Topical Encyclopedia The "Gospel According to the Hebrews" is an ancient Christian text that is often classified among the apocryphal gospels. It is believed to have been composed in the early centuries of Christianity, possibly in the late 1st or early 2nd century AD. This gospel is distinct from the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and it was not included in the New Testament canon. The text is primarily known through references and quotations by early Church Fathers, as the complete work has not survived.Historical Context and Authorship The Gospel According to the Hebrews is thought to have been used by Jewish-Christian communities, particularly those in the region of Palestine. These communities, sometimes referred to as the Nazarenes or Ebionites, maintained a strong adherence to Jewish traditions while accepting Jesus as the Messiah. The gospel is believed to have been written in Greek or possibly Aramaic, reflecting the linguistic context of its audience. The authorship of the Gospel According to the Hebrews remains unknown. Some early Church Fathers, such as Jerome and Origen, mention the text, suggesting it held some authority among certain Christian groups. Jerome, in particular, noted that the gospel was used by the Nazarenes and that it was similar in some respects to the Gospel of Matthew. Content and Themes The Gospel According to the Hebrews is known only through fragments and references, making it difficult to reconstruct its full content. However, the surviving fragments suggest that it contained narratives and teachings of Jesus that were similar to those found in the canonical Gospels, yet with unique elements that reflect its Jewish-Christian context. One notable feature of the gospel is its emphasis on the Jewish identity of Jesus and his mission. It is said to have included a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to James, the brother of the Lord, which is not detailed in the canonical Gospels. This appearance underscores the importance of James in the early Jerusalem church. The gospel also reportedly contained teachings that emphasized moral and ethical living, aligning with Jewish law. This focus on the ethical teachings of Jesus is consistent with the practices of the Jewish-Christian communities that valued adherence to the Torah. Theological Significance The Gospel According to the Hebrews provides insight into the diversity of early Christian thought and the ways in which different communities understood the message of Jesus. Its existence highlights the intersection of Jewish and Christian traditions in the formative years of the Church. While not considered authoritative within the broader Christian tradition, the gospel's fragments contribute to the understanding of how early Jewish Christians interpreted the life and teachings of Jesus. The text's emphasis on the Jewish roots of Christianity serves as a reminder of the faith's origins and the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. References in Early Christian Writings Several early Church Fathers referenced the Gospel According to the Hebrews, providing valuable information about its content and use. Jerome, in his writings, often compared it to the Gospel of Matthew, noting both similarities and differences. He also translated some of its passages into Latin, preserving them for later generations. Origen, another early theologian, mentioned the gospel in his commentary on the Gospel of John, indicating its circulation among certain Christian groups. These references suggest that while the Gospel According to the Hebrews was not universally accepted, it held significance for specific communities within the early Church. Conclusion The Gospel According to the Hebrews remains an intriguing piece of early Christian literature. Though not part of the canonical New Testament, its fragments offer a glimpse into the beliefs and practices of Jewish-Christian communities in the early centuries of the Church. Through the writings of early Church Fathers, this gospel continues to be a subject of scholarly interest and theological reflection. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Gospel According To the HebrewsGOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE HEBREWS See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS. Library Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews Preface to the Homilies on the Gospel of St. John. The Gospel of Matthew These Propositions Cannot be Predicated of any of those Books ... Philo of Alexandria, the Rabbis, and the Gospels - the Final ... Apocryphal Traditions. Matthew. How the Word is the Maker of all Things, and Even the Holy Spirit ... Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ... The New Testament Canon in the First Three Centuries. Resources What is the Infancy Gospel of Thomas? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Gospel of Philip? | GotQuestions.org What is the Gospel of Mary (Magdalene)? | GotQuestions.org Gospel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Gospel According To the Hebrews Gospel: Called the New Covenant Gospel: Called: Doctrine According to Godliness Gospel: Called: Form of Sound Words Gospel: Called: Glorious Gospel of Christ Gospel: Called: Gospel of Christ Gospel: Called: Gospel of Jesus Christ Gospel: Called: Gospel of Peace Gospel: Called: Gospel of Salvation Gospel: Called: Gospel of the Kingdom Gospel: Called: Ministration of the Spirit Gospel: Called: Mystery of Christ Gospel: Called: Mystery of the Gospel Gospel: Called: Preaching of Jesus Christ Gospel: Called: The Dispensation of the Grace of God Gospel: Called: The Grace of God Gospel: Called: The Kingdom of God Gospel: Called: Word of Christ Gospel: Called: Word of Reconciliation Gospel: Called: Word of Salvation Gospel: Compared to a Householder Gospel: Compared to a Mustard Seed Gospel: Compared to a Pearl of Great Price Gospel: Compared to a Treasure Hidden in a Field Gospel: Compared to Leaven (Yeast) Gospel: Prophecies Relating To Gospel: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Gospel is Called the Dispensation of the Grace of God The Gospel is Called the Doctrine According to Godliness The Gospel is Called the Form of Sound Words The Gospel is Called the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Christ The Gospel is Called the Gospel of God The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Peace The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Salvation The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Grace of God The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Kingdom The Gospel is Called the Ministration of the Spirit The Gospel is Called the Mystery of the Gospel The Gospel is Called the Preaching of Jesus Christ The Gospel is Called the Word of Christ The Gospel is Called the Word of Faith The Gospel is Called the Word of God The Gospel is Called the Word of Grace The Gospel is Called the Word of Life The Gospel is Called the Word of Reconciliation The Gospel is Called the Word of Salvation The Gospel is Called the Word of Truth The Gospel is Good Tidings of Great Joy for all People The Gospel is Hid to Them That are Lost The Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation The Gospel: Awful Consequences of not Obeying The Gospel: Be Careful not to Hinder The Gospel: Exhibits the Grace of God The Gospel: Let Him Who Preached Another, be Accursed The Gospel: Life and Immortality are Brought to Light by Jesus Through The Gospel: Ministers Have a Stewardship to Preach The Gospel: Preached Beforehand to Abraham The Gospel: Preached by Christ The Gospel: Preached to Every Creature The Gospel: Preached to The Gentiles The Gospel: Preached to The Jews First The Gospel: Preached to The Poor The Gospel: Preached Under the Old Testament The Gospel: Profession of, Attended by Afflictions The Gospel: Promises to Sufferers The Gospel: Rejection of, by Many, Foretold The Gospel: Rejection of, by the Jews, a Means of Blessing to The The Gospel: Saints Have Fellowship In The Gospel: Testifies to the Final Judgment The Gospel: The Knowledge of the Glory of God is By The Gospel: There is Fulness of Blessing In The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Adhere to the Truth of The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Earnestly Contend for the Faith of The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Have Their Conversation Becoming The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Live in Subjection To The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should not be Ashamed of The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Friends and Property For The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Life Itself For Related Terms |
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