Category:Gospel of the Ebionites (text)
The Gospel of the Ebionites is a 2nd-century Jewish Christian Gospel, now in collection of NT Apocrypha.
Overview
The Gospel of the Ebionites is a lost text. Only a few fragments survive in the form of quotations from the Epiphanius of Salamis.
Ancient descriptions of the sect of the Ebionites provide additional information on the theology of the group.
THE THREE CHRISTIAN PARTIES OF THE 2ND CENTURY
JUDEO-CHRISTIANITY
- Jesus is a pre-existent archangel (created, not generated)
- Christianity as a movement within Judaism
- Obedience to the Mosaic Torah + teaching of Jesus
- Family of Jesus
GNOSTICISM
- Jesus is divine but did not come in the flesh (there is no creation).
- Christianity as an anti-Jewish movement (rejection of Judaism)
- Mysticism / Ascetism / Knowledge as the only path to salvation
- Charismatic Leadership
“ORTHODOX” CHRISTIANITY
- Jesus is as divine as the Father (generated not created). Jesus came in the Flesh (became created)
- Christianity as the "new" Israel (rooted in the ancient Jewish tradition)
- Love as the path to salvation
- Apostolic Succession
Gospel of the Ebionites (sources)
Epiphanius of Salamis
"[The Ebionites] deny that [Christ] was begotten of God the Father, asserting that he was created as one of the archangels, but that he was greater than they, and that he rules over the angels and all things made by the Almighty "(Panarion XXX 16,4; cf. 3,4-5; Ippolito, Refutatio X 29, 2).
1st fragment -- It came to pass in the days of Herod, King of Judaea under the high priest Caiaphas, that John came and baptized with the baptism of repentance in the river Jordan; he is said to be from the tribe of Aaron and a son of Zacharias the priest and of Elizabeth and all went out to him.[1]
2nd Fragment -- And it came to pass when John baptized, that the Pharisees came to him and were baptized, and all Jerusalem also. He had a garment of camels' hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins. And his meat was wild honey, which tasted like manna, formed like cakes of oil.[2]
3rd Fragment -- The people having been baptized, Jesus came also, and was baptized by John. And as he came out of the water the heavens opened, and he saw the Holy Spirit descending under the form of a dove, and entering into him. And a voice was heard from heaven: "Thou art my beloved Son, and in thee am I well pleased. And again: "This day have I begotten thee." And suddenly shone a great light in that place. And John seeing him, said, "Who art thou, Lord?" Then a voice was heard from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Thereat John fell at his feet and said: "I pray thee, Lord, baptize me." But he would not, saying "Suffer it, for so it beloveth that all should be accomplished."[3]
4th Fragment -- [Matthew said] "And there was a man named Jesus, and he was about thirty years old; he has chosen us. And He came into Capernaum and entered into the house of Simon, surnamed Peter, and He opened His mouth and said, 'As I walked by the sea of Tiberias, I chose John and James, the sons of Zebedee, and Simon and Andrew and Thaddaeus and Simon Zelotes, and Judas Iscariot; thee also, Matthew, when thou wast sitting at the receipt of custom, did I call and thou didst follow me. According to my intention ye shall be twelve apostles for a testimony unto Israel.'"[4]
5th Fragment -- [Jesus was told] "Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without."
[He said] "Who is my mother and who are my brethren?" And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples and said: "These are my brethren and my mother and sisters, which do the will of my Father."[5]
6th Fragment -- [Jesus said] "I am come to abolish the sacrifices: if ye cease not from sacrificing, the wrath (of God) will not cease from weighing upon you."[6]
7th Fragment -- [The disciples said,] "Where wilt Thou that we prepare for Thee to eat the Passover?" To which He replied: "I have no desire to eat the flesh of this Paschal Lamb with you."
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