Ten Famous “Lost Gospels” and Why They Were Never Included in the New Testament

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Ten “Lost Gospels” That Were Never Part of the Bible
Famous Non-Canonical Gospels and Why They Were Rejected
Apocryphal Gospels Outside the New Testament Canon
The Truth About the “Lost Gospels” of Early Christianity

UNDERGROUND NEWS NETWORK: 10 FAMOUS "LOST GOSPELS" - BIBLE RELIABILITY - LIBRARY OF RICKANDRIA


Here are 10 of the most famous “lost gospels” that people often claim were removed from the Bible.

Historians and biblical scholars agree they were never actually part of the New Testament canon, though many were written centuries later and circulated in small groups.

Ecclesiastes 12:12 (KJV)

“And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end…”

1️⃣ Gospel of Thomas


Gospel of Thomas

A collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, discovered in 1945 among the Nag Hammadi texts in Egypt.

Why it wasn’t included:

  • likely written around AD 140–180
  • reflects Gnostic theology
  • lacks narrative of Jesus’ death and resurrection

2️⃣ Gospel of Peter


Gospel of Peter

An early passion narrative attributed to the apostle Peter.

Problems historians note:

  • written mid-2nd century
  • contains legendary details (like a talking cross)

3️⃣ Gospel of Mary


Gospel of Mary

A text portraying Mary Magdalene as a spiritual teacher.

Issues:

  • strongly influenced by Gnosticism
  • written late 2nd century

4️⃣ Gospel of Judas


Gospel of Judas

This controversial text presents Judas as the disciple who truly understood Jesus.

Historical problems:

  • written around AD 150–180
  • reflects Gnostic cosmology

5️⃣ Infancy Gospel of Thomas


Infancy Gospel of Thomas

This work describes miraculous events in Jesus’ childhood.

Examples include:

Jesus forming birds from clay and bringing them to life.

Historians date it to 2nd century.

6️⃣ Protoevangelium of James


Protoevangelium of James

Focuses mainly on:

  • Mary’s birth
  • her childhood
  • the birth of Jesus

Though influential in later Christian traditions, it was written around AD 150.

External sources:

Infancy Gospel of James

7️⃣ Gospel of the Egyptians


Gospel of the Egyptians

An early Gnostic work quoted by several church fathers.

Reasons it was rejected:

  • mystical cosmology
  • rejection of marriage and physical creation

External sources:

8️⃣ Gospel of the Hebrews


Gospel of the Hebrews

Used by some early Jewish-Christian groups.

The text survives only in quotations from church fathers.

External sources:

9️⃣ Gospel of Philip


Gospel of Philip

A mystical text discussing spiritual marriage and secret knowledge.

Written 3rd century, long after the apostles.

External sources:

🔟 Secret Gospel of Mark


Secret Gospel of Mark

A disputed text claimed to contain additional passages of Mark.

Many scholars suspect the document may actually be a modern forgery.

Why historians say these were never removed from the Bible


Scholars agree these writings were never part of the recognized New Testament canon because:

1️⃣ They were written later (mostly 2nd–3rd century).
2️⃣ They lacked apostolic authorship.
3️⃣ They contained theological ideas foreign to apostolic teaching.
4️⃣ They were not widely accepted by early churches.

Meanwhile, the four canonical Gospels:

  • Matthew
  • Mark
  • Luke
  • John

were already widely recognized by the early 2nd century.

Scripture reminder


2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Here at the Underground News Network, we can also show you something extremely eye-opening that many historians point out:

How the four canonical Gospels were already recognized across the Christian world by about AD 150 — long before any church council officially listed them.

That part of the story is one of the strongest historical arguments for the reliability of the New Testament.