The New Testament Apocrypha

[Dark_Lite]

I know there are Bibles that include the Apocrypha of the Old Testament as either a seperate section or in the Old Testament itself, but are there bibles distributed with the New Testament Apocrypha (Gospel of Peter, etc..)?

 

[theseed]

Not to my knowledge. The jews do not consider the Apocrapha to be scripture, its not part of the Hebrew Bible.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

They were also part of the Septuagint, which is the scripture that Jesus and the apostles used.

The Protestants attempt to defend their rejection of the deuterocanonicals on the ground that the early Jews rejected them. However, the Jewish councils that rejected them (e.g., council of Jamnia in 200 A.D.) were the same councils that rejected the entire New Testatment canon. Thus, Protestants who reject the "Catholic Bible" are following a Jewish council who rejected Christ and the Revelation of the New Testament.

 

[theseed]

They were also part of the Septuagint, which is the scripture that Jesus and the apostles used.

The Protestants attempt to defend their rejection of the deuterocanonicals on the ground that the early Jews rejected them. However, the Jewish councils that rejected them (e.g., council of Jamnia in 200 A.D.) were the same councils that rejected the entire New Testatment canon. Thus, Protestants who reject the "Catholic Bible" are following a Jewish council who rejected Christ and the Revelation of the New Testament.

Jesus did not accept the Apocypha as on par with the OT. They were revered but not considered as scripture. St. Jerome (340-420 AD) seperated the OT from the Apropha (canonical vs eccesiastical) as though they were secondary in status.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Jesus did not accept the Apocypha as on par with the OT...

Show me proof...

 

[theseed]

Show me proof that he did.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Show me proof that he did.

Easy. Jesus used the greek version of scripture, the Septuagint. Which had Baruch, Tobit, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Judith, Sirach, and Wisdom.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13722a.htm

 

[theseed]

Show me proof...

http://www.justforcatholics.org/a108.htm


Here we read that hey are not on par with the OT, they are good for edification. So is the OT, but it's can be used to judge doctrine.

 

[theseed]

Easy. Jesus used the greek version of scripture, the Septuagint. Which had Baruch, Tobit, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Judith, Sirach, and Wisdom.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13722a.htm

Yes, but he cited from the OT. According to Jerome, the Jews never used the Apochypha. I just posted a a link but here it is again.

http://www.justforcatholics.org/a108.htm

The OT is good for doctrine and edification, the Apochypha is only good for edification, therefore they are not on par with the OT. And if the Jews did not use it, then we can be even more sure that Jesus did not.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Since this is no place for debate, we'll leave it at this: Dark_Lite

The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church accept the Apocrypha (we call it the Deuterocanon) as scripture.

And Protestants do not.

 

[theseed]

Since this is no place for debate, we'll leave it at this: Dark_Lite

The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church accept the Apocrypha (we call it the Deuterocanon) as scripture.

And Protestants do not.

Then is it God inspired? 2 Timothy 3.16? That's not to say that all non God-inspired writing is not good for edification and training in rightousness.

 

[Dark_Lite]

Yes, I know that non-Protestant Christianity accepts it. I did buy a new Bible today with the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical scripture in it because my old one is crappy anyway. Hmm.. now I need a book that has the other Gospels and such in it.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Then is it God inspired? 2 Timothy 3.16? That's not to say that all non God-inspired writing is not good for edification and training in rightousness.

2 Tim. 3:16 - the inspired Scripture that Paul was referring to included the deuterocanonical texts that the Protestants removed. Like I've said, the books Baruch, Tobit, Maccabees, Judith, Sirach, Wisdom were all included in the Septuagint that Jesus and the apostles used.

 

[theseed]

Actually the Roman Catholics accept it, Protestants don't.

There is one book that has extra New Testament writings, but I don't remembe the name of it. Try a looking at www.thecheapestbook.com

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

You can read a lot online at:

www.earlychristianwritings.com

 

[theseed]

Sweet!

 

[theseed]

Very well, but the Jews did not except as canonical, so we can't know that Paul did.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

The Jews also rejected the New Testament...

 

[Skummer]

I may have something useful to add to this...
I believe it was the pharisee sect of judaism in particular that rejected the apocryphal books. There were at least two other main sects of judaism at the time the NT was written and they had varying beliefs on doctrine, canon, etc.

I've always thought that if the apocrypha wasn't scriptural, the writers of the NT should have said so since they did often quote the septuagint word-for-word.

