Here are some facts about the APOCRYPHA:

* The word “Apocrypha” means “hidden.”

* The Apocrypha are writings (consisting of at least 11 books) that first appeared when the Old Testament was translated into Greek between 200 and 100 BC.

* They were accepted by many as being part of the Canon of Scripture but were later rejected by the majority when doctrinal errors were found in them.

* The Roman Catholic Church included them in their translation of the Bible and to this day they are still in all Roman Catholic Bibles.

I believe it would be unprofitable to delve deeper into the history of the Apocrypha and the claims that are made by the Roman Catholic insisting that it is part of the Canon of Scripture. I referred above to the fact that errors were found in the Apocrypha and if this is true then every sober-minded Christian who reveres the Scriptures will reject them. Though they contain some historical facts, they must be excluded from the Bible because of their scriptural inaccuracies. There are numerous contradictions in the Apocrypha and I will cite three examples to prove they are not divinely inspired.

  1. In the book of Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus) it is taught almsgiving makes atonement for sin. Sirach 3:3, 30 say, “Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins…Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sin.” What does the Bible say about atonement? Leviticus 17:11 declares, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKETH AN ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL.”
  2. In the book of Tobit, it says: “alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away sin.” What does the Bible say? 1st John 1:7 states emphatically, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Hebrews 9:14 echoes this truth: “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission.”
  3. In the book of Wisdom 8:19-20 we read, “For I was a witty child, and had a GOOD SPIRIT. Yea rather, BEING GOOD, I came into a BODY UNDEFILED.” What does the Bible say? Romans 3:10 & 12 say, “There is none righteous, no, not one…there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Regarding the body, Scripture teaches that we were born in sin and that our bodies are indeed defiled, for they are house the corrupt, fallen nature called “sin.” David said in Psalm 51:5: “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” The apostle Paul had this to say in Romans 7:17-18: “Now then it is no more I that do it, but SIN THAT DWELLETH IN ME. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (259.5) (DO)