Why did the Early Church Accept the Four NT Gospels and Reject the Gnostic Gospels?
By Rev. Ron Jones, DD © The Titus Institute, 2006 Summary statement: The early church accepted the four NT gospels because they were written by apostles or associates of apostles and were in agreement with apostolic teaching. The apostles were the only authoritative eyewitnesses of Jesus. No other so-called gospels fit these criteria. 1. Jesus gave his apostles, the twelve and Paul, the authority as his witnesses to proclaim his true identity and mission to the world. Mk.3:13-19 Matt.10:1-8 Jesus made them eyewitnesses of his resurrection. Lu.24:33-44 Jn.20:24 Acts 1:1-3 Jesus gave them understanding of his claims and teachings and promised them the power of the Holy Spirit so that they might preach only the truth. Lu.24:44-49 Jn.14:26 Jesus appointed Paul on the Damascus Road to be the thirteenth apostle and made him an eyewitness of his resurrection. Acts 26:13-18 1 Cor.15:1-8 Gal.1:1 Gal. 1:11-12 The apostles’ doctrine was the test of truth for all who claimed to speak for Jesus or
