Transcript Slide 1

Introduction
Canon- books were accepted as Scripture if
written by the apostles or a faithful associate of
an apostle.
“This is now, beloved, the second letter I am
writing to you in which I am stirring up your
sincere mind by way of reminder, that you
should remember the words spoken
beforehand by the holy prophets and the
commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken
by your apostles.” (2 Peter 3:1-2)
The apostles had binding and loosing authority
from the Lord as we studied last night.
(Matthew 16:18-19; 18:18)
Introduction
Even though Paul was not an original apostle
chosen by Jesus, he saw the resurrected Lord
(1 Cor. 15:8) and was inspired by God to write
many letters.
“Therefore, beloved, since you look for these
things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace,
spotless and blameless, regard the patience of
our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved
brother Paul, according to the wisdom given
him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters,
speaking in them of these things…”
(2 Peter 3:15-16a)
Introduction
The apostle Paul’s words were to be obeyed also.
Paul said, “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or
spiritual, let him recognize that the things
which I am writing to you are the Lord’s
commandment.” (1 Cor. 14:37)
These inspired writings were to be obeyed by all
the churches. The apostle Paul taught the same
thing in every church. (1 Cor. 4:17)
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the
traditions which you were taught, whether by
word of mouth or by letter from us.”
(2 Thess. 2:15)
When Writings Were Considered Scripture…
….Brethren were commanded to read it.
“I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read
to all the brethren.” (1 Thess. 5:27)
…They were commanded to circulate it to other
churches and read the letters from other
congregations.
“When this letter is read among you, have it also
read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you,
for your part read my letter that is coming from
Laodicea.” (Colossians 4:16)
…Brethren were commanded not to add or take
away from it. (1 Cor. 4:6; Rev. 22:18-19)
The Bible Teaches that Every Word of God
is Inspired, Infallible, and Inerrant
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, that
the man of God may be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Jesus said in response to the devil’s temptation,
“Man shall not live by bread alone but by every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God”
(Matthew 4:4)
Do you believe that the Bible is the inspired,
infallible, and inerrant word which we can
depend on for eternal life? (John 12:48-50)
The World Doesn’t Believe that the Bible is
Inspired but Some Brethren don’t either
“No. Have to be honest. In fact my Lord Jesus
demands that I be intellectually honest. I can't
be a follower of Jesus and not be. And I think
the evidence tips the scales in favor of their
authenticity. And that's what I would argue,
that's what I've tried to argue here. But I would
have to say, I can't just be dogmatic about that,
I'm not a hundred percent certain about that"
Brethren, what if I taught that publicly? Would
you accept it? I would hope you wouldn’t!
(Marty Pickup, The Canonicity of the General
Epistles, Florida College Annual Lectures, [8
Feb. 2000]).
Scripture Says- It Will Never Pass Away
“the word of our God stands forever” (1 Pt. 1:23)
“Heaven and earth shall pass away by My words
shall never pass away” (Matthew 24:35)
“I commend you to God and the word of His
grace which is able to build you up and give
you the inheritance among all those who are
sanctified” (Acts 20:32)
But we don’t have the original autographs.
How do we know that there aren’t significant
changes due to copyist’s errors, additions, or
subtractions?
Use Test for All Ancient Documents
How many copies of the document are available?
(the more the better to compare it)
Where were the copies found?
(if they come from one place, collusion is possible)
How long passed between the original & its copies?
(if there is a long time period, many changes could have
been made and we wouldn’t know it)
What differences exist between the copies?
(if there are only a few and if minor, then they can be
trusted to be faithful to the original, but if not, how can
you trust it?)
Secular Writings
Author
Homer
(Iliad)
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
# of
copies
643
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
Herodotus
# of
copies
643
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
Herodotus 480-425
BC
# of
copies
643
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
# of
copies
643
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
# of
copies
643
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
Plato
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
Plato
427- 347
BC
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
Plato
427- 347 900 AD
BC
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
Plato
427- 347 900 AD
BC
1200 yrs
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
1200 yrs
7
Plato
427- 347 900 AD
BC
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
1200 yrs
7
Plato
Aristotle
427- 347 900 AD
BC
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
1200 yrs
7
Plato
Aristotle
427- 347 900 AD
BC
384-322
BC
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
1200 yrs
7
Plato
427- 347 900 AD
BC
Aristotle
384-322 1100 AD
BC
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
7
Plato
427- 347 900 AD
BC
1200 yrs
Aristotle
384-322 1100 AD
BC
1400 yrs
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
Homer
(Iliad)
900 BC
400 BC
500 yrs
643
Herodotus 480-425 900 AD
BC
1300 yrs
8
Plato
427- 347 900 AD
BC
1200 yrs
7
Aristotle
384-322 1100 AD
BC
1400 yrs
5
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Date
Written
Caesar
100-44 BC
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
1000 yrs.
