What are the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles?

Answer

In the late second century and early third centuries, Gnostic writers wrote stories about the apostles. These stories are now known as the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles and include works such as Acts of Peter, Acts of Thomas, and Acts of Paul and Thecla. Other texts purportedly contain information about apostles like Barnabas, Matthias, Andrew, and John. None of these accounts were considered valid by the early church, mainly due to their false content and their very late composition dates.

The Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles generally adhere to established patterns of Gnostic writing. Their portrayals of spirituality condemn all material things, especially the body, particularly all forms of sexuality. Persuading others of the necessity for complete celibacy is a recurring theme in these writings, which contradicts the teachings of the New Testament.

The miracles depicted in the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles are extravagant: exaggerated, flashy, and almost absurd. For instance, in the Acts of Thomas, not only do donkeys speak, but they also perform exorcisms. The Acts of Peter narrates a battle against a flying magician and other events more fitting for a Harry Potter novel. In the Acts of Andrew, an apostle is crucified yet preaches for three full days while hanging on the cross. The Acts of John recounts the vengeful, supernatural destruction of a pagan temple. In contrast, the miracles documented in the gospels and the biblical Book of Acts are relatively understated. “Real” miracles are not primarily about showmanship or petty retaliation.

Furthermore, miracles in the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles often directly contradict scriptural principles; for instance, one miracle in the Apocryphal Acts involves a murderer bringing his own victim back to life—from hell—through prayer. Another miracle has Andrew miraculously curing an ille

Legitimately conceived unborn child to be aborted. Or the destruction of a pagan temple in the Acts of John, a miracle intended to kill a hostile priest. Resurrections are common in these stories as well, sometimes performed simply to ask the dead person questions.

A useful aspect of the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles is their connection to other early Christian traditions. Broad points such as Thomas’s travel to India and Peter’s upside-down crucifixion are echoed in these Gnostic writings. Such stories are considered for what they are: traditions, but not infallible histories. At best, the Apocryphal Acts provide perspective on legendary tales ascribed to the apostles. But since they are also filled with the words of false teachers, they should never be held in the same esteem as the actual, inspired Word of God.