The Original Gospel Introduction

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Individual Sections (Many of the Newest Updates & Commentary Notes have been added here; But not all.)
I recommend reading completely through section by section. But finish reading this page first.

Introduction	Chapters 1-5	Chapters 6-9	Chapters 10-20	Chapters 21-30	Chapters 31-40
Chapters 41-50	Chapters 51-60	Chapters 61-70	Chapters 71-80	Chapters 81-89	Chapters 90-96

The Gospel of the Holy Twelve:
The Gospel of the Perfect life of Yeshu-Marya the Christ
—Updated Version—

By: Tracy Phillip Osborne©

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” … “For it was fitting that [Elohim], for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make [Yeshúa,] the Prince of their deliverance, perfect through suffering.” … “And being made perfect, [Yeshúa] became the author of eternal deliverance unto all them that obey him.” “But you have approached…the heavenly Jerusalem…to the spirits of righteous ones made perfect” and unto Yeshúa, the Mediator of the New Covenant.
(Matthew 5:48; Hebrews 2:10; 5:9; 12:23; 24)

Is This The Original Gospel of Yeshúa?

GHT 96:26. And if any man takes from or adds to the words of this Gospel, or hide,
as under a bushel, the light thereof, which is given by the Spirit through us, the twelve witnesses
chosen of Elohím, for the enlightenment of the world leading to deliverance, let him be Anathema.
Maran-atha! until The Coming of Mashíakh Y’Shúa the Master, our Deliverer, with all the Holy Saints.
27. For them that believe, these things are true. For them that believe not, they are as an idle tale. But to those with perceiving minds and hearts, regarding ‘the spirit’ rather than ‘the letter which kills’, they are spiritual truths. 28. For the things that are written are true, not because they are written, but rather, they are written because they are true, and these are written that ye may believe with your hearts and proclaim with your mouths to the salvation of many. Amein.
Here ends the Holy Gospel of the Perfect Life of the Master Y’Shúa, the Mashiakh, a Son of Dawíd after the Flesh,
a Son of Elohím after the Spirit. Glory be to Elohím by whose power and help it has been written.

The Gospel of the Holy Twelve (GHT) was also called, The Gospel of the Perfect Life of Jesu-Marya, the Christ. This was also a fitting name because this is its first and next to last sentence, and, because of the verses quoted above that speak of perfection as our goal. It was received and published between 1870-1902 by the Rev. G. J. Ouseley. He received it through visions, revelations, and divine visitations and maybe others. It is about the size of the canonical four Gospels and Acts. So, I began to test it in late 2017 as if it might be true. I continue to do so. Separately, in later years after its’ publication and his death, another person claimed that he was given access to the Vatican Library where he translated another very similar recension of it along with other Essene writings.¹ This had been confiscated when it was presented by someone who brought it from the East. I studied it as well. Of course, there are those who claim it is all a fraud.

From Wikipedia concerning early witnesses to ancient manuscript(s), it states: “…most scholars in the 20th century consider that the Gospel of the Nazarenes is distinct from the Gospel of the Hebrews and Gospel of the Ebionites, even though Jerome linked the Nazarenes to the Ebionites in their shared use of the Gospel of the Hebrews.” (Emphasis mine. For my latest overview. check this footnote.) ²

