“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV).
We’ll conclude our brief discussion of the Word of God from 1 Thessalonians 2:13 with a look at the New Testament canon of Scripture.
Following His death and resurrection, Jesus’ teachings were largely disseminated through the work of His Apostles. But as the church began to grow, the need for a written record of His teachings (and guidance for implementing them) grew as well. The four Gospel accounts filled the need for a record of Jesus’ teachings. The remaining New Testament books covered the implementation portion. Those works included an historical account of the early church (Acts), an unveiling of future events (Revelation), and guidance related to Christian life and practice (the Epistles).
These Biblical books were later copied and passed among the Christian communities of the first century. That practice may have begun with the current book we are studying- 1 Thessalonians. You see, the Thessalonians already possessed the letters we know today as 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Since the town of Philippi was relatively nearby, the Thessalonians could have easily received a copy of the letter we know today as the Biblical book of Philippians and given the Philippians copies of the letters they possessed.
In fact, Paul the Apostle suggested this very course of action in his letter to the Colossian church: “After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16). Over time, the twenty-seven books of the New Testament were copied, saved, and officially accepted as a group. That process that took about 350 years.
Finally, one scholar discusses some of the standards that were used in recognizing the God-inspired nature of the canonical books…
A. Is it authoritative (“Thus saith the Lord”)?
B. Is it prophetic – A book in the Bible must have the authority of a spiritual leader of Israel (O.T. – prophet, king, judge, scribe) or an apostle of the church (N.T. – It must be based on the testimony of an original apostle).
C. Is it authentic (consistent with other revelation of truth)?
D. Is it dynamic – demonstrating God’s life-changing power (Hebrews 4:12)?
E. Is it received (accepted and used by believers – 1 Thessalonians 2:13)? (1)
(1) Norman L. Geisler & William Nix, A General Introduction To The Bible (pp. 137-144).