How did the early church follow the bible when they didn't even know what the bible was?

Question

The bible as we know it was not compiled until late in the 4th century at the Synod at Hippo. Before this there were many books purported to be scripture, such as Romans II. If the early church relied on Sola scriptura they were pretty much up a creek, I would think.

Saved George, you need to do some research. They did not know. Read a little, it will do you good.

Answer 1

You just answered your own question.

Answer 2

The concept of the Biblical canon being closed in the fourth century is simply wrong. The Old Testament canon had been set by the Jewish Church before the time of Jesus.

75 years after Jesus' death, Marcion had established a short canon of Biblical books that were used as scripture. By 130 Origen had established the entire canon of scripture as we know it today.

The work in the 4th century simply finalized the work of Origen and others. It happened largely because scripture was being challenged by heresy and an "official" version needed to be codified. Strangely the author of the first canon would be declared a heretic.

Pastor John

Answer 3

The early church had the old testament scriptures, which unfortunately most churches today have thrown out hte window not realizing that little true understanding can be had of the NT without the OT as the NT is basically a commentary on the OT which is God's commands and perfect instruction for those that are saved and called by His name. The early church, even after the death and resurection of Jesus, followed Jesus in their obedience of God's commands, feasts and observances. Todays church is far from the early church as they do not recognize the value and importance of the OT scripturesa that sustained the early church.

Answer 4

If you read any of the sermons of the apostles in the New Testament, you'll see that the scripture they quote is from the Old Testament. That part of scripture was already established by the time of Christ.

Answer 5

At the time the apostles writings were consider scripture. Consider this verse where Peter acknowledges Paul's writings as scripture:

"Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction." 2Peter 3:15,16

Likewise the believes receive Paul's word as scripture:

1Th 2:13 "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe."

Answer 6

Because the books that were compiled into the bible were written long before the 4th century. They knew what scripture was even if it hadn't been formally canonized.

Answer 7

Actually, something must have been written, in the new testament Christ refers to the old laws--the laws of the old testament.
Weather or not it was the complete Bible--it was written instructions.
Moses got written instructions from God. It wasn't the Bible--but it was written instructions.

Answer 8

the bible itself testifies to the fact that scripture is insufficient. the early church relied heavily on oral tradition and presbyters.

Answer 9

Word of mouth. Letters. The torah in some cases if they were Jewish. Mainly disciples of disciples and so on.

Answer 10

Catholic Sacred Tradition and the Sacred Magesterium as inspired by the HOly Spirit. God bless.

Answer 11

Even in a few hundred years, the traditional teachings should have been relatively pure.