The Doctrine of the Bible 10 - Canonicity

"And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:16)

The word canon originally meant "reed" ( a measuring rule) and came to signify a standard for determining which books were Scripture. The books placed in Scripture:
1) were considered inspired:
2) gave evidence of containing revelation;
3) gave evidence of apostolicity; and
4) were uniquely used by the Holy Spirit.
When the church finally collected the 66 books into a "canon", it did not make the books become Scripture: the church was only recognizing what God had done. The books wer Scripture the moment they were written.
Illustration: Not all Christian literature of the first century is included in the canon, only that which is inspired. The church at Ephesus was one of the first to collect the books of the New Testament, and it carefully examined them before endorsement.
Application: As Christians read the Scriptures, they should walk according to their rule.