39 You diligently study the Scriptures
because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•John 5:39 • 39 You diligently study the Scriptures
because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,
•This implies there was something definitive to study at Jesus’ time to learn about the Messiah.
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•2 Timothy 3:15–16 • 15 and how from infancy you have known
the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•2 Timothy 3:15–16 • 15 and how from infancy you have known
the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
•There was something definitive for Timothy to know and it is God-breathed (inspired)
Gathering of the Old Testament Canon•Hebrews 11 – Heroes of Faith Chapter•The writer to the Hebrews could talk
about people from the past and his readers would know what he was talking about, people who lived thousands of years before them.
Gathering of OT Canon•Sirach 38:34-39:1 (ca. 180 BC)•How different the one who devotes
himself •to the study of the law of the Most High! • •39 He seeks out the wisdom of all the
ancients, •and is concerned with prophecies;
Gathering of OT Canon• Prologue to Sirach (published 117 BC)• Many great teachings have been given to us
through the Law and the Prophets and the others that followed them
• So my grandfather Jesus, who had devoted himself especially to the reading of the Law and the Prophets and the other books of our ancestors,
• Not only this book, but even the Law itself, the Prophecies, and the rest of the books differ not a little when read in the original.
Gathering of OT Canon• 2 Maccabees 2:13-15 (no later than 100 BC)• 13 The same things are reported in the records
and in the memoirs of Nehemiah, and also that he founded a library and collected the books about the kings and prophets, and the writings of David, and letters of kings about votive offerings. 14 In the same way Judas also collected all the books that had been lost on account of the war that had come upon us, and they are in our possession. 15 So if you have need of them, send people to get them for you.
Gathering of OT Canon• 4QMMT (no later than early 1st century AD)• And you k[now…] • {94} to be found in our actions deceit or betrayal or evil, for concerning […
w]e give […]• {95} to you we have wr[itten] that you must understand the book of Moses
[… pro]phets and of David […]• {96} […] generation. And in the book it is written […] not to• {97} […] And further it is written that […] from the path and you will
undergo evil. And it is written• {98} […] and we determined […]• {99} […] And it is written that• {100} […] these [...] shall happen to you at the end of days, the blessing• {101} and the curse [… ass]ent in your heart and turn to me with all your
heart• {102} [… a]ll your soul [… e]nd [...] and you shall be […]• {103} […] Moses and in […prop]hets that […] will come upon you which […]
Gathering of OT Canon• Philo, De vita contemplative 25 (no later than 50
AD)• (25) And in every house there is a sacred shrine which
is called the holy place, and the monastery in which they retire by themselves and perform all the mysteries of a holy life, bringing in nothing, neither meat, nor drink, nor anything else which is indispensable towards supplying the necessities of the body, but studying in that place the laws and the sacred oracles of God enunciated by the holy prophets, and hymns, and psalms, and all kinds of other things by reason of which knowledge and piety are increased and brought to perfection.
Purpose of the Old Testament•Very simple: Announce and point to Christ!
▫Historical Books show how God used history to accomplish the gospel promise of Jesus
▫Poetical Books are praise songs about God’s love and forgiveness in the coming Messiah
▫Prophetical Books give clue after clue of information regarding the coming Messiah like peeling back the layers of an onion Virgin birth Bethlehem Time in Egypt Lived in Galilee
• Palm Sunday parade• Sold for 30 silver
coins• Crucifixion• Time in Egypt
Purpose of the Old Testament•Some prophecies and psalms give a foretelling
while others are written in the first-person with the Messiah speaking himself
•Some prophecies find fulfillment in the near future for God’s OT people while at the same time having double-fulfillment in the time of Jesus
Luke 24:44Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I
was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the
Prophets and the Psalms.”
Purpose of the Old Testament
Odds of one person fulfilling OT Messianic Prophecies•8 prophecies = 1x10 to the 17th power,
same odds of one person, blindfolded, picking one marked coin out of enough coins to cover Texas.
