It’s not uncommon for some to think that without an infallible Catholic Magisterium to reveal what books belonged in the biblical canon, there would be no biblical canon that could be trusted as completed Scripture.
Is this true? It’s not true at all.
The church in the first century was able to distinguish between sound doctrine and unauthorized teachings. A few examples would include 1 Corinthians 14:37; Colossians 4:16; 2 Peter 3:16; 1 John 4:1-2; 2 John 1:10; and Jude 1:3. When the texts of these and other letters are taken into account, there is no doubt miraculous gifts from the Spirit aided the recognition and confirmation of the word (Mark 16:20; 1 Corinthians 12:10).
The infallible authority of canon has never rested with men or women but with the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:19-20). We know the collection of letters for the Old Testament canon was proper because the Christ and his apostles and prophets pointed people toward a fulfilled word that was known and recognized amongst the Jews (Mark 12:24; Luke 16:31; John 5:39; Luke 24:44-46; Acts 17:11; Romans 16:26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:15).
The same Spirit who saw fit for the proper collection of Old Testament letters to remain secure despite the involvement of fallible men and women was also able to accomplish the same for the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 16:13).
“For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”” (John 5:46-47 NKJV)
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