Deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees) excluded from canon; only 66 OT/NT books canonical
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God follows evangelical Protestant canon and excludes the deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1-2 Maccabees, and additions to Daniel and Esther). The UCKG recognizes only 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books (66 total) as canonical Scripture.
The UCKG's position reflects the view that these books, while valuable for historical and religious knowledge, lack the apostolic authority and clarity of the biblical canon. They are not quoted as Scripture in the New Testament and were not universally recognized in the early Church. The UCKG follows the Hebrew canon (used by Jews) rather than the expanded Catholic/Orthodox canons.
The exclusion of deuterocanonical books does not diminish their historical value but simply maintains evangelical Protestant boundaries regarding what constitutes canonical Scripture. The UCKG's doctrinal teachings are based solely on the 66 canonical books.
Scripture References
Sources
- Universal Church of the Kingdom of God Doctrinal Position
- Evangelical Protestant canon