Gospel of Matthias
Encyclopedia
The Gospel of Matthias is a lost text from the New Testament apocrypha
, ascribed to Matthias
, the apostle chosen by lots to replace Judas Iscariot
(Acts 1:15-26). The content has been surmised from various descriptions of it in ancient works by church fathers
(see below). There is too little evidence to decide whether a Traditions of Matthias is the same work, according to J.B. Matthews, The Anchor Bible Dictionary (IV:644).
records a sentence urging asceticism
that the Nicolaitanes
ascribe to Matthias: "we must combat our flesh, set no value upon it, and concede to it nothing that can flatter it, but rather increase the growth of our soul by faith and knowledge". The Gospel of Matthias was mentioned by Origen of Alexandria; by Eusebius, who attributes it to heretics
; by Jerome
, and in the Decretum Gelasianum
which declares it apocrypha
l. It comes at the end of the list of the Biblical Canon
in the Codex Baroccianus
206, formerly in the library of Francesco Barozzi
("Barocius") of Venice.
This lost gospel is probably the document whence Clement of Alexandria quoted several passages, saying that they were borrowed from the traditions of Matthias, Paradoseis ("Paradox
es"), the testimony of which he claimed to have been invoked by the heretics Valentinus, Marcion, and Basilides
. According to Philosophoumena, VII.20, Basilides quoted apocryphal discourses that he attributed to Matthias. These three writings: the Gospel, the Traditions, and the apocryphal Discourses were reckoned as referring to a single work by Theodor Zahn
, but Adolf von Harnack
denied this identification.
, where it describes the show's mythological creatures, the Usher of Destruction and Avatara. The gospel is also the subject of Wilton Barnhardt
's 1993 novel, Gospel: a novel
. The novel relates the search for and finding of Matthias' lost work.
New Testament apocrypha
The New Testament apocrypha are a number of writings by early Christians that claim to be accounts of Jesus and his teachings, the nature of God, or the teachings of his apostles and of their lives. These writings often have links with books regarded as "canonical"...
, ascribed to Matthias
Saint Matthias
Matthias , according to the Acts of the Apostles, was the apostle chosen by the remaining eleven apostles to replace Judas Iscariot following Judas' betrayal of Jesus and his suicide.-Biography:...
, the apostle chosen by lots to replace Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
(Acts 1:15-26). The content has been surmised from various descriptions of it in ancient works by church fathers
Church Fathers
The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, Christian Fathers, or Fathers of the Church were early and influential theologians, eminent Christian teachers and great bishops. Their scholarly works were used as a precedent for centuries to come...
(see below). There is too little evidence to decide whether a Traditions of Matthias is the same work, according to J.B. Matthews, The Anchor Bible Dictionary (IV:644).
Historical references
Though the work is lost, Clement of AlexandriaClement of Alexandria
Titus Flavius Clemens , known as Clement of Alexandria , was a Christian theologian and the head of the noted Catechetical School of Alexandria. Clement is best remembered as the teacher of Origen...
records a sentence urging asceticism
Asceticism
Asceticism describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various sorts of worldly pleasures often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals...
that the Nicolaitanes
Nicolaitanes
Nicolaism is a Christian heresy, first mentioned in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament, whose adherents were called Nicolaitans, Nicolaitanes, or Nicolaites. According to Revelation 2, vv. 6 and 15, they were known in the cities of Ephesus and Pergamon...
ascribe to Matthias: "we must combat our flesh, set no value upon it, and concede to it nothing that can flatter it, but rather increase the growth of our soul by faith and knowledge". The Gospel of Matthias was mentioned by Origen of Alexandria; by Eusebius, who attributes it to heretics
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
; by Jerome
Jerome
Saint Jerome was a Roman Christian priest, confessor, theologian and historian, and who became a Doctor of the Church. He was the son of Eusebius, of the city of Stridon, which was on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia...
, and in the Decretum Gelasianum
Decretum Gelasianum
The so-called Decretum Gelasianum or Gelasian Decree was traditionally attributed to the prolific Pope Gelasius I, bishop of Rome 492–496. In surviving manuscripts the Decretal exists on its own and also appended to a list of books of Scripture titled as attested as canonical by a Council of...
which declares it apocrypha
Apocrypha
The term apocrypha is used with various meanings, including "hidden", "esoteric", "spurious", "of questionable authenticity", ancient Chinese "revealed texts and objects" and "Christian texts that are not canonical"....
l. It comes at the end of the list of the Biblical Canon
Biblical canon
A biblical canon, or canon of scripture, is a list of books considered to be authoritative as scripture by a particular religious community. The term itself was first coined by Christians, but the idea is found in Jewish sources. The internal wording of the text can also be specified, for example...
in the Codex Baroccianus
Codex Baroccianus
Baroccianus is an adjective applied to manuscripts indicating an origin in the Baroccianum, a Venetian collection assembled by the humanist Francesco Barozzi...
206, formerly in the library of Francesco Barozzi
Francesco Barozzi
Francesco Barozzi was an Italian mathematician, astronomer and humanist.-Life:...
("Barocius") of Venice.
This lost gospel is probably the document whence Clement of Alexandria quoted several passages, saying that they were borrowed from the traditions of Matthias, Paradoseis ("Paradox
Paradox
Similar to Circular reasoning, A paradox is a seemingly true statement or group of statements that lead to a contradiction or a situation which seems to defy logic or intuition...
es"), the testimony of which he claimed to have been invoked by the heretics Valentinus, Marcion, and Basilides
Basilides
Basilides was an early Gnostic religious teacher in Alexandria, Egypt who taught from 117–138 AD, notes that to prove that the heretical sects were "later than the catholic Church," Clement of Alexandria assigns Christ's own teaching to the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius; that of the apostles,...
. According to Philosophoumena, VII.20, Basilides quoted apocryphal discourses that he attributed to Matthias. These three writings: the Gospel, the Traditions, and the apocryphal Discourses were reckoned as referring to a single work by Theodor Zahn
Theodor Zahn
Theodor Zahn or Theodor von Zahn was a biblical scholar born in Rhineland, Prussia . He was professor of Theology at Erlangen, and distinguished for his eminent scholarship in connection with the matter especially of the New Testament canon. He stood at the head of the conservative New Testament...
, but Adolf von Harnack
Adolf von Harnack
Adolf von Harnack , was a German theologian and prominent church historian.He produced many religious publications from 1873-1912....
denied this identification.
In popular culture
A copy of the gospel is used in the HBO series CarnivàleCarnivàle
Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes...
, where it describes the show's mythological creatures, the Usher of Destruction and Avatara. The gospel is also the subject of Wilton Barnhardt
Wilton Barnhardt
Wilton Barnhardt is a former reporter for Sports Illustrated and is the author of Emma Who Saved My Life , Gospel , and Show World ....
's 1993 novel, Gospel: a novel
Gospel: a novel
Gospel: a novel is a 1993 novel by Wilton Barnhardt focusing on the composition and discovery of a noncanonical gospel. The author travelled extensively in Europe, the Middle East and Africa while researching it...
. The novel relates the search for and finding of Matthias' lost work.