Here is a short, simple summary of checkpoints in the canonization process of the New Testament.
AD 50 - AD 95 The authors themselves
New Testament authors knew they were writing authoritative Scripture and also quoted other parts of the New Testament as authoritative Scripture. Churches were circulating these books although no one seemed to have thought of making an authorized list of books.
AD 110 Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna
These immediate disciples of the apostles wrote letters (Ignatius 7, Polycarp 1) with quotations from the New Testament.
AD 140 Marcion's truncated New Testament canon
Marcion of Sinope, founded a heretical sect and produced a list of accepted (which he used to support his doctrine) and rejected New Testament books. In doing so, he kind of listed the New Testament books in circulation during his time.
Accepted - Luke Galatians 1Corinthians 2Corinthians Romans 1Thessalonians 2Thessalonians Ephesians (which Marcion called Laodiceans) Colossians Philemon Philippians
Rejected - Matthew John
AD 180 Muratorian fragment
The Muratorian Canon (also called the Muratorian Fragment) is an ancient list of New Testament books - the oldest such list found. The original document, which was probably written in Greek, is dated to about AD 180 and lists 22 of the 27 books of the New Testament.
Includes - Four gospels, Acts, 13 Pauline Epistles (exclude Hebrews), 1John and one more (not sure 2John or 3John) Jude, Revelation, Wisdom of Solomon
Omits - Hebrews, James, 1Peter, 2Peter, 2John or 3John
AD 322 Eusebius of Cæsaria
Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History 3.25.1-7 has 4 lists:
1. accepted works - 4 gospels, Acts, 14 Pauline letters, 1Peter, 1John, Revelation, total 22 books
2. disputed works - James, Jude, 2Peter, 2John, 3John
3. rejected works - Revelation (but it was on the accepted list)
4. heretical works - did not contain any works now regarded as part of the New Testament
AD 367 Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius's 39th Festal Letter listed the complete New Testament canon (27 books) for the first time.
A more detailed reference can be found in The Development of the Canon of the New Testament - Cross Reference Table Writings and Authorities and The Development of the Canon of the New Testament.
Showing posts with label Canonization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canonization. Show all posts
Friday, July 21, 2017
Thursday, July 20, 2017
New Testament Canonization
New Testament authors quoting other parts of the New Testament as authoritative Scripture
Paul recognized Luke's Gospel as scripture
For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." (1 Timothy 5:18 ESV)
When Paul wrote to Timothy he quoted a passage from Luke 10:7 as Scripture. This also proved that the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of Apostles were finished and in circulation before Paul wrote the first epistle to Timothy. This collaborate with Acts 28:30-31 which was written by Luke, and finished off with Paul's first imprisonment. It also established the date of the epistle's writing as between Paul's first and final Roman imprisonments.
Peter recognized the letters of Paul in circulation as scripture
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:15-16 ESV)
Peter recognized the scriptural authority of Paul's letters and warned against twisting the words of Paul to justify heresies.
New Testament authors knew they were writing authoritative Scripture
Paul knew that he is writing scripture
If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. (1 Corinthians 14:37-38 ESV)
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27 ESV)
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)
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV)
He declared that a true prophet would recognize that his letters are the command of the Lord.
Peter knew that he was writing scripture
Peter put the writings of the apostles (including himself) on par with the prophecies of the Old Testament.
John knew that he was writing scripture
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Revelation 1:1-3 ESV)
John explicitly stated that the book he was writing was a revelation from Jesus Christ Himself. With the completion of Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ in about AD 95-96, the New Testament is closed. All books written after Revelation and claimed to be revelations of the God of Abraham from angels or prophets or the apostles or successors of the apostles are all false.
The following quote from this article "Early Christians Believed that Canonical Books were Self-Authenticating" by Michael J Kruger summarized an important point on the canonization of the New Testament - it is canonized by God, not men.
QUOTE
In the end, the church fathers teach us a very important truth. The NT canon we possess today is not due to the machinations of later church leaders, or to the political influence of Constantine, but due to the fact that these books imposed themselves on the church through their internal qualities.
