Inspired Bible :66 Book (protestant), 73 Books (catholic), or More (Orthodox traditions)?
1) Direct Answer
The inspired canon is the 66 books—Genesis to Revelation. Nothing to add and nothing to take away.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- The Bible says all Scripture is God-breathed and sufficient to thoroughly furnish the believer (2 Timothy 3:16–17). That speaks of a complete body of writings that fully equips.
- Jesus identified the Old Testament as “the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms” (Luke 24:44). He also marked its bounds “from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zacharias” (Luke 11:51), which covers the full Hebrew canon.
- The oracles of God were committed to the Jews (Romans 3:2). Jesus affirmed their Scriptures; He never placed other writings on equal footing.
- God then spoke in the Son and through those He sent (Hebrews 1:1–2; John 14:26; John 16:13). The New Testament came through apostles and their close associates, confirmed by God (Hebrews 2:3–4).
- We are told the faith was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). And the Word warns not to add to or take from what God has given (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5–6; Revelation 22:18–19).
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- Jesus endorsed the recognized Scriptures of Israel; the apostles, led by the Holy Spirit, gave the New Testament. That forms a complete, Spirit-sealed witness.
- The extra books can be historical or moral in places, but they were not received by Jesus and the apostles as Scripture, nor do they carry the “It is written” authority in the New Testament.
- Since God warns against adding to His Word, we hold to the closed canon He vindicated: the 66 books.
Short reinforcement
You see, God keeps His Word pure. The Bible is complete—one Book, from Genesis to Revelation, perfectly in step, without the need of additions.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Christ is revealed in His own Word
65-0822M §72
...re is wrote by inspiration. Jesus here on the earth said that heavens and earth would pass away but His Word wouldn't. He said all Scripture must be fulfilled. So then, the Book is not a book of men's writings; it's a Books of God's writings.
Questions and Answers
54-0515 §23
Now, the Protestant church, in its organization, is (according to God's Word) connected the same thing with the Catholic church. Now, I have nothing against Catholic people. Some of my dearest friends, sitting right here now, is gross of Catholic people. Here, the night before last, when I gave a harsh message through the Holy Spirit, on Protestant and Catholic, the Catholic walked right here at the altar and shook my hand. They're human beings just the same as we are. You can't discuss with Catholic priests, becau...
Divine Healing
54-1219M §17
Now, the churches is what I mean. I disagree with the Catholic doctrine. I could not be a Catholic in that manner, the Roman Catholic church, because, they ... the infallibility of the pope; and the church over the Word; and the church being above the Bible. I couldn't do that. I can't conscientiously be a Protestant, because I can't take part of the Word and say, "Part of it's inspired, and this part is inspired; this meant something else, and this..." I'm a Bible worshipper. I believe that that is God's Word. The...
It wasn't so from the beginning
60-0306 §27
...thirsting for God. Hallelujah! "All the Father has given me will come to me," regardless if they're Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian or Lutheran. God's got children in the Catholic church, He's got children in the Jewish Orthodox church, He's got children in the Baptist church, in the Presbyterian and the Lutheran. Right. And they're beginning to hunger because they've missed Him. Our traditions, our church creeds, will never satisfy a heart that's been called of God. You cannot make him say the Apostles' Creed or...
God's Word calls for a total separation from unbelief
64-0121 §13
Paul was a Nazarite unto the Lord. He was separated from his orthodox church to the Word of the living God. Aaron was a Nazarite unto the Lord. He was separated from among the brethren to bear the birthstones and to be the high priest. It is a total separation. We're not to go back into the world no more or have anything to do with the world, but cleave only unto God. Jesus is coming after a bride, a woman, a church that's separated from the things of the world, or the cares of the world. She's separated from the f...