Canon of the New Testament: 1. Early Christian writings gradually collected. Gospels. Paul’s writings (2 Peter 3:16). 2. Marcion, Gnostic heretic (139 A.D.) determined list of writings. Rejected O.T., revised Luke’s gospel, ten Pauline epistles. Restricted list. 3. Montanus claimed divine revelation. Expanded list. 4. Church responded to these attempts to expand or restrict. 5. Irenaeus, 180 A.D. cites 22 writings as acceptable: 4 gospels, Acts, 13 Pauline epistles, 1 Peter, 1, 2 John and Revelation. 6. Muratorian list - named after Italian Muratori (1740) who discovered such. Fragment dated late 2nd to 4th century. 22 books plus Apocalypse of Peter. Hebrews, 1,2 Peter, 3 John and James omitted. 7. Tertullian (150-230) – 22 books accepted: 4 gospels, Acts, 13 Pauline epistles, 1 Peter, 1 John, Jude, Revelation. 8. Origen (185-255). Three categories of writings: a. Acknowledged: 4 gospels, 13 Pauline epistles, 1 Peter, 1 John, Acts, Revelation. b. Disputed: 2 Peter, 2, 3 John, Hebrews, James and Jude; also Epistle of Barnabas, Shepherd of Hermas, Didache. c. Heretical: Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Peter, etc. 9. Eusebius (260-340). a. Acknowledged: 4 gospels, 14 Pauline epistles (Hebrews included), I Peter, I John, Acts. b. Disputed: James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2, 3 John, Revelation. Spurious: Shepherd of Hermas, Epistle of Barnabas, Didache, Acts of Paul. c. Heretical: Gospel of Thomas, Peter, Acts of Andrew etc. 10. Codex Sinaiticus (4th century). 27 books plus Epistle of Barnabas and Shepherd of Hermas. 11. Council of Laodicea (363) - 26 books. Revelation omitted. 12. Athanasius (367) - first time list includes the 27 books of present N.T. 13. Jerome's Vulgate included 27 books of N.T. 14. Augustine (397), 3rd Council of Carthage, accepted 27 books of N.T.