Apostolic Recognition of New Testament Writings as Scripture

1. Introduction

While the New Testament canon as we know it was not finalised until the 4th century AD, there is strong evidence that early Christians, including apostles, began to recognise certain texts as Scripture during the first century. This article focuses on two core developments: whether Paul quoted the Gospels, and whether Peter affirmed Paul’s letters as Scripture.

2. Did Paul Quote the Gospels?

There is no direct citation of written Gospel texts in Paul’s epistles. However, Paul:

  • Frequently refers to oral traditions about Jesus (e.g., 1 Cor. 11:23–25, the Lord’s Supper).
  • Quotes sayings of Jesus that later appear in Luke (e.g., “the labourer is worthy of his wages” – 1 Tim. 5:18 // Luke 10:7).

In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul writes:

“The Scripture says… ‘You shall not muzzle an ox’ [Deut. 25:4] and ‘The labourer deserves his wages.’”

The first is from the Old Testament, the second from Jesus’ teaching recorded in Luke, suggesting that this saying—or even Luke’s Gospel itself—was already considered Scripture.

3. Did Peter Recognise Paul’s Letters as Scripture?

Yes. In 2 Peter 3:15–16, Peter explicitly affirms Paul’s letters as Scripture:

“…our beloved brother Paul… wrote to you… which the ignorant twist, as they do the other Scriptures.”

This statement:

  • Affirms that Paul’s letters were well known and circulated.
  • Equates their authority with that of the Old Testament Scriptures.
  • Reveals that by the late first century, a shift was occurring in the Church’s understanding of authoritative texts.

4. Implications for Canon Formation

This early recognition of apostolic writings as Scripture:

  • Laid the groundwork for the eventual New Testament canon.
  • Demonstrates the early Church’s sensitivity to apostolic authority and doctrinal integrity.
  • Shows that the concept of Scripture was expanding, not merely frozen in the Old Testament.

5. Conclusion

While Paul did not directly quote the Gospels and wrote before most were widely available, he preserved and transmitted Jesus’ teachings with apostolic authority. Peter’s affirmation of Paul’s epistles as Scripture is a decisive moment in early Christian theology, marking the emergence of the New Testament canon alongside the revered Old Testament.

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