The first Christians weren't Bible Christians

[Lek]

The first christians were mostly converted Jews, most of whom were very well versed in the Jewish scriptures which were the current old teatament. When the gentiles began being converted they came into the faith with little or knowledge of the scriptures, but pretty much based on the witness of the apostles and other missionaries. A person doesn't need to read the bible to be a christian. If a person believes that Jesus is his savior and tries to follow his will he's a christian. Of course a person who wants to follow Jesus would obviously want to read the scriptures because they contain his word and he or she would want to know more about him. Christianity is not about reading a book, but about a relationship with Christ and living a life in his service. The canon of the new testament was chosen based on which books agreed with the orthodox christian beliefs of the church. These were passed down orally at first and then by the writings of believers, mostly apostles or companions of apostles, after Jesus' death.