What is the Canon? Recognizing God’s Voice

Series: The Bible – God’s Perfect Word

What Is the Canon of Scripture?

The word canon comes from the Greek kanōn, meaning “rule” or “measuring rod.” When we speak of the biblical canon, we refer to the officially recognized list of inspired books that constitute Scripture. But here’s the key: the church did not create the canon—it recognized it.

God determines what is Scripture. The church simply affirmed what was already true. The canon is not a human invention; it is a divine collection.

Was the Canon Decided by a Council?

A common misconception is that church councils (like the Council of Nicaea or the Council of Carthage) created the Bible by vote. But this is false. Those councils did not establish the canon—they affirmed the books that were already functioning as Scripture in the life of the early church.

By the second century, most of the New Testament books were already accepted by the majority of churches. The councils merely clarified what the church had already received from the apostles and prophets as the Word of God.

Canon: Recognized, Not Invented

2 Peter 1:21 says:

“No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Scripture originates with God, not man. The canon is simply the collection of those books that bear the marks of divine origin. Jesus affirmed this when He said:

“My sheep hear My voice… and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

God’s people recognize His voice in Scripture. They don’t decide it—they discern it.

Three Criteria for Canon Recognition

Throughout history, three essential marks helped believers identify the books of Scripture:

1. Prophetic Origin

Was the book written by a prophet (Old Testament) or an apostle or close associate (New Testament)? God gave His revelation through appointed spokesmen (Heb. 1:1; Eph. 2:20). No prophetic origin, no Scripture.

2. Doctrinal Consistency

Does the book agree with previously revealed truth? God does not contradict Himself (Num. 23:19). Any book that taught false doctrine was rejected (Deut. 13:1–5).

3. Universal Reception

Was the book widely accepted by the people of God? Canonical books were recognized by the early church as inspired and authoritative. They were read publicly, quoted in sermons, and preserved carefully.

The Old Testament Canon

By Jesus’ time, the Old Testament canon was already established. Jesus referred to the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings (Luke 24:44)—the threefold division of the Hebrew Bible.

He affirmed:

• The historical accuracy of Genesis (Matt. 19:4–6)

• The authorship of Moses (John 5:46)

• The prophecies of Isaiah (Matt. 13:14)

• The Psalms as Scripture (Luke 20:42)

There is no record of Jesus disputing any Old Testament book. He accepted the canon recognized by the Jews—and so should we.

Importantly, Jesus never cited or affirmed the Apocrypha (intertestamental books included in Roman Catholic Bibles but not in the Hebrew canon). Neither did the apostles. These books were useful historically, but not inspired.

The New Testament Canon

The New Testament books were written between A.D. 45–95. From the start, they were viewed as Scripture. Paul referred to his own writings as “the Lord’s command” (1 Cor. 14:37). Peter called Paul’s letters “Scripture” (2 Pet. 3:16). Paul quoted Luke’s Gospel alongside Deuteronomy as Scripture (1 Tim. 5:18).

By the end of the first century:

• The Gospels were circulating together.

• Paul’s letters were collected and read in churches.

• Revelation was being copied and distributed.

By A.D. 180, the Muratorian Fragment listed nearly all New Testament books. The few disputed books (e.g., Hebrews, 2 Peter, James) were eventually affirmed due to apostolic authorship, orthodoxy, and acceptance by the wider church.

Why the Canon Matters

The doctrine of the canon isn’t just a historical curiosity—it’s vital for your faith today. Here’s why:

1. It Defines Authority

The canon is the boundary of divine revelation. Nothing outside it is binding on the conscience. Scripture alone is the final authority for faith and life (2 Tim. 3:16–17).

2. It Guards the Gospel

If we allow additions or deletions, we distort the message of salvation. Paul warned:

“Even if we… or an angel… preach another gospel, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).

3. It Anchors the Church

Without a fixed canon, every generation would redefine truth. The canon gives the church a stable, unchanging foundation—God’s revealed will preserved in 66 books.

Common Challenges to the Canon

“There are lost books of the Bible.”

No, there aren’t. Gnostic writings like the “Gospel of Thomas” were written long after the apostles, contradict Scripture, and were never recognized by the early church.

“The Apocrypha belongs in the Bible.”

The Apocrypha was never accepted by the Jewish community, never quoted by Jesus, and was officially added to the Roman Catholic canon in 1546—1,500 years after Christ.

“The church created the Bible.”

No—God created His Word, and the church recognized it. The Bible is self-authenticating. Just as gold doesn’t need to be created but discovered, so Scripture doesn’t need to be invented but recognized.

How You Can Trust the Canon

You don’t need a council, bishop, or institution to confirm God’s voice. If you’re in Christ, the Spirit testifies to the truth of Scripture in your heart (John 16:13).

• The Old Testament was received by God’s covenant people.

• The New Testament was written by apostles and recognized by the church.

• The Holy Spirit affirms the Word to every believer.

The same God who gave the Word has preserved the Word and confirmed it for His people.

Conclusion: The Voice of the Shepherd

The canon is not a man-made list. It is the recognized voice of the Good Shepherd, calling His sheep. When you read Scripture, you are not hearing the opinions of men—you are hearing the very words of God.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

The Bible is God’s perfect Word—complete, sufficient, and authoritative. And that’s why we trust it, love it, and proclaim it.