UNQUOTE
Paul recognized Luke's Gospel as scripture
For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." (1 Timothy 5:18 ESV)
When Paul wrote to Timothy he quoted a passage from Luke 10:7 as Scripture. This also proved that the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of Apostles were finished and in circulation before Paul wrote the first epistle to Timothy. This collaborate with Acts 28:30-31 which was written by Luke, and finished off with Paul's first imprisonment. It also established the date of the epistle's writing as between Paul's first and final Roman imprisonments.
Peter recognized the letters of Paul in circulation as scripture
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:15-16 ESV)
Peter recognized the scriptural authority of Paul's letters and warned against twisting the words of Paul to justify heresies.
New Testament authors knew they were writing authoritative Scripture
Paul knew that he is writing scripture
If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. (1 Corinthians 14:37-38 ESV)
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27 ESV)
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)
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV)
He declared that a true prophet would recognize that his letters are the command of the Lord.
Peter knew that he was writing scripture
Peter put the writings of the apostles (including himself) on par with the prophecies of the Old Testament.
John knew that he was writing scripture
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Revelation 1:1-3 ESV)
John explicitly stated that the book he was writing was a revelation from Jesus Christ Himself. With the completion of Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ in about AD 95-96, the New Testament is closed. All books written after Revelation and claimed to be revelations of the God of Abraham from angels or prophets or the apostles or successors of the apostles are all false.
The following quote from this article "Early Christians Believed that Canonical Books were Self-Authenticating" by Michael J Kruger summarized an important point on the canonization of the New Testament - it is canonized by God, not men.
QUOTE
In the end, the church fathers teach us a very important truth. The NT canon we possess today is not due to the machinations of later church leaders, or to the political influence of Constantine, but due to the fact that these books imposed themselves on the church through their internal qualities.
UNQUOTE
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Canonisation of the New Testament
Criteria
Do We Have the Right Books in the Bible? | Grace Communion International
367 Athanasius Defines the New Testament | Christian History
The Case for the Eyewitness Status of the Gospel Authors | Cold Case Christianity
The Apostles Wrote the Gospels as Eyewitness Accounts | Cold Case Christianity
How Can the Gospels Be Eyewitness Accounts If They Include Things the Writers Didn't See? | Cold Case Christianity
- The message Christ died for our sins and He was buried and raised the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
- The authors of the message The apostles and their associates were eye witnesses of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (John 21:24-25, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Peter 5:1, 2 Peter 1:16-17, 1 John 1:1-3).
While Luke is not an eyewitness of the acts and miracles of Jesus, he was a eyewitness to the acts and miracles of Paul the apostle. (Luke 1:1-4, Acts 2:32, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:20, Acts 4:33, Acts 10:39-42)
Criteria of an apostle - eyewitness and with us from the beginning (Acts 1:21-22)
- Christians were persecuted Being a Christian in those days meant persecution that may result in death.
- By consensus, not officially sanctioned in an official meeting As in many things in Christianity, such as the spread of Christianity in the first 200 hundred years (done not with political blessing nor power of the military, but by unknown itinerary preachers).
- Eyewitnesses Eyewitness authority of Paul (2 Peter 3:15-16), the apostles and their associates were recognized from the beginning. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, and the letters of Paul were accepted, but there were some uncertainties about the general epistles.
the acceptance of the New Testament was by consensus, not dictated by an official authority.
In AD 367 the first historical list of all 27 New Testament books were listed in 39th Festal Letter by Athanasius bishop of Alexandria. The quote below were taken from this article in Christianity Today:
QUOTE
Athanasius wrote the list to end disputes about such texts as "The Shepherd of Hermas" or "The Epistle of Barnabas" which long had been regarded as equal to the apostolic letters. He also silenced those who had questioned the apostolic authenticity of Peter’s letters or the Book of Revelation. Athanasius states that "in these [27 writings] alone the teaching of godliness is proclaimed. No one may add to them, and nothing may be taken away from them."