•48 prophesies = 1x10 to the 157th power.•There are some 60 OT Messianic
prophecies
What about the Apocrypha?• Collection of documents written during the last two
centuries before Christ, which are not part of the inspired Word of God, namely, the Old Testament Scriptures.▫1 + 2 Esdras▫Tobit▫Judith▫Additions to the Book of Esther▫Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach▫Baruch▫The Letter of Jeremiah (often added on to Baruch)▫The Prayer of Azariah; the Song of the Three Young
Men; Susanna▫Bel and the Dragon▫The Prayer of Manasseh▫1 + 2 Maccabees
What about the Apocrypha?•"Apocrypha" – Greek, meaning “hidden”•In Jewish synagogues these writings were
kept in a separate locker and were never read in public meetings.
•“Hidden” because they are worthless or heretical. Some are issued under false names (Wisdom of Solomon, Book of Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah). They contain a lot of statements that are either contrary to fact or Bible truth.
Completion of OT Canon …Luke 24:44
Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the
Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
The Writing of the New Testament
The Writing of the NT •Unlike the classical Greek texts of
Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates which were written in the formal, classical Greek style of the post-Alexander world, the NT was written in a style of Greek called “koine” meaning “common.”
•The Greek of the NT was everyday, ordinary “street Greek.”
•Aramaic, the Babylonian-influenced Hebrew dialect was more widely spoken in Palestine than koine Greek
The Writing of the NT
Basic Divisions of the NT•Historical Books
▫Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts•Doctrinal Epistles Books
▫Romans, 1 + 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 + 2 Thessalonians, 1 + 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 + 2 Peter, 1 – 3 John, Jude
•Prophetic Book▫Revelation
The Writing of the New TestamentHistorical Books
The Writing of the NT - Historical•The first four books of the New Testament
tell Jesus’ story. We call them gospels, which literally mean “good news.” The gospels take up almost half of the New Testament. The four men who wrote the gospels were as different as the style of their writing. They devote about a third of their pages to the last week of Jesus’ life. Acts picks up where the gospels leave off.
The Writing of the NT - Historical
•Matthew▫Written by Matthew (Levi), a former tax
collector who was also one of the twelve “Apostles,” the hand-picked, personally-trained missionaries of Jesus
▫Written around 45-50 AD▫Wrote mainly to his fellow Jews to convince
them that Jesus was the promised Messiah (Christ)
▫Thus, he quotes the OT over 50 times
The Writing of the NT - Historical•Mark
▫Written by John-Mark, not one of the twelve. Cousin of Barnabas and friend of Peter. Went with Paul on his first missionary journey
▫Written around 60-65 AD▫Focuses a lot on the activities of Jesus.
Action-packed▫Some think that maybe Peter dictated this
gospel account to him
The Writing of the NT - Historical•Luke
▫Written by Luke, a medical doctor. Very detail oriented
▫Written in probably 58-60 AD▫Like Mark, also not one of the twelve. ▫Probably the only writer of the NT who was
not Jewish ▫Famous for his “Christmas Account” (Ch. 2)
The Writing of the NT - Historical•John
▫Written by John, one of the twelve. Brother of James and son of Zebedee
▫Former fisherman from Capernaum, Galilee▫Written much later around the late 80’s AD▫Unlike the previous three gospel accounts,
John’s is not a biography. The Holy Spirit used his account to fill in many spaces in the others.
▫Only covers roughly 20 days of Jesus’ life. Lots of Jesus’ teachings
The Writing of the NT - Historical•Acts (of the Apostles) “2 Luke”
▫Luke’s sequel to his gospel account. ▫Written in the early 60’s AD▫Historical account of the Christian Church
starting in Jerusalem and spreading out to the world
▫Covers the period of time from 30-60 AD▫As a “gentile,” Luke shows deep
appreciation and emphasis on mission work to the non-Jewish world!
The Writing of the New TestamentDoctrinal Letter Books “Epistles”
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Jesus trained the apostles to pass on his
teachings. The missionary Paul led the recruitment of Christianity to non-Jewish people. He wrote 13 letters to different groups and individuals, which Christians circulated. These make up most of the second part of the New Testament.
•Other Christian leaders, like Peter, John, and James, also wrote letters.
•Sometimes they are called “Epistles” – Greek meaning “letters”
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•A little bit about the Apostle Paul
▫He was from Tarsus. His original name was Saul.
