How can we trust the Bible when books we know about today were removed from it?

It is completely natural to wonder about the integrity of the Scriptures when hearing discussions about “lost” or “removed” books, such as the Apocrypha, the Gospel of Thomas, or other ancient writings. However, historical and biblical evidence reveals that these books were never stripped away from an already established, inspired Bible; rather, they were recognized from the earliest centuries as lacking the essential marks of divine inspiration. In the case of the Old TestamentThe Old Testament is the first major division of the Christian Bible, containing the sacred writings of Israel — creation, covenant, law, prophecy, wisdom, and the entire pre‑Messianic history that prepares the way for Christ. More, the Jewish community and 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 recognized a settled canon—the Law, the 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, and the Psalms—which did not include the intertestamental Apocrypha as inspired Scripture, though those writings were preserved as useful historical records. Regarding later second- and third-century Gnostic writings, they were never part of the original apostolic collection to begin with; they emerged long after the eyewitnesses had died, falsely attached apostles’ names to speculative philosophies, and directly contradicted the core teachings of 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. The early church did not engage in political censorship, but in careful spiritual discernment to protect believers from deceitful doctrines. The apostle 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 warned early Christians not to be quickly shaken or deceived by letters falsely claiming apostolic authority, urging them to hold firmly to the traditions taught directly by the apostles. God’s Word repeatedly assures us that His truth is preserved, undefiled, and enduring. Far from being a compromised collection missing vital truths, the sixty-six books of the Bible represent the cohesive, God-breathed testimony that the global church recognized and preserved because it aligned perfectly with the living voice of 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.