A list of inspired and non-inspired books mentioned in the Bible that are not part of our canon.

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Jun 20, 2022
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#21
I have read (listened) to the Books of Enoch recently.

Definitely not necessary reading to gain an understanding of the Gospel, but does contain much prophecy that lines up with the Canonical Bible. Jude did indeed quote from the book (not just the man.)

Lots of dire warnings to sinners towards the end of the Book (books - there are six).
It prophecies of both the Flood and the Latter-Day judgements. It appears that Enoch was give foreknowledge of his translation and given just enough time to record God's message. Much was addressed to Methuselah and Noah is mentioned.
Jesus quoted Enoch as did Peter and Paul.

It's no big mystery when you research the Ancient Hebrew history. Even the Bible in the Hebrew Tanakh is broken down beyond Law, Prophet's, and Psalms. It's literally broken down from Adam to Noah's Flood, Noah's Flood to Tower of Babel (I've attached Deaut 32 showing God separation the nation's). Then from then to 1st Temple period, and to its destruction until 2nd Temple period, which brings us to the New Testament.

But during each time period you see what influenced the Jews and all mankind.

But by the time Jesus arrived and His ascension into the Apostles, we see the Oral Traditions of Enoch were well mixed into the Jewish culture.

This is why it's not a shocker to see Peter, Paul and Jude use it in their own writings.

Which leads to a bigger question:

If Enoch is not Inspired then how is it Inspired when Peter, Paul, and Jude use it?
 

Attachments

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
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#22
1 and 2 Maccabees as well.
I always wondered why Hanakkuh wasn't in the OT. I wondered why it was a Jewish holiday.

Then I inherited my Grandma's bible and she went to RCC. I read through the apocrypha and it was in one of the Maccabees.


It was a celebration for rebelling against Rome. Although the rebellion was quelled very quickly.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
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#23
yeah a lot of people would and others would think it’s genuine that’s sort of the thing if i reject something , that isn’t the defining factor whether it’s true or not

aim wondering who gets to define which ancient writings purporting to be of God are genuine and which aren’t ?

that’s why I personally stick to the Bible because of the harmony, but there’s alot of interesting reading out there also for people to consider and either reject or believe

also a lot of writings pertaining to the history of Israel are interesting
Easy to know which letters are included and which are rejected.

Paul's letters were distributed across all the churches. Never a question of the canonicity of Paul's letters. Even Peter deferred to Paul's apostleship regarding Paul's letters.

Whatever letters flowed through the early churches that mentioned Jesus often, were usually from the apostles.

That is a good way to discern the difference between letters that were canon, and the rest of the letters.

Afterall, the scripture is the revelation of the Christ, it's all about Jesus.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
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#24
I always wondered why Hanakkuh wasn't in the OT. I wondered why it was a Jewish holiday.

Then I inherited my Grandma's bible and she went to RCC. I read through the apocrypha and it was in one of the Maccabees.


It was a celebration for rebelling against Rome. Although the rebellion was quelled very quickly.
One Maccabees should be in the Old Testament, no question about that.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#26
Easy to know which letters are included and which are rejected.

Paul's letters were distributed across all the churches. Never a question of the canonicity of Paul's letters. Even Peter deferred to Paul's apostleship regarding Paul's letters.

Whatever letters flowed through the early churches that mentioned Jesus often, were usually from the apostles.

That is a good way to discern the difference between letters that were canon, and the rest of the letters.

Afterall, the scripture is the revelation of the Christ, it's all about Jesus.
“Paul's letters were distributed across all the churches. Never a question of the canonicity of Paul's letters. Even Peter deferred to Paul's apostleship regarding Paul's letters.”

the four gospels , and all the New Testament epistles were

any point is for instance how do we know the many other early church writings were or weren’t circulated among the church also

pauls epistles are no different oeter actually warns people that Paul’s epistles are difficult to understand and also easily distorted by false teachers

she approves certainly of Paul’s apostleship and his epistles but he is t deferring anything

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:15-18‬

oeter of course agrees that Paul is legitimate but he’s doing so with a warning that his epistles are complex and easily distorted

all of these men were the chosen witnesses of Jesus Christ and the gospel that’s what apostles are sent messengers and witnesses of Jesus those he called and made able like Peter , John , James , Paul , Matthew

thier writings all work together to speak one consistent clear message of salvation by the grace and through the faith of Jesus Christ given to those who hear the gospel and believe

it all works together oeter and Paul are brothers in Christ speaking to the only church there is the body of every believer whether Jew or gentile

a there’s also a pretty logical reason we have the canon we do when we realize it’s God who actually put the Bible together and caused it to be avaialabke to anyone who wants to hear it

there are no doubt many writings we don’t have because they were destroyed when Jerusalem was sacked and burned to the ground and destroyed by Rome but Gods message in the Bible is complete and nothing is in there that shouldn’t be and what we need to know is there
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
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#28
“Paul's letters were distributed across all the churches. Never a question of the canonicity of Paul's letters. Even Peter deferred to Paul's apostleship regarding Paul's letters.”