▫He had learned the tentmaker vocation.▫He was a trained Jewish rabbi and Pharisee▫He was a former persecutor of Christians.▫His conversion came on the road to Damascus
while hunting down Christians.▫He helped set up little groups of Christians all
over Turkey and Europe
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Knowing these things about Paul’s former
life, what is so amazing about his life as a missionary?
•Different answers, but one is just as he was so zealous against Christianity, he became zealous for Christianity; he so wanted to kill Christians, he became willing to die as a Christian.
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Romans
▫Written by Paul during his 3rd mission trip at around 57 AD
▫Written to Christians facing deadly persecution in the city of Rome
▫Focuses NOT on our “being good” for God, but first that Jesus was good FOR us!
▫Saved through Jesus’ merit!
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•1 Corinthians
▫Written by Paul to Greek Christians in Corinth, Greece in about 56 AD
▫The congregation was struggling to “be different” from the hedonistic, permissive Greek culture
•2 Corinthians▫Written by Paul a year later in around 57 AD▫Warnings against “false Apostles” who were
misleading them with false doctrine
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Galatians
▫Paul’s first letter, written in 48-49 AD to Christian congregations scattered throughout the Galatian province of Asia Minor (western Turkey)
▫Christianity is not about putting ourselves under laws to be “better Christians”
▫Freedom from OT regulations▫Note Paul’s anger that they had abandoned
Christian freedom for laws and regulations to “be saved”
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Ephesians (“Prison Letter”)
▫Written by Paul around 63 AD while a prisoner in Rome to Christians in Ephesus, Turkey
▫We are saved by grace through faith, not ourselves!
•Philippians (“Prison Letter”)▫Written by Paul around 63 AD while a prisoner
in Rome to Christians in Philippi, Macedonia▫Secrets to happiness and success…!
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Colossians (“Prison Letter”)
▫Written by Paul around 63 AD while a prisoner in Rome to Christians in Colossae, Turkey
▫Surrounded by strange ideas, new age spiritualists, and cults
•1 Thessalonians▫Written by Paul about 50 AD to Christians in
Thessalonica, Greece▫Jesus is coming back soon!
•2 Thessalonians▫Written by Paul in the early 50’s AD▫Things will go from bad to worse before Jesus
returns
Map of Paul’s letters
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•1 + 2 Timothy (“Personal, Pastoral
Letter”)▫Written by Paul to a young pastor named
Timothy in Ephesus, Turkey in 60 and 67 AD
▫He was half-Jew, half-Greek▫What it means to be a leader of other
Christians▫Last letter Paul wrote before killed in Rome
•Titus (“Personal, Pastoral Letter”)▫Written by Paul to a young pastor named
Titus in Crete in the mid-60’s AD▫Be a positive mentor to other Christians in
attitude and behavior
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Philemon (“Personal Letter”)
▫Written by Paul in 63 AD▫Philemon was a Christian convert who lived
in Colossae (his home was the Colossian church)
▫A slave named Onesimus had escaped from Philemon and had come to Paul for help
▫Welcome him back as a brother!
This concludes the 13 letters of Paul
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•1 + 2 Timothy (“Personal, Pastoral
Letter”)▫Written by Paul to a young pastor named
Timothy in Ephesus, Turkey in 60 and 67 AD
▫He was half-Jew, half-Greek▫What it means to be a leader of other
Christians▫Last letter Paul wrote before killed in Rome
•Titus (“Personal, Pastoral Letter”)▫Written by Paul to a young pastor named
Titus in Crete in the mid-60’s AD▫Be a positive mentor to other Christians in
attitude and behavior
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Philemon (“Personal Letter”)
▫Written by Paul in 63 AD▫Philemon was a Christian convert who lived
in Colossae (his home was the Colossian church)
▫A slave named Onesimus had escaped from Philemon and had come to Paul for help
▫Welcome him back as a brother!
This concludes the 13 letters of Paul
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Hebrews
▫Written by an unknown author in the mid-60’s AD
▫Written to Jewish Christians who were being told “Jew. Christian. It’s all the same. Who cares?”
▫Opens up the pages of the OT to show beyond all doubt that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah promised all throughout the OT!
