Historical Overview
From 30 AD to 305 AD, approximately 91 distinct religious groups emerged that used the name of YESHUA, each with their own interpretations of his teachings and identity. During this same period, at least 230 distinct texts were produced using YESHUA's name.
The Hebrew truth is that the original followers of YESHUA were Torah-observant Hebrews who rejected Greek theological concepts. What eventually became "Christianity" under Paul and later the Roman Church was a complete distortion of YESHUA's message and identity.
Important Historical Facts:
- The term "Christian" was only applied to Paul's followers, not to the original Hebrew disciples of YESHUA
- Paul's followers did NOT follow the Hebrew Scriptures - they followed ONLY Paul's teachings
- The Catholic Church did NOT use Hebrew Scriptures - they used the Greek Septuagint (LXX) created around 250 BCE
- Any text claiming "YESHUA died for sins" is Greek theology, not Hebrew truth
- Most false writings prioritized their authors' theological agenda rather than preserving Hebrew truth
This historical period witnessed an extraordinary proliferation of religious movements claiming connection to Jesus. Each group had:
- Different understandings of Jesus' nature and identity
- Distinctive sacred texts they considered authoritative
- Unique religious practices and community structures
- Competing claims about authentic tradition
These groups often fought fiercely with one another, viewing rival interpretations as dangerous distortions of Jesus' true message. Many texts were deliberately destroyed by competing groups, with only those favored by the eventually dominant groups surviving intact.
Religious Groups Using YESHUA's Name (30-305 AD)
Torah-Observant Hebrew Followers of YESHUA
Jerusalem Assembly
Texts: Letter of James, Gospel of the Hebrews, early oral traditions
Beliefs: YESHUA as Jewish Messiah who challenged corrupt Temple system; adherence to Torah; led by James (YESHUA's brother)
Ebionites
Texts: Gospel of the Ebionites, Hebrew Matthew, rejected Paul's letters
Beliefs: YESHUA was human Messiah, not divine; strict monotheism; denied virgin birth; full Torah observance required for salvation
Nazarenes
Texts: Gospel of the Nazarenes (Hebrew/Aramaic original, now only fragments)
Beliefs: Torah-observant and Sabbath-keeping; viewed YESHUA as a human prophet chosen by YHWH, NOT divine; rejected Paul's teachings; focused on obedience to Torah rather than salvation by faith alone
Elkesaites
Texts: Book of Elchasai; their own revelations
Beliefs: Messiah repeatedly incarnated throughout history; strict Jewish practices; washing rituals for sin forgiveness
Cerinthians
Texts: Unknown gospel text (possibly an early Mark)
Beliefs: Separated YESHUA (human) from Messiah (divine spirit that descended at baptism and left before crucifixion)
Gnostic Groups
Valentinians
Texts: Gospel of Truth, Gospel of Philip, Tripartite Tractate
Beliefs: Complex divine emanations (aeons); spiritual spark trapped in material world; secret knowledge (gnosis) as salvation
Sethian Gnostics
Texts: Apocryphon of John, Gospel of the Egyptians, Apocalypse of Adam
Beliefs: Seth (Adam's son) as spiritual ancestor; hostile creator god (demiurge); divine spark within humans
Basilideans
Texts: Gospel of Basilides, Exegetica (commentaries)
Beliefs: 365 heavens; non-existent supreme deity; Yahshua's crucifixion was illusory (Simon of Cyrene substituted)
Carpocratians
Texts: Secret Gospel of Mark (possibly); their own revelations
Beliefs: Yahshua received secret wisdom; souls reincarnate until all experiences are completed; radical freedom
Ophites/Naassenes
Texts: Diagram of the Ophites; various hymns
Beliefs: Serpent in Eden as wisdom-bringer; complex cosmological system; veneration of the serpent
Pauline Tradition (Later called "Christianity")
Pauline Followers
Texts: Paul's letters, Luke-Acts, later Deutero-Pauline texts
Beliefs: False theology claiming salvation by faith; invented concept that YESHUA died for sins; rejection of Torah; universal salvation
Important Truth: Paul's followers did NOT follow the Hebrew Scriptures (what Christians later called "Old Testament") - they followed ONLY Paul's teachings, which contradicted Torah
Note: The term "Christian" was first applied to Paul's followers in Antioch (Acts 11:26), not to the original Hebrew disciples
Later Roman Church
Texts: Greek Gospels, Paul's letters, invented "New Testament"
Important Truth: The Catholic Church did NOT use Hebrew Scriptures - they used the Greek Septuagint (LXX) created around 250 BCE, which contained numerous translation errors and Greek concepts
