Five Early Christian Books That Nearly Made It Into the New Testament
Five Early Christian Books Once Considered for the New Testament
Early Christian Writings That Nearly Became Part of the New Testament
Five Influential Early Christian Texts Outside the New Testament
Books That Almost Entered the New Testament Canon
Early Christian Writings That Nearly Became Part of the New Testament
Five Influential Early Christian Texts Outside the New Testament
Books That Almost Entered the New Testament Canon
Below are five fascinating early Christian writings that were widely read in the early church and, for a time, were even considered by some communities for inclusion alongside the New Testament.
Studying them helps us understand how early Christians evaluated texts and recognized which writings carried apostolic authority.
Luke 1:1–2 (KJV)
“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word.”
1️⃣ The Didache
Didache
The Didache (meaning “Teaching”) is an early Christian document dating roughly AD 70–120.
It contains:
- instructions on baptism
- fasting practices
- the Lord’s Prayer
- guidelines for church leadership
- early Eucharistic prayers
Because it reflects very early Christian teaching, some church leaders valued it highly.
However, it was not written by an apostle, and over time it was classified as a church manual rather than Scripture.
External sources:
2️⃣ The Shepherd of Hermas
Shepherd of Hermas
The Shepherd of Hermas was extremely popular among Christians in the 2nd century.
It contains:
- visions
- allegories
- moral instructions
- calls to repentance
Remarkably, this book appears in the famous Codex Sinaiticus, a 4th-century Bible manuscript, showing how respected it was.
But eventually church leaders concluded it was written too late to be apostolic, and it was excluded from the canon.
External sources:
3️⃣ The Epistle of Barnabas
Epistle of Barnabas
This early Christian writing likely dates from AD 70–130.
It focuses heavily on interpreting the Old Testament in light of Christ.
The letter:
- argues that many Old Testament laws should be interpreted spiritually
- strongly contrasts Christianity with Judaism
Like the Shepherd of Hermas, it appears in Codex Sinaiticus, which shows some early Christians copied it alongside biblical books.
However, scholars determined that it was not written by the apostle Barnabas, and therefore it was not included in the New Testament.
External sources:
4️⃣ The Gospel of the Hebrews
Gospel of the Hebrews
The Gospel of the Hebrews is known only through quotations preserved by early church writers.
It was likely used by Jewish-Christian communities in the early centuries.
Church fathers such as:
- Jerome
- Origen
- Clement of Alexandria
mentioned it in their writings.
Although it contained traditions about Jesus, it was not widely accepted across the church and eventually disappeared.
5️⃣ The Apocalypse of Peter
Apocalypse of Peter
The Apocalypse of Peter is one of the earliest Christian writings describing heaven and hell.
Dating to about AD 100–150, it presents vivid descriptions of:
- judgment
- punishment for sin
- rewards for the righteous
Interestingly, the Muratorian Fragment, one of the earliest New Testament lists, mentions it as a book some churches read but others rejected.
Over time, church leaders concluded it lacked clear apostolic authorship and excluded it from the New Testament canon.
External sources:
Why these books were ultimately not included
Early Christians generally used three major criteria when recognizing Scripture:
1️⃣ Apostolic connection – written by an apostle or close associate
2️⃣ Orthodox teaching – consistent with apostolic doctrine
3️⃣ Widespread use – accepted across many churches
2️⃣ Orthodox teaching – consistent with apostolic doctrine
3️⃣ Widespread use – accepted across many churches
These writings were valued but did not meet all three criteria.
Scripture’s central testimony remained clear
Despite the many writings circulating in early Christianity, the church gradually recognized the same core collection of apostolic books we now know as the New Testament.
John 20:31 (KJV)
“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.”
Here at the Underground News Network, we can also show you the three criteria early Christians actually used to recognize Scripture, which explains why the 27 New Testament books were accepted while dozens of others were rejected.