When offering a new hypothetical theory and paradigm that is foreign to someone’s knowledge and experience, it is necessary to calm some of their fears lest they misinterpret your motives or conclusions. So, upfront let me say that I worship and serve, Yahweh, “the only true God” “in spirit and truth” and I believe and obey “Jesus the Christ (Yeshua the Anointed) whom he has sent” and “keep his commandments”. (John 17:3; 4:23; 14:21-22; Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 22:14) I embrace and study the Old and New Testaments constantly and accept them as the core of sacred Scripture — that they contain the word of God and that they are sufficient to lead us to salvation. Interpretation though, is for each one to do. Councils are subject to error and have erred in some ways in the past but that does not mean that those in such communities who inherited such errors are not among the pious. It means we have err in some way(s).
Furthermore, it is clear from ancient testimonies that there were other Scriptures that were lost or hidden from us. And, there were erroneous books that were embraced by some groups that are rightly rejected. Maybe though, The Gospel of the Holy Twelve is an authentic one and, in the future it will be embraced and transform the world by its’ teachings.
I have been willing to test matters that are “outside the box” of my own inherited paradigms with new discoveries. I test by saying, Could this be true? If it were true, then how does it harmonize, fine tune, or change what we already believe to be true? And that is what I have done with The Gospel of the Holy Twelve Apostles, which is what it itself claims to be. I am treating it “as if” its own claims are true and following through with its’ assumptions and implications. I have found it fascinating, radical and shocking, enlightening, deep, challenging, but “heretical” in some ways according to traditional Christianity as we have known it since the 4th Century councils. Yet, it seems to fit well with the earliest Christianity of Yeshua the Messiah of Natsareth—the Netsar & the Netsarim. But upon heavenly guidance, I can walk away from it.

“The Gospel of the Holy Twelve” (GHT) refers to the the Twelve Apostles and records Twelve ancient commandments that were re-given by Yeshúa on the Mount of Transfiguration (Chapter 46) upon which were all Twelve Apostles and not merely three of them as claimed in the others. It has most of the material contained in the New Testament Gospels but also other materials that are not included in them.

It supplies details about the so-called, “lost years” of Yeshua in the Gospels — extra years spent in Egypt and a journey and ministry eastward to as far as India. It also teaches that he was born in about 13 BC and was about 42 years old when he died and resurrected rather than at age 33. It teaches the “higher law” of the original diet of eating only of the fruit of the earth and it condemns cruelty to animals, the butchery of sacrificing animals & eating of flesh & blood, as it was permitted only because of the “hardness” of the peoples’ hearts—but from the beginning it was never permitted. It also affirms a doctrine of reincarnation leading toward the perfection of souls, which was once affirmed also by some early church leaders, like Origin. I had already learned of this belief in “Gilgul” from Judaism (the transmigration of souls).

Thus we approach it saying, What are its claims and what are the implications if it is authentic? And, are there other historical commonalities that lend support to the unique teachings that it proclaims? Yes it does! Or, Is it merely a very skillfully crafted harmony of the four gospels with added materials derived from other historical witnesses and made up materials by Ouseley? Does it have similar doctrines as other known early Christian groups? Yes it does!
Is it a fraudulent document? Or, does it challenge us with a higher morality than most were and are willing to practice? Was it deemed “too much” for the general public? and thus, broken down into a more palatable form while secretly reserving parts of it for the more mature or a later generation? Does it expose how far the church veered from the full Gospel of Yeshua? Does it harmonize with the rest of the New Testament? Thus far, I think it does!

Further, if true, it would imply that —modern Bibles contain shortened forms of the four Gospels? Does the GHT solve or provide answers to problems we find in the four Gospels? Yes it does! — This may imply that the GHT spawned the original versions of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke-Acts, and John. This would imply that each of them had a particular audience and were inspired to add their own supplemental and interpretive information; but that later censors may have added or taken away from their originals.

Did the original authors of the Gospels have access to the GHT? If the GHT spawned the so-called ‘cherry-picked’ “Q” sayings and it in turn was used to create Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John. These are complicated ideas for most people unfamiliar to that field of study & I’m simply theorizing. Scholars will not accept GHT since it has no traceable and verifiable provenance—which is understandable. But I decided to embrace its’ Vegefruitarianism & test it as an ‘insider’ rather than an outside-critic. I am one who has experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, miracles, revelations, dreams, and visions. So, such a divine mission for Rev. Gordan Ousley is not beyond-the-pale to me. I am still testing and enjoying it!
—Was the GHT written in Hebrew-Aramaic and authorized by the 12 Apostles? Its own testimony says it was.
—Was the Ebionite Hebrew Matthew constructed from the GHT and later translated into the current form of Mathew contained in the modern New Testament? Possibly. Quotes preserved from The Ebionite Hebrew Gospel agrees with GHT.

