So the next question is, who decided which books became part of the Bible, which ones were excluded, and why. The answer is complicated, but basically has a lot to do with politics, differing views, nationalities, money, etc. One also has to ask which Bible, since as of this writing there are many versions around the world.
A common question that people ask, is that if there are so many versions of the Bible, then which ones are correct, which ones aren't, and how do we know. The simplest answer I can give is that they are all correct, and they are all incorrect. They all teach the same basic doctrine. But all of them have material that is incomplete, and all of them have material that does not belong. All of them have materials that have been altered and changed to some degree. The core teachings and doctrines are relatively the same, so if you apply the truths they contain into your heart, they will lead you closer to God.
That being said, there are many books that are not part of the Bible that also contain important truths. They are often labeled as "apocrypha" which I think is a term that often discredits many of them. Some of them are incorrect, but the same can be said of some works that are included in the Bible. The key is to learn all you can, and develop a relationship with God so that you can know how to discern truth from error.
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