What are the apocryphal books?
Introduction. The 66 books of the Bible from Genesis through Revelation have been subjected to every internal and external test imaginable. Their authenticity and canonicity have been reliably established. There are other books, however, which some believe should be considered part of the Bible. These books are called the Apocrypha.
The apocryphal books. For the most part, when the Apocrypha is mentioned the fourteen or fifteen books of the "Old Testament" are meant. However, there are other writings which are known as the New Testament Apocrypha. The word apocrypha is a Greek word which means hidden. Apocrypha also can have reference to a book whose origin was doubtful or unknown. Apocrypha has come to denote books which are non-canonical. The "Old Testament Apocrypha" are believed to have been written during the period of 200 B.C. to 100 A.D. Some of perhaps the better known are "The Wisdom of Solomon", "The Additions to the Book of Esther", and "The First and Second Maccabees". The "Catholic Bible" often has twelve of these apocryphal books interspersed among and attached to the undisputed thirty-nine books of the Hebrew scriptures, I understand.
Why the apocryphal books are not considered part of the sacred canon. Josephus (uninspired), Jesus, and the apostles obviously did not accept these books as inspired of God. Later historians such as Origen and Jerome, etc. did not recognize these books as belonging to the Bible.
Conclusion. Beloved, the sixty-six books found in standard translations (such as the King James, American Standard, etc.) have the stamp of authenticity and canonicity. These books are profitable because they constitute scripture (see 2 Tim. 3: 16-17). The Apocrypha is uninspired and not part of the Bible.
The apocryphal books. For the most part, when the Apocrypha is mentioned the fourteen or fifteen books of the "Old Testament" are meant. However, there are other writings which are known as the New Testament Apocrypha. The word apocrypha is a Greek word which means hidden. Apocrypha also can have reference to a book whose origin was doubtful or unknown. Apocrypha has come to denote books which are non-canonical. The "Old Testament Apocrypha" are believed to have been written during the period of 200 B.C. to 100 A.D. Some of perhaps the better known are "The Wisdom of Solomon", "The Additions to the Book of Esther", and "The First and Second Maccabees". The "Catholic Bible" often has twelve of these apocryphal books interspersed among and attached to the undisputed thirty-nine books of the Hebrew scriptures, I understand.
Why the apocryphal books are not considered part of the sacred canon. Josephus (uninspired), Jesus, and the apostles obviously did not accept these books as inspired of God. Later historians such as Origen and Jerome, etc. did not recognize these books as belonging to the Bible.
Conclusion. Beloved, the sixty-six books found in standard translations (such as the King James, American Standard, etc.) have the stamp of authenticity and canonicity. These books are profitable because they constitute scripture (see 2 Tim. 3: 16-17). The Apocrypha is uninspired and not part of the Bible.