churches continued for centuries to retain a somewhat different canon.

[Sidenote: _Conclusions from this study of the influences that produced
the New Testament_]

This brief historical study of the origin of our New Testament has
demonstrated twelve significant facts: (1) That the original authors of
the different books never suspected that their writings would have the
universal value and authority which they now rightfully enjoy. (2) That
they at first regarded them as merely an imperfect substitute for verbal
teaching and personal testimony. (3) That in each case they had definite
individuals and conditions in mind. (4) That the needs of the rapidly
growing Church and the varied and trying experiences through which it
passed were all potent factors in influencing the authors of the New
Testament to write. (5) That certain books, especially the historical,
like Luke and Matthew, are composite, consisting of material taken
bodily from older documents, like Matthew's _Sayings of Jesus_ and the
original narrative of Mark. (6) That our New Testament books are only
a part of a much larger early Christian literature. (7) That they are
unquestionably, however, the most valuable and representative writings
of that larger literature. (8) That they were only gradually selected
and ascribed a value and authority equal to that of the Old Testament
writings. (9) That there were three distinct stages in the formation
of the New Testament canon: the gospels were first recognized as
authorative; then Acts, the Apostolic Epistles, and the Apocalypse; and
last of all, the complete canon. (10) That the canon was formed as a
result of the need felt by later generations, in connection with their
study and worship, for reliable records of the history and teachings of
Christianity. (11) That the principles of selection depended ultimately
upon the intrinsic character of the books themselves and the authority