Gospel of the Egyptians
The Gospel of the Egyptians is another lost document that scholars at the earliest put between 120-150AD. Clement of Alexandria, Hippolytus and Epiphanius of Salamis tell us all we know of this document. It’s either some form of narrative or a collection of sayings, we just have no idea.
Reasons for rejection/non-inclusion
- Written outside the apostolic age, is not an eyewitness to Jesus and has no bearing on the New Testament Canon
- Church fathers label this as a heretical work
- Hippolytus connect The Gospel of the Egyptians to the Gnostic sect known as the Naassenes, Egyptian sect
- Epiphanius connects the text to the heretical group called the Sabellians, Egyptian sect
- Endorsed a form of celibacy in a way Gnostics did who in turn rejected marriage
Useful external attestation details
- Jesus is a wise teacher
- Jesus had disciples who considere dhis words to be a source for life
- Jesus is described as “The Word”, Lord, Saviour
- There is a body and a soul
- Affirms Father, Son and Holy Spirit trinity
- Jesus is interested in teaching women
- Salome is described as a target of his attention
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