Also, it's interesting to note that Jude quotes the book of Enoch (not in sept), 1:9 I believe it is. Strange how apostles would quote prophesy from a book that isn't scriptural.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

I may have something useful to add to this...
I believe it was the pharisee sect of judaism in particular that rejected the apocryphal books. There were at least two other main sects of judaism at the time the NT was written and they had varying beliefs on doctrine, canon, etc.

I've always thought that if the apocrypha wasn't scriptural, the writers of the NT should have said so since they did often quote the septuagint word-for-word...

Here are some examples:

Matt. 2:16 - Herod's decree of slaying innocent children was prophesied in Wis. 11:7 - slaying the holy innocents.

Matt. 6:19-20 - Jesus' statement about laying up for yourselves treasure in heaven follows Sirach 29:11 - lay up your treasure.

Matt.. 7:12 - Jesus' golden rule "do unto others" is the converse of Tobit 4:15 - what you hate, do not do to others.

Matt. 7:16,20 - Jesus' statement "you will know them by their fruits" follows Sirach 27:6 - the fruit discloses the cultivation.

Matt. 9:36 - the people were "like sheep without a shepherd" is same as Judith 11:19 - sheep without a shepherd.

Matt. 11:25 - Jesus' description "Lord of heaven and earth" is the same as Tobit 7:18 - Lord of heaven and earth.

Matt. 12:42 - Jesus refers to the wisdom of Solomon which was recorded and made part of the deuterocanonical books.

Matt. 16:18 - Jesus' reference to the "power of death" and "gates of Hades" references Wisdom 16:13.

Matt. 22:25; Mark 12:20; Luke 20:29 - Gospel writers refer to the canonicity of Tobit 3:8 and 7:11 regarding the seven brothers.

Matt. 24:15 - the "desolating sacrilege" Jesus refers to is also taken from 1 Macc. 1:54 and 2 Macc. 8:17.

Matt. 24:16 - let those "flee to the mountains" is taken from 1 Macc. 2:28.

Matt. 27:43 - if He is God's Son, let God deliver him from His adversaries follows Wisdom 2:18.

Mark 4:5,16-17 - Jesus' description of seeds falling on rocky ground and having no root follows Sirach 40:15.

Mark 9:48 - description of hell where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched references Judith 16:17.

Luke 1:42 - Elizabeth's declaration of Mary's blessedness above all women follows Uzziah's declaration in Judith 13:18.

Luke 1:52 - Mary's magnificat addressing the mighty falling from their thrones and replaced by lowly follows Sirach 10:14.

Luke 2:29 - Simeon's declaration that he is ready to die after seeing the Child Jesus follows Tobit 11:9.

Luke 13:29 - the Lord's description of men coming from east and west to rejoice in God follows Baruch 4:37.

Luke 21:24 - Jesus' usage of "fall by the edge of the sword" follows Sirach 28:18.

Luke 24:4 and Acts 1:10 - Luke's description of the two men in dazzling apparel reminds us of 2 Macc. 3:26.

John 1:3 - all things were made through Him, the Word, follows Wisdom 9:1.

John 3:13 - who has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven references Baruch 3:29.

John 4:48; Acts 5:12; 15:12; 2 Cor. 12:12 - Jesus', Luke's and Paul's usage of "signs and wonders" follows Wisdom 8:8.

John 5:18 - Jesus claiming that God is His Father follows Wisdom 2:16.

John 6:35-59 - Jesus' Eucharistic discourse is foreshadowed in Sirach 24:21.

John 10:22 - the identification of the feast of the dedication is taken from 1 Macc. 4:59.

John 15:6 - branches that don't bear fruit and are cut down follows Wis. 4:5 where branches are broken off.

Acts 1:15 - Luke's reference to the 120 may be a reference to 1 Macc. 3:55 - leaders of tens / restoration of the twelve.

Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6 - Peter's and Paul's statement that God shows no partiality references Sirach 35:12.

Acts 17:29 - description of false gods as like gold and silver made by men follows Wisdom 13:10.

Rom 1:18-25 - Paul's teaching on the knowledge of the Creator and the ignorance and sin of idolatry follows Wis. 13:1-10.

Rom. 1:20 - specifically, God's existence being evident in nature follows Wis. 13:1.

Rom. 1:23 - the sin of worshipping mortal man, birds, animals and reptiles follows Wis. 11:15; 12:24-27; 13:10; 14:8.

