Basic Facts about the NT Canon that Every Christian Should Memorize: “The New Testament Books Are Unique Because They Are Apostolic Books”
One of the most basic facts about the New Testament canon that all Christians should understand is that the canon is intimately connected to the activities of the apostles. Jesus had commissioned his apostles “so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority” ( Mark 3:14 –15). When Jesus sent out the twelve, he reminds them that “For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” ( Matt 10:20 ). Thus, he is able to give a warning to those who reject the apostles’ authority: “If anyone will not receive you or listen to your words…it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town” ( Matt 10:14 ). In sum, the apostles had the very authority of Christ himself. They were his mouthpiece. As such, their teachings, along with the prophets, were the very foundation of the church. Paul describes the church as “built on the foundation of th...