Beliefs: Merged Paul's teachings with Roman paganism; created false theological concept of Jesus as divine; rejected Torah observance
Greek Gospel Authors
Texts: Greek versions of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Important Truth: These writings followed their authors' theological agenda rather than Hebrew truth
Beliefs: Inserted false stories like virgin birth; twisted YESHUA's teachings to support Greek concepts; promoted anti-Torah messages
Marcionite and Related Groups
Marcionites
Texts: Marcion's Gospel (edited Luke), Marcion's Apostolikon (edited Paul's letters), Antitheses
Beliefs: Two gods - higher loving God vs. lower creator god; Jesus as revealer of higher God; rejection of Hebrew Bible
Apelleans
Texts: Revelations of Philumene, Apelles's Syllogisms
Beliefs: One first principle (not two as Marcion taught); creator angel made material world; Christ had real (non-earthly) flesh
Lucianists
Texts: Lucian's biblical recensions
Beliefs: Modified Marcionite teachings; literal biblical interpretation
Severians
Texts: Unknown encratite texts
Beliefs: Wine as satanic; women as forces of evil; rejection of Paul
Montanist Groups
Montanists/Cataphrygians
Texts: Oracles of Montanus, Priscilla, and Maximilla; Book of New Prophecy
Beliefs: Ongoing revelation through prophets; imminent end of world; Holy Spirit speaking through Montanus and female prophets
Pepuzians
Texts: Revelations about Pepuza as New Jerusalem
Beliefs: Pepuza (Phrygia) as site for Christ's return; apocalyptic expectations
Quintillianists
Texts: Quintilla's visions
Beliefs: Female-centered prophecy; Christ appeared to Quintilla as female
Proclianites
Texts: Proclus's writings against Gaius
Beliefs: Defended Book of Revelation; modified Montanism
Monarchian/Modalist Groups
Sabellians/Modalists
Texts: Unknown modalist treatises
Beliefs: Father, Son, and Spirit are three modes/masks of one God; denied distinct persons
Patripassianists
Texts: Unknown patripassian texts
Beliefs: Father himself suffered on cross; strict divine unity
Noetians
Texts: Noetus's treatises (lost)
Beliefs: Father and Son identical; God takes different forms in different eras
Praxeans
Texts: Unknown modalist texts (referenced by Tertullian)
Beliefs: One God who manifested as Son in incarnation; denial of Trinity
Other Notable Groups
Manichaeism
Texts: Living Gospel, Fundamental Epistle, Treasure of Life, Book of Mysteries, Book of Giants
Beliefs: Cosmic battle between light and darkness; Jesus as divine manifestation; imprisoned light particles in humans
Origenists
Texts: Origen's On First Principles, commentaries, Hexapla
Beliefs: Pre-existence of souls; universal salvation (apokatastasis); allegorical interpretation
Novatianists
Texts: Novatian's On the Trinity, On Jewish Foods, letters
Beliefs: Church must remain pure; no forgiveness for post-baptismal mortal sin; orthodox Trinity views
Encratites
Texts: Gospel of the Egyptians, Acts of apostles, ascetic manuals
Beliefs: Salvation through extreme self-control; sexuality as evil; rejection of marriage
The above represents just a selection of the 91 distinct groups that emerged during this period. Each had their own interpretations of Jesus' message and often considered other groups to be distorting the truth.
Texts Using YESHUA's Name (30-305 AD)
During this period, at least 230 distinct texts were produced that used YESHUA's name. These texts did not have modern chapter divisions (which were added in the 13th century) or verse numbers (added in the 16th century).
Most texts existed as scrolls in the earlier part of this period, with the codex (bound book format) becoming more common in the later decades.
Historical Suppression: Many original Hebrew/Aramaic texts, particularly those from Hebrew followers like the Nazarenes, were systematically destroyed by the Roman church. By the 4th century, when Christianity became Rome's state religion, many Hebrew scrolls were burned and Nazarene writings banned.
Spotlight on the Gospel of the Nazarenes
The Suppressed Hebrew Gospel
The Gospel of the Nazarenes was written in Hebrew or Aramaic by Torah-observant followers of YESHUA. Unlike the Greek gospels that became canonical, this text:
- Portrayed YESHUA as a human prophet chosen by YHWH, not divine
- Rejected the virgin birth narrative
- Emphasized Torah observance and obedience to YHWH's commandments
- Contained different accounts of key events (e.g., the Temple lintel breaking rather than curtain tearing)
No complete manuscripts survive because the Roman Church labeled it heretical and systematically destroyed Hebrew scrolls. We only know fragments quoted by opponents like Jerome and Epiphanius, who translated them into Greek or Latin, often to argue against them.