Rom. 1:24-27 - this idolatry results in all kinds of sexual perversion which follows Wis. 14:12,24-27.

Rom. 4:17 - Abraham is a father of many nations follows Sirach 44:19.

Rom. 5:12 - description of death and sin entering into the world is similar to Wisdom 2:24.

Rom. 9:21 - usage of the potter and the clay, making two kinds of vessels follows Wisdom 15:7.

1 Cor. 2:16 - Paul's question, "who has known the mind of the Lord?" references Wisdom 9:13.

1 Cor. 6:12-13; 10:23-26 - warning that, while all things are good, beware of gluttony, follows Sirach 36:18 and 37:28-30.

1 Cor. 8:5-6 - Paul acknowledging many "gods" but one Lord follows Wis. 13:3.

1 Cor. 10:1 - Paul's description of our fathers being under the cloud passing through the sea refers to Wisdom 19:7.

1 Cor. 10:20 - what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God refers to Baruch 4:7.

1 Cor. 15:29 - if no expectation of resurrection, it would be foolish to be baptized on their behalf follows 2 Macc. 12:43-45.

Eph. 1:17 - Paul's prayer for a "spirit of wisdom" follows the prayer for the spirit of wisdom in Wisdom 7:7.

Eph. 6:14 - Paul describing the breastplate of righteousness is the same as Wis. 5:18. See also Isaiah 59:17 and 1Thess. 5:8.

Eph. 6:13-17 - in fact, the whole discussion of armor, helmet, breastplate, sword, shield follows Wis. 5:17-20.

1 Tim. 6:15 - Paul's description of God as Sovereign and King of kings is from 2 Macc. 12:15; 13:4.

2 Tim. 4:8 - Paul's description of a crown of righteousness is similar to Wisdom 5:16.

Heb. 4:12 - Paul's description of God's word as a sword is similar to Wisdom 18:15.

Heb. 11:5 - Enoch being taken up is also referenced in Wis 4:10 and Sir 44:16. See also 2 Kings 2:1-13 & Sir 48:9 regarding Elijah.

Heb 11:35 - Paul teaches about the martyrdom of the mother and her sons described in 2 Macc. 6:18, 7:1-42.

Heb. 12:12 - the description "drooping hands" and "weak knees" comes from Sirach 25:23.

James 1:19 - let every man be quick to hear and slow to respond follows Sirach 5:11.

James 2:23 - it was reckoned to him as righteousness follows 1 Macc. 2:52 - it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

James 3:13 - James' instruction to perform works in meekness follows Sirach 3:17.

James 5:3 - describing silver which rusts and laying up treasure follows Sirach 29:10-11.

James 5:6 - condemning and killing the "righteous man" follows Wisdom 2:10-20.

1 Peter 1:6-7 - Peter teaches about testing faith by purgatorial fire as described in Wisdom 3:5-6 and Sirach 2:5.

1 Peter 1:17 - God judging each one according to his deeds refers to Sirach 16:12 - God judges man according to his deeds.

2 Peter 2:7 - God's rescue of a righteous man (Lot) is also described in Wisdom 10:6.

Rev. 1:18; Matt. 16:18 - power of life over death and gates of Hades follows Wis. 16:13.

Rev. 2:12 - reference to the two-edged sword is similar to the description of God's Word in Wisdom 18:16.

Rev. 5:7 - God is described as seated on His throne, and this is the same description used in Sirach 1:8.

Rev. 8:3-4 - prayers of the saints presented to God by the hand of an angel follows Tobit 12:12,15.

Rev. 8:7 - raining of hail and fire to the earth follows Wisdom 16:22 and Sirach 39:29.

Rev. 9:3 - raining of locusts on the earth follows Wisdom 16:9.

Rev. 11:19 - the vision of the ark of the covenant (Mary) in a cloud of glory was prophesied in 2 Macc. 2:7.

Rev. 17:14 - description of God as King of kings follows 2 Macc. 13:4.

Rev. 19:1 - the cry "Hallelujah" at the coming of the new Jerusalem follows Tobit 13:18.

Rev. 19:11 - the description of the Lord on a white horse in the heavens follows 2 Macc. 3:25; 11:8.

Rev. 19:16 - description of our Lord as King of kings is taken from 2 Macc. 13:4.

Rev. 21:19 - the description of the new Jerusalem with precious stones is prophesied in Tobit 13:17.

Exodus 23:7 - do not slay the innocent and righteous - Dan. 13:53 - do not put to death an innocent and righteous person.