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34 NEW TESTAMENT CANON 529 is addressed ‘Unto Gaius the beloved,’ a faithful and liberal member of the Church, whose influence and example the writer invokes, in opposition to the intolerant and factious conduct of an ambitious ecclesiastic named Diotrephes, who had gone so far as to close his doors on ‘the brethren’ who had come in the name of ‘ the elder,’ apparently bearing a letter from him—perhaps our 2nd Epistle. See, further, JOHN (EPISTLES OF). 5. The Revelation of St. John.

—The Apocalypse has experienced greater vicissitudes as regards its acceptance in the Church than any other book of the NT, owing partly to the Chiliastic views associated with it, and partly to the marked differ- ence in its language and style as compared with the other works ascribed to St. John.

It bears to be written by ‘John to the seven Churches which are in Asia’; and it is a significant fact that its apostolic authorship was accepted by Justin Martyr (not to mention some earlier apparent witnesses) in the dialogue which he held with Trypho at Ephesus within half a century after St. John’s death.

Its wide divergence from the Fourth Gospel, both in ideas and in language, may be accounted for in some measure by the difference in the nature and contents of the two books, the one being mainly narrative or colloquial, the other formed on the model of Jewish apocalypse ; and there are not wanting some important features of resemblance between them, betokening an identity of authorship.

With regard to the date of this book, there is a growing conviction that the theory which connects it with the persecution in the reign of Nero, and puts its composition before the destruction of Jeru- salem, must be abandoned, and that the ‘tribula- tion’ referred to (1%) was that which befell Chris- tians in the provinces, especially in Asia Minor, at a later date, when they refused to pay divine honour to the emperor.

The main theme of the book is the second coming of Christ, pictorially set forth as the glorious consummation of great struggles and marvellous events. Its unity has recently been assailed, but the attempts to disin- tegrate it have not met with general acceptance. See, further, art. REVELATION (BOOK OF). On the whole subject of this article, reference may be made, further, to such articles as BIBLE, CANON, CATHOLIC EPISTLES, GOSPELS, NEW TESTA- MENT CANON, PAUL, etc.

, as well as to the separate articles on the various books of the NT, and the Literature appended to these. J. A. M‘CLYMONT. “NEW TESTAMENT CANON.— Introduction—general character of the history of the forma- tion of the Canon—considerations to be borne in mind in esti- mating the facts—the chief periods. A, From end of apostolic age to δ. a.p. 220.—Circumstances specially affecting the evidence for the Gospels. i. The sub-apostolic age.—Its documents—Ep. of Clem, Rom. to the Corinthians—Epp.

of Ignatius and Polycarp—evidence as to the use of (1) the Gospels, (2) other NT writings. ii. The second quarter of the 2nd century, (1) The use of the Gospels—Ep. of Barnabas—the Didaché— Shepherd of Hermas— Fragments of Papias — the so-called 2nd Ep. of Clement—Justin Martyr—Gnostic heretics — Montanists, (2) Use of other writings of NT. iil, Third quarter of 2nd century—Tatian. iy. Last quarter of 2nd century and beginning of 8rd.—The impugners of St.

John’s writings—Theophilus—the evidence atforded by works of Irenwus, Tertullian, Clement of Alex- andria, Hippolytus, (1) Writings whose place in the Canon was already, at and from this time, fully secured, (a) Remarks upon the area from which this evidence comes; (4) inferences that may be drawn as to the previous history of the recep of these writings in the Church. (2) Writings whose position continued to be for a time doubtful. From δ. a.p. 220-328.

—The teaching and works of Origen and their inflaence—judgment of Dionysius of Alexandria on the Apocalypse—evidence of Eusebius as regards the Canon, ©. Concluding period.—Influences favourable to a final settie- ment —lists of Cyril of Jerusalem, Athanasius, Epiphanius the Cheltenham Catalogue, Third Council of Carthage — evidence for Rome and other neighbouring Churches—Councl) **Copyright, 1900, by Uharies Scribner's Sons NEW TESTAMENT CANON which they have ever since held.

B, the second, extends, roughly speaking, to the pacification of the empire under Constantine (A.D. 323). It was a time of comparison between the lists of NT Scriptures accepted in different Churches, and dis- cussion of the claims of those not universally received ; but there was much uncertainty still in regard to certain books. C. From A.D. 323 on- wards, the final settlement, though it was attained at various times in different parts of the Church. A, FROM THE END OF THE APOSTOLIC AGE TO