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The Historic Faith
Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About New Testament Pseudepigrapha

Early Christian writers did not treat every writing with an apostolic name as true. Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, and the Apostolic Constitutions all warn about fake books, false apostles, and writings that were put out under a holy name to mislead believers. At the same time, some writers show that a few disputed books were still known or read in some places, so the picture is not simple and the evidence is mixed.

The strongest pattern is that the church judged books by apostolic teaching, consistent doctrine, and church use, not just by a name on the cover. There is also clear evidence that early Christians could call out heretical writings as false or spurious when they carried an apostle's name.

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Key Passages

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How to Study New Testament Pseudepigrapha

A tighter path from the primary text into context and application.

Start with the clearest command or anchor text Read the primary passage in context before building doctrine from supporting references.
Trace the apostolic pattern Compare how the apostles preached, practiced, warned, and applied this topic in the churches.
Connect to witness and formation Use early Christian sources, courses, lessons, and discussion questions only after the Bible map is clear.
Continue with connected study Use the attached Bible reader, cross-reference, original-language, and THF resource links to keep studying the topic in context.

Scripture Map

Grouped passages make the topic easier to scan, compare, and teach.

35 references

Supporting Passages

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

Bible passage about false apostles disguising themselves

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Bible passage about remembering prophetic and apostolic teaching

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Bible passage about false Christs and prophets deceiving the elect

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Bible passage about false Christs and false prophets

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Despise not prophesyings.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Bible passage about holding to traditions taught by word or letter

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Bible passage about searching the Scriptures

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.