Where does the common belief that scripture cannon (Bible) is closed come from?

Question

I've heard people quote Revelation 22:18 (...If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book) saying that means the Bible is closed.

I don't know if they realize that chronologically, John wrote Revelation before the gospels of Matthew and John and various epistles attributed to Paul. Should all these books be discarded? Not to mention the same 'don't add, don't take away' scripture is found in the Old Testament (Deut 4:2). Wouldn't that mean that everything after Deuteronomy is false?

So I'm curious, where does the belief come from that scripture cannon is closed?

Obviously Jesus did many things that we don't currently have recorded in the 66 books known as the bible (John 21:25). If new records were discovered, would they be rejected?

John, why do you say that God closed the Bible in 95 AD?

Answer 1

John was indeed talking about that book. Bible of course means book of books, which is why it is referred to as the Holy Bible, or a bible that is set apart. The book of revelation, nor any God inspired word, should be added to or deleted, because it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. The bible in a sense is not closed, but a collection of books that is agreed to be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Answer 2

Fromj what I understand, the Council of Nicea with Constantine the Great decided what would be 'scripture' in the Bible. Even though I have certain issues with that council and also with Constantine, I think that they did alright with the book. I wished that they left out James and allowed Enoch, but that's all water under the bridge.

There is a very interesting site, I'll give it to you, so that you can see some of the amazing writings that are out there in the world. I have read several of them in these past years. Some, like the Gnostic writings are to me obvious in their lack of believability, but it's an interesting read I must say.

I do not worry about what to open up for determination as far as the Bible goes. The Apocrypha alone is simply a treasure in my opinion- you wont catch many other Protestants saying that! I can read them, note the historical errors, and continue reading them. I may weigh them on the Spirit and ask God questions about them, and take the part that I understand, leave the rest.

So in summary, I don't worry about Church Councils, I do what God leads me to so. I think that's really cool between me and him.

The last thing I would want them to do is start ripping the Bible up for "additions." You know they'll start messing with the parts that need to stay! ( ;

Answer 3

The following are just a few of the verses that the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe to show that the Scriptures are NOT closed.

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

2Peter 1: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

And yes if new records are given they WILL BE REJECTED, and here are few verses to show that.

2 Kings 17: 14 Not withstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.

2 Chronicles 36: 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
So if you just look at history, even then people rejected the Prophets, so they will also in these days.

Answer 4

God closed the Bible in 95 A.D. Man finally agreed at the council of Nicea in about 325 A.D.The same 66 books in use in 95 A.D. are the same 66 that were accepted by Nicea, and are the same 66 we use today. The Catholics and some 'Protestant" churches use more books, but they were never part of Scripture. This is not even debated outside the Catholic church.

Answer 5

Some Christian denominations like the Society of Friends (Quakers) believe revelation is still going on. For most Friends, though, the Bible is of secondary importance to the Inner Light that God has given to all people.

Answer 6

The Bible was not assembled at that time, as you know, and The Revelation of John was a complete book, as it still is. John was speaking of the book he just finished writing (The Revelation). He wasn't speaking of the Bible, because at that time the Bible didn't even exist.

Answer 7

Somewhere around 170 AD, in reaction to Montanism.

-----------------Edit---------------
To make a long story short, Montanus was a self-proclaimed prophet who stated (in the mid-2nd century A.D) that he had fresh knowledge about God. The strange teachings of Montanus, and his followers over the generations following his death, prompted the church to assume that the canon was closed, in order to keep the prophecies of Montanus out of it (and to keep the teachings of the Gnostics out of the Bible too).

I don't think that the Roman Catholic Church ever completely closed the canon, however, since the word of the Pope, as well as church councils, are often viewed as inspired, or infallible (the Eastern orthodox Church has a similar view regarding church councils and its own traditions).

Martin Luther probably was the one who strongly championed the idea of a closed canon, based on his teaching of "sola scriptura" in the 15th century.