I discovered the GHT in 2017 after being internally confronted with animal butchery. Then upon discovering and studying it, and finding it agreed with what I had already been taught by the Spirit about various issues, I embraced its Vegefruitarianism—a plant-based diet with no-butchered animal flesh of any kind. I began testing the possibility of its primary and original status in the New Testament—I claim that it might contain the original presuppositions upon which the canonical Old and New Testaments and other related writings were built and built upon, and the lens through which to interpret them correctly. If it is a fraud—it is a good one! Why would one create a fraud that leads to greater righteousness. What’s the motive?  

I am presently updating the old King James English because the antiquated rhythm is a hindrance to the modern reader. I also wish to reflect more of its Hebrew / Aramaic / Essene character which is now more readily available and comprehended. I continue to test it as if it is the foundation of the New Testament. As you will find in this website, I have reconstructed, through various historical sources, its effects since the time that Yeshúa spoke it. Groups lost touch with it and in some ways became deviant but yet maintained its Vegefruitarian lifestyle.

Rev. Tracy Phillip Osborne©, aka, Paqid, Yoel Ben Avraham©, MA 2020.

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GHT 46:1, 7-22  After six days, when the Festival of Sukkoth (Tabernacles) was at hand, Yeshúa took the Twelve and brought them apart up into a high mountain…And Yeshúa said to them,
“Behold a new Toráh-Law I give to you, which is not new but Ancient.^[1]From Melchizedek back to the beginning. The word, Melchizedek, translates to the King of Righteousness; but, if we change the vowels in zedek, we get the name Zadok. We then have, Zadok the King! Even as Moshéh gave the Ten Sayings to Yisraél after the flesh, so also, I give to you, the Twelve Sayings, for the Kingdom of Yisraél after the spirit. For, who is the Yisraél of Elohím? Even they of every nation and tribe who work righteousness, love mercy, and keep my commandments–these are the true Yisraél of Elohím.”
And standing upon his feet, Yeshúa spoke, saying: 
9 “Hear Yisraél, Yahweh, your Elohim is One; Many are My seers and My prophets.
In Me everything lives and moves and has subsistence.

10 Ye will worship One: Yahweh [The Eternal & Self-Existent One],
the Father-Mother in the heavens of whom are all things and revere the sacred name.
11 Ye will revere your fathers and your mothers on earth,
whose care is for you, and all the Teachers of Righteousness.
12 Ye will cherish and protect the weak, and those who are oppressed,
and all creatures that suffer wrong.
13 Ye will work with your hands the things that are good and seemly;
so ye will eat the fruits of the earth and live long in the earth.
14 Ye will purify yourselves daily and rest the Seventh Day from labor,
keeping holy the Sabbaths and the Festivals of your Elohím.
15 Do to others as ye desire that others should do to you.
16 Ye will not take away the life of any creature for your pleasure,
nor for your profit, nor yet torment it.
17 Ye will not steal the goods of anyone, nor gather lands and riches to yourselves,
beyond your need or use.
18 Ye will not eat the flesh nor drink the blood of any slaughtered creature
nor anything which brings disorder to your health or senses.
19 Ye will not make impure marriages where love and health are not,
nor corrupt yourselves or any creature made pure by the Holy One.
20 Ye will not bear false witness against any nor willfully deceive any by a lie to hurt them.
21 Do not to others as ye desire that others should not do to you.

22 And when the Talmidím (Disciples) heard these words, they smote upon their breasts, saying:
“Wherein we have offended, O Elohím, forgive us: and may Your Wisdom, Love,
and Truth within us, incline our hearts to love and keep this Holy Toráh/Teaching [of love].”

