Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I–X

Chapter XXV.—The Divine Scriptures that are accepted and those that are not. ^{Edition note 1}

1. Since we are dealing with this subject it is proper to sum up the writings of the New Testament which have been already mentioned. First then must be put the holy quaternion of the Gospels; ^{Edition note 2} following them the Acts of the Apostles. ^{Edition note 3}

2. After this must be reckoned the epistles of Paul; ^{Edition note 4} next in order the extant former epistle of John, ^{Edition note 5} and likewise the epistle of Peter, ^{Edition note 6} must be maintained. ^{Edition note 7} After them is to be placed, if it really seem proper, the Apocalypse of John, ^{Edition note 8} concerning which we shall give the different opinions at the proper time. ^{Edition note 9} These then belong among the accepted writings. ^{Edition note 10}

3. Among the disputed writings, ^{Edition note 11} which are nevertheless recognized ^{Edition note 12} by many, are extant the so-called epistle of James ^{Edition note 13} and that of Jude, ^{Edition note 14} also the second epistle of Peter, ^{Edition note 15} and those that are called the second and third of John, ^{Edition note 16} whether they belong to the evangelist or to another person of the same name.

4. Among the rejected writings ^{Edition note 17} must be reckoned also the Acts of Paul, ^{Edition note 18} and the so-called Shepherd, ^{Edition note 19} and the Apocalypse of Peter, ^{Edition note 20} and in addition to these the extant epistle of Barnabas, ^{Edition note 21} and the so-called Teachings of the Apostles; ^{Edition note 22} and besides, as I said, the Apocalypse of John, if it seem proper, which some, as I said, reject, ^{Edition note 23} but which others class with the accepted books. ^{Edition note 24}

5. And among these some have placed also the Gospel according to the Hebrews, ^{Edition note 25} with which those of the Hebrews that have accepted Christ are especially delighted. And all these may be reckoned among the disputed books. ^{Edition note 26}

6. But we have nevertheless felt compelled to give a catalogue of these also, distinguishing those works which according to ecclesiastical tradition are true and genuine and commonly accepted, ^{Edition note 27} from those others which, although not canonical but disputed, ^{Edition note 28} are yet at the same time known to most ecclesiastical writers—we have felt compelled to give this catalogue in order that we might be able to know both these works and those that are cited by the heretics under the name of the apostles, including, for instance, such books as the Gospels of Peter, ^{Edition note 29} of Thomas, ^{Edition note 30} of Matthias, ^{Edition note 31} or of any others besides them, and the Acts of Andrew ^{Edition note 32} and John ^{Edition note 33} and the other apostles, which no one belonging to the succession of ecclesiastical writers has deemed worthy of mention in his writings.

7. And further, the character of the style is at variance with apostolic usage, and both the thoughts and the purpose of the things that are related in them are so completely out of accord with true orthodoxy that they clearly show themselves to be the fictions of heretics. ^{Edition note 34} Wherefore they are not to be placed even among the rejected ^{Edition note 35} writings, but are all of them to be cast aside as absurd and impious.

Let us now proceed with our history.