It is a very understandable question, especially since historical church councils did meet centuries after ChristJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More to formally list the recognized books of the Bible. However, both early ChristianChristian refers to a follower of Jesus Christ — someone who believes in His death and resurrection, trusts Him as Lord and Savior, and lives under the New Covenant through the Holy Spirit. The term first appears in Antioch to describe disciples whose lives reflected Christ (Acts 11:26). More history and the Scriptures themselves reveal that the church did not invent or create the Bible; rather, they simply recognized and submitted to the writings that had already been established as the authoritative Word of God by the early believers. Long before any council convened, the first-century Christians were already circulating, reading, and relying on the Gospel accounts and the apostles’ letters. We see this happening within the New TestamentThe New Testament is the collection of twenty‑seven inspired books revealing the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, the birth of the church, and the arrival of the new covenant promised in the Old Testament. More itself, where the apostle Peter specifically refers to the letters of PaulPaul is the apostle who carried the message of Jesus into the Gentile world, transforming early Christianity through his missionary journeys, his letters, and his profound teaching on grace, faith, and the New Covenant. More and equates them with the “other scriptures.” This demonstrates that the apostolic writings were viewed as divine truth from the very beginning, penned by actual eyewitnesses to Christ’s majesty. Furthermore, the book of Jude reminds early believers to earnestly contend for the faithFaith is the act of trusting God’s character, promises, and redemptive work even before the outcome is seen. In Scripture, faith is not blind belief but a confident reliance on God’s truth, rooted in His past actions and revealed purpose. It is the foundation of the believer’s relationship with God and the driving force behind obedience, endurance, and hope.... More which was once delivered unto the saintsSaints are God’s covenant people — those set apart, made righteous by His provision, and belonging to Him by faith. In Scripture, the term describes both the righteous dead of the Old Testament and the redeemed living under the new covenant. More, proving that the core message and spiritual authority were finalized in the first century, not invented hundreds of years later. The church was built upon the established foundation of the apostles and prophetsProphets were God’s chosen messengers who spoke His word to Israel, calling the people to repentance, revealing God’s will, and announcing future events. In Scripture, “the Prophets” also refers to the second major division of the Hebrew Bible, which expands and applies the Torah’s covenant truths. More, with ChristJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More JesusJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More Himself as the chief cornerstone. Ultimately, the later church councils did not grant authority to the Scriptures; they merely affirmed the inspired texts that the Holy Spirit had already firmly cemented in the daily lives and worship of the early church.
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