16. The Canon Not Determined by Any New Testament Writer

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 14
 
It does not appear from the New Testament that any of the writers held a commission to close the Christian canon 1 neither on the one hand, Paul-as would, independently of date, be very improperly inferred from Col. 1:2525Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; (Colossians 1:25)-nor on the other, John; though in his case there is more semblance of finality. (Rev. 22:18,1918For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18‑19).) We pass on to the generation of Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna, generally called " Apostolic Fathers," as being each a link between the apostles and those Christian leaders of later epochs, who have been dignified with the simpler title of " Fathers."
 
1. I To bear this in mind is essential to a profitable study of the Canon. It is in blessed keeping with God's ways, and bears upon what is called development