How We Know The Gospels Weren't Anonymous: Early Use

Previously I’ve discussed what the early church fathers said about the authorship of the Gospels. We saw that they believed Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote them, and there wasn’t a shred of disagreement over it. This attestation of authorship is early and geographically diverse, and there’s no competing tradition.

But there’s even earlier evidence we can look at — the early use of the Gospels. Many early church writers use the Gospels without mentioning or describing their authors. This takes us back even further than the evidence in the earlier video.

If you’re quoting something as authoritative to your audience, it means you assume they’ll recognize the quotes and accept them as genuine. That’s why these citations are a big deal.

So let’s get into it. Here are a few examples of the early use of the Gospels. A complete list would make for a longer and duller video, so let’s take a look at a few highlights.

References: Ignatius, Letter to Polycarp, Ch. 2, Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians, Ch. 2, Re: Basilides see Schaff, History of the Christian Church, see the section on Basilides. Clement, Letter to the Corinthians, Ch. 13, 46, Barnabas, Ch. 4, Justin, Dialogue 103:8, 1 Apology 61:4, First Apology, ch. 67

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Outro music:
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[TestifyApologetics]

Background music: Yay? Nay? Too quiet?

[DanielApologetics]

Great video, Erik! Learning how to defend the Gospels against skeptical objections is a MUST in apologetics..!

[BRUDERHERZ]

The Didache is extremely epic. It quotes the four Gospels, pauline and pastoral epistles constantly, which indicates that there was already very early agreement on the trustworthyness of those writings.

[samuelhunter]

Nice one!
I'd even add that Paul Quotes from the Gospel of Luke in his letter to the Corinthians:

1Cor.11.23 - For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Cor.11.24 - And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Cor.11.25 - After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

[andrewc]

That moment you're bingwatching almost every video in this channel lol.

[__.Sara.__]

I had no idea what the Diatesseron was or that it meant through 4. I'm genuinely learning so much from your channel!

[colbyhill]

Commenting for the algorithm. You deserve *way* more views and subscribers for the quality in your videos and how understandable you articulate all of it.

[gerryquinn]

For such a short video, this packs in a lot of very useful details. Well done.

[koinoniagames]

Man.. after looking at your sub count comparative to your view count - you're low-key creating a domino effect with your subscriber traction pared with the activity that is being gained from it - Youtube is gonna start blowing up your videos soon! Such high quality btw. I am so impressed man! Hands down one of the best theological channels I subscribe to with unprecedented presentation elsewhere within the theological community from what I've seen! Keep up the amazing work man. :)

Also just wanted to suggest - have you thought of linking to some of your other videos in your description? After studying SEO a bit ( I don't do much with the knowledge currently ) I've found that by having a section linking back to other videos that people might like may be helpful for the YT algorithmn to recognize your cluster and help promote it from your other videos therefore having a bit of a spitballing effect on your content. (A section like "Other Videos You Might Like" with the video titles + links beneath it) Just a suggestion! Keep up the amazing work.

[AnHebrewChild]

Testify -- "Blessed are the poor and those persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God."

It's important to note that this is dependent on Matthew's phrasing, not merely Luke's, as the middle phrase appears nowhere in the NT but in Matthew 5.

Hey man, keep doing what you're doing... and keep things close to the vest (and keep your powder dry) as there are very very few YTers doing apologetics who are actually on the hallelujah side. I happen to know that even a few of those who you are fans of are Luke20:20

You can believe that or not, but just use discernment. As it seems you do! GOD BLESS YOU for speaking glowingly of JESUS! 🙌🏼

[edwardkennedy]

Today only I subscribed your channel..
I've been watching videos one by one from Tamil Nadu, India ❤️

[inukithesavage]

So we're not gonna talk about that thumbnail? XD Good stuff - please do more!!

[nori_tutor]

Papias, an early church father. The same guy who said Judas had died by exploding, because he got too fat. This is the earliest "evidence" we have, he said Mark was written by Peter's interpreter. Then bam, it's true?

[thebiblestudio]

Can i ask which programe do you use to make this video ? It’s nice 👍

[pogimax]

4:26 Great name for a Transformer too!

[kamiljan]

Just wanted to thank you so much for your videos man!

[Platter_heads]

You have one of the best channels on the tube

[TheBibleCode]

Underrated channel trully, you need to allow sharing on others channels !

[nopainnogain]

I know this was 2 years ago. But how does this exactly “prove” they are not anonymous? basically your whole argument (if im not mistaken) for this is that early church fathers were quoting the gospels without even attributing them by matthew mark luke and John Which therefore proves they are not anonymous.

I like the nice background music, not too loud not boring either :-)