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Introduction	Chapters 1-5	Chapters 6-9	Chapters 10-20	Chapters 21-30	Chapters 31-40
Chapters 41-50	Chapters 51-60	Chapters 61-70	Chapters 71-80	Chapters 81-89	Chapters 90-96

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Table of Contents
Section 1, Chapters 1 – 10

(1) The Days of King Herod; The Parentage and Conception of Yoḥanán the Baptist;
His Nazarite/Nazirite Consecration: No Animal Flesh or Strong Drink.
(2) The Conception of Yeshúa the Mashíakh; Nazarite Consecration; The Appearances of Gabri’él to Miriám & Yoséph; Miriám and Elishéḅa Prophesy; Yoséph Prophesies.
(3) The Nativity and Naming of Yoḥanán the Baptist; Zachariah (Zakharyah) His Father Prophesies.
(4) Nativity of Yeshúa the Mashíakh, in a Cave, in the midst of the Animals; An Angel tells the Shepherds;
His Presentation in the Temple (the Miqdash); The Song of Simeon (Shimon).
(5) The Manifestation of Yeshúa to the Magi (Wise Men), who had Tasted Neither Flesh nor Strong Drink; Disappearance of the Star when they forgot their weary animals; Flight into Egypt; Zacharias (Zakharyah) is Murdered; Return to the Land of Yisra’el.
(6) The Growth of Yeshúa. His Marriage, Education, His Travels to the East, and Animal Liberations.
(7) The Preaching Of John The Baptist on Repentance; Forbids Flesh Eating and Deeds of Cruelty;
Enjoins Mercy to Humanity and Animals.
(8) John (Yohanan) Testifies concerning Yeshúa [Yeshu-Maryá = The-Master, Yeshúa];
Yeshúa’s Baptismal Consecration and Anointing
(9) The Victory of Yeshúa over Four Tests in the Desert.

Section 2, Chapters 10 Thru 20

(10) Yoséph And Miriám Make A Feast for Yeshúa; Miriam Magdalena, Phillip, Andrew, Kepha (Peter) and Nathaniel became his Disciples (Talmidim) [[I moved Chapter 10 to Section 2]]
(11) In the House of Shimon the Pharisee; Miriám of Magdala (Magdalena) Anointed Yeshúa with Oil
and Shimon Protested; Yeshúa Contrasted Each One’s Love for Him.
(12) The Marriage in Cana. The Healing of the Nobleman’s Son.
(13) The First Sermon in the Synagogue of Nazareth; A Blind Man’s Lack of Faith;
The People attempt to Kill Yeshúa.
(14) Yeshúa Preaching and Healing in Galilee; The Calling of Andrew and Kepha, Ya’aqob and Yohanan;
The Rebuke for Hunting and Cruelty to Animals; The Rebuke of a Rich Man. 
(15) The Healing of the Leper and the Paralyzed; Who Can Forgive Sins;
The Deaf Man Healed who Denied that Others Could Hear & Was Corrected.
(16) Calling of Lewi; Fasting of Yohanan’s Talmidim; New Wine Must Be Put in New Bottles.
(17) Yeshúa Apostolized the Twelve and their Fellows; They are Forbidden to Eat what is Gotten by Taking Life;
They who take not up their Cross (or, Staff) are not Worthy of Him.
(18) The Master Sent Forth Seventy-Two with Instructions; The Law of Karma (Sowing & Reaping).
(19) Yeshúa Teaches Prayer; Of Praying in Secret; The Life and Substance of all things; Error even in the Prophets.
Of Forgiveness and Tenderness to Every Creature; A Withered Hand is Healed.
(20) The Return of the Seventy-Two; The All Parent: The Father-Mother; The Bliss of the Inner Circle.

