Serapian and the Gospel of Peter

[Scott]

I am reading an interesting book about the struggles over authentication of sacred documents in the early church. The book pointed out this anecdote from Eusebius on the work of Archbishop Serpian (installed in 199 AD), which led to the prohibition of a gospel purportedly authored by Peter, which was in use at a Church in Rhossus. I think it is an interesting glimpse into the nitty-gritty process of how the church approved scriptures as authentic. From Eusebius:

Serapion and his Extant Works.

It is probable that others have preserved other memorials of Serapion's literary industry, but there have reached us only those addressed to a certain Domninus, who, in the time of persecution, fell away from faith in Christ to the Jewish will-worship; and those addressed to Pontius and Caricus, ecclesiastical men, and other letters to different persons, and still another work composed by him on the so-called Gospel of Peter. He wrote this last to refute the falsehoods which that Gospel contained, on account of some in the parish of Rhossus who had been led astray by it into heterodox notions. It may be well to give some brief extracts from his work, showing his opinion of the book. He writes as follows:

"For we, brethren, receive both Peter and the other apostles as Christ; but we reject intelligently the writings falsely ascribed to them, knowing that such were not handed down to us. When I visited you I supposed that all of you held the true faith, and as I had not read the Gospel which they put forward under the name of Peter, I said, ' If this is the only thing which occasions dispute among you, let it be read.' But now having learned, from what has been told me, that their mind was involved in some heresy, I will hasten to come to you again. Therefore, brethren, expect me shortly. But you will learn, brethren, from what has been written to you, that we perceived the nature of the heresy of Marcianus, and that, not understanding', what he was saying, he contradicted himself.

For having obtained this Gospel from others who had studied it diligently, namely, from the successors of those who first used k, whom we call Docet' (for most of their opinions are connected with the teaching of that school) we have been able to read it through, and we find many things in accordance with the true doctrine of the Savior, but some things added to that doctrine, which we have pointed out for you farther on."

So much in regard to Serapion.

[Edited on 2-7-2005 by Scott]