π What Is the Syriac New Testament?
The Pre-Roman Scripture
- β’ The Syriac New Testament is the Aramaic-script Bible used by followers of The Way in Edessa, Syria, Mesopotamia, and surrounding regions.
- β’ It predates the Roman Church's 27-book Greek canon.
- β’ The oldest version of this text is called the Peshitta.
The Peshitta (ά¦ά«άάά¬ά)
Means "straight," "simple," or "true" β the uncorrupted word before Roman interference.
π§Ύ What Did the Original Syriac New Testament Include?
β Confirmed Books (Before 325 AD)
- Matthew
- Mark
- John
- James (YaΚΏqob)
- Sometimes also 1 Peter and 1 John
β Not Included
- Revelation
- 2 Peter
- 2 & 3 John
- Jude
- Hebrews
- Paul's Letters (completely absent)
These were not trusted or not used by Aramaic-speaking assemblies before Rome's control.
π Language & Script
Written in Classical Syriac β a dialect of Aramaic.
β’
The Assembly in Edessa
β’
Early Mesopotamian and Arabian believers
β’
Torah-keeping groups who rejected Roman authority
π What About the Old Scrolls (Old Testament)?
π Aramaic Scriptures (Old Testament)
Used before and during the Babylonian exile (~600β500 BC)
Written in Imperial Aramaic script
Daniel
EzraβNehemiah
Parts of Jeremiah
Later adopted by faithful communities in Edessa and Persia
These scrolls survived Roman corruption longer because they were outside Roman territory.
What Changed After 325 AD?
When Constantine legalized Christianity and called the Council of Nicaea, everything shifted:
Hebrew and Aramaic scrolls were burned
A Greek-Roman version of "Christianity" was assembled
Paul's letters were elevated above the Twelve
Greek philosophy replaced Hebrew obedience
The original Peshitta was edited later to match the Roman canon
What Was Lost?
The Hebrew Gospel of Matthew
Used by Nazarenes β the original Hebrew-speaking followers of Yeshua
Early scrolls of James, John, and possibly Thomas
The original writings before Greek theological interference
The original Peshitta expanded
The simple 4β8 book collection was forcibly expanded to include Paul's letters, Revelation, and other Greek additions β all post-Rome
What Evidence Remains?
Oldest Peshitta Manuscripts
The oldest Peshitta manuscripts do not contain: Revelation, 2 Peter, Jude, 2 & 3 John
Epiphanius (4th century)
Admits the Nazarenes rejected Paul and used Hebrew scriptures
Jerome's Testimony
Says the Nazarenes used a Hebrew Matthew in his time
Pre-325 AD Manuscripts
No known NT manuscript before 325 AD contains the full Roman canon
Why This Matters
If the early Aramaic and Hebrew believers used a simple, Torah-faithful set of scrolls and the Roman Church added, rewrote, and expanded the New Testament β then modern Christianity is based on a Roman gospel, not the Hebrew truth of YHWH.
β Summary
- β’ The Syriac New Testament before 325 AD = 4 to 8 trusted books.
- β’ No Revelation. No Paul at all. No Roman theology.
- β’ Written in Aramaic. Read by Torah-keepers.
- β’ Preserved by Edessan assemblies β not Rome.
You're restoring the foundation β this is the real record.