▫Includes a “Hall of Fame” of OT believers
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•James
▫Written by James about 40 AD He was the half brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark
6:3). He was the son of Mary and Joseph. He became a believer after Jesus came back to life (1
Corinthians 15:7). He became the head leader for the Christian group in
Jerusalem (Acts 12:17). He died in 62 A.D because he took a stand for Jesus.
▫If you’re going to call yourself a Christian, act like it!
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•1 + 2 Peter
▫Two letters written by Peter, one of the twelve, in the late 60’s AD
▫Written to Christians who are undergoing persecution for their faith and hearing lies and are tempted to doubt Jesus
•1-3 John▫Written by John, one of the twelve, in the early
90’s AD▫Encourages Christians who were hearing false
doctrine and claims about Jesus and his Word
The Writing of the NT – Doctrinal Letters•Jude
▫Written by Jude (Judah, Judas) in the mid 70’s AD to Christians who need to fight hard for Bible truths He was the half brother of Jesus (Matthew
13:55; Mark 6:3). He was the younger brother of James. He was the son of Mary and Joseph.
The Writing of the New TestamentProphetical Book
The Writing of the NT – Prophetical•Revelation, the final book, is also a letter.
▫It is unlike any of the other letters. It predicts the future for Christians, right up to the end.
▫Much of it is in picture language, which can be hard to understand.
▫Written by John, one of the twelve, in the late 90’s AD from the island of Patmos, off the Turkish coast
▫It gives us a look behind the scenes in the battle between good and evil.
▫It ends with a picture of the new universe and the new earth.
The Writing of the NT – Prophetical•Revelation (cont.)•Question: How long do you expect to live?
▫You will live forever, either in God’s Paradise or his punishment place, Hell
▫Jesus will decide, based on whether or not you believe and depended on what He did in your place.
▫Every day in His happy home will be fresh, fun, and exhilarating.
▫Kind of puts our bad days in perspective, doesn’t it?
Gathering of the NT Canon•These aren’t our Words!
John 14:16[Jesus said] “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of
everything I have said to you.
1 Corinthians 2:13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit,
expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
Gathering of the NT Canon•These aren’t our Words!
John 14:16[Jesus said] “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will
teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
1 Corinthians 2:13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by
human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual
words.
Gathering of the NT Canon•Share the Word!
Colossians 4:16After this letter has been read to you, see
that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the
letter from Laodicea.
•Copies meticulously made and sent around
Gathering of the NT Canon•Share the Word!
Colossians 4:16After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read
the letter from Laodicea.
•Copies meticulously made and sent around
Gathering of the NT Canon•The Word is spreading!
2 Peter 3:15, 16Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means
salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He
writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some
things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Gathering of the NT Canon•The Word is spreading!
2 Peter 3:15, 16Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also
wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some
things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Gathering of the NT Canon•Not all of our answers to the canon
question will be answered and will have to trust God about those things.
•What kind of evidence would someone expect to have for certain things?
•The lack of evidence does not mean no evidence.
Gathering of the Canon• NT: Completed in about
50 years.• NT: More early
manuscripts. Manuscript evidence extant from less than 100 years after the originals .
• NT: Rapid multiplication and spread of copies.
• OT: Writing spread out over 1000 years.
• OT: Relatively few early manuscripts. For some books 1000 years of transmission for which no manuscript evidence exists.
• OT: Multiplication of copies gradual and confined
Gathering the New Testament Canon•What do the following passages have to
do with the NT canon?
Gathering of the Canon•Matthew 28:18–20 • 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Gathering of the Canon• Matthew 28:18–20 • 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority
in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
• Jesus implies there is going to be some way for the apostles to teach all that Jesus commanded, either orally or written down.
Gathering of the Canon• Luke 1:1–4 • 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account
of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Gathering of the Canon• Luke 1:1–4 • 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the
things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
• Others too (other gospel writers?) had written accounts, Luke too wrote this to make Theophilus certain of what he had learned
Gathering of the Canon•John 20:30–31 • 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs
in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Gathering of the Canon•John 20:30–31 • 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in
the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
•We do not have all of Jesus’ miracles recorded, but what we do have is to show he is our Savior.