Section 3, Chapters 21 Thru 30

(21) Yeshúa Rebukes Cruelty to a Horse. Condemns the Service of Mammon. 
(22) The Restoration of Jairus’ Daughter.
(23) Yeshúa and the Samaritan Woman.
(24) Yeshúa Denounces Cruelty. Heals the Sick.
(25) The Sermon on the Mount (part I)
(26) The Sermon on the Mount (part II)
(27) The Sermon on the Mount (part III)
(28) Yeshúa Releases the Rabbits and Pigeons.
(29) He Feeds Five Thousand with Six Loaves and Seven Clusters of Grapes.
(30) The Bread of Life and the Living Vine.

Section 4, Chapters 31 Thru 40

(31) The Bread of Life and the Living Vine. Yeshúa Teaches the Thoughtless Driver.
(32) Elohím the Food and Drink of All.
(33) By the Shedding of Blood of Others Is No Remission of Sins.
(34) Love of Yeshúa for All Creatures. His Care for a Cat.
(35) The Good Law. The Good Samaritan. Miriám and Martha. On Divine Wisdom.
(36) The Woman Taken in Adultery. The Pharisee and the Publican.
(37) The Regeneration of the Soul.
(38) Yeshúa Condemns the Ill Treatment of Animals.
(39) The Kingdom of Heaven (Seven Parables)
(40) Yeshúa Expounds the Inner Teaching to the Twelve.

Section 5, Chapters 41 Thru 50

(41) Yeshúa sets free caged Birds; The Blind Man who denied that Others Saw.
(42) Yeshúa Teaches Concerning Marriage. The Blessing of Children.
(43) Yeshúa Teaches Concerning the Riches of this World and the Washing of Hands and Unclean Flesh.
(44) The Confession of the Twelve. Mashíakh the True Rock.
(45) Seeking for Signs. The Unclean Spirit.
(46) The Transfiguration on the Mount, and the Giving of the Law of Messiah.
(47) The Spirit Gives Life. The Rich Man and the Beggar.
(48) Yeshúa Feeds 1000 with Five Melons. Heals the withered Hand on the Sabbath Day. He rebukes hypocrisy.
(49) The True Temple [Miqdásh] of Elohím.
(50) Mashíakh the Light of the World.

Section 6, Chapters 51 Thru 60

(51) The Truth Makes Free.
(52) The Pre-existence of Mashíakh.
(53) Yeshúa Heals the Blind on the Sabbath. Yeshúa at the Pool of Siloam.
(54) The Examination of the Blind Man – A Living Type of the House of Elohím.
(55) Mashíakh the Good Shepherd.
(56) The Raising of Lazarus from his Sleep in the Tomb.
(57) Concerning Little Children. Forgiveness of Others. Parable of the Fishes.
(58) Divine Love to the Repentant.
(59) Yeshúa Forewarns His Disciples. Glad Tidings to Zacchaeus.
(60) Yeshúa Rebukes Hypocrisy.

Section 7, Chapters 61 Thru 70

(61) Yeshúa Foretells the End.
(62) Parable of the Ten Virgins.
(63) Parable of the Talents.
(64) Yeshúa Teaches in the Palm Circle. The Divine Life and Substance.
(65) The Last Anointing by Miriám Magdalena. Neglect not the Present time.
(66) Yeshúa again Teaches his Disciples concerning the Nature of Elohím. The Kingdom. The Two in One.
(67) The Last Entry into Jerusalem. The Sheep and the Goats.
(68) The Householder and the Husbandmen. Order out of Disorder.
(69) The Mashíakh within the Soul. The Resurrection and the Life. Salome’s Question.
(70) Yeshúa Rebukes Kepha’s Haste.

Section 8, Chapters 71 Thru 80

(71) The Cleansing of the Miqdásh.
(72) The Many Mansions in the One House.
(73) Mashíakh The True Vine.
(74) Yeshúa Foretells Persecutions.
(75) The Last Supper.
(76) Washing of the Feet, The Eucharistic Oblation.
(77) The Agony in Gethsemane.
(78) The Betrayal.
(79) The Hebrew Trial before Caiaphas.
(80) The Sorrow and Penance of Judas.

