Basic Bible Course 2

The Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament were written between 1500 and 400 BC.

Then, in the last centuries before Jesus' coming, a number of other religious writings were written. They are called Apocrypha, meaning "hidden" or "secret". They were never part of the Hebrew Bible. God has watched over His Word and ensured that no human creation was added.

The Apocrypha, for example Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Tobit, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, are unlike the books of the Bible not inspired. They were included in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and later in the Vulgate, the Latin version of the Bible.

In this lesson, we briefly want to discuss this and highlight a few more unique aspects associated with the books of the Bible.

It was noted in the introduction that the Apocrypha do not belong to the Holy Scriptures. With respect to a claim to be part of the Holy Scriptures, they must be labelled as "inauthentic".

Which of the following statements do you consider to be accurate?

In the Old Testament, there is various mention of books that we no longer know today:

Therefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, Vaheb in Suphah, and the brooks of Arnon; ... (Numbers 21:14)

And the sun stood still, and the moon remained where it was, until the nation had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? And the sun remained standing in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a full day. (Joshua 10:13)

The Book of Jasher is also mentioned in 2. Samuel 1:18. We are unfamiliar with these books. It would be a mistake to assume that they belong to the Bible and have been lost. God did not deem it necessary to preserve these books for us, because they do not belong to His eternal Word.

Try searching for some other books that are also mentioned!

Luke begins his Gospel with the words:

For as much as many have undertaken to draw up a relation concerning the matters fully believed among us, as those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses of and attendants on the Word have delivered them to us, it has seemed good to me also, accurately acquainted from the origin with all things, to write to you with method, most excellent Theophilus, that you might know the certainty of those things in which you have been instructed. (Luke 1:1-4)

Therefore, before him, others have already tried to write a history of the life and work of the Lord Jesus. Who could he be referring to when he talks about many who have undertaken this?