UNQUOTE
Do We Have the Right Books in the Bible? | Grace Communion International
367 Athanasius Defines the New Testament | Christian History
The Case for the Eyewitness Status of the Gospel Authors | Cold Case Christianity
The Apostles Wrote the Gospels as Eyewitness Accounts | Cold Case Christianity
How Can the Gospels Be Eyewitness Accounts If They Include Things the Writers Didn't See? | Cold Case Christianity
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
The Canonisation Process
The Bible is our final authority. But how can we be sure that all the books that are supposed to form the Bible is in the Bible? Who decides what goes into the Bible?
Divine perspective:
The short answer is God.
God, acting through human agencies, wrote the books that made up the Bible.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)
First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21 HCSB)
Human perspective:
The short answer is no one.
Canonization is a process. While the Bible is canonized, the history of the process of canonization is not canonized. There is no authorized record of how the books got into the Bible, just various historical records on how the Old and New Testaments were canonized.
Divine perspective:
The short answer is God.
God, acting through human agencies, wrote the books that made up the Bible.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)
First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21 HCSB)
Human perspective:
The short answer is no one.
Canonization is a process. While the Bible is canonized, the history of the process of canonization is not canonized. There is no authorized record of how the books got into the Bible, just various historical records on how the Old and New Testaments were canonized.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Old Testament Canonisation
The Torah is canonised by Moses.
Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. (Deuteronomy 31:9 ESV)
It was recognized as scripture by his successors.
And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. (Joshua 8:32 ESV)
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. (2 Kings 22:8 ESV)
Some process of canonisation may have occurred before the final canonisation of the entire Old Testament by Ezra.
David might have canonised some psalms.
This collection of the prayers of David son of Jesse ends here. (Psalm 72:20 NET)
Some canonisation of Old Testament may have occurred during the reign of Hezekiah by "the men of Hezekiah".
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. (Proverbs 25:1 ESV)
There is a "the book of the LORD" in the time of Isaiah, but the contents of this book are not identified.
Seek and read from the book of the LORD: Not one of these shall be missing; none shall be without her mate. For the mouth of the LORD has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them. (Isaiah 34:16 ESV)
Jeremiah quote from Micah.
And certain of the elders of the land arose and spoke to all the assembled people, saying, "Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "'Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.' Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster upon ourselves." (Jeremiah 26:17-19 ESV)
Daniel also understood from some books about the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet.
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans - in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. (Daniel 9:1-2 ESV)
Zechariah quoted from some former prophets.
Should you not have obeyed the words that the LORD cried out through the former prophets when Jerusalem was peacefully inhabited and her surrounding cities, the Negev, and the Shephelah were also populated? (Zechariah 7:7 NET)
"Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the former prophets called out, saying, 'The Lord who rules over all says, "Turn now from your evil wickedness,"' but they would by no means obey me," says the Lord. "As for your ancestors, where are they? And did the prophets live forever? But have my words and statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, not outlived your fathers? Then they paid attention and confessed, 'The Lord who rules over all has indeed done what he said he would do to us, because of our sinful ways.'" (Zechariah 1:4-6 NET)
The Old Testament refers to many non-Biblical sources, but they are not part of the scriptures:
The Book of the Wars of the Lord (Numbers 21:14)
The Book of Jasher (Joshua 10:13; 2 Samuel 1:18)
The Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:14)
The book of Nathan the Prophet (1 Chronicles 29:29)
The Book of Gad the Seer (1 Chronicles 29:29
The Prophecy of Ahijah the Shiloite (2 Chronicles 9:29
The Visions of Iddo the Seer (2 Chronicles 9:29)
The Book of Shemiah the Prophet (2 Chronicles 12:15)
The Book of Jehu the Son of Hanani (2 Chronicles 20:34)
The Sayings of Hosai (2 Chronicles 33:19)
Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. (Deuteronomy 31:9 ESV)
It was recognized as scripture by his successors.
