For one thing – “Why aren’t the books of the Apocrypha in all Bibles?”
gracethrufaith.com / an interesting article. And there are at least several more.
“They were written after the Canon of the Hebrew bible was complete – about 425 B.C. The word apocrypha means 'hidden, or secret”. Due to their doubtful authenticity the word has come to mean “fraudulent, or forged” by some scholars."
"Although some feel there are many more, The Apocrypha is normally made up of 14 books which are found in Greek and Latin translations but never in the Hebrew Old Testament. When Jerome translated the O.T. into Latin he refused to include them within the body of the book and established a separate section… Only 11 of these are included in the Catholic Bible today, but all 14 can still be found in the Orthodox Bible. "
"It was never in the Hebrew Canon
Neither Jesus Christ, nor any of the N. T. writers, ever quoted from the Apocrypha.
Josephus, a well-known historian from the Biblical era, excluded them from his list of sacred scripture. He felt they were lacking authenticity or validity in essence or origin.
During the first four centuries there was no mention made of the Apocrypha in any catalogue or canonical book. They were believed to be slipped in during the 5th century.
They were never asserted to be divinely inspired or to possess divine authority in their contents.
No prophets were connected with these writings. Each book of the Old Testament was writen by a man who was a prophet.
These books are replete with historical, geographical and chronological errors, In order too accept the Apocrypha one would have to reject the Old Testament narratives.
The doctrines and practices are contrary to the Canon of Scripture.
There is some historical insight to be gained from the Apocrypha, since they were written in the time between the O. and N Testaments. But extreme caution must be exercised.
So - the above is basically what the article is saying.
The Etheopian eunich – the Holy Spirit had sent Philip to the man – I’d said Peter earlier – wrong man. The point I’d been making was that there Was Scripture to be read at that time in history. It was Isaiah 53: 7 & 8. Obviously in this situation there was no twisting and misapplying Scripture
When Scripture Is shared it needs to be in context. The Holy Spirit is the teacher of the person’s heart.
There are those who’ve been taught that the Only person who is capable of Really, Truly understanding Scripture is the priest of the given parish. The truth is that the ordinary person is Very able to sit down, on their own, read Scripture – verse by verse -chapter by chapter and understand what they are reading. Scripture in context is fascinating.
However – it’s ALSO very true that lots of people like to ‘cherry-pick’ verses / passages to have Scripture say what They want it to say. And that’s why there are So Many belief systems Out There.
And there Are the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to every born-again person. 1 Corinthians 14 talks about the gifts of prophesy and tongues. Ephesians 4:11-13 or so. Romans 12: 6 - 8 – the various gifts that a person can be given one or more Of.
Philip was a Good example of a man being led by the Holy Spirit to share Scripture with another person who had a question.
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
John 14:6 Jesus Christ is saying “I am the way the Truth and the Life - no man comes to the Father, but by Me.”
Hebrews 1:1 - 3 “God…through the prophets …has in these last days, spoken to us by His Son, …when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty on High.”
Merry Christmas to ya’ll.
