1.2 Holy Scripture

1.2.1 Content and structure of Holy Scripture
The Bible is comprised of two main parts: the Old Testament and the New
Testament. The term “Testament” derives from the promise of the “new
covenant” recorded in Jeremiah 31: 31–341. While the writings of the Old
Testament refer to the covenant that God made with Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, as well as with Moses, the writings of the New Testament testify of the
new covenant, which God initiated with the sending of His Son.
Both the Old and New Testaments testify of God’s plan of salvation for
mankind and are thus linked to one another. The designation “Bible” for the
Old and New Testament has already been in use since the ninth century.

1.2.2 The Old Testament
The Old Testament contains accounts of the creation, individual events from
the time after the fall into sin, as well as the origin and history of the people
of Israel. Beyond that, it contains works of Judaic wisdom literature, the
Psalter as Israel’s book of hymns and prayers, as well as books that bear wit-
ness of the words and activities of the prophets of God.
1 The Hebrew term berit, which means “covenant”, is rendered as diatheke in the Greek trans-
lation of the Bible. This Greek term has the double meaning of “covenant” and “testament”.
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1.2.2.1 The origin of the Old Testament canon
The term “canon” (meaning “standard” or “guideline” in English), which was
borrowed from the Greek language, is used to describe the collection of holy
writings that have been binding on all Christendom since the middle of the
fourth century.
The Christian canon of the Old Testament is based on the Hebrew canon
of Judaism. Even by the time of Jesus and the early Apostles, Judaism did not
yet have a firmly defined canon. Although there was a basic collection of holy
writings (the Torah, the books of the prophets, and the Psalms), there were
also other books which were accepted as holy by some Judaic groups but re-
jected by others. The scope of the Hebrew canon was conclusively defined by
the end of the first century AD.
At that point in time, the Christian canon of the Old Testament was far
from complete.
To this day there is no uniform canon of the Old Testament that is binding
on all Christian churches.
1.2.2.2 The books of the Old Testament
In the New King James Version of the Bible used in the English-speaking
world, the Old Testament can be divided into three groups: historical books,
doctrinal books, and prophetical books.
The seventeen historical books are:
The five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy)
The book of Joshua
The book of Judges
The book of Ruth
The two books of Samuel
The two books of the Kings
The two books of the Chronicles
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1.2.2.1 The origin of the Old Testament canon
The term “canon” (meaning “standard” or “guideline” in English), which was
borrowed from the Greek language, is used to describe the collection of holy
writings that have been binding on all Christendom since the middle of the
fourth century.
The Christian canon of the Old Testament is based on the Hebrew canon
of Judaism. Even by the time of Jesus and the early Apostles, Judaism did not
yet have a firmly defined canon. Although there was a basic collection of holy
writings (the Torah, the books of the prophets, and the Psalms), there were
also other books which were accepted as holy by some Judaic groups but re-
jected by others. The scope of the Hebrew canon was conclusively defined by
the end of the first century AD.
At that point in time, the Christian canon of the Old Testament was far
from complete.
To this day there is no uniform canon of the Old Testament that is binding
on all Christian churches.

1.2.2.2 The books of the Old Testament
In the New King James Version of the Bible used in the English-speaking
world, the Old Testament can be divided into three groups: historical books,
doctrinal books, and prophetical books.
The seventeen historical books are:
The five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy)
The book of Joshua
The book of Judges
The book of Ruth
The two books of Samuel
The two books of the Kings
The two books of the Chronicles
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1.2.3 The later writings of the Old Testament
The later writings of the Old Testament contained in many editions of the
Bible are also known as “Apocrypha” (“hidden Scriptures”). These are Judaic
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1 The revelations of God
writings that came into being between the third and first centuries BC. In
terms of content, they constitute an important binding agent between the Old
and New Testaments. Important convictions of faith of the New Testament
are foreshadowed in these writings. In the New Apostolic Church these later
writings of the Old Testament are just as binding for faith and doctrine as all
other writings of the Old Testament canon.
Those English-language editions of the Bible that contain the Apocrypha
generally place these books between the Old and New Testaments.
The fifteen Apocryphal books are:
The two books of Esdras
Tobit
Judith
The rest of Esther
The Wisdom of Solomon
Ecclesiasticus
Baruch
The Song of the Three Holy Children
The History of Susanna
Bel and the Dragon
The Prayer of Manasses
The three books of the Maccabees2

