Denies
Deuterocanonical books not canonical; Protestant 66-book canon affirmed
Jehovah's Witnesses affirm the 66-book Protestant biblical canon (39 OT + 27 NT) and exclude the deuterocanonical books. These apocryphal works—Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees, Baruch, and others—are not considered Scripture. While they may have some historical or devotional interest, they are not authoritative for Christian doctrine and practice.
Witnesses' New World Translation includes only the 66 books as Scripture. The apocryphal books lack the apostolic witness and divine authority characteristic of the canonical Scripture. The determination of the biblical canon is seen by Witnesses as settled: the 66 books constitute God's complete written revelation.
Key Distinctions
- Canonical status:
- 66 books (Protestant)
- Apocrypha status:
- non-canonical
- Historical value:
Scripture References
Sources
- Watchtower Bible and Tract Society publications