Early Church Owned Bibles?
Q. Why is it in the old days only churches were allowed to own copies of the bible? That was when it was a more modern text and it was intended for its parables to be quoted. (A.M.)
Answer:
Medieval, Corrupt Power
Good questions. You must be thinking of later church history when the church controlled everyday life and exerted power and influence over theology, politics, governments and citizens. That was during the middle ages.
The church had become quite corrupt. Most people could not read. But, the church didn’t want ordinary people reading about how Christians and church leaders should act anyway. If they did they might revolt against the unfair practices of the church!
Early Eager Students
Early on, however, Christians eagerly shared and read several source-materials including letters from Paul (now found in the New Testament), one or more of the gospel accounts, letters from Peter and John, and scrolls or codices of the Old Testament books.
The Bereans
Acts 17:11 tells us that the Bereans “were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (NASB). The Bereans were probably studying scrolls of the Old Testament which contained about 300 prophecies about Jesus.
Ethiopian Eunuch
In Acts 8:26-39 we find the story about the traveling Ethiopian eunuch who was reading Isaiah’s book. Isaiah chapter 53 contains several of those 300 prophecies. Philip asked the traveler if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch replied, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to explain these passages to him.
The book of Acts was written around 61 A.D. So these passages show early Christians studying their Scriptures with diligence and enthusiasm.
Early Church Worship
Even earlier than that Christians were “continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
This reveals a very early form of church worship – one where they met in homes, studied oral traditions and took communion.
Parables Quoted
The teachings contained in the New Testament – including Jesus’ parables – were always meant to be quoted and studied. His parables include famous teaching-stories such as these:
The Sower (Matthew 13:5)
The Tares (Matthew 13:24
The Mustard Seed (13:31)
The Leaven (13:33)
The Hidden Treasure (13:44)
The Pearl of Great Price (13:45
The Dragnet (13:47)
The Unmerciful Slave (Matt. 18:23
The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matt. 20:1-6)
The Two Sons (Matt. 21:28)
There are thirty well-loved parables. In a good study bible most of these are listed for your convenience.
Modern Then?
You mention that “in the old days…the bible was a more modern text.” Of course, for those living in the first-century the Scriptures were written in their own languages – Greek and Hebrew. So for them it was a modern text.
Naturally, two-thousand years later it is an “ancient” Greek or Hebrew text for us. But, that’s why we have scholars who are skilled in ancient languages. They have done a thorough job translating these ancient texts into modern English and other languages so that we can enjoy the Scriptures just as those living in the first-century.
Privilege of Study
We are extremely blessed and fortunate in our country to have access to modern translations of the Bible. In many other countries it is a forbidden book. People are murdered just for owning a Bible.
Therefore, since we can attend church and read a Bible without fear of persecution, we should thank God for our freedoms and thankfully study His Word to us. Someday we may not have this privilege anymore.