And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. (Joshua 8:32 ESV)
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. (2 Kings 22:8 ESV)
Some process of canonisation may have occurred before the final canonisation of the entire Old Testament by Ezra.
David might have canonised some psalms.
This collection of the prayers of David son of Jesse ends here. (Psalm 72:20 NET)
Some canonisation of Old Testament may have occurred during the reign of Hezekiah by "the men of Hezekiah".
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. (Proverbs 25:1 ESV)
There is a "the book of the LORD" in the time of Isaiah, but the contents of this book are not identified.
Seek and read from the book of the LORD: Not one of these shall be missing; none shall be without her mate. For the mouth of the LORD has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them. (Isaiah 34:16 ESV)
Jeremiah quote from Micah.
And certain of the elders of the land arose and spoke to all the assembled people, saying, "Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "'Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.' Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster that he had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great disaster upon ourselves." (Jeremiah 26:17-19 ESV)
Daniel also understood from some books about the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet.
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans - in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. (Daniel 9:1-2 ESV)
Zechariah quoted from some former prophets.
Should you not have obeyed the words that the LORD cried out through the former prophets when Jerusalem was peacefully inhabited and her surrounding cities, the Negev, and the Shephelah were also populated? (Zechariah 7:7 NET)
"Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the former prophets called out, saying, 'The Lord who rules over all says, "Turn now from your evil wickedness,"' but they would by no means obey me," says the Lord. "As for your ancestors, where are they? And did the prophets live forever? But have my words and statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, not outlived your fathers? Then they paid attention and confessed, 'The Lord who rules over all has indeed done what he said he would do to us, because of our sinful ways.'" (Zechariah 1:4-6 NET)
The Old Testament refers to many non-Biblical sources, but they are not part of the scriptures:
The Book of the Wars of the Lord (Numbers 21:14)
The Book of Jasher (Joshua 10:13; 2 Samuel 1:18)
The Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:14)
The book of Nathan the Prophet (1 Chronicles 29:29)
The Book of Gad the Seer (1 Chronicles 29:29
The Prophecy of Ahijah the Shiloite (2 Chronicles 9:29
The Visions of Iddo the Seer (2 Chronicles 9:29)
The Book of Shemiah the Prophet (2 Chronicles 12:15)
The Book of Jehu the Son of Hanani (2 Chronicles 20:34)
The Sayings of Hosai (2 Chronicles 33:19)
Monday, June 4, 2012
The Prophets
"The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. This is what you requested from the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, 'Let us not continue to hear the voice of the Lord our God or see this great fire any longer, so that we will not die!' Then the Lord said to me, 'They have spoken well. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. I will hold accountable whoever does not listen to My words that he speaks in My name. But the prophet who dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die.' You may say to yourself, 'How can we recognize a message the Lord has not spoken?' When a prophet speaks in the Lord's name, and the message does not come true or is not fulfilled, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:15-22 HCSB)
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans - in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. (Daniel 9:1-2 ESV)
How the rest of the Old Testament, the Prophets and the Writings were canonized were obscure. Daniel the Prophet referred to a collection of books (Daniel 9:1-2). According to Jewish tradition, the entire Old Testament was canonized by the Great Synagogue, led by Ezra the Scribe.
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans - in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. (Daniel 9:1-2 ESV)
How the rest of the Old Testament, the Prophets and the Writings were canonized were obscure. Daniel the Prophet referred to a collection of books (Daniel 9:1-2). According to Jewish tradition, the entire Old Testament was canonized by the Great Synagogue, led by Ezra the Scribe.
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Story of Four Collections of Books
I would like to tell the story of four collections of books.
The first collection is of five books called the Law, written by Moses. The Samaritans, the Jew and the Christians regard this collection as holy books. The first prophecy of God was found in the Law. God promised the serpent that the Seed of the woman will bruise his head (Genesis 3:15).
