02.05 - Canonicity

E. Canonicity The word “canon” comes from the Hebrew word for a mea-suring instrument or “that which keeps a thing straight” andimplies the idea of a “standard.” The Scriptures are an authori-tative standard for the faith and practice not because they passedman-made tests, but because they are God-breathed, or inspired. During the process of determining canonicity, the Holy Spiritsimply led men to recognize that which was already fact. The Old Testament canon consists of thirty-nine books (cf. Joshua 8:31-35; Joshua 23:6; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 4:6; Ezra 7:6; Malachi 4:4; also Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44; Matthew 23:35; 2 Timothy 3:16). The New Testament canon consists of twenty-seven books (cf. John 14:26; John 16:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:27;1 Corinthians 2:7-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 2 Peter 3:15-16).