Points are shared, today, to clarify why some presentations of the Bible include ancient writings that are called apocryphal (hidden away) books. Most Protestant believers rely upon a Bible having only 66 books, while many Catholic believers may use a Bible having as many as 77 books. The many fragments and manuscripts available to modern readers include controversial materials that were never given status as Scripture among the Jews, by Jesus, by the New Testament, by the early church, or by those spoken of as the church fathers. Antilegomena (disputed; spoken against) and extra-canonical books also include numerous pseudepigrapha (false writings) that appeared as apocalyptic and didactic religious compositions; many finally were held to be copy-cat, counterfeit, frauds, legendary, and unauthentic. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Ronald” (Level 1 with 100 points, a member since August 04, 2015) posted the following:
Protestants; On what grounds do you have to omit 7 books from the Bible?
Roman Catholic bibles have 7 additional books whilst Protestant bibles don't, I was wondering why that was?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5: 33-40, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Can The Bible Be Increased? (05/31/2015); The Scriptures and Perfection? (10/27/2014); Catholics, Protestants and the Trinity? (10/12/2014); The Gift of Life Despised? (10/13/2014); The Issue Is Not Accuracy (05/16/2014); Denying Oneself (05/17/2014); Why Not One Bible? (11/02/2013); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013)
“Ronald”, here are a few points that may be helpful for you to consider:
(1.) There are 14 books of scripture-like writings called “the Apocrypha” that were written in the more than 400-year period following the appearance of Malachi as the last of the Old Testament Prophets and the appearance of John the Baptist as the herald of Christ, and the first Prophet of the New Testament. The various books written after the close of the Hebrew scriptures and before proclamation of the Gospel do not clearly continue the same doctrine, function, purpose, and eternal Spirit. For many, their inclusion among the Holy Scriptures are strictly for historical and secular purposes.
(2.) The existing books of the Bible, as a collection of sacred writings, have all individually undergone examination to determine that their pronouncements and prophesies are authentic, and genuinely from GOD. In addition to scholarly study, sacred operations have been acknowledged that include endorsement of divine origin through fulfillment, miracles, sacred signs, supernatural events, wonders, and prayer.
(3.) For Christian believers the process of identifying events, messages, and those sent as representatives from GOD is accomplished by application of sacred knowledge and standards that have been provided by divinity through the imparted spirit. In the same way sin may be understood as influencing the operations of consciousness and self-will within created beings and living creatures, the Holy Spirit (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) is sent by Christ and the Father to establish permanent changes within the character and nature of believers through baptism (death of ones inborn spirit) and rebirth from divine seed. Born-again believers must gradually grow again meeting life challenges upon the earth. As they do so, they develop and practice spiritual discernment (a continuous sacred process wherein a person’s indwelling spirit from GOD serves as a standard to recognize divine spirit content in other persons and things). Thus, even looking at the replies given you, here, a believer may see right away whether the “spirit” operating in the persons who have responded is in agreement with that of the holy writings, with the spirit of leaders within the church body, and with ones own communion and prayer life with Deity.
There is far more that could be said, and that must be correctly understood and spiritually taken into account. (For example (4.) All genuine sacred writings are an aspect of the full revelation whereby GOD makes divinity known to the living using utterance (we say, breath, spirit, word) that includes commandment, praise, prayer, proclamation, promise, prophecy, testimony and verdicts in judgment.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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