Key fragments include:
- Matthew 6:11: "Our bread for tomorrow, give us this day" (lechem machar - bread of the age to come)
- Matthew 12:10: A mason with withered hand saying "Restore my strength so I won't have to beg"
- Matthew 7:5: "If you are in my bosom but do not the will of My Father in heaven, I will cast you away"
These fragments reflect Hebrew theological concepts and cultural context, preserving traces of the original Hebrew followers' beliefs before Greek and Roman influence.
Categories of Texts
| Category | Count | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Later Greek "New Testament" Texts | 27 | Greek Matthew, Romans, Revelation, etc. | These texts were rejected by the original Hebrew followers of YESHUA; Romans is Paul's writing which Hebrew followers opposed; Revelation contains false Greek theological concepts |
| Hebrew Followers' Texts | 8 | Gospel of the Nazarenes, Book of Elchasai | Many were systematically destroyed by the Roman church |
| Other Gospel Traditions | 21 | Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary, Gospel of Peter | Alternative accounts of Jesus' teachings, many discovered at Nag Hammadi |
| Acts Literature | 12 | Acts of Thomas, Acts of Peter, Acts of John | Narratives about apostles' missions after Jesus' departure |
| Dialogues and Teachings | 11 | Dialogue of the Savior, Book of Thomas the Contender | Often presented as secret teachings to specific disciples |
| Apostolic/Church Writings | 26 | Didache, Shepherd of Hermas, letters of Ignatius | Early church manuals, letters, and instructional texts |
| Apocalyptic/Revelatory | 22 | Apocalypse of Peter, Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs | Visions of heaven, hell, and end times |
| Gnostic/Heterodox | 23 | Secret Book of John, Pistis Sophia, Trimorphic Protennoia | Complex cosmological and theological systems |
| Marcionite | 2 | Marcion's Gospel, Marcion's Apostolikon | Edited versions of Luke and Paul's letters |
| Church Orders/Canons | 5 | Didascalia Apostolorum, Apostolic Church Order | Rules and procedures for church communities |
| Manichaean | 5 | Living Gospel, Book of Mysteries | Texts from Mani's syncretic religion |
| Theological/Apologetic | 26 | Origen's works, Tertullian's works, Clement's works | Defenses of particular interpretations against rivals |
| Additional Works | 14 | Various epistles, martyr accounts, etc. | Miscellaneous texts using Jesus' name |
The Apostles: Historical Uncertainties
Peter and Paul's Deaths
Traditional Account
Both martyred in Rome around 64-67 AD during Nero's persecution.
Peter: Crucified upside-down
Paul: Beheaded (as a Roman citizen)
Historical Evidence
No contemporary accounts exist from their lifetime
Earliest reference (Clement, c.96 AD) is vague and comes 30+ years later
Detailed stories developed gradually over centuries
Alternative Traditions
Peter: Killed by dogs; died of old age in Jerusalem; martyred by Jews
Paul: Died in Spain; released from imprisonment; survived to old age
Historical record provides no definitive proof of how, when, or where they died
Pauline Authorship and Creation of "Christianity"
The term "Christian" was first applied to followers of Paul in Antioch (Acts 11:26), not to the original Hebrew disciples of YESHUA who never used this term for themselves.
Scholarly consensus on the authenticity of writings attributed to Paul:
- Undisputed Letters (7) - Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon
- Disputed Letters (6) - Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus
- Non-canonical Pauline writings - 3 Corinthians, Epistle to the Laodiceans, Letters between Paul and Seneca
The practice of writing in someone else's name (pseudepigraphy) was relatively common in ancient literature as a way to honor influential figures and extend their teachings.
Institutional Motives
The martyrdom narratives about Peter, Paul, and other early followers served important institutional purposes for the developing Roman Church:
- Theological validation - Martyrdom stories reinforced the message that Paul's interpretation must be true if its founders willingly died for it
- Authority claims - The Roman Church particularly benefited from positioning itself as the custodian of both Peter and Paul's legacies and burial sites
- Control mechanism - These martyrdom narratives helped establish a particular leadership model and succession claims
- Inspirational tools - Such stories encouraged believers to remain faithful during persecutions
Additional Resources
Recommended Books
Lost Christianities
By Bart Ehrman
Explores the remarkable diversity of early Christian beliefs and the texts that didn't make it into the New Testament.
The Gnostic Gospels
By Elaine Pagels
Analysis of the Nag Hammadi library and what it reveals about alternative forms of early Christianity.
Heretics: The Creation of Christianity from the Gnostics to the Modern Church
By Jonathan Wright
Explores how the concept of heresy shaped Christianity from its earliest days.
When Christians Were Jews
By Paula Fredriksen
Examines the Jewish origins of the Jesus movement in the first century.
Online Resources
This website is a standalone resource focused on presenting the Hebrew truth about YESHUA and the diverse movements that used his name. No external links are provided to avoid promoting Greek theological perspectives that distort the original Hebrew understanding.