Secret Books Discovered! So scream the headlines of a supermarket tabloid article about books that were supposedly left out of the Bible. We are led to believe that some sensational truth written by a Bible saint has been denied to us, and if we'll only buy the latest book or supermarket tabloid, we'll discover what we have missed. Some of these books, referred to as the pseudepigrapha (a Greek term meaning false writings or falsely titled writings) have long ago been rejected as supermarket tabloid quality writings. Jews, Catholics and Protestants all agree. These writings about religious subjects are part of a variety of books written by Jews and others from 200 B.C. to 200 A.D. They are thought at one time to have enjoyed a considerable popularity in some circles of Judaism. Many of the books and writings bear a false title or claim to be written by famous persons of the biblical past, some examples being: The Books of Adam and Eve, Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, The Testament of Abraham, The Acts of Andrew, The Acts of Peter, and The Acts of Paul, to name a very few.
Anyone who reads them will quickly deem them as interesting but uninspired. The following humorous excerpt from The Acts of John illustrates the point. " Now on the first day we arrived at a deserted inn, and when we were at a loss for a bed for John, we saw a droll matter. There was one bedstead lying somewhere there without coverings, whereon we spread the cloaks which we were wearing, and we prayed him to lie down upon it and rest, while the rest of us all slept upon the floor. But he when he lay down was troubled by the bugs, and as they continued to become yet more troublesome to him, when it was now about the middle of the night, in the hearing of us all he said to them: I say unto you, O bugs, behave yourselves, one and all, and leave your abode for this night and remain quiet in one place, and keep your distance from the servants of God. And as we laughed, and went on talking for some time, John addressed himself to sleep; and we, talking low, gave him no disturbance (or, thanks to him we were not disturbed).
But when the day was now dawning I arose first, and with me Verus and Andronicus, and we saw at the door of the house which we had taken a great number of bugs standing, and while we wondered at the great sight of them, and all the brethren were roused up because of them, John continued sleeping. And when he was awaked we declared to him what we had seen. And he sat up on the bed and looked at them and said: Since ye have well behaved yourselves in hearkening to my rebuke, come unto your place. And when he had said this, and risen from the bed, the bugs running from the door hasted to the bed and climbed up by the legs thereof and disappeared into the joints. And John said again: This creature hearkened unto the voice of a man, and abode by itself and was quiet and trespassed not; but we which hear the voice and commandments of God disobey and are light-minded: and for how long?"
Dear reader, to many people it seems strange that St. John would be having a conversation with bed bugs. Further, it seems pretty obvious why these types of writings were not considered as genuine. Indeed they make interesting reading, but are hardly something you would want to guide your life with. For those who have access to the Internet, you can read all of these books and writings at The Yahshuan Archives---World Religions; their scriptures, history and related articles. You can find them at www.Yahshua.webhost.com.au/index.html

Blessings in your study of God's Word!

Marvin Hunt

There is never a charge for my articles, and if you have a good reason, there is no limit to how many you may request. However, if you find them valuable you may want to order my latest book, History, Mystery and Facts About the Bible. Order at 1-800-845-7618 (ext. 301). You may also order from Amazon.com. Proceeds from the book go to support this ministry.

Blessings!
Marvin Hunt

Http://www.biblehistory.com

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