Section 9, Chapters 81 Thru 89

(81) The Roman Trial before Pilate.
(82) The Crucifixion.
(83) The Burial of Yeshúa.
(84) The Resurrection of Yeshúa.
(85) Yeshúa appears to Two at Emmaus.
(86) Yeshúa appears in the Miqdásh. Blood Sacrifices Cease.
(87) Yeshúa appears to the Twelve.
(88) The Eighth Day after the Resurrection.
(89) Yeshúa appears at the Sea of Galilee.

Section 10, Chapters 90 Thru 96

(90) What is Truth?
(91) The Order of the Kingdom (part I.)
(92) The Order of the Kingdom (part II.)
(93) The Order of the Kingdom (part III.)
(94) The Order of the Kingdom (part IV.)
(95) The Ascension of Mashíakh.
(96) The Pouring out of the Spirit. The taking of Magdalena, Miriám and Yoséph.

26. And if any man takes from or adds to the words of this Gospel, or hide, as under a bushel, the light thereof, which is given by the Spirit through us, the twelve witnesses chosen of Elohím, for the enlightenment of the world leading to deliverance, let him be Anathema. Maran-atha! until The Coming of Mashíakh Y’Shúa the Master, our Deliverer, with all the Holy Saints.
27. For them that believe, these things are true. For them that believe not, they are as an idle tale. But to those with perceiving minds and hearts, regarding ‘the spirit’ rather than ‘the letter which kills’, they are spiritual truths.
28. For the things that are written are true, not because they are written, but rather they are written because they are true, and these are written that ye may believe with your hearts and proclaim with your mouths to the salvation of many. Amein.

Here ends the Holy Gospel of the Perfect Life of the Master Yeshúa, the Mashiakh,
a Son of Dawíd after the Flesh, a Son of Elohim after the Spirit.
Glory be to Elohim by Whose power and help it has been written.

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Here Ends The Table of Contents

Go to Chapters 1-5
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Further Information^[2]This Gospel began to be revealed in the late 1800’s. It subsequently was published with explanations of its origins and recovery. It is claimed to be the base from which the Four Canonical Gospels … Continue reading

1. AI assisted: Over two decades after Reverend Ousley’s publication and death, “Edmond Bordeaux Szekely claimed to have accessed Vatican records in 1923 to translate Essene writings, but his claims have been disputed. The Vatican denied that Szekely had ever been admitted to the Vatican Archives in 1923, and the National Library of Vienna also denied the existence of the original manuscripts he referenced. Additionally, the library at Monte Cassino, another claimed source, was destroyed during World War II, making it impossible to verify his claims. Despite these denials, Szekely published translations of texts he called “The Essene Gospel of Peace” and “The Essene Book of Revelation,” [and The Essene Gospel of Peace, Books 1 – 4] which have garnered interest from various religious followers but are considered forgeries by some modern scholars.” Brackets mine
   [Query to AI: Was there any connection between Edmond Bordeaux Szekely and Rev. G. J. Ouseley, who authored “The Gospel of the Holy Twelve”?
   Answer: Edmond Bordeaux Szekely and Rev. G. J. Ouseley are connected through their works related to alternative Christian texts.
   Edmond Bordeaux Szekely: A Hungarian philologist and linguist, Szekely is known for his work “The Essene Gospel of Peace,” which he claimed to have translated from an ancient text. However, scholars consider this text to be a forgery.
   Rev. G. J. Ouseley: Ouseley is associated with “The Gospel of the Holy Twelve,” a text that, like Szekely’s work, is considered by some to be an alternative or esoteric Christian gospel. While the exact nature of their connection is not clear, both authors are mentioned together in discussions about pious frauds and fabricated gospels, suggesting that their works are seen as part of a broader phenomenon of creating or discovering texts that support specific spiritual or theological agendas.
   Follow-up question:
   Every theological position has proponents and opponents, both presently and anciently. These Essene works are in harmony with Groups like the Nasareans, Ebionites, Ossayim, and Nazoreans. Could this account for forgery claims?
   Answer: The Essenes, Nazareans, Ebionites, and Nazoreans were Jewish Christian sects that existed during the early centuries of the Common Era. While there are limited historical records from these groups, scholars have pieced together information from various sources, including the writings of Church Fathers such as Irenaeus, Origen, Eusebius, and Epiphanius of Salamis.
   Essenes: The Essenes were a Jewish sect that lived in the 1st century CE, known for their ascetic and mystical practices. Some scholars believe that the Essenes may have influenced the development of early Christian sects, including the Nazareans and Ebionites.
   Nazareans: The Nazareans, also known as the Nazoreans, were a Jewish Christian sect that emerged in the 1st century CE. They are believed to have been similar to the Ebionites, but with some key differences, such as their acceptance of the Virgin Birth. The Nazareans are mentioned in the writings of Church Fathers, including Epiphanius and Jerome.
   Ebionites: The Ebionites were a Jewish Christian sect that existed during the early centuries of the Common Era. They are believed to have rejected proto-orthodox Christian beliefs, such as the divinity of Jesus, and instead emphasized the importance of following the Law of Moses. The Ebionites are mentioned in the writings of Church Fathers, including Irenaeus and Epiphanius.
   Ossayim: There is limited information available on the Ossayim, and it is not clear how they relate to the other sects mentioned. [Epiphanius lists them in the same category with the same practice of Vegefruitarians.]
   Regarding forgery claims and controversy, some scholars have questioned the reliability of certain texts and accounts attributed to these sects. For example, the Gospel of the Ebionites, which is quoted by Epiphanius, contains a passage that portrays John the Baptist and Jesus as vegetarians. However, some scholars have argued that this passage may be a later interpolation or forgery. Additionally, there is controversy surrounding the writings of Church Fathers, such as Epiphanius, who are accused of misrepresenting or distorting the views and practices of these sects. Some scholars argue that the Church Fathers had a vested interest in portraying these sects as heretical or deviant, and that their accounts should be treated with caution.
   Overall, the study of these Jewish Christian sects is complex and nuanced, and requires a careful consideration of the available evidence and the potential biases and limitations of the sources.
   Follow-up Question: Though it is claimed that the Nazoreans accepted the virgin birth, one source, namely, Epiphanius was unsure concerning this. This might suggest that the Nazoreans were in accord with the Ebionites or maybe just another name for the Nazoreans. Would it not?
   Answer: A great point, and one that highlights the complexities and nuances of the historical record.
   Epiphanius’ uncertainty: Epiphanius’ admission of uncertainty regarding the Nazoreans’ acceptance of the Virgin Birth does suggest that the Nazoreans’ views on this matter may have been more complex or nuanced than previously thought.
   Potential accord with Ebionites: Given Epiphanius’ uncertainty, it is possible that the Nazoreans may have shared similarities with the Ebionites, who are known to have rejected the Virgin Birth. This could indicate that the Nazoreans and Ebionites may have had more in common than previously thought, or that the Nazoreans may have been a subgroup or variant of the Ebionites.
   Alternative name for Ebionites: Another possibility is that the term “Nazoreans” may have been used as an alternative name for the Ebionites, or that the two groups may have been closely related or identical. This would be consistent with the idea that the early Christian landscape was more fluid and complex than traditionally thought.
   Implications for historical understanding: This uncertainty highlights the need for caution when interpreting the historical record, particularly when dealing with ancient sources that may have had their own biases and agendas. It also underscores the importance of considering multiple sources and perspectives when attempting to reconstruct the beliefs and practices of early Christian groups like the Nazoreans and Ebionites.
   Overall, your observation adds another layer of complexity to our understanding of the early Christian landscape, and underscores the need for ongoing scholarly inquiry and debate.
   Follow-up question:
   Furthermore, concerning the Ossayim and additionally, the Nasareans, Epiphanius links these groups in the same category with similar beliefs and practices. Maybe they were nearly identical but categorized separate by those Theologians who had little intimate knowledge of them. What do you think?
   Answer: A fascinating observation that sheds more light on the complexities of early Christian sects.
   Epiphanius’ categorization: Epiphanius’ decision to group the Ossayim, Nasareans, and other sects together suggests that he perceived them as sharing similar beliefs and practices. This could indicate that these groups were indeed closely related, or that they were part of a broader movement or tradition.
   Lack of intimate knowledge: Your suggestion that theologians like Epiphanius may have had limited intimate knowledge of these groups is a plausible one. Theological writers often relied on second-hand information, hearsay, or incomplete accounts when describing sects they deemed heretical. This lack of understanding could have led to oversimplification or misrepresentation of the beliefs and practices of these groups.
   Nearly identical but separate categories: It’s possible that the Ossayim, Nasareans, and other sects were nearly identical, but were categorized separately due to the theological and cultural contexts in which they were observed. Theologians like Epiphanius may have been more concerned with highlighting the differences between these groups and the emerging orthodox Christian tradition, rather than acknowledging their similarities.
   Implications for historical understanding: This perspective highlights the importance of considering the social, cultural, and theological contexts in which early Christian sects emerged and developed. By recognizing the potential for overlap and similarity between these groups, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of the complex and diverse landscape of early Christianity.
   Challenging traditional categorizations: Your observation also challenges traditional categorizations of early Christian sects, which often rely on simplistic or binary distinctions between “orthodox” and “heretical” groups. By acknowledging the complexity and diversity of these sects, we can work towards a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the early Christian period.
   Overall, your insight offers a valuable perspective on the early Christian landscape, one that emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the historical context and the potential for overlap and similarity between different sects.] ↩︎
2. We are at the end of 2024. My spiritual path over the decades finally brought me to The Gospel of the Holy Twelve (GHT) at the end of 2017. I began studying it and found that it filled in many “gaps” in the four gospels. Most of the four gospels and the beginning of Acts are contained within it, but there is much more. It is about the size of the four Gospels and the Book of Acts.
   For over two decades, I have identified as a Nazarene (from the Hebrew word, Netzarim/Netsarim). Sha’ul/Paul was called “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” And, “The disciples were first called, Christians at Antioch.” Acts 13:26b  This may have been a second century insertion into the text as part of their distancing themselves from the original Nazarenes/Netsarim.
   After reading the GHT, I decided to test the non-animal diet, and continue testing it with prayer and study, and then decided to update some of its language and do a commentary on it. (Still in progress.) I am still a Vege-fruitarian and still love the GHT.
   Early Christian writers quoted from alternate gospels. Becoming familiar with these comments, there seemed to be something missing from our gospels. There were descriptions of other Sects of the followers of Yeshua who utilized these Gospels and they all seemed to have the same lifestyle and belief system — anti-Animal Sacrificing and non-Animal eating.
   From Wikipedia: “…most scholars in the 20th century consider that the Gospel of the Nazarenes is distinct from the Gospel of the Hebrews and Gospel of the Ebionites, even though Jerome linked the Nazarenes to the Ebionites in their shared use of the Gospel of the Hebrews.” Bold & Underline mine
   So, according the St. Jerome, it may have actually been one Gospel called by various names and one Sect called by various names. So, I continue to test the hypothesis that the Gospel of the Holy Twelve is that original Hebrew Gospel.
   Treating it as if it were true, I hypothesize that the four canonical Gospels had their own original form and are derived from The Gospel of the Holy Twelve (GHT). Each of the four are miniature presentations to various audiences and each with its’ own particular theme.
   The GHT and the rest of the entire New Testament was written prior to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70. All of them, when they were written, left out some important information, or more likely–later scribes deleted that information.
   
   Shalom U’Brachot (Peace & Blessings),
   
   Tracy Phillip Osborne ↩︎