The Alexandrian Codices
hese “early” writings have much persuaded our current translations of the English Bible. The discovery of the Alexandrian Codices, namely the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, have deceived many scholars into thinking these were the most accurate copies of the original authorship of the New Testament, merely because they were the oldest manuscripts found to date, being dated sometime in the 4th century. But the key element being misunderstood, just because it is the oldest doesn’t mean it is the best. In fact, these early manuscripts are blasphemous and incomplete. Written by the Gnostics in Alexandria, they were used to persuade and deceive the world. They used the written Word of God for their own selfish motives; removing many verses of the New Testament to stimulate their own doctrine. For instance, the last 12 verses of Mark 16:9-20 and Acts 8:37 are two examples of text purposely removed. The elimination of these specific passages, among others, shows their deceptive agenda to denounce Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. The early date of these manuscripts entrap many scholars into thinking they must be more accurate. However, even though there are no earlier dated manuscripts that contain these missing verses, we have proof of these Scriptures from the writings of the Church Fathers. These writings were recorded before the Alexandrian Codices, and we can see evidence of these verses being quoted. For instance, we find, contained in the writings of Irenaeus in 180AD, the text of Mark 16:9-20. Solid proof that these verses were truly a part of the original Gospel of Mark.
In fact, there are 86,000 quotations from the early church. One could literally piece the Bible together, based solely from the writings of the Church Fathers, all except about 17 verses, says J. McDowell, in his book “Evidence that Demands a Verdict”, Vol. I, pp. 50-51.
Below shows the frequency in which the Church Fathers quoted scripture. This list is compiled from “Let Us Reason Ministries”.
In fact, there are 86,000 quotations from the early church. One could literally piece the Bible together, based solely from the writings of the Church Fathers, all except about 17 verses, says J. McDowell, in his book “Evidence that Demands a Verdict”, Vol. I, pp. 50-51.
Below shows the frequency in which the Church Fathers quoted scripture. This list is compiled from “Let Us Reason Ministries”.
- Ignatius who lived sometime around 70-110AD quotes from 15 of the 27 books of the New Testament. In his Seven Letters, written about 110AD, during his journey from Antioch to Rome for his martyrdom, quotes from Matthew, I Peter, I John, cites nine of Paul's Epistles, and his letters bear the impression of the other three Gospels.
- Papias the Bishop of Hierapolis was a personal student of the apostle John. He lived in the period of 130AD and wrote “An Explanation of the Lord's Discourses," in which he quotes from John, and records traditions about the origin of Matthew and Mark. Papias noted that the apostle Mark, in writing his Gospel "wrote down accurately ... whatsoever he [Peter] remembered of the things said or done by Christ. Mark committed no error ... for he was careful of one thing, not to omit any of the things he [Peter] had heard, and not to state any of them falsely.” Fragments of Papias' Exposition of the Oracles of the Lord, 140AD (III, XIX, XX) attests that the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John are all based on reliable eyewitness testimony
- Polycarp, 69-155AD, in his Letter to the Philippians, quotes much of the New Testament including Matt., Acts, Hebrews Philippians, and reproduces phrases from nine other Pauline letters as well as I Peter.
- Irenaeus, 135-210AD, a disciple of Polycarp, says there are only 4 Gospels, proving the Gnostic Gospels to be heretical and forgeries. He also quotes1,819 from the New Testament books except Philemon, Jude, James and 3 John.
- Clement of Alexandria, who lived about150–212AD, has 2,406 quotes from all but three books of the New Testament.
- Tertullian, who was an elder of the church in Carthage Africa lived around 160-220AD, quotes the New Testament 7,258 times. Of these quotes, around 3,800 are from the gospels.
- Justin Martyr, 100-160AD, quotes all 4 Gospels, Acts and the epistles of Paul and Revelation.
- Tatian, about 160AD, made a "Harmony of the Four Gospels called the "Diatessaron," affirming that only Four Gospels, were recognized among the churches.
- Clement, of Alexandria, 165-220AD, names all the books of the New Testament except Philemon, James, 2 Peter and 3 John.
- Origen 185-254AD, names all the books of both the Old and New Testaments within 17,922 quotes. In “The Hexapla” he harmonized the four gospels in six different languages.
- Athanasius, who preserved the Trinity among the Church, had all 27 books of the New Testament. He said they were the springs of salvation to not add nor take away.
- Hippolytus, 170-235AD, recognized twenty-two books. He had 1,378 quotes of Scripture.
- The Didache, written in Greek between 60-100AD, makes 22 quotations from Matthew with references to Luke, John, Acts, Romans, Thessalonians, I Peter; and speaks of “The Gospel” as an already written document.