1.2.4 The New Testament
The New Testament contains the records of the mission and activity of Jesus
and His Apostles handed down in the gospels and the Acts. Letters from the
Apostles to the congregations and individuals provide insight into the congre-
gational life and missionary activity in the early Christian period. These let-
2 Some English-language publications of the Bible include three books of the Maccabees, how-
ever, the third book is widely considered non-canonical.
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1.2.4.1 The origin of the New Testament canon
For the early Christian congregation, today’s Old Testament comprised the
actual Bible. In addition, the recorded “words of the Lord” (logia) soon came
to be accorded special regard. The logia were at first passed on verbally. Even
before any accounts of Jesus’ activity were ever recorded in writing, the con-
gregations had various creeds and hymns in which the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ were professed. These also found their way into the writings of
the Apostles.
The oldest early Christian writings handed down to us are the letters of
Apostle Paul. These were read aloud in the divine services and then passed
along to neighbouring congregations.
After the epistles of Paul, the gospel of Mark is the oldest written testi-
mony of Christian belief. The content and structure of the gospels according
to Matthew and Luke are closely related to it.
In order to preserve the apostolic tradition, pass along its teachings, and
distinguish it from false doctrines, it became necessary to prepare a collection
of New Testament writings that would be binding upon the church. An Easter
letter from Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria dating from the year AD 367 lists
all 27 writings of the New Testament as binding. This canon was ultimately
ratified by the synods of Hippo Regius (AD 393) and Carthage (AD 397).
The Old and New Testament canons did not come into being on account
of human contemplations alone, but most of all through the will of God.
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1.2.4.2 The books of the New Testament
In the New King James Version of the Bible the New Testament can be di-
vided into the same categories as the Old Testament.
The five historical books are:
The gospel according to Matthew
The gospel according to Mark
The gospel according to Luke
The gospel according to John
The Acts of the Apostles
The 21 doctrinal books are:
The epistle of Paul to the Romans
The two epistles of Paul to the Corinthians
The epistle of Paul to the Galatians
The epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
The epistle of Paul to the Philippians
The epistle of Paul to the Colossians
The two epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians
The two epistles of Paul to Timothy
The epistle of Paul to Titus
The epistle of Paul to Philemon
The epistle to the Hebrews
The epistle of James
The two epistles of Peter
The three epistles of John
The epistle of Jude
The prophetical book is:
The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Apocalypse)
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1.2.5 The significance of Holy Scripture for doctrine and faith
Holy Scripture is the foundation for the doctrine of the New Apostolic
Church.
Accordingly, the proclamation of the word in the divine services is also
based on Holy Scripture. It is the starting point, and foundation for, the ser-
mon (see 12.1.6).
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1.2.5.1
Interpretation of Holy Scripture through the Holy Spirit
The correct understanding of Holy Scripture, which came into being through
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, can only be unlocked by the same Spirit.
God’s will—and thus also the Holy Scripture given by Him—can only
be opened up in all
its depth through the activity of the Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 2: 10–12).
As
“servants of Christ and stewards of
the mysteries of God”
(1 Corinthians 4: 1), the Apostles of Jesus are also commissioned to interpret
Holy Scripture. They can only do this through the Holy Spirit.
1.2.5.2
Jesus Christ—the centre of Scripture
According to Christian understanding, the principal aim of the Old Testa-
ment is to prepare the way for the arrival of the Messiah and to testify of
Him. Jesus Himself emphasised this (John 5: 39; Luke 4: 17–21; 24: 27). He
interpreted the Scriptures for His disciples in relationship to His activity.
Concerning this He made the statement: “These are the words which I spoke
to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were
written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning
Me” (Luke 24: 44). Accordingly, the Old Testament must be interpreted on
the basis of the Son of God. The old covenant is fulfilled in Christ. The incar-
nation of the Son of God is the most important self-revelation of God and is
the centre of the entire history of salvation. This reality is brought to expres-
sion in the statement: “Jesus Christ is the centre of the Scripture.”
The significance for faith and doctrine of any statements made in the
individual books of the Old Testament—or in the later writings of the Old
Testament—can be determined by the agreement of their contents with that
which the gospel teaches.
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1.2.5.1
Interpretation of Holy Scripture through the Holy Spirit
The correct understanding of Holy Scripture, which came into being through
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, can only be unlocked by the same Spirit.
God’s will—and thus also the Holy Scripture given by Him—can only
be opened up in all
its depth through the activity of the Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 2: 10–12).
As
“servants of Christ and stewards of
the mysteries of God”
(1 Corinthians 4: 1), the Apostles of Jesus are also commissioned to interpret
Holy Scripture. They can only do this through the Holy Spirit.

1.2.5.2
Jesus Christ—the centre of Scripture
According to Christian understanding, the principal aim of the Old Testa-
ment is to prepare the way for the arrival of the Messiah and to testify of
Him. Jesus Himself emphasised this (John 5: 39; Luke 4: 17–21; 24: 27). He
interpreted the Scriptures for His disciples in relationship to His activity.
Concerning this He made the statement: “These are the words which I spoke
to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were
written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning
Me” (Luke 24: 44). Accordingly, the Old Testament must be interpreted on
the basis of the Son of God. The old covenant is fulfilled in Christ. The incar-
nation of the Son of God is the most important self-revelation of God and is
the centre of the entire history of salvation. This reality is brought to expres-
sion in the statement: “Jesus Christ is the centre of the Scripture.”
The significance for faith and doctrine of any statements made in the
individual books of the Old Testament—or in the later writings of the Old
Testament—can be determined by the agreement of their contents with that
which the gospel teaches.
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1.2.5.3 Personal use of the Holy Scriptures
It is recommendable for every believer to read regularly from Holy Scripture,
as it comforts and edifies, provides orientation and admonition, and serves to
promote knowledge. The important thing in this process is the attitude of
heart with which the reader studies the Bible. The striving for the fear of God
and sanctification, together with sincere prayer for correct understanding, are
contributing factors for profitable reading of the Bible. Reading the Bible in-
tensively leads to a better understanding of the gospel. This in turn promotes
knowledge and reinforces certainty of faith.
SUMMARY
Holy Scripture is the basis for the doctrine of the New Apostolic Church.
(1.2.5)
The proper understanding of Holy Scripture can only be opened up in all its
depth through the activity of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles of Jesus also have
the commission to interpret Holy Scripture. They are only able to do this
through the Holy Spirit. (1.2.5.1)
Jesus Christ is the centre of Scripture. Thus even the significance of the Old
Testament writings is determined by their agreement with the teachings of
the gospel. (1.2.5.2)
Reading Holy Scripture offers believers comfort, edification, orientation, ad-
monition, and advancement in knowledge. (1.2.5.3)