Criteria for cannonisation of the new testament

The criteria for canonization of the New Testament were established by the early Christian Church, primarily through the efforts of the apostles and the early Church Fathers. Here are some of the key criteria that were used to determine which writings were considered authoritative and included in the New Testament:

1. Apostolic origin: The writings were attributed to an apostle or someone closely associated with an apostle, such as a companion or a student. This was seen as a guarantee of their authenticity and authority.
2. Widespread acceptance: The writings were widely accepted and used by the early Christian communities, indicating their popularity and authority.
3. Consistency with the teachings of Jesus: The writings were consistent with the teachings and message of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospels.
4. Consistency with the teachings of the apostles: The writings were consistent with the teachings and practices of the apostles, as recorded in the New Testament.
5. Orthodoxy: The writings were free from heresy and error, and were consistent with the orthodox Christian faith.
6. Use of Scripture: The writings quoted and alluded to the Old Testament, demonstrating their connection to the Jewish Scriptures and the Christian faith.
7. Early date: The writings were written early in the history of the Church, indicating their proximity to the events they described and their relevance to the early Christian communities.
8. Authenticity of the text: The text of the writings was considered authentic and reliable, with no significant changes or alterations.
9. Use in worship: The writings were used in worship and liturgy, indicating their importance and authority in the life of the Church.
10. Consensus of the Church: The writings were widely accepted and recognized as authoritative by the early Christian Church, demonstrating a consensus among the bishops and theologians of the time.

These criteria were not rigidly applied, and there was some debate and discussion among the early Church Fathers about which writings should be included in the New Testament. However, by the 4th century, the canon of the New Testament had been largely established, and the 27 books that make up the modern New Testament were widely accepted as authoritative and inspired by God.

Some notable examples of the application of these criteria include:

• The Epistles of Paul, which were widely accepted and used by the early Christian communities, and were attributed to the apostle Paul.
• The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which were considered to be the most reliable and authoritative accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
• The Book of Hebrews, which was considered to be a reliable and authoritative writing, despite its anonymous authorship.
• The Book of Revelation, which was considered to be a prophetic and apocalyptic writing, and was widely accepted as authoritative by the early Christian Church.

Overall, the criteria for canonization of the New Testament were designed to ensure that the writings were authentic, authoritative, and consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles.