1. Clement (96AD) wrote I Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians.
2. Ignatius was a fiery bishop that wrote many books and died around 114AD or 116AD.
3. Polycarp wrote to Ephesians and Corinthians. He was a disciple of John.
4. There were many more. They wrote genuine treatises, but none were ever claimed to be part of Scripture.
5. Apocryphal means "false." Apocrypha means "hidden." The above are not apocryphal. The below are.
(a) Gospels - some exist about Jesus as a little boy
(b) Acts of Peter, Paul, Matthew, and so forth
(c) Epistles - similar to those by Paul. Some were by the more minor Apostles or at least in their name. Various writings are attributed to Joseph and Mary and Pilate.
(d) Apocalypse - an end of world view
6. Infancy Gospel of Saint Thomas - this writing concerns Christ and childhood. Nineteen chapters but only several pages. This may or may not have been attributed to the Apostle. These present a number of childhood miracles. These accounts present Jesus as a superboy with spoiled brat, boy-type tendancies.
7. Joseph probably died during Jesus' three year ministry. The people said at one point that they need His parents, but from the cross, He spoke to John as though Joseph were dead.
8. Jesus' childhood accounts describe Him as one who killed others when He was upset.
9. Some miracles (assumed)
(a) Healed viper bite of James, his brother
(b) Healed a little child who had died
(c) Raised a man that had died while building a house
10. Thomas listed fifteen or sixteen miracles. Some things are similar to the Gospel of Luke. However, Jesus was presented as a wicked little boy. John 2:11 says that His miracles started at Cana. John 4:54 idenified His second miracle.
11. The apocryphal books try to fill in the blanks of Jesus' life.
12. These books are false. They are called Christian because they are from the Christian era.
Tom of Bethany "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lesson 7 - Jewish Sects and Groups
Send email to: tlee6040@aol.com