[Uncle Chip]

"They had copies of the writings, but were they put in a fixed order and established as complete Scripture?"

Good question. I'm sure the fixed order is not that critical since they were probably smart enough to put the epistles together, the gospels together, the Hebrew scriptures together in some logical order. But as to whether all or any of the patriarchs had all the scriptures, I don't know. Perhaps a study of their extant writings would indicate what they had, but would also not rule out what they had but just did not quote from.

[wmfights]

"Good question. I'm sure the fixed order is not that critical since they were probably smart enough to put the epistles together, the gospels together, the Hebrew scriptures together in some logical order."
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I think it's interesting because these earlier leaders in Christianity only responded after the fact and even then it was individuals who resolved the issue in response to a threat from others claiming to be Christians. IOW, it was not a group of "super duper" church leaders in Rome who definitively stated what books comprised the Cannon. I think the illustration of how the Canon was formed shows there was no one person with absolute authority in the early church.

[wmfights]

"Good question. I'm sure the fixed order is not that critical since they were probably smart enough to put the epistles together, the gospels together, the Hebrew scriptures together in some logical order."
__________________________

I think it's interesting because these earlier leaders in Christianity only responded after the fact and even then it was individuals who resolved the issue in response to a threat from others claiming to be Christians. IOW, it was not a group of "super duper" church leaders in Rome who definitively stated what books comprised the Cannon. I think the illustration of how the Canon was formed shows there was no one person with absolute authority in the early church.

[NYer]

I'm sure the fixed order is not that critical since they were probably smart enough to put the epistles together, the gospels together, the Hebrew scriptures together in some logical order.

Good question!

You will find the answer here .

Apologies for not being able to pursue this further today but will pick up this thread again, tomorrow. May the Holy Spirit continue to enlighten your discussion.

[kerryusama04]

WM"They had copies of the writings, but were they put in a fixed order and established as complete Scripture?"

UC Good question. I'm sure the fixed order is not that critical since they were probably smart enough to put the epistles together, the gospels together, the Hebrew scriptures together in some logical order. But as to whether all or any of the patriarchs had all the scriptures, I don't know. Perhaps a study of their extant writings would indicate what they had, but would also not rule out what they had but just did not quote from.

Act 17:10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Act 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Apparently, they had something more to go on than just "word of mouth".