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Reformation. The Apocrypha support some of the things that the Roman Catholic Church believes and
practices which are not in agreement with the Bible. Examples are praying for the dead, petitioning
“saints” in Heaven for their prayers, worshiping angels, and “alms giving” atoning for sins. Some of what
the Apocrypha say is true and correct. However, due to the historical and theological errors, the books
must be viewed as fallible historical and religious documents, not as the inspired, authoritative Word of
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God.

Apocrypha Not Canonized

The 14 books of the Apocrypha have not been canonized. These books should not be considered
Scripture. Controversy about these books raged for centuries before they were accepted as a part of the
Roman Catholic Bible. Following the example of Rome, many Protestant sects include the Apocrypha in
their Bibles. One article about the Bible states: “The addition of Apocryphal books to the Old Testament
did not begin until about AD. 80. Numerous spurious books were gradually introduced into the inspired
canon. No two copies of the earliest Catholic Bibles agree as to which Apocryphal books were to be
added. It was not until AD. 397, at the council of Carthage, that Augustine, the Canaanite bishop from
Hippo in North Africa, led the council of Carthage to generally approve seven Apocryphal books. As late
as AD. 363 at the Council of Laodicea, the Greek Church rejected the Apocryphal books as a whole. And
the Roman Catholic scholar Jerome, who translated the Latin Vulgate version, rejected the
Apocrypha and made his translation from the Hebrew Old Testament directly. It was not until the
Council of Trent that the Apocrypha were declared equal to the books of the Bible. At the Council of
Trent on April 8, 1546, those who rejected the Apocrypha were declared to be ‘anathema of Christ’!”. xxvi

Recognize that these books are inconsistent with Bible doctrine. Jesus Christ and the apostles never
quoted from them. The addition of these books to the Bible was based on the authority of men—not of
God.

Other ancient books referred to in the Bible are “source documents,” such as the book of Jasher (2
Samuel 1:18), as we wrote in last month’s Trumpet (“The Critics Vs. Moses”). Bible writers occasionally
cited sources, as we cite the sources of our research in our literature (whether secular or Scripture). This
does not mean that these sources should have been canonized. Even Paul quoted poets and
philosophers in his letters, not intending that these be counted as the Word of God (Acts 17:28; Titus
1:12-13).

The Bible is truly one of the most valuable things a human being can possess. It is a living miracle that
will greatly enrich your life. Although the Bible may have several translation deficiencies, it is not a
flawed book. Not one book of the Bible has been lost. Not one book is missing. The books of the Bible
are correct as you find them in the King James Version. Paul taught Timothy, “All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2
Timothy 3:16). The Bible is the only true spiritual guide on Earth. Every man, woman and child need the
information contained within its pages.
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