Apocrypha
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I have read them all. It was a requirement the first week of New Testament survey in Seminary. It is very relevant material as far as being written during intertestamental times. (Between the New and Old Testament)
But there are many things that are obviously fiction. 2 Maccabees is not historically accurate. And certainly not valuable for doctrine! Other stories are complete works of fiction.
Also remember, Esther and Daniel have quite a bit extra which are part of the Apocrypha. So don't miss those.
It is always good to examine literature which was written in Palestine, during the occupations of various countries. It gives us insight into the conditions which developed and were occurring during New Testament times.
Just not for doctrine!
Here is a brief link as to why the Apocrypha is not considered to be canon.
But there are many things that are obviously fiction. 2 Maccabees is not historically accurate. And certainly not valuable for doctrine! Other stories are complete works of fiction.
Also remember, Esther and Daniel have quite a bit extra which are part of the Apocrypha. So don't miss those.
It is always good to examine literature which was written in Palestine, during the occupations of various countries. It gives us insight into the conditions which developed and were occurring during New Testament times.
Just not for doctrine!
Here is a brief link as to why the Apocrypha is not considered to be canon.
- Not one of the apocryphal books is written in the Hebrew language (the Old Testament was written in Hebrew). All Apocryphal books are in Greek, except one which is extant only in Latin.
- None of the apocryphal writers laid claim to inspiration.
- The apocryphal books were never acknowledged as sacred scriptures by the Jews, custodians of the Hebrew scriptures (the apocrypha was written prior to the New Testament). In fact, the Jewish people rejected and destroyed the apocrypha after the overthow of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
- The apocryphal books were not permitted among the sacred books during the first four centuries of the real Christian church (I'm certainly not talking about the Catholic religion. The Roman Catholic "Church" is not Christian).
- The Apocrypha contains fabulous statements which not only contradict the "canonical" scriptures but themselves. For example, in the two Books of Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanes is made to die three different deaths in three different places.
- The Apocrypha includes doctrines in variance with the Bible, such as prayers for the dead and sinless perfection. The following verses are taken from the Apocrypha translation by Ronald Knox dated 1954:Basis for the doctrine of purgatory:
2 Maccabees 12:43-45, 2.000 pieces of silver were sent to Jerusalem for a sin-offering...Whereupon he made reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.Salvation by works:
Ecclesiasticus 3:30, Water will quench a flaming fire, and alms maketh atonement for sin.Tobit 12:8-9, 17, It is better to give alms than to lay up gold; for alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin.Magic:
Tobit 6:5-8, If the Devil, or an evil spirit troubles anyone, they can be driven away by making a smoke of the heart, liver, and gall of a fish...and the Devil will smell it, and flee away, and never come again anymore.Mary was born sinless (immaculate conception):
Wisdom 8:19-20, And I was a witty child and had received a good soul. And whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled. - It teaches immoral practices, such as lying, suicide, assasination and magical incantation.
- No apocryphal book is referred to in the New Testament whereas the Old Testament is referred to hundreds of times.
- Because of these and other reasons, the apocryphal books are only valuable as ancient documents illustrative of the manners, language, opinions and history of the East.
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T
Yes, Bel and the Dragon is a great little story. Very humorous. 1st Maccabees is also rather good. I've been working through some of the other books, off and on (more off than on). They range from rather interesting to rather poor. I doubt I'll read a few of them ever again, but some I'll return to. Still, they're not inspired works.
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what is the dragon look like?
No. 48: The Apocrypha: Bel and the Dragon - Biblical Horizons
www.biblicalhorizons.com/.../no-48-the-apocrypha-bel-and-the-dragon/
[SUP]26[/SUP]But if you, O king, will give me permission, I will slay the dragon without sword or club." The king said, "I give you permission." 27Then Daniel took pitch, fat,
T
It is included in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles. 1 Maccabees makes interesting reading because it fills in the historical
gap between the two Testaments. It includes the account of Antiochus Epiphanes who was a precursor to the Antichrist and
how the Maccabee family overthrew him. As with the rest of the Apocrypha it is not regarded as Scripture by Protestant churches.
gap between the two Testaments. It includes the account of Antiochus Epiphanes who was a precursor to the Antichrist and
how the Maccabee family overthrew him. As with the rest of the Apocrypha it is not regarded as Scripture by Protestant churches.
T
I read once that the group of Rabbis that decided which books were to be recognised as Scripture nearly threw out Esther because it didn't mention God. The only reason they kept it in was because there is a Jewish festival called Purim where the story of Queen Esther is recited. Another book that was almost excluded was the Song of Soloman. I am not sure why but it was probably considered too racy for the more conservative members of the council!
T
For God is not the author of confusion 
Antiochus Epiphanes die in three different death's, in three different places, how can that be possible ???
Shalom
Antiochus Epiphanes die in three different death's, in three different places, how can that be possible ???
Shalom
and the Essene writings. There are a countless number of Christian books in publication that vary from being excellent to complete rubbish I wouldn't count them as Scripture either.
J
the NT books are in greek, maybe not Mt.
the Essenes, a Jewish sect, John the baptist was most likely one, regarded these books as sacred scripture.
the books were removed from Jewish canon 90 years after Jesus. this was also a pharisee council. Jesus referred to the pharisees as sons of the devil.
the Essenes, a Jewish sect, John the baptist was most likely one, regarded these books as sacred scripture.
the books were removed from Jewish canon 90 years after Jesus. this was also a pharisee council. Jesus referred to the pharisees as sons of the devil.
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atonement is not salvation, Jesus and the 12 spoke highly of good works.
the Jewish priest wore the garment robe that the gemstones blinked when they asked questions, the apostles threw lots to decide a replacement.
Jesus and the 12 referenced these books many times.
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Seems like all it would do is confuse or inspire doubt in Christians not 100% rooted. So, better to avoid reading such a thing until you have a deep understanding of the bible or just avoid it forever: in order to read it you would have to be able to filter between the non-sense and what has merit. Regardless, if it was really needed for our walk in Christ then it would be in the bible and its not in the bible because the content is questionable.
Magenta did a good job of explaining why the Apocrypha is not inspired in this thread - http://christianchat.com/bible-disc...le-first-assembled-382-d-inspiration-god.html