Muratorian Canon and Prophecy

One work that refutes the idea that Catholics assembled the Bible and made the books authoratative through later councils is the Muratorian Canon. A work written in Rome that describes the books used in church and  authorized for worship.

It was written around 175 AD, so that it predates the councils by over 100 years. It describes all the New Testament books accepted around Rome at that time.

All 4 Gospel accounts plus Acts, and all Epistles but III John.

So, the Canon was accepted before 200 AD in most places. The church functioned for over 300 years without the councils.

The Canon is valuable because it shows that extra Biblical works were not allowed to be read in churches. Works such as creeds and prayer books were not used in church services. They also said the writings of the prophets and apostles were complete showing I Cor. 13 that prophecy would cease.

They considered all prophecy fulfilled it seems.

We receive also the Apocalypse of John and that of Peter, though some amongst us will not have this latter read in the Church. The Pastor, moreover, did Hermas write very recently in our times in the city of Rome, while his brother bishop Plus sat in the chair of the Church of Rome. And therefore it also ought to be read; but it cannot be made public38 in the Church to the people, nor placed among the prophets, as their number is complete, nor among the apostles to the end of time.

It also shows he does not call the chair of Rome the Chair of Peter.