The next collection of books is called the Prophets. It is a compilation of books written by various prophets. The Jews and Christians recognized this as part of their holy books. The prophecy of the Seed of the woman is now clearer. A virgin shall give birth (Isaiah 7:14). Now we know why it is the Seed of the woman and not of the man.
The third collect of books is the New Testament. Written by the Apostles and followers of Jesus Christ, it is recognized as part of their holy books by the Christians. The prophecy of the Seed of the woman is now fulfilled (Luke 1:26-38).
The final collection contains only one book, the Koran, which is supposed to be God's message to one prophet, Muhammed. It is only recognized by the Muslims.
The first collection is of five books called the Law, written by Moses. The Samaritans, the Jew and the Christians regard this collection as holy books. The first prophecy of God was found in the Law. God promised the serpent that the Seed of the woman will bruise his head (Genesis 3:15).
The next collection of books is called the Prophets. It is a compilation of books written by various prophets. The Jews and Christians recognized this as part of their holy books. The prophecy of the Seed of the woman is now clearer. A virgin shall give birth (Isaiah 7:14). Now we know why it is the Seed of the woman and not of the man.
The third collect of books is the New Testament. Written by the Apostles and followers of Jesus Christ, it is recognized as part of their holy books by the Christians. The prophecy of the Seed of the woman is now fulfilled (Luke 1:26-38).
The final collection contains only one book, the Koran, which is supposed to be God's message to one prophet, Muhammed. It is only recognized by the Muslims.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Religions of the God of Abraham
Samaritans
The Samaritans accepted only the Torah (i.e. the Pentateuch of Moses). They refused to accept the rest of the Tanakh (i.e. the Prophets), which generally spoke highly of Jerusalem. They insisted the temple was to be at Mount Gerizim in Samaria, not Jerusalem. In Deuteronomy 34:10, the Torah wrote "there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses". But in the Samaritan version, it is written as "there will not arise again", implying that Moses was the only Prophet. However, they were waiting for the Prophet prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18 (John 4:25). The Samaritans recognized neither the Temple at Jerusalem nor the Davidic Dynasty.
Jews
The Jews accepted the Torah and the Prophets. In the Prophets, God promised King David a descendant shall build a house for God and his throne shall last forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16, 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, Psalm 89:3-4). This promise was immediately fulfilled in part by King Solomon. But the Jews are still waiting for David's greater Son, the Messiah.
Christians
The Christians accepted the Law, the Prophets and the Gospel. They believed that Jesus is the Prophet prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18 and the Son of David, the Messiah.
Muslims
The Muslims believed that God spoke to Muhammed. But unfortunately, God no longer seem to refer to all the earlier promises found in the Law, the Prophets and the Gospel. The Koran stands alone, completely different from the other revelations of God.
The Samaritans accepted only the Torah (i.e. the Pentateuch of Moses). They refused to accept the rest of the Tanakh (i.e. the Prophets), which generally spoke highly of Jerusalem. They insisted the temple was to be at Mount Gerizim in Samaria, not Jerusalem. In Deuteronomy 34:10, the Torah wrote "there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses". But in the Samaritan version, it is written as "there will not arise again", implying that Moses was the only Prophet. However, they were waiting for the Prophet prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18 (John 4:25). The Samaritans recognized neither the Temple at Jerusalem nor the Davidic Dynasty.
Jews
The Jews accepted the Torah and the Prophets. In the Prophets, God promised King David a descendant shall build a house for God and his throne shall last forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16, 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, Psalm 89:3-4). This promise was immediately fulfilled in part by King Solomon. But the Jews are still waiting for David's greater Son, the Messiah.
Christians
The Christians accepted the Law, the Prophets and the Gospel. They believed that Jesus is the Prophet prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18 and the Son of David, the Messiah.
Muslims
The Muslims believed that God spoke to Muhammed. But unfortunately, God no longer seem to refer to all the earlier promises found in the Law, the Prophets and the Gospel. The Koran stands alone, completely different from the other revelations of God.
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