Gathering of the Canon•John 21:25 • 25 Jesus did many other things as well. If
every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Gathering of the Canon•John 21:25 • 25 Jesus did many other things as well. If
every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
•There are other things Jesus did, not in the gospels.
Gathering of the Canon•Acts 20:35 • 35 In everything I did, I showed you that
by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Gathering of the Canon•Acts 20:35 • 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by
this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
•Paul (from memory or a book?) quotes from Jesus, this is not a quote from the gospels though, agrapha = something not written down
Gathering of the Canon•Colossians 4:16 • 16 After this letter has been read to you,
see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
Gathering of the Canon•Colossians 4:16 • 16 After this letter has been read to you,
see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
•There is a sharing of letters going on.
Gathering of the Canon•1 Thessalonians 5:27 • 27 I charge you before the Lord to have
this letter read to all the brothers.
Gathering of the Canon•1 Thessalonians 5:27 • 27 I charge you before the Lord to have
this letter read to all the brothers. •Letters are to be read to everyone.
Gathering of the Canon•2 Thessalonians 2:15 • 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold
to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
Gathering of the Canon•2 Thessalonians 2:15 • 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold
to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
•What the apostles wrote or spoke in their teaching was something to be held onto.
Gathering of the Canon•1 Timothy 5:18 • 18 For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle
the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
Gathering of the Canon•1 Timothy 5:18 • 18 For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle
the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
•Paul quotes from the OT (Deut 25:4) and NT (Luke 10:7) and treats both as authoritative.
Gathering of the Canon•2 Peter 3:15–16 • 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience
means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Gathering of the Canon• 2 Peter 3:15–16 • 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means
salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
• Peter equates Paul’s letters with “the other Scriptures”
Gathering of the Canon• Revelation 22:18–20 • 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the
prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Gathering of the Canon• Revelation 22:18–20 • 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the
prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
• God commands to not add or subtract from “the prophecy of this book”
Gathering of the Canon•Marcion (c.85-c.160) is the first person
known to us who published a fixed collection of what he thought the New Testament books.
•Marcion’s gospel was an edited version of Luke and 10 letters of Paul (Pastoral Epistles excluded) some letters were shortened or edited e.g. parts of Romans.
•Defending what the canon is was a defense against Marcion and Montanus (late 2nd cent.)
Gathering of the NT Canon•Muratorian Canon
▫Discovered in Milan, Italy in 1750▫Document dates to 160 AD▫Lists the 4 gospels, Acts, 16 Letters, and
Revelation • The Itala
▫Latin translation of Bible dating to about 150 AD
▫Lists the same as the Muratorian plus the rest
Gathering of the NT Canon•The Pishita
▫Pre-150 AD found in Syria▫Lists all NT except for 2 Peter, 2 +3 John,
Jude, and Revelation•Council at Hippo, Africa in 393 AD
▫First time a council recognized the OT and NT Canon as we have in our Bibles.
▫66 books (37 OT and 27 NT books)
Gathering of the NT Canon•Athanasius in his 39th Festal Epistle of 367
aD names the OT and NT books. This is the first time all 27 books of NT are named.
•First time all the books of OT and NT are named.
Gathering of the NT Canon• 2. … I beseech you to bear patiently, if I also write, by way
of remembrance, of matters with which you are acquainted, influenced by the need and advantage of the Church.
• 3. In proceeding to make mention of these things, I shall adopt, to commend my undertaking, the pattern of Luke the Evangelist, saying on my own account: ‘Forasmuch as some have taken in hand,’ to reduce into order for themselves the books termed apocryphal, and to mix them up with the divinely inspired Scripture, concerning which we have been fully persuaded, as they who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, delivered to the fathers; it seemed good to me also, having been urged thereto by true brethren, and having learned from the beginning, to set before you the books included in the Canon, and handed down, and accredited as Divine;
Gathering of the NT Canon The discussion of the New Testament canon
that took place in the post-apostolic period did not establish the canon. Rather, it was a discussion in which faithful leaders of the church defended the canon against the attacks of heretics and defined more clearly why these 27 books comprised the canon.
