The Apocrypha
Are these hidden books of the Bible?
When I was twelve I purchased a book about “mysteries of the Bible” from a popular retail store. As soon as you put mystery in the title it implies something. The author apparently has the answer to something that has long been a secret. Our culture loves mysteries and especially conspiracy theories. For many years people have made claims that the church has covered up all kinds of secrets and kept some books of the Bible hidden. This is simply not true. What is true is that a Catholic Bible has more books in it than the Protestant Bible. What are theses books and why do they exist?
Start With Scripture
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book... ”
“You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.”
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
How did books get included in the Bible to start with?
Let’s look at the basic criteria for the books of the New Testament.
Written by an apostle or their associate
Widely circulated and accepted
Consistent with the rest of the Bible
Facts contained found to be truthful
Found useful in the church
So what about these “extra” books?
Simply put, the books of the apocrypha are books which do meet the criteria above. 2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us that we have to rightly handle the word of truth. We can’t mess around with this stuff. This is the complete Word of God. It is the final Word. It is sufficient. We don’t need anything else. The question is do you trust it? I’ve written in other articles that it is perfect, inerrant, truthful, historically accurate, trustworthy, written by men, inspired by God, consistent in it’s message and containing the power for salvation. Do you trust it?
If your faith is in Christ and you trust him then you can trust his Word. And you have the Holy Spirit in you to help you understand it and apply it to your life.
We live by the Word of God… Sola Scriptura… Scripture Alone.
This is what we need. Nothing more nothing less.
The enemy that wants you doubt this book. He wants you to question the Bible. He asks the same question over and over again… did God really say that?
The Bible calls him the father of lies. Jesus said this to him:
Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4