There are actually at least 11 books that first appeared when the Old Testament was translated into Greek between 200 and 100 BC. These books are called “Apocrypha” which means “hidden.” They were originally accepted by many as being part of the Canon of Scripture until doctrinal errors were found in them and at that point they were rejected by most Bible translators. The Roman Catholic church was an exception and to this day they are still in all Roman Catholic Bibles.

It can be said that they do contain some historical facts but due to scriptural inaccuracies every sober-minded Christian should reject them. I will now give a few of the doctrinal errors to prove they were not Divinely inspired. I will quote the “error” and the quote the “Bible” afterwards.

In the book of Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus) it is taught that “almsgiving makes atonement for sin.” Sirach 3:3, 30 say, “Whoso honoreth his father maketh an atonement for his sins…Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins.” Here is what the Bible teaches about atonement: “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” (Leviticus 17:11). Every animal which was sacrificed on Jewish altars declared this truth and picture the death and blood-shedding of Jesus Christ who has make an atonement of sin. Romans 3:24-25a declares, “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a PROPITIATION (satisfying sacrifice) by His BLOOD, through faith.”

In the book of Tobit, it says: “Alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away sin.” The Bible states emphatically, “The BLOOD of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth from all sin” (1 John 1:7) and Hebrews 9:14 echoes this truth, “Without the shedding of BLOOD there is no remission.”

And 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.” The Bible says in Romans 3:10 & 12, “There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one…there is NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, no, not one.” Regarding the body, Scripture teaches us that we were born in sin and that our bodies are defiled, for they are the dwelling place for 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.”  (DO)  (676.3)