When were the Gospels and epistles penned and delivered to the churches addressed?
I think the early epistles of such bishops as Polycarp shows the command of the NT Scriptures as we know them:
17 of 27 NT books quoted here:
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0136.htm
We also know from the Gospels the OT texts were in wide use through Synagogues in Judea, Galilee, and in Acts with the diaspora Jews (Acts 17 Bereans).
Then we have Jesus Christ commanding and exhorting His disciples in Luke 24:
Luke 24:45-49 NABRE
Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And [behold] I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”(NABRE)
So the “scriptures” came much later is not accurate. Such academics and scholars who promote such also ascribe to late 19th century liberal theology. In that such theologians asserted the Gospels and epistles were not written by the apostles but much later by early church fathers. Which 20th century archeological finds proved false.
“So the “scriptures” came much later is not accurate.”
Are you sure that’s what rcofdayton meant? I don’t think he was saying they were written “much later” although clearly years later is accurate. I think he is saying that the Bible wasn’t gathered into one book - especially one accessible to everyone - until much, much later.