Kimbanguist theology follows the Protestant canonical tradition that recognizes 39 Old Testament books and does not include the deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, additions to Daniel and Esther, 1-2 Maccabees). This position reflects the Kimbanguist alignment with Protestant missionary Christianity from which the movement emerged. The canon is distinguished between protocanonical books (those universally recognized) and the deuterocanonical books (those received only in certain traditions).

The Kimbanguist church operates with the 66-book Protestant canon (39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament). While the movement may acknowledge the historical and devotional value of the deuterocanonical books, they are not considered Scripture of the same level as the protocanonical books.