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“The books commonly called the Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of Scripture, and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings.”[1]
Old Testament
Festal Letter XXXIX of Athanasius (for 367)
“These are, then, of the Old Testament, twenty-two books in number; for, as I have heard, it is handed down that this is the number of the letters among the Hebrews; their respective order and names being as follows. The first then is Genesis, then Exodus, next Leviticus, after that Numbers, and then Deuteronomy. Following these there is Joshua, the son of Nun, then Judges, then Ruth. And again after these four books of Kings, the first and second being reckoned as one book, and so likewise the third and fourth as one book. And and again, the first and second of the Chronicles are reckoned as one book. Again Ezra, the first and second are similarly one book. After these there is the book of Psalms, then the Proverbs, next Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Job follows, then the prophets, the twelve being reckoned as one book. Then Isaiah, one book, then Jeremiah with Baruch, Lamentation, and the epistel, one book; afterwards Ezekiel and Daniel, each one book. Thus far constitutes the Old Testament.”[3]
New Testament
Festal Letter XXXIX of Athanasius (for 367)
“Again, it is not tedious to speak of the [books] of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz. of James, one; of Peter, two; of John, three; after these, one of Jude. In addition, there are fourteen Epistles of Paul, written in this order. The first, to the Romans; then two to the Corinthians; after these, to the Galatians; next, to the Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the Colossians; after these, two to the Thessalonians, and that to the Hebrews; and again, two to Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to Philemon. And besides, the Revelation of John.”[5]
“These are the foundations of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take out from these.”[6]
Bibliography
[1] The Westminster Confession of Faith. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996. 1:3.
[2] The Westminster Confession of Faith. 1:2.
[3] Schaff, Philip, and Henry Wace, eds. A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Father of the Christian Church. 2.4. Logos Catholic ed. New York, NY: The Christian Literature Company, 1892. Festal Letter XXIX of Athanasius, paragraph 4, p. 552.
[4] The Westminster Confession of Faith. 1:2.
[5] A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Father of the Christian Church. 2.4. Festal Letter XXIX of Athanasius, paragraph 5, p. 552.
[6] A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Father of the Christian Church. 2.4. Festal Letter XXIX of Athanasius, paragraph 6, p. 552.
* – Updated 3/10/2020.
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