What Scriptures or Writings did the New Testament Saints have?

A recent discussion on a FB page brought to light a common misconception regarding the writings available to the early believers. I have heard it questioned or stated more than once that these folks had no scriptures to study. The discussion questioned the need to spend time studying the bible rather than just reading it or even not reading and receiving enlightenment directly from God. It becomes clear that this belief stems from a lack of even a cursory reading of scripture, mainly in the books of Acts.

Others wonder that the earliest men of the bible, such as Abraham, had no scripture yet knew what God wanted through direct revelation. They claim that if it was good enough for Abraham, then why not us, today? This is an accurate position regarding God speaking to Abraham or Moses, but certainly it is not regarding us today. 2 Timothy 2:15 commands us to "rightly divide" the scriptures. The failure to rightly divide, through the lack of study, leads us to take everything in the bible and claim it as our own. God deals in ages and dispensations. Certainly Abraham had no scriptures, but we do! God deals with humanity in different ways in different times. Once one studies these separation marks or points in scripture, the ease of understanding increases.

Today, I would like to point out just a few references that show, clearly, the early believers had scriptures. In fact, these scriptures existed even before Jesus was born!

Jesus makes reference to Psalm 118:22-23 in Matthew 21:42. Jesus states or asks, "Have you never read in the scriptures". From this we can gather that the Psalms were available. Matthew 21:23 gives us those to whom Jesus spoke, the elders of Israel. These writings were primarily available to the religious leaders of Israel and were read aloud in the temple. However, others also had at least some of the scriptures.

​After the resurrection, as Jesus was walking to Emmaus, he talks with men disappointed that Jesus died and did not redeem Israel. In Luke 24:27, Jesus again mentions that men had not read the scriptures or understood them. Scriptures did exist. Not only did they exist, but in this passage, verse 32 says that Jesus was explaining the scriptures to them; these men had read the scriptures themselves and completely missed the prophecies concerning the messiah.

Speaking again to the religious leaders of Israel, Jesus, in John 5:39, mentions the study of scripture. The leaders studied scripture though they, like others, missed what they were studying regarding the messiah.

​Even the Ethiopian eunuch had at least Isaiah to read. Acts 8:26-34.

In Acts 17:2, 3, Paul enters the synagogue and teaches Christ from the scriptures. These would have been Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ. In Acts 17:10, 11, we read of the famed Bereans who studied the scriptures themselves to find the truth. These particular believers were Jews and apparently they had access to at least some scriptures in the temple.

Acts 18:24-28 gives an example of a Jewish believer named Apollos. He was from Alexandria in Egypt. We have no indication that Apollos was a Jewish leader, yet he had studied scripture, enough so that he was able to debate religious leadership in the temples, eloquently. It is likely that Apollos had a copy of either all of the Septuagint or at least parts of it. The Septuagint, or LXX (for the 70ish Jewish translators) was a Greek language translation of the Hebrew writings. This translation was started approximately 300 years before Jesus was born! It was finally completed around 130 BC. The reason for the translation was the expansion of the Greek culture in the area which included the Greek language becoming a main form of communication. Apollos likely spoke primarily Greek, as did many Jews from Egypt. The cost of owning such a book would have been high unless Apollos was educated as a scribe or was able to copy the LXX himself. Again, we have evidence that scriptures were available and that they were studied. A man such as Apollos was not traveling and preaching from a book he had simply read from, Apollos was very knowledgeable in the scriptures.

Paul makes many references from the scriptures throughout his writings. In Romans 15:4 Paul notes that they are for encouragement. In 1 Corinthians 15: 3-7, Paul notes that the entire cross work of Christ was shown in the scriptures, these being of the what we call the Old Testament. Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:13 to publicly read the scriptures. Timothy was not an Jewish elder, yet he had copies of the scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 tells us what scripture is for and why.

When Paul tells Timothy to study, he certainly meant to go beyond reading. Scriptures were available to those who desired them. As time progressed the scriptures became more widely available. We know of the unfortunate periods when scriptures were held back from the common man but we now have access not only to the Old testament but to Paul's writings as well. We have no reason not to study as God desires. The scriptures are there for us to know who God is. We will certainly make mistakes, many will come to differing conclusions and at times these beliefs will cause division as even happened in Paul's day (Philippians 4:2). Paul was rejoicing when Christ was preached. Beyond the gospel of salvation we should not argue but openly discuss together.

If you take the time to look using key words like scripture, you will find other references in the new Testament that show they were available. Further study will bring exact examples in the form of either direct or indirect Old Testament quotes used by Jesus, Paul, and others.