[wmfights]

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".
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I think your absolutely right that they were compiling writings. The Torah was already established and they had copies of the OT writings that made up the Talmud. I also think it is safe to believe that every church that received a letter made copies and these were passed on as well. The point I was trying to make was that until St. Athansius, on his own initiative, put together a definitive list we do not have a completed Canon. I have yet to find any historical record of the Canon being established and fixed prior to this date. Thus, the myth that the RCC established the Canon is debunked. The RCC affirmed a deed that was already done.

[Uncle Chip]

For information sake, where in Athanasius' writings does he provide a list of the books?

[kerryusama04]

Acts 17:10-11 also state the the NT Evangelists did not conradict the OT, IMO. That is an important facet to my personal faith.

Another point is that the sciptures we hold today, from Genesis to Revelation, all agree. This shows me that the Holy Spirit - not men - is responsible for this work.