The Book of the Resurrection of Christ by Bartholomew the Apostle

Published by 1c15 on 25th December 201925th December 2019

This text is made up of three Coptic fragments with a date difficult to establish. The best manuscript is 12th century, but the older ones have undecided dates on them. Likely 5th-6th century is where it sits (200-550AD is the span scholars generously give as some believe it to be the lost Gospel of Bartholomew.

Reasons for rejection/non-inclusion

1. Written outside of the apostolic age
2. If it’s the lost Gospel of Bartholomew, then it is the one 5th century church fathers like Jerome reject as well as Pope Gelasius
3. It’s focus only on passion week is a common feature of Gnostic works
4. Has Bartholomew as ascending into heaven observing the liturgy which is just bizarre and doesn’t appear to happen.

Useful external attestation details 

1. Jesus is described as “all-powerful” and identified as the “First Born of the Father”, “the Saviour”, the “Son of God”, the “Holy Lamb” and the “Shepherd” who came from Heaven.
2. Judas Iscariot is identified as the one who betrayed Jesus
3. Jesus died
4. Jesus was crucified
5. Jesus was pierced in the side 
6. Jesus rose from the dead
7. Jesus’ body is recovered by Joseph of Arimathea 
8. Jesus was laid in a new tomb
9. Jesus was wrapped in linen and anointed with oils and perfumes
10.  Mary and other women followers go to the tomb (this book specifies those women as Salome, M. Magdalene and Martha)
11. Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection
12. Jesus ascended into heaven
13. Jesus’ disciples are acknowledged and named: Bartholomew (of course), Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, Thaddeus, and Matthias.