The Birth of the New Testament

1. Introduction The Greek term graphē (“Scripture”) occurs 51 times in the New Testament, always referencing sacred, authoritative writings. This article surveys its usage across the New Testament corpus, demonstrating its evolving application—from the Old Testament to emerging Christian writings—and its theological weight in apostolic thought. 2. Jesus and the…

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…

1. Introduction The Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, held a central place in the lives of Jews in the Hellenistic world and became the primary version of the Old Testament for the early Church. This article explores the origins, structure, theological use, and enduring impact of…

1. Introduction The phrase “It is written” (gegraptai) appears repeatedly in the New Testament, signalling an appeal to the authority and permanence of the Old Testament Scriptures. Early Christians, particularly the Gospel writers and apostles, did not merely cite Scripture—they interpreted it theologically, often Christologically, and sometimes typologically or allegorically.…

1. Introduction The New Testament canon, as recognised by the Church today, did not emerge instantaneously. Rather, it developed gradually through theological necessity, apostolic authority, ecclesial usage, and historical discernment. This article traces the process by which early Christian writings—initially circulated as letters and memoirs—came to be regarded as Scripture,…

1. Introduction Among the most significant declarations regarding the nature of Scripture in the New Testament is found in 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”This verse has become foundational in Christian doctrines of biblical inspiration, authority, and theological…

1. Introduction From the earliest days of the Church, the reading and exposition of Scripture formed the backbone of Christian worship. Inheriting the synagogue tradition, early Christians developed a liturgical pattern in which Scripture was read publicly, preached upon, and applied to the life of the community. This article explores…