Development of the New Testament canon facts for kids
The Christian Biblical canon is the official collection of books that make up the Bible for Christians. It's like a special list of books that are considered sacred and inspired by God.
At first, the early followers of Christianity used the Hebrew Bible (what Christians call the Old Testament). They often used a Greek translation called the Septuagint or Aramaic versions called the Targums.
The Apostles, who were Jesus's closest followers, didn't leave a clear list of new holy writings. However, Saint Peter wrote in one of his letters that he considered Paul's writings to be scripture. He said that some parts of Paul's letters were hard to understand, just like other scriptures (2 Peter 3:15-16). This shows that Paul's letters were already seen as important.
Over time, Christian leaders decided which books would be part of the New Testament. This collection, much like we have it today, was officially recognized by church leaders at a meeting called the Synod of Hippo in 393 AD. This was a big step in forming the Bible as we know it.
Contents
What is the Bible?
The Bible is a very old and important book for Christians. It is divided into two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Old Testament
The Old Testament contains books written before Jesus was born. These books tell stories about the creation of the world, the history of the Jewish people, laws, poems, and prophecies. Many of these books are also part of the Hebrew Bible.
The New Testament
The New Testament focuses on the life of Jesus Christ, his teachings, and the early Christian church. It includes the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which tell about Jesus's life. It also has letters written by apostles like Paul, and the book of Revelation.
How did the Bible become a fixed collection?
For a long time, there wasn't one single, agreed-upon list of Christian books. Different churches and communities used different writings.
Early Christian Writings
After Jesus, many letters and stories were written by his followers. These writings were shared among the early Christian communities. They helped people understand Jesus's teachings and how to live as Christians.
Why a Canon Was Needed
As Christianity grew, there were many different ideas and teachings. Church leaders wanted to make sure that people were following true teachings. Having a fixed list of books helped to define what Christians believed. It also helped to prevent confusion and false teachings.
Important Church Meetings
Church leaders held several important meetings, or "synods," to discuss which books should be included. They looked at how old the writings were and if they were written by an apostle or someone close to an apostle. They also considered if the books were widely accepted by different Christian communities.
The Synod of Hippo
One of the most important meetings was the Synod of Hippo in North Africa in 393 AD. At this meeting, church leaders agreed on a list of books for the New Testament. This list is very similar to the New Testament we have today.
The Council of Carthage
A few years later, in 397 AD, another meeting called the Council of Carthage confirmed the same list of books. These meetings helped to make the Christian Bible a standard collection for believers everywhere.
Why is the Canon important today?
The Christian Biblical canon is important because it provides a shared foundation for Christian faith. It helps Christians around the world understand their beliefs and history.
A Guide for Life
For Christians, the Bible is seen as a guide for how to live. It offers wisdom, comfort, and teachings about God and humanity.
Unity in Faith
Having a set canon helps bring Christians together. Even though there are many different Christian groups, they generally share the same Bible. This common book helps them connect and understand each other's faith.
See also
In Spanish: Desarrollo del canon del Nuevo Testamento para niños