Prof. David Kuske, Biblical Interpretation: The Only Right Way
The Holy Spirit established the canon, the Church only recognized it.
Gathering the OT & NT Canon• Canon
▫ originally this word indicated a “measuring stick” eventually came to mean “rule” or “standard”
• How do we recognize which books are canonical and which ones are not?
• The Holy Spirit tells usHebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and
spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Luke 24:32
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures
to us?”
Gathering the OT & NT Canon•The Canon is “self-authenticating”
John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you
are spirit and they are life.
John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is
truth.
Gathering the OT & NT CanonThe discussion of the New Testament canon that took place in the post-apostolic period did not establish the canon. Rather, it was a discussion in which faithful leaders of the church defended the canon against the attacks of heretics and defined more clearly why these 27 books comprised the canon.
Prof. David Kuske, Biblical Interpretation: The Only Right Way
Dead Sea Scrolls
Importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Biblical TextsIsaiah 40:2-28
Great Isaiah
Psalms Text From Hymn Book
11QPsa
Liturgical Psalms Text
What did they find?•1947•By 1956, eleven caves, 800 documents,
including:•over 200 copies of Hebrew Scripture•Copies of parts of each OT book (except Esther)•Aramaic translations of Hebrew texts (called
Targums)
What did they find?•Tefillin (black, leather boxes with verses from the
Torah) and mezuzoth (parchment placed on doorposts with verses from Deut 6:4-9 and 11:13-21)
•Copies of Apocryphal and Pseudepigraphical books
•An entire collection of writings unique to this community
Importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls
•Portions of every book in the OT canon (except Esther) were found (also some apocryphal and secular lit)
•Minor spelling differences found, but not one single point of content or doctrinal difference!
Importance of Dead Sea Scrolls•Qumran (name for the land by the Dead
Sea) scrolls show that the books of the OT were something important enough, for this community of Jews, to be kept around and good to read.
Help with the Hebrew OT•Scrolls found at Qumran and Ugarit provide
additional examples of Hebrew literature•More than 1500 Hebrew words appear only
once in the Old Testament•This additional Hebrew writing provides other
instances in which these rare words occurred
A Qumran community?•Apparently an extreme sect of Essenes•Rigorous rules of behavior•Severe punishments for disobedience•The original founder: the Teacher of
Righteousness•No private property
A Qumran community?•Celibate?? Some orders of Essenes, but not this
one (females found in graves in the community)•Meals eaten together, prayer, reading of
Scripture, instruction and other religious observances
•A solar rather than a lunar calendar (unlike other Jews and the modern Jewish calendar)
A Qumran community?•They saw themselves as the“sons of light” but
the rest of the Jews were“sons of darkness”•They awaited a final battle between good and
evil (which, of course, they would win)•They awaited a Messiah who would reward
them for their faithfulness
Jesus and the Essenes?•Both believed in one God, the Hebrew Scriptures,
and the guidance of the Holy Spirit•Both stressed Isaiah’s prophecy of one calling in
the wilderness,“Repent!”•Both believed this present age was passing away
and a new age was imminent•Both believed in angels and demons
Jesus and the Essenes?•Both believed all people are sinful•Both believed in God’s forgiveness•Both put a high emphasis on prayer•Both used the term“sons of light” for their
followers•Both used water for baptizing/spiritual cleansing•Both urged their followers to share their
possessions with those in need
Jesus was not an Essene•Jesus was never an Essene•Jesus opened His group to sinners, commoners,
lepers, outcasts, and women•Jesus was (wrongly) called a glutton and a
drunkard•Jesus viewed purity and impurity as internal
Jesus was not an Essene•Jesus did not organize a rigid structure of
control within His disciples•Jesus stressed that the Sabbath was made for
man, not man for the Sabbath•Jesus believed in the resurrection
Jesus was not an Essene•The New Testament
and Christianity center in Jesus
•The Dead Sea Scrolls never mention Him!
Gathering of the OT & NT Canon
•These things mere witness to what Jesus himself promised. Hear it from his mouth!
Matthew 5:18“I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth
disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from
the Law until everything is accomplished.”
•We have Jesus’ promise that he will make sure his life-saving and life-giving Word will get to every generation until he returns!