the four gospels , and all the New Testament epistles were

any point is for instance how do we know the many other early church writings were or weren’t circulated among the church also

pauls epistles are no different oeter actually warns people that Paul’s epistles are difficult to understand and also easily distorted by false teachers

she approves certainly of Paul’s apostleship and his epistles but he is t deferring anything

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:15-18‬

oeter of course agrees that Paul is legitimate but he’s doing so with a warning that his epistles are complex and easily distorted

all of these men were the chosen witnesses of Jesus Christ and the gospel that’s what apostles are sent messengers and witnesses of Jesus those he called and made able like Peter , John , James , Paul , Matthew

thier writings all work together to speak one consistent clear message of salvation by the grace and through the faith of Jesus Christ given to those who hear the gospel and believe

it all works together oeter and Paul are brothers in Christ speaking to the only church there is the body of every believer whether Jew or gentile

a there’s also a pretty logical reason we have the canon we do when we realize it’s God who actually put the Bible together and caused it to be avaialabke to anyone who wants to hear it

there are no doubt many writings we don’t have because they were destroyed when Jerusalem was sacked and burned to the ground and destroyed by Rome but Gods message in the Bible is complete and nothing is in there that shouldn’t be and what we need to know is there
Peter was an apostle to the Jews and Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles.
 
Jan 14, 2021
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#30
Peter was an apostle to the Jews and Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles.
They were both apostles. Period. Each had different focuses but they did not deal with exclusively Gentile converts or exclusively Jewish converts.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#31

2 Peter 3:17b plus Titus 1:10-11
:)
preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

For ( because ) the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:1-


“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#32
They were both apostles. Period. Each had different focuses but they did not deal with exclusively Gentile converts or exclusively Jewish converts.
amen

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:26-29‬ ‭
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#33
Introduction:
1. There are quite a few inspired books referenced in the Bible that we do not possess today because the Holy Spirit realized we did not need them as part of the canon.
2. There are also a number of uninspired books references or even quoted in the Bible.

I. Uninspired civil and historical record books mentioned or quoted in the Bible:

  1. The Book of Wars of the Lord: "Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord," Num. 21:14
  2. The Book of Jasher: "So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day." Joshua 10:13
  3. The annals of Jehu: "Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first to last, behold, they are written in the annals of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel." 2 Chronicles 20:34
  4. The treatise of the book of the Kings: "As to his sons and the many oracles against him and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the treatise of the Book of the Kings. Then Amaziah his son became king in his place." 2 Chronicles 24:27
  5. The record book of records, Book of the Chronicles of Ahasuerus: "Now when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king's presence." ... "During that night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king." Esther 2:23; 6:1
  6. The Acts of Solomon: "Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and whatever he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?" 1 Kings 11:41
  7. The Sayings of Hozai: "His prayer also and how God was entreated by him, and all his sin, his unfaithfulness, and the sites on which he built high places and erected the Asherim and the carved images, before he humbled himself, behold, they are written in the records of the Hozai." 2 Chronicles 33:19
  8. The Chronicles of David: "Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to count them, but did not finish; and because of this, wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not included in the account of the chronicles of King David." 1 Chronicles 27:24
  9. Jude quotes from two uninspired books that were widely read during the first century:
    1. Testament of Moses: in Jude 9

  • i. "But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”" (Jude 9)
  • ii. The Testament of Moses was written about 10 AD and it Correctly predicted Jesus would come in 29 AD based upon the chronology of the Septuagint (LXX) and the prophecies of Dan 9:24 (70 weeks = 490 years) and Dan 2 that the kingdom of God would come during the 4th (Roman) empire.
  • iii. The Testament of Moses, also known as the Assumption of Moses, is not inspired.

    1. The book of Enoch: in Jude 14

  • iv. Enoch lived before the flood but the book of Enoch dates to about 150 BC and many fragments of the book have been discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
  • v. "It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones"" Jude 14, see also Gen 5:18, 21ff
  • vi. It is important to differentiate between that man Enoch the prophet and the uninspired pseudepigraphal book of Enoch of 150 BC.

