Extra-Biblical References
One of the most important tests of the Bible is how well the events described
in the text fit within the fabric of history.
The Christian faith is dependent especially upon the New Testament, since
it is the only record which describes in any detail the life and death
of Jesus. If the New Testament is accurate, we should be able to find
references to Bible people, places, and events from non-Biblical sources,
as well as quotations and references to the text of New Testament itself.
Church Fathers
A further witness to the New Testament text comes from the thousands
of quotations found throughout the writings of the Church Fathers (the
early Christian clergy [100-450 A.D.] who followed the Apostles and gave
leadership to the fledgling church, beginning with Clement of Rome [96
A.D.]).
- Epistle of Clement of Rome to the Corinthians (dated 96 A.D.)
This letter was written to encourage the church to respect their elders.
Clement quotes from the Synoptic Gospels, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians,
Ephesians, Titus, Hebrews, and 1 Peter.
- Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians (dated 120 A.D.)
Polycarp was apersonal acquaintance of John, the Apostle. He quotes
from the Synoptic Gospels, Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Hebrews,
1 Peter, and 1 John
- Letters of Ignatius (dated 115 A.D.)
These letters were written to several churches in Asia Minor. Ignatius
quotes from Matthew, John, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippians, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.
It has been observed that if all of the New Testament manuscripts and
Versions mentioned above were to disappear overnight, it would still be
possible to reconstruct the entire New Testament with quotes from the
Church Fathers, with the exception of fifteen to twenty verses!
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Polycarp wrote a letter to the Church at Philippi, quoting from the four
gospels, and from most of the New Testament letters, demonstrating that
they were recognized as Scripture in the mid-second century.
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