Christian Church History Part 2

Lesson Outline for Jul 23, 2026

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Goal – To understand major events and people associated with the Bible development

• What allowed wider Bible distribution and reading?
• Who did Father God send to teach and guide us after Jesus ascension?

Hebrew and Greek Terms / Definitions

• apocrypha – “apokryphos” meaning hidden, obscure, dubious, secret; regarding Christian terminology “exists outside of scripture”
• vulgate – Latin “vulgatus” meaning “common” or “popular”
• canon #G2583 “kanon” a Greek word meaning – a rod, a cane, or reed used as a measuring standard, a rule, standard to summarize orthodox Christian doctrine in early church.
• Septuagint – a Greek translation of the Old Testament and holy scriptures including the Apochrapha[1]
• orthodoxy – Greek meaning “ortho” right and “doxa” belief or glory; right belief, right opinion

Part Two Council of Nicaea – 1700s; Next week – Part 3 1700 to present

The green is the author’s notations in the verses below. Bold text added for emphasis

Before we start looking at “data”

We must always be mindful that Believers are given…

John 14:25-26 ESV – “25 These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Events

“Broad” events affecting Christian Bible development

• 4^th Century Syrian missionaries take volumes of scripture OT, NT, Apocrypha to Ethiopia 88 books – by and large Ethiopian Christians did not participate in the debates regarding canon
• ~330 AD Ethiopia 2nd nation to adopt Christianity as national religion
• 367 AD Athanasius of Alexandria lists all 27 NT books in Easter Letter: 1) Championed the Trinity – known as “Father of Orthodoxy; 2) Christian theologian and bishop
• 382 AD Council of Rome (Pope Damascus) recognized/promulgated 73 book Catholic Bible
• 405 AD Jerome translates Hebrew OT and Greek sources (not from Septuagint) into Latin Vulgate – served as “western” Bible for next 1000 years
• 1382-1395 Wycliffe Bible (John Wycliffe) 1^st English Bible translated from Latin Vulgate in 1000 yrs
• 1500 Protestant Reformation (PR) widespread theological revolt against RCC control. Five essential doctrines of PR: 1) “Sola Scriptura”; 2) “Sola Gratia” – grace alone; 3) “Sola Fida” – faith alone; 4) “Solus Christus” – in Christ Alone; 5) “Soli Deo Gloria” – glory of God alone.[2]
• 1517 (Oct 31) Luther’s 95 Theses posted Wittenburg, GE – questioned RCC “indulgences”
• 1525-1530 Tyndale Bible 1^st English translation from Hebrew and Greek
• 1534 Luther Bible published (OT, Apocrypha and NT)
• 1545-1563 Council of Trent (Trent, Italy) Roman Catholic Church (RCC ) “counter reformation response”; reaffirmed RCC 73 books in 1546; declared an “anathema” eternal condemnation/ curse for believing “faith alone” (this was contentious among council attendees)
• 1557-1560 Geneva Bible primary English Bible of 16^th Brought to America by the Puritans on the Mayflower
• 1568 Bishop’s Bible of the Church of England. Geneva Bible associated w/ Presbyterians
• 1611 King James Bible
• 1700s Publishers of Protestant Bible remove apocrypha books
• 1769 Revised King James Bible (aka Blayney Revision)

Number of Bible books by orthodoxy

Basic Bible dates and info

Early Christians had two (2) canons: 1) doctrine; and 2) canons for spiritual nourishment; then further defined or recognized as: 1) canon/doctrine; 2) apocrypha/readable and good for edifying, but not doctrine; and 3) other writings were good for nothing (ie Gospels of Mary, Gospel of Holy 12, Gospel of Egyptians, etc).

Until 1700s, Protestant Bible was published with the Apocrypha between OT and NT

• Roman Catholic Bible 73 books
• Eastern Orthodox Bible 76-81 books
• Ethiopian Bible 88 books
• Protestant Bible 66 books

People and influence

Spiritual truths aren’t interpreted by human wisdom, don’t leave out Holy Spirit

1 Cor 2:12-14 ESV – “12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdombut taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

• Augustine of Hippo 354-430 AD, considered by many as the most important writer for the early church after Paul the apostle. More liberal in accepting apocrypha books as canon. At odds with the narrow approach by Jeronme and Athanasius of Alexandria
• Athanasius of Alexandria lists all 27 NT books in Easter Letter: 1) Championed the Trinity – known as “Father of Orthodoxy”; 2) Christian theologian and bishop; 3) Deacon to Bishop Alexander against the Arians at Council of Nicaea
• Jerome of Stridon – translated Hebrew and Greek into Latin Vulgate. Expert in languages including Hebrew and Greek. Agrees apocrypha books should be included in Bible for edifying
• Martin Luther 1483-1546 German Protestant Reformer
• William Tyndale 1492-1536 First English Bible translation directly from Hebrew and Greek (1525-1530). He was found guilty of heresy by RCC in conjunction with King Henry VIII and executed. His translation formed ground work for King James Bible
• John Calvin 1509-1564 French Protestant Reformer

Discussion topics for you this week at home regarding my talents and kingdom assignments: 1) To what extent would you go translate the Bible, would you submit your life?; 2) How do you see God working to ensure His word published and maintained? 3) Did you lose focus on the power of God’s Spirit and love for us in the facts/dates? 4) How can you make sure you stay connected to God past information/facts?

Last thoughts and considerations

• God’s word is reliable and we can stand firm on 2 Tim 3:16
• Never leave out God’s Spirit living in you – the natural man looks to human wisdom
• Don’t let “information” alone be your guide; Father God sent His Spirit to teach us
• Next week we will look at how Christian faiths began 17^th Century to present

Additional verses for self-study

John 15:26-27 ESV – “26 But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

[1] Easton, M. “Version – Easton’s Bible Dictionary.” Blue Letter Bible. Last Modified 24 Jun, 1996.

[2] https://www.gotquestions.org/Protestant-Reformation.html   accessed July 22, 2026