Which books do not belong in the Bible, and why?

Not every ancient religious book is part of the Bible. The biblical canon is the collection of books recognised by God’s people as God-breathed Scripture. Other ancient writings may be useful for history, but they do not carry the same authority.

What does “canon” mean?

The word “canon” means a rule or measuring standard. When we speak of the canon of Scripture, we mean the books that belong to the Bible and serve as the supreme rule for the faith and life of the church.

A book does not become inspired because a later church council placed it on a list. It is God’s Word because God spoke through its author. The church does not create the canon; it recognises the books God has given.

What are the Old Testament Apocrypha?

They commonly include Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and additions to Esther and Daniel. Lists differ between church traditions. The Roman Catholic Church calls them deuterocanonical; Orthodox editions may call them non-canonical or deuterocanonical; Protestants commonly call them the Apocrypha.

These books contain valuable information about the history and religious life between the Old and New Testaments. First Maccabees, for example, is an important historical source. They can be useful to read, but binding Christian doctrine should not be built upon them.

Why do Reformation churches not receive them as Scripture?

The Reformation position follows the Jewish canon of the Old Testament. The apocryphal books were not part of that canon and were not received with equal agreement in the early church. Some church fathers read them respectfully while distinguishing them from the books used to establish doctrine.

It is therefore inaccurate to say that the Reformation simply removed books from the Bible. The Reformers restored an older distinction between inspired books and other useful religious writings.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”2 Timothy 3:16

Are there lost books of the Bible?

No. Ancient books are mentioned in the Bible, and many religious works survive from biblical times, but that does not mean they were ever part of Scripture. God has not lost any portion of the Word He intended to give His people.

What about the Gospel of Thomas and similar books?

The Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Judas, Gospel of Peter and similar works were written later than the New Testament books. They bear apostolic names but were not written by the apostles. Many reflect Gnostic ideas and conflict with the apostolic witness about Christ, creation and salvation.

These works can help us understand errors that arose in the early centuries, but they do not provide an earlier or more reliable picture of Jesus than the four biblical Gospels.

How was the New Testament recognised?

Already in the first century, apostolic writings were read in churches and received as authoritative. Important marks included their connection with the apostles, agreement with the faith already delivered and broad reception among the churches.

Later councils did not give these books their authority; they publicly confirmed what churches had already recognised. Our confidence rests in God’s work: He inspired His Word and, by the Holy Spirit, preserved and testified to it among His people.

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