Article 4 lists the books of the Old and New Testaments. These listed books have been received by the church since the Synod of Carthage, 397 A.D. The Old Testament books, we are told, were collected to form one volume by a body of learned Jewish scribes called: “The Great Synagogue” about 300 B.C. Christ and the apostles recognized this O.T. collection as Scripture and quoted from it.
There was a translation made of the Old Testament Hebrew into the Greek language by a body of Jewish scholars at Alexandria about 270 B.C. This is called the Septuagint (70-though there were 72 men who did the translating).
A Latin translation of Scripture was made by St. Jerome in 390 A.D. and is called the “Vulgate” or “People’s” Bible. Our King James translations dates to 1611 A.D. in England.
Article 5 speaks of the dignity and authority of the Scriptures. It points out the reasons why only these 66 books are considered as holy and canonical: 1-the church has generally accepted these books; 2-there is the testimony of the Holy Spirit in our hearts; 3-there is the evidence in Scripture itself: its holy character is readily evident, and its prophecies are being fulfilled.
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED:
1. Be able to name the 66 books of the Bible.
NT-Council of Carthage 397
2. How are the books of the Old and New Testament commonly divided?
3. What does “paralipomenon” mean in the article? (see dictionary)
4. Why is Lamentations not mentioned?
4. Who is the author of Hebrews?
5. Why is Esther included in the Bible since it does not mention God’s Name?
6. How does John’s gospel account differ from the other three?
7. What does “canonical” mean in Art. 5?
8. Explain the “authority” of the Bible.
9. Explain the “testimony of the Holy Spirit”.
10. What are some reasons why the church accepted the present books of the New Testament?
11. Can the church decide still to add more books? Explain.
12. What prophecies have been fulfilled? Which are being still fulfilled?
Septuagint – 285 B.C.; Vulgate-Latin – 400 A.D.; King James – 1611 A.D.
Practical significance for Scripture:
1. Regulation of faith
2. Foundation of our faith
3. Confirmation of our faith
Why receive these:
1. Church approves them
2. Testimony within themselves
3. Of the Spirit in our hearts