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There was broad consensus, often before 100 A.D., among the early Christians as to which books were inspired and which ones were not. It would be hundreds of years later before there was anything resembling the Roman Catholic Church that we know today.

“There was broad consensus, often before 100 A.D., among the early Christians as to which books were inspired and which ones were not. It would be hundreds of years later before there was anything resembling the Roman Catholic Church that we know today.”

Do any Catholics even recognize how long the church spent just trying to keep from getting fed to lions? The Catholic church didn’t spring up the day Jesus rose again.
And Paul came along well after that, yet the book of Acts doesn’t read like a Catholic church. Mary doesn’t have any role in the bible that I’m aware of after the day of Pentecost.

.45, you are jumping topic. Let's review. you said in post 85 claiming that Roman Catholics gave us the Bible.

to which verga asked you So where did the Bible come from? Who decided that Matthew was in and the Gosple of Peter was out? Who decided that Philemon was in and the Didache was out?

Hint Councils of Hippo and Carthage 393 and 397 respectively.

your statement There was broad consensus, often before 100 A.D., among the early Christians as to which books were inspired and which ones were not is incorrect -- because for instance the Revelation of John was right until the 300s rejected by most communities as non-inspired. The Georgian Orthodox Church doesn't include it in its canon

the question still holds -- "And how do you know what’s authentic Scripture and what isn’t?" on what basis would you say that the Shepherd of Hermes is not to be added in? And also note that Luther called the Epistle of St. James as the epistle of straw and, also Jewish canon was only closed in AD 70 -- yes, 40 odd years after Christ's death,

Marcion ws the first to put together a Biblical canon: This included 10 epistles from St. Paul, as well as a version of the Gospel of Luke, which today is known as the Gospel of Marcion.

Or, Origen of Alexandria whose canon include all of the books in the current Catholic canon except for four books: James, 2nd Peter, and the 2nd and 3rd epistles of John but included the Shepherd of Hermas

so how do you know that the list of inerrant books you have is complete or contains extra books?

As verga told you, this was due to the Holy Spirit acting in the councils of the Church.

So, while "Roman Catholics" as in verga and me from the 21st century :) didn't give you the Bible, the One Holy Apostolic Catholic Church, under the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit DID collect together and define the books that form canon