By Richard Merrell, PO Box 107 Wentworth Falls NSW Australia 2782
02 47571825
Below are a list of writings that are found in the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament Apocrypha, which I recommend to the reader. However I must stress that a knowledge of the Bible is necessary, even paramount for those who are willing to read these documents of the early church. For some of the documents in the Pseudepigrapha and New Testament Apocrypha are clearly discerned to be utter nonsense in light of the Bible. However there are some writings I believe good for edification,exhortation and comfort, such as the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians and the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians.
Clement was an early Bishop of Rome and sent his epistle to Corinth c 96. Clement was a disciple of the Apostle Peter.
Polycarp d c155 was Bishop of Smyrna, and disciple of the Apostle John. He became a faithful martyr for Jesus, being burnt at the stake when in very great age, for he declared before the Proconsul when told to swear to the genius of Caesar, "Eighty six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong; how can I blaspheme my King who saved me ?" The martyrdom of Polycarp 22nd February 156.
First Epistle of Clement of Rome to the Corinthians
Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians (Died for Jesus) burnt
Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Died for Jesus) beasts at Rome
Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians
Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians
Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans
Epistle of Ignatius to the Philidelphians
Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrneans
Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp
The General Epistle of Barnabas
The Gospel of Nicodemus, formerly called the Acts of Pontius Pilate
THE READER CAN FORM HIS/HER OWN OPINION AS TO THESE BOOKS
1. Jubilees
2. The Lives of the Prophets
3. Life of Adam and Eve
4. The Secrets of Enoch (Slavonic)
5. 1 Enoch ( Ethiopic Apocalypse of )......quoted at Jude 14,15
6. Apocalypse of Daniel
7. Apocalypse of Elijah
8. Apocryphon of Ezekiel
9. The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
1. JUBILEES. (Second Century B.C.)
The Book of Jubilees being a record of the things that God showed
(revealed) to Moses while he spent the 40 days on Mount Sinai, read
(Exodus24:18). Israel was to become apostate, (even as the church has)
but God showed to Moses that by His grace Israel will be ultimately
restored. Chapter 49 speaks of the Passover and observance thereof,
the last chapter, 50 speaks of the Sabbath. Jubilees has a relation to
Genesis and Exodus.
2. THE LIVES OF THE PROPHETS. (First Century A.D.)
The Lives of the prophets is only extant in Christian manuscripts; it
contains very much 'Christian' material and may have originally been
written in one of the Semetic languages, as was the Gospel of Matthew;
most likey Syriac, ( see the Peshitta, the Queen of NT manuscripts ).
Dating of the 'LIVES' is difficult because no contemporary events are
mentioned.
3. LIFE OF ADAM AND EVE. (First Century A.D.)
Deals with their life after their expulsion from Eden; deals with Cain's
murder of his brother Able, and relates the story of Seth. It deals with
the fact that mercy will be shown to men at the resurrection, speaks of
the death and burial of Adam. The fall of Satan and the reason is given;
inasmuch that Satan would not worship man, who had been created in the
image of God. The book is interesting but a firm grasp of Scripture is
needed.
4. THE SECRETS OF ENOCH. 2(Slavonic Apocalypse of) ENOCH
(Late First Century A.D.)
The work covers the period of Genesis 5:23-32; it is an amplification
thereof, and deals with the life of Enoch to the deluge. He has a vision
whereby he is taken into heaven; (note John in the Apocalypse). He is
taken through seven heavens to the throne of God, at each heaven he sees
things and asks the angel what they mean. The account of the (sons of
God who mated with women) is recorded, so too the time of world history
to the new heaven and earth. One gets an appreciation for First Century
understanding that the Lord is the only Creator, a book worth reading.
5. 1 ENOCH. (Ethiopic Apocalypse of)
(First Century B.C. - First Century A.D.)
This work is also known as 1 Enoch, it is the oldest of three works in
the pseudepigrapha attributed to Enoch. After Enoch has the visions he
admonishes his children to walk after God, for a great flood is coming
as judgement upon the wicked. It is interesting to me for Jude 14,15
relates Enoch's prophecy written at 1:9, so we have a book of the Canon
quoting a pseudepigrapha writing. That's one reason I personaly believe
in an OPEN canon. This book too is worth study for the enquiring mind!
6. APOCALYPSE OF DANIEL. (Ninth Century A.D.)
This work deals with the coming of the Antichrist and the end of the
world. Earlier traditions on this subject were taken and adapted to the
historical events of eighth-century Byzantium. However we get an insight
into the earlier beliefs regarding the second coming of Jesus and the
destruction of the 'man of sin' see 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Early
Christians did NOT believe in a 'secret' catching up of the saints.
7. APOCALYPSE OF ELIJAH. (First to Fourth Century A.D.)
This work deals with prayer and fasting, prophecies concerning the events
preceding the advent of Antichrist, his discription and destruction. It
speaks of events which will happen on 'that Day' ie: the Day of the Lord.
8. APOCRYPHON OF EZEKIEL. (First Century B.C. - First Century A.D.)
This work deals with a story of a certain king who invites his subjects
to attend a great feast. However there two cripples whom he does not
invite. The story is a moral regarding the resurrection and judgement.
9. THE TESTAMENTS OF THE TWELVE PATRIARCHS. (Second Century B.C.)
This work purports to the final utterances of the twelve sons of Jacob,
( see my study ). Jacob's last words in Genesis 49 is the model for this
work. Before each patriarch dies, having gathered about him his offspring
he reflects on his life, and admonishes his children to avoid sins and
speaks to them of the future of Israel. This book is good to read and
encouraging to all who would avoid the pitfalls of sin, fornication being
the subject of Joseph the eleventh son of Jacob and Rachel. What a great
book this is !!!
BOOK TITLES WHERE YOU WILL FIND ALL THE ABOVEMENTIONED WRITINGS
The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments
Volume 1. James H. Charlesworth
The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Volume 2. James H. Charlesworth
New Testament Apocrypha, Volume one: Gospel and Related Writings,
Wilhelm Schneemelcher.
New Testament Apocrypha, Volume two: Writings Relating to the Apostles;
Apocalypses and Related Subjects, Wilhelm Schneemelcher.
The Lost Books of the Bible and the Forgotten Books of Eden
A New Eusebius, Documents illustrative of the history of the Church
to A.D. 337, J.Stevenson
THE OLD TESTAMENT PSEUDEPIGRAPHA
SHORT SUMMARY OF BOOKS
EMAIL