II. Bible quotations of oral prophecies by inspired prophets, for which we have no other record:

  • 1. The prophet Enoch:
  • a. Enoch lived before the flood but the book of Enoch dates to about 150 BC and many fragments of the book have been discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
  • b. "It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones"" Jude 14, see also Gen 5:18, 21ff
  • c. It is important to differentiate between that man Enoch the prophet and the uninspired pseudepigraphal book of Enoch of 150 BC.
  • d. The oral or written prophecies of Enoch who lived before the flood must have been recorded by a later prophet of the Bible and the information passed into oral tradition.
  • e. It is very unlikely if not impossible to think that Enoch’s oral or prophecies from before the flood survived down to the first century.

III. Inspired books mentioned in the Bible that are not part of our canon:
  1. The Chronicles of Samuel, Nathan, Gad: "Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet and in the chronicles of Gad the seer" 1 Chronicles 29:29
  2. Samuels book: "Then Samuel told the people the ordinances of the kingdom, and wrote them in the book and placed it before the Lord." 1 Samuel 10:25
  3. The records of Nathan the prophet: "Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the records of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?" 2 Chronicles 9:29
  4. The Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite: "Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the records of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?" 2 Chronicles 9:29
  5. The Treatise of the Prophet Iddo: "Now the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways and his words are written in the treatise of the prophet Iddo." 2 Chronicles 13:22
  6. Paul's inspired letter to the church at Laodicea: "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea." Colossians 4:16 (Since three early manuscripts do not contain the words "at Ephesus" in Eph 1:1, some have speculated that the letter coming from Laodicea was in fact the letter of Ephesians. Apostolic Fathers also debated this possibility.)
  7. Paul's first letter to Corinth, that predated the present "1 Corinthians"? "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people" (1 Corinthians 5:9) (This could merely be a reference to the present letter of 1 Corinthians.)

IV. Genuine divine books mentioned in the Bible located in the heavens:

  1. The Book of Remembrance: "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name." Malachi 3:16
  2. The Book of Life: Dan. 12:1; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 20:12; 22:19
  3. The Book of Judgment: Dan. 7:10; Rev. 20:12
  4. The book with seven seals: "I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals." Revelation 5:1
  5. Book in angel's hand: Then the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, "Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land." Revelation 10:8

V. Bible quotations of secular, uninspired writings:

  1. Uninspired Athenian poet: "for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'" Acts 17:28

By Steve Rudd:​
I have a question. Is this post claiming that if a writer has a book confirmed as scripture that all that is written by that writer also must rise to the level of scripture? And further, if a mention is made of a book in scripture that that work is necessarily inspired as well?
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#34
Is this an attempt to say the canon of scripture is insufficient or wrong?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#35
Peter was an apostle to the Jews and Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles.
for the practical reason that the eleven were remaining in Jerusalem and Paul was a Roman citizen who had a passion for preaching to gentiles

The message is absolutely the same because believers aren’t Jew or gentile.

sits erroneous to think Paul didn’t preach to Jews or Peter didn’t preach to gentiles Peter converted gentiles and Paul converted Jews also

a Paul was already hated so bad by the Jews that he wasn’t safe in Jerusalem after he escaped with his life he stayed away mostly and had been born a Roman citizen which gave him many freedoms to preach among gentiles that non citizens didn’t have

Good example is his appeal to ceasar non citizens couldn’t do that so it was very practical that Paul lead the gentile ministry the message is no different in any way is the point

a Peter and Paul were Writing to the same churches that contained former Jews and gentiles here’s proof

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:15-16‬ ‭

Peter is addressing the Roman’s epistle written to the church at rome who Paul had never met yet heres peters second epistle saying to the same group that Paul also is Writing epistles to them

here is Peter converting gentiles

“And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:39-40, 42-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬


And paul preaching the gospel to Jews

“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that

Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; And seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes have they closed; Lest they should see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should be converted, And I should heal them.( same thing Jesus said to them )


Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.


(this is who paul and all the apostles preached to )


And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:23-31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Anyone willing to believe the gospel should hear any apostles words and believe Jew and gentile is a thing of the past and an irrelevant matter in Christ

practically it made sense for Paul to stay away from Jerusalem and go out it inter areas around where most gentiles were it doesn’t mean Paul invented his own message for gentiles or Jews it’s the same message and gospel that will save any one willing to hear and believe
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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#36
The text actually says, some things are hard to understand. Not all Paul's letters are hard to understand.
Yes, I know :)2 Peter‬ ‭3:18~

Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable
people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
 
Mar 4, 2020
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#39
Isn't there also other books, such as the gospel of the cross, where the cross actually starts speaking and the gospel of Thomas plus others?

I think these get put in the 'nostic' gospels.


They are written long after the events and people they are about, are not eye witness testimony and have exaggeration and myth.
If I remember correctly the talking cross is from a “gnostic gospel” known as the gospel of Peter.