# of
copies
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
1000 yrs.
# of
copies
10
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Pliny
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
1000 yrs.
# of
copies
10
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Pliny
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
61-113
AD
Time between
Original & copy
1000 yrs.
# of
copies
10
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Pliny
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
61-113
AD
850 AD
Time between
Original & copy
1000 yrs.
# of
copies
10
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Pliny
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
61-113
AD
850 AD
Time between
Original & copy
1000 yrs.
750 yrs.
# of
copies
10
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Pliny
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
61-113
AD
850 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
750 yrs.
7
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Pliny
Seutonius
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
61-113
AD
850 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
750 yrs.
7
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Pliny
61-113
AD
Seutonius
75-160
AD
850 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
750 yrs.
7
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Pliny
61-113
AD
850 AD
Seutonius
75-160
AD
950 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
750 yrs.
7
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
7
Pliny
61-113
AD
850 AD
750 yrs.
Seutonius
75-160
AD
950 AD
800 yrs.
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
Pliny
61-113
AD
850 AD
750 yrs.
7
Seutonius
75-160
AD
950 AD
800 yrs.
?
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
Pliny
61-113
AD
850 AD
750 yrs.
7
Seutonius
75-160
AD
950 AD
800 yrs.
?
Tacitus
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
Pliny
61-113
AD
850 AD
750 yrs.
7
Seutonius
75-160
AD
950 AD
800 yrs.
?
Tacitus
c. 100 AD
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
Pliny
61-113
AD
850 AD
750 yrs.
7
Seutonius
75-160
AD
950 AD
800 yrs.
?
Tacitus
c. 100 AD
1100
AD
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
Pliny
61-113
AD
850 AD
750 yrs.
7
Seutonius
75-160
AD
950 AD
800 yrs.
?
Tacitus
c. 100 AD
1100
AD
1000 yrs.
Secular Writings
Author
Caesar
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
100-44 BC 900 AD
Time between
Original & copy
# of
copies
1000 yrs.
10
Pliny
61-113
AD
850 AD
750 yrs.
7
Seutonius
75-160
AD
950 AD
800 yrs.
?
Tacitus
c. 100 AD
1100
AD
1000 yrs.
20
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
New
Testament
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
# of copies/
Contents
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
1st
century
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
1st
century
AD 350
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
1st
century
AD 350
300 yrs
(WWW 2010)
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
1st
century
AD 350
300 yrs
(WWW 2010)
Parts of OT,
NT complete
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
1st
century
AD 350
300 yrs
(WWW 2010)
Parts of OT,
NT complete
Codex
Alexandrinus
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
1st
century
AD 350
300 yrs
(WWW 2010)
Parts of OT,
NT complete
Codex
Alexandrinus
1st
century
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
1st
century
AD 350
300 yrs
(WWW 2010)
Parts of OT,
NT complete
Codex
Alexandrinus
1st
century
AD 400
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
1st
century
AD 350
300 yrs
(WWW 2010)
Parts of OT,
NT complete
Codex
Alexandrinus
1st
century
AD 400
350 yrs
Biblical Manuscripts in Greek
Author
Date
Written
Earliest
Copy
Time between
Original & copy
# of copies/
Contents
New
Testament
AD
45 – 100
AD 125
25-250 years
5300
Greek
Manuscripts
Codex
Vaticanus
1st
century
AD
325-350
275-300 yrs
All OT, NT
(Matt.- Heb.)
Codex
Sinaiticus
1st
century
AD 350
300 yrs
(WWW 2010)
Parts of OT,
NT complete
Codex
Alexandrinus
1st
century
AD 400
350 yrs
Contains
most of OT
and NT
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Contents
Original
Written
MSS
Date
Location
Chester Beatty P 46
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
Original
Written
MSS
Date
Location
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
Original
Written
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
50’s-70’s
MSS
Date
Location
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
70’s AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
P67
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
P67
Matt. 3:9,15;
5:20-22, 25-28
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
P67
Matt. 3:9,15;
5:20-22, 25-28
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
70’s AD
60’s
c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
P67
Matt. 3:9,15;
5:20-22, 25-28
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
60’s
c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
P67
Matt. 3:9,15;
5:20-22, 25-28
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
60’s
c. 200 AD
Barcelona,
Fundacion
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
P67
P 52
(John
Rylands)
Matt. 3:9,15;
5:20-22, 25-28
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
60’s
c. 200 AD
Barcelona,
Fundacion
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
P67
Matt. 3:9,15;
5:20-22, 25-28
P 52
(John
Rylands)
John 18:31-33,
37-38
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
60’s
c. 200 AD
Barcelona,
Fundacion
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
c. 200 AD
Barcelona,
Fundacion
P67
Matt. 3:9,15;
5:20-22, 25-28
60’s
P 52
(John
Rylands)
John 18:31-33,
37-38
c. 96 AD
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
P67
Matt. 3:9,15;
5:20-22, 25-28
P 52
(John
Rylands)
John 18:31-33,
37-38
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
60’s
c. 200 AD
Barcelona,
Fundacion
c. 96 AD c. 130 AD
Early NT Greek Fragments
Papyri
Manu.
