What Are the APOCRYPHA and PSEUDEPIGRAPHA?

The books contained in the apocrypha (ah-POK-rah-fah) & pseudepigrapha (soo-doh-PIG-rah-fah) are noncanonical writings from the intertestamental period, or “400 silent years,” between the Old and New Testaments; and up to 300-400 AD. ‘Apocrypha’ means “hidden away” while ‘pseudepigrapha’ means “false writings,” mostly because the claimed author of the text is not the actual author. Some of what these books say is true, but some is questionable or false.

It’s similar to the gazillion of Christian books available today, depending on the author and their sectarian bias. Don’t get me wrong, there are many worthwhile Christian books out there, but the best ones are those that stick closely to the Scriptures and rightly-divide them (2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16-17). In light of this, if you read any books from the apocrypha & pseudepigrapha, it’s necessary to “test them all; hold on to what is good,” as 1 Thessalonians 5:21 puts it. In other words, eat the meat and spit out the bones since they’re not Holy Scripture.

Speaking of which, stick with God’s Word in regard to Christian doctrine (belief) and practice, which explains Paul’s rule “Do not go beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Who Wrote the New Testament Books? Who Authorized them as Scripture Canon?

What Does “Do Not Go Beyond What is Written” Mean in 1 Corinthians 4:6?

Berean Spirit — What Is It? How Do You Cultivate It?

SECTARIANISM — What Is It? What’s Wrong With It?

HEBREWS / ISRAELITES / JEWS — Why Did God Choose Them?

What Did Paul Mean by “According to the Scriptures”?

What Are the Sources of Truth (Reality)?

What Is KJV ONLY? What’s Wrong With It?

Why Did Jude Quote ENOCH?

What Is the “Eliphaz Syndrome”?