Preservation and Canon
Canon Recognition
Bibliology · 6 verses
The church recognizes but does not create the biblical canon, discerning which books bear the marks of divine inspiration. The canon is a closed collection, complete with the apostolic writings, accepting no additions or subtractions. Recognition of canonical books rested on criteria including apostolic authorship, universal reception, liturgical use, and doctrinal consistency, all confirmed by the Spirit's witness.
Scripture References
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
“And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”
“I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.”
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”