The New Testament

The Old Testament closes with the expectation of the Messiah to come (Mal. 3:1-4; 4:1-6). The next stage in God's Redemptive Plan is the coming of the Messiah. Therefore, the continuation of documenting redemptive history, could not begin until this greater event in history occurred.

The New Testament documents the incarnation of God the Son in human form, His conception, life, death, resurrection, ascension and glorious return. It consists of the writings of the Apostles. 

The Apostles, like the prophets of the Old Testament had the authority to speak and write words that are God's very words. To lie to the Apostles is the equivalent to lying to God the Holy Spirit, and therefore to God.

The Bible is called the Canon of Scripture (canon =s a list of literary works considered genuinely authentic, and permanently established as being of the highest quality), and consists of the 27 books we have today.

The early Church recognised the authenticity of the New Testament writings, as they were received by them, as written instructions, direct from their apostolic authors. 

As time progressed questions arose as to which set of writing could we agree was authentic. The matter was settled on two separate occasions: A.D. 367 & A.D. 397.

In A.D. 367, the Thirty-ninth Paschal Letter of Athanasius contained an exact list of the 27 New Testament books we have today. In A.D. 397, the Council of Carthage, representing the churches in the western part of the Mediterranean world, agreed with the eastern churches on the same list.

Just as God was at work in creation, in the calling of His people Israel, in the life, death and resurrection of Christ, and in the early work and writings of the apostles, Christians believe God is also at work in the assembling together and preservation, of the books of Scripture, for the benefit of his people for the entire church age.

Ultimately, we base our confidence in the correctness of our present

Old and New Testament canon, on the faithfulness of God.