The Protestant Bible contains 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Some other Christian traditions, like Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, include additional books known as the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books. These were never part of the Hebrew Scriptures and were not recognized by Jesus or the apostles as authoritative Scripture.
Romans 3:2 says:
“To them were committed the oracles of God.”
This refers to the Jews, who preserved the Old Testament. The Jewish canon did not include the Apocryphal books. Jesus and the apostles quoted extensively from the Old Testament, but never from the Apocrypha.
The Apocryphal books were written during the intertestamental period (roughly 400 BC to the time of Christ). While they contain historical and religious insights, they are not inspired Scripture. They were not accepted by early Jewish communities nor confirmed by Christ.
Proverbs 30:5–6 warns:
“Every word of God is pure… Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
The early church, following the example of Christ and the apostles, recognized the 66 books based on apostolic authority, doctrinal consistency, and widespread acceptance among believers.
The Council of Trent (1546) officially added the Apocryphal books to the Roman Catholic Bible as part of the Counter-Reformation, in reaction to the Protestant Reformation. But long before that, faithful Christians recognized a clear line between inspired Scripture and other religious writings.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 defines Scripture:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”
Only those books bearing the mark of divine inspiration and in agreement with God’s revealed truth were included.
The Protestant Bible reflects the standard affirmed by Christ and upheld by the early church. While the Apocryphal books may be of historical interest, they are not authoritative for doctrine or practice.
