Beth-El Baptist Church

02/19/2012

Greg Tomlinson


Are the Gnostic Gospels authoritative?


There are approximately 50 gnostic or apocryphal gospels. Most of these gospels are only known by their titles, others are the basis for whole books and movies. They are also the sources of various conspiracy theories.


  1. Why were they written?

Luke 2:41-49 Matthew 12:46-50; 13:55-57

1 John 4:1-4 Matthew 27:24-26

1 Peter 3:18-20


Except for the recording of His birth and of one event when He was 12 years old there is no information abut the early childhood of Jesus Christ. People wanted more resulting in the Protevangelium of James and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. One of the Gnostic beliefs (as well as the Roman Catholic Church) is that Mary remained a virgin. They also wanted to consider what happened between the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (descent into hell – Gospel of Nicodemus).


The Protoevangelium of James teaches that Mary was dedicated that the age of three as a kind of Jewish “vestal virgin.” Furthermore, this gnostic gospel identifies the “brothers” of Jesus as being His step brothers, sons of Joseph from a prior marriage.


The Infancy Gospel of Thomas reports supposed childhood events of Jesus: turning clay sparrows into living sparrows as one example.


The Pseudo-Matthew gospel supposedly reports miracles which took place during the flight to Egypt. He was worshiped by the ox and the ass as well as other animals.


The Gospel of Peter reports that Christ only appeared to have a human body. It places the blame of the death of Jesus on Herod and the Jews. As does the Gospel of Nicodemus.


  1. Why were they written in other people's names?

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2


In order to present an argument as being true, people often report that someone else whose views and opinions are accepted is actually the author of the view.


  1. How can we verify if they are authoritative?

John 3:12 Hebrews 4:15

1 John 1:1-4 2 Peter 1:20-21


We can verify the reliability and authority of these Gospels by evaluating the recorded events with what we know as well as the nature and character of Christ and the reality of His sinlessness. It can also be compared to other scriptures to see whether or not they are in agreement.


The Infancy Gospel of Thomas composed in the 2nd century reports that as a child Jesus cursed a child who scattered some water He collected. A child who bumped into Jesus was smitten dead. People who accused Him were blinded. He rebuked a teacher. As an assistant in His father's carpenter shop, He stretched beams of wood to the proper size.


The Pseudo-Matthew gospel (The Gospel of the Nativity of Mary) composed in the 6th to 8th centuries reports the trip to Egypt took one day instead of 30. Palm trees bow down to offer dates to Mary. Pagan idols fall down as Mary and Jesus as a child enter an Egyptian temple.


The Assumption of the Virgin Mary reports that after she died, Mary was restored to life and transported to Paradise. Formulated the dogma of the assumption of the Virgin.


The Gospel of Peter composed in the 2nd century reports that at the resurrection the guards witnessed the resurrection seeing three men coming out of the sepulchre, two of them sustaining the other, and a cross following them and the heads of the two reaching as far as heaven, but of him whom they lead by the hand overpassing the heavens.


  1. How do we know if they have errors in them?

Acts 1:20-22 John 18:2-5

Luke 22:48 Hebrews 13:4


The Gospel of the Judas reports that Judas alone knew the actual truth and only “betrayed Jesus” so that they mystery of redemption might be accomplished.


The Works Associated with Bartholomew reprot that the number of souls that leave the world every day is “thirty thousand” of which only 3 are admitted into paradise.


The Gospel of Mary (Magdalene) reports Jesus told the disciples “sin as such does not exist, but you make sin when you do what is of the nature of fornication, which is called sin” and that Jesus loved Mary Magdalene above all women. This is used to imply that Jesus had a sexual relationship with her.


The Gospel of Thomas reports that “women are not worthy of the Life” and that in order to allow for the salvation of women that Jesus said “I will make her male, that she too may become a living spirit, resembling you males. For every woman who makes herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.