Contents
P46
(Chester
Beatty)
Rom, Heb
1 & 2 Cor, Gal,
Phil, Gal, 1 Th
John 1:1-6:11,
6:35- 14:26;
fragment
14:29-21:9
P66
(Bodmer
Papyrus)
P67
Matt. 3:9,15;
5:20-22, 25-28
P 52
(John
Rylands)
John 18:31-33,
37-38
Original
Written
MSS
Date
50’s-70’s c. 200 AD
Location
Dublin
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
70’s AD
c. 200 AD
Cologny,
Geneva
(Switzerland)
60’s
c. 200 AD
Barcelona,
Fundacion
c. 96 AD c. 130 AD Manchester,
England
P 52 John Rylands Fragment
Before AD 325, the Church Fathers
quoted almost all of the NT
“Geisler and Nix wrote, “...a brief inventory at
this point will reveal that there were some
32,000 citations of the NT prior to the time of
the Council of Nicea (325). These 32,000
quotations are by no means exhaustive, and
they do not include the 4th century writers.
Just adding the number of references used by
one other writer, Eusebius, who flourished prior
to and contemporary with the council of Nicea,
will bring the total citations of the NT to over
36,000”
(A General Introduction to the Bible)
Church Fathers Quoted Most of the NT
Bruce Metzger wrote, “...so extensive are these
citations that if all other sources for our
knowledge of the text of the NT were
destroyed, they would be sufficient alone for
the reconstruction of practically the entire NT.”
(The Text of the NT)
“Sir David Darymple conducted an extensive
search of the writings of the 2nd and 3rd century
‘church fathers’ and was able to find all but 11
verses of the entire NT”
(Charles Leach, Our Bible. How We Got It, p. 35-36)
“Is the Bible Text Reliable?” (John A. Smith, “The Inspiration and
Authority of The Bible” Truth Lectures)
There are Very Few Variances in
Thousands of Manuscripts
“Geisler and Nix conclude that only 40 lines (or 400
words) of the NT are in doubt which amounts to
½ of 1 % of the text of the NT)” (Smith, p. 330)
“Neil Lightfoot observes: ‘The variant readings in the
manuscripts are not of such a nature that they
threaten to overthrow our faith. Except for a few
instances, we have an unquestioned text; and
even then not one principle of faith or command of
the Lord is involved’” (ibid, p. 331)
The vast majority of the variations are minor
(spelling, punctuation, and footnotes are made on
those verses in the newer versions).
Conclusion
The NT passes the test more than any other
ancient document.
We have a multitude of manuscript copies
(5,300) compared to few copies of secular
writers (10 or fewer for most).
These copies were found in many different
places (Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Turkey,
Greece, Italy) which would make collusion
practically impossible.
Conclusion
The time span between the original and a copy
is from 30 to 250 years compared to 1,000+
years for most secular documents.
No doctrine is affected by any of the variances
in the readings of the text.
The church fathers in their writings alone could
practically reproduce the NT without any other
documentation.
Conclusion
FF Bruce said,
“The evidence of our NT writings is ever so
much greater than the evidence for many
writings of classical authors, the authenticity of
which no one dreams of questioning. And if
the NT were a collection of secular writings,
their authenticity would generally be as beyond
all doubt”.
Conclusion
Josh McDowell said, “After trying to shatter the
historicity and validity of the Scripture, I came to the
conclusion that they are historically trustworthy. If
one discards the Bible as being unreliable, then he
must discard almost all literature of antiquity. One
problem I constantly face is the desire on the part of
many to apply one standard or test to secular
literature and other to the Bible. One needs to apply
the same test, whether the literature under
investigation is secular or religious. Having done
this, I believe one can hold the Scriptures in his
hand and say, ‘the Bible is trustworthy, and
historically reliable.” (A Ready Defense)
Conclusion
Jesus said, "He who rejects Me and does not
receive My sayings, has one who judges him;
the word I spoke is what will judge him at the
last day. "For I did not speak on My own
initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me
has given Me a commandment as to what to say
and what to speak. "I know that His
commandment is eternal life; therefore the
things I speak, I speak just as the Father has
told Me." (John 12:48-50)
Put all your trust in every single word of the Bible
and obey Him rather than man!