Apocrypha
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Apocrypha (Greek: ἀπόκρυφος, "hidden"; singular: Apocryphon) are books or other works of literature from the times of the Bible that are not accepted universally as canonical.
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Classical and modern definitions
The classical Apocrypha are the deuterocanonical books written during the four hundred years between the last book of the Old Testament and the birth of Christ. Although they have an actual history and literary value in some cases, these fourteen books have been rejected as non-canonical by both the Jewish faith and most denominations of the Christian church. This is due to alleged historical, geographical, or literal inaccuracies in most cases, the teaching of doctrines which allegedly contradict what has already been considered inspired Scripture and a lack of elements and structure which give genuine Scripture its unique characteristic. [1]
Today, the term Apocryphon includes any work that has been rejected as non-canonical for any reason, including the Deuterocanonical books and various other proposed additions to the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Apocryphal texts by denomination
Catholicism
The Roman Catholic Church considers the following books as apocryphal:
- 1 Esdras (Vulgate 3 Esdras)
- 2 Esdras (Vulgate 4 Esdras)
- Prayer of Manasses
These are the three uncanonical books appended to the official edition of the Vulgate.
Protestantism
Protestant denominations traditionally include deuterocanonical books, which are accepted as canonical by Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, in their definition of Apocrypha.
The following books are regarded as apocryphal by most, if not all, Protestant denominations:
- 1 Esdras (Vulgate 3 Esdras)
- 2 Esdras (Vulgate 4 Esdras)
- Tobit (Tobias)
- Judith
- Wisdom
- Ecclesiasticus, also called Sirach.
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
As well as:
- Additions to Esther (Vulgate Esther 10:4-16:24)
- Additions to Daniel
- Song of the Three Children (Vulgate Daniel 3:24-90)
- Story of Susanna (Vulgate Daniel 13)
- The Idol Bel and the Dragon (Vulgate Daniel 14)
- Prayer of Manasses
Universal Old Testament Apocrypha
Apocalypses
- Book of Enoch (1 Enoch)
- Book of the Secrets of Enoch (2 Enoch)
- Third Book of Enoch (3 Enoch)
- Book of Noah
- 2 Esdras (Vulgate 4 Esdras)
- Assumption of Moses
- Apocalypse of Abraham
- Apocalypse of Daniel
Legendary Apocrypha
- Book of Jubilees
- Book of Jannes and Mambres
- Book of Joseph and Aseneth
- 1 Esdras (Vulgate 3 Esdras)
- Paralipomena of Jeremiah (4 Baruch)
- 3 Maccabees
- 5 Maccabees
- Book of Eldad and Modad
- History of the Rechabites
- Letter of Aristeas
Apocryphal psalms and prayers
Philosophy
With Christian accretions
- Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan
- Sibylline Oracles
- Testament of Adam
- Testaments of the Three Patriarchs
- Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
- Testament of Job
- Testament of Solomon
- Ascension of Isaiah
- Apocalypse of Moses
- Apocalypse of Ezra
- Greek Apocalypse of Ezra
- Vision of Ezra
- Apocalypse of Elijah
- Apocryphon of Ezekiel
- Apocalypse Of Zephaniah
- Apocalypse of Baruch (2 Baruch)
- Greek Apocalypse of Baruch (3 Baruch)
- Story of Aphikia
New Testament Apocrypha
Apocryphal gospels
- Infancy Gospel of James
- Infancy Gospel of Thomas
- Arabic Infancy Gospel
- Gospel of the Nativity of Mary
- Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew
- Gospel of Gamaliel
- Gospel of Nicodemus
- Transitus Mariæ
- History of Joseph the Carpenter
- Life of John the Baptist
Judaistic and Gnostic gospels
- Gospel of the Hebrews
- Gospel of the Nazoraeans
- Gospel of the Ebionites
- Gospel of the Egyptians
- Gospel of Peter
- Gospel of Philip
- Gospel of Thomas
- Gospel of the Twelve
- Gospel of Barnabas
- Gospel of Thaddeus
- Gospel of Eve
- Gospel of Judas
- Gospel of Marcion
- Gospel of Mani
- Gospel of Appelles
- Gospel of Bardesanes
- Gospel of Basilides
- Gospel of Cerinthus
Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles
- Acts of Andrew
- Acts of Barnabas
- Acts of John
- Acts of the Martyrs
- Acts of Paul
- Acts of Paul and Thecla
- Acts of Peter
- Acts of Peter and Andrew
- Acts of Peter and Paul
- Acts of Peter and the Twelve
- Acts of Philip
- Acts of Pilate
- Acts of Thomas
- Acts of Xanthippe, Polyxena, and Rebecca
Apocryphal epistles
- Epistle of Barnabas
- Epistles of Clement
- Epistle of the Corinthians to Paul
- Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans
- Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians
- Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians
- Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians
- Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans
- Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians
- Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp
- Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
- Epistle to Diognetus
- Epistle to the Laodiceans
- Epistle to Seneca the Younger
- Third Epistle to the Corinthians
Apostolic apocrypha
- Didache
- Shepherd of Hermas
- 1 and 2 Clement
- Epistle of Barnabas
- Apocalypse of Peter
- Protevangelium of James
- Third Epistle to the Corinthians
Miscellany
References
- ↑ Unger, Merrill F. Introductory Guide to the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1951, p. 70.
See Also
External Links
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