Bible Study: The Formation of the New Testament
Theme: Revelation, Apostolic Authority, and Divine Preservation
Key Text: 2 Peter 1:20–21
1. Introduction
The New Testament did not emerge by accident or human improvisation. It is the result of a deliberate process involving progressive revelation, the earthly ministry of Jesus, the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and the formal recognition of the early Church.
"For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21)
2. The Old Testament as the Foundation
For the first-century Church, "the Scriptures" referred to the Old Testament. Jesus consistently affirmed its authority, dividing it according to the Jewish tradition: The Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings/Psalms (Ketuvim).
• Luke 24:27, 44: Jesus explained that all these sections pointed toward Him. The Old Testament provided the vocabulary and theological framework upon which the New Testament was built.
3. The Transition to the New Revelation
The shift from the Old Covenant to the New is marked by the supremacy of Jesus Christ as the ultimate spokesperson for God.
A) The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5–8)
At the Transfiguration, Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) appeared with Jesus. However, God the Father spoke from the cloud, saying: "Listen to Him!" This signaled that Jesus is the final and supreme revelation.
B) The Final Word (Hebrews 1:1–2)
In the past, God spoke through prophets, but "in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son."
• Jesus is the Incarnate Word (John 1:14).
• Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would continue this revelation by guiding the Apostles into "all truth" (John 16:12–14). This promise provides the legal and spiritual basis for the New Testament writings.
4. The Process of Formation
I. Oral Tradition
Before the first ink hit parchment, the Gospel was transmitted orally. In Eastern culture, memorization was a highly developed skill.
• The "Good Deposit": The Apostles carefully preserved the teachings of Jesus, and the community of believers acted as a safeguard against distortions (2 Timothy 1:14).
II. Written Tradition
As the Church expanded and the original eyewitnesses began to pass away, it became necessary to record the teachings permanently.
• The Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke provide a "common view" of Jesus. Mark is widely considered the earliest, likely based on Peter’s eyewitness accounts.
• The Epistles: Letters written to address specific doctrinal and practical needs in the growing churches.
• The Theological Gospel: John wrote later to provide a deeper spiritual and Christological reflection.
5. Criteria for the Canon
Why do we have exactly 27 books? The early Church did not "choose" the books as much as they recognized their inherent authority based on specific criteria:
1. Apostolicity: Was the book written by an Apostle or a close associate of an Apostle (e.g., Luke or Mark)?
2. Orthodoxy (Rule of Faith): Did the teaching align with the established "Rule of Faith" and the Old Testament?
3. Catholicity (Universal Acceptance): Was the book used and recognized by the Church at large, rather than just a local sect? (Colossians 4:16).
4. Liturgical Use: Was the book being read and preached in the context of public worship?
5. Inspiration: Did the book bear the "marks of inspiration"—a spiritual power and life-changing quality absent in secular or "fabulous" apocryphal writings?
6. The Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit
It is vital to understand that the Church did not create the Canon. The Church is a child of the Word, not its mother. The Holy Spirit:
• Inspired the authors (Theopneustos).
• Preserved the manuscripts.
• Guided the early councils (such as the Council of Carthage in 397 AD) to officially recognize what the Spirit had already set apart.
7. Chronology of Formation
• Earliest Writing: Likely 1 Thessalonians or Galatians (c. 46–50 AD).
• Latest Writing: The Revelation (Apocalypse) and the Johannine Epistles (c. 90–96 AD). With the death of the Apostle John, the "Apostolic Age" ended. The Canon was closed because the definitive revelation of Christ was complete.
8. Essential Doctrines Involved
• Verbal Inspiration: Every word is God-breathed.
• Biblical Sufficiency: The 27 books contain everything necessary for salvation and godliness.
• Providential Preservation: God ensured that His Word would not be lost through history.
- Bible Study: The Doctrine of Propitiation
- Bible Study: What is True Spirituality?
- Bible Study: The Concept of Biblical Inerrancy
- Bible Study about Prophetism: The Prophetic Movement
Conclusion
The formation of the New Testament is a miracle of history. It proves that God is a relational Being who desires to be known. From the oral teachings of a Galilean Carpenter to the finalized Greek manuscripts that transformed the Roman Empire, the New Testament stands as the infallible "Good Deposit" for all generations.
