John 20:30 “There were indeed many other signs [and teachings] that Y‘shúa did in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book, 31 but these have been written so that you believe that Y‘shúa is the [promised] Messiah, the [unique, firstborn, and anointed] Son of Elohiym; and that, believing/trusting/relying-on/adhering-to, you might possess life in his name.”
[The word, perfect, is translated from Hebrew text as: blameless, unblemished; from Grk. Septuagint & NT as: complete]
“Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations; and Noah walked with God …” Gen. 6:9
Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am El-shaddai. Walk before me, and be perfect.” Gen. 17:1
“You must be perfect before Yahweh your God.“ Dt. 18:9
“The Law (Torah) of Yahweh is perfect … making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7
“Be ye therefore perfect [blameless, unblemished, complete, mature],
even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” … Matthew 5:48
“For it was fitting that [Elohim], for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory,
should make [Y‘shúa,] the Prince of their deliverance, perfect through suffering.” … Heb. 2:10
“And being made perfect, [Y‘shúa] became the author of eternal deliverance unto all them that obey him.” Heb. 5:9
“But you have approached…the heavenly Jerusalem…to the spirits of righteous ones made perfect
and unto Y‘shúa, the Mediator of the New Covenant…” Heb. 12:24
Father, “I in them, and You in Me, so that they might be perfected into one …” John 17:23
“Here begins the Gospel of the Perfect Life of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah…”GHT 1:1
Is This The Original Gospel of Yeshúa, or …?
The Gospel of the Holy Twelve (GHT):
The Gospel of the Perfect life of Yeshu-Marya the Christ
—Updated Version—
By: Tracy Phillip Osborne©
| Introduction Page | 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 |
Individual Sections
I plan to make my updated version & commentary available by January 2026.
(Some of my updates and commentary notes have been added here; But not all.)
I recommend reading completely through section by section. But finish reading this page first.
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.
A very dangerous testimony for Rev. G. J. Ouseley, if it is a fraudulent deception!!
And, I am not claiming that it (or, parts of it) is or is not absolutely authentic; But, one should take seriously its’ claims and teaching (and I have); and if one believes it as a whole or in part and puts its’ teachings into practice, it is not damning. It is akin to a harmony of the gospels. Thus, I discovered and began to test it in late 2017 to see if it might be true and have ate no animal flesh since then, as it teaches. I discovered other ancient groups of believers who held to the same practice.
According to its’ teaching, as well as, other ancient testimonies, Y’shúa commanded this Genesis 1:26-29 diet.
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 it bookends the beginning and end of this book; and, because of the verses about the perfecting process quoted above from the Old & New Testaments. It was first published by Rev. G.J. Ouseley, MA (1834–1906, son of Ralph Ouseley). He was a priest, first in The Established Church of Ireland aka The Anglican Church in Ireland, and afterwards in the Catholic Apostolic Church, a church with restorationist desires and beliefs.1 The Gospel of the Holy Twelve, was first serialized in The Lindsey and Lincolnshire Star newspaper between July 30, 1898 and March 10, 1901. After Ouseley’s death in 1906, it was published by others into a book 1924.2
It is about the length of the four canonical Gospels & Acts, and begins with Luke 1:1 and ends in Acts 2. It is akin to a harmony of the gospels but contains also significant material claimed to be from the original gospel of Y’shúa that Ouseley received. He expressly admitted that he received revelations from divine inspiration, dreams, visions, and visitations; And, that he wrote down the revelations. They were redacted into a harmony of the canonical Gospels–maybe helped by others. [And I am now leaning toward the idea that he and “the Editors” were associates from the restorationist movement (see footnotes) who inserted his revelations into their own “harmony of the four gospels” and this may affect how I proceed with my work on it. It displays evidence of Lukan Primacy in some places and other places Matthean Primacy. There are other scenarios that one can imagine. 3 4
!!! I suggest reading it for yourself first rather than getting bogged down in arguments about it
and seek the Most High about it with an open mind to the possibility that it is legitimate !!!
| Introduction Page | 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 |
From Wikipedia concerning early witnesses to ancient manuscript(s) variously named, 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)
This Gospel did not make it into the final Canon of the New Testament in the 4th Century C.E.
Unraveling all of these elements is like unraveling a tangled ball of yarn that cats have been playing with for years!
Concerning the development of the canonical Gospels, intuitively, I personally accepted Lukan Primacy, probably in circa 2006, and found others who espoused the same, including the Jerusalem School (see their diagram below). In their schema, Luke was first in our canonical gospels. According to lukeprimacy.com/lukan-priority, The Gospel of the Hebrews would have been the First Reconstruction as a source. (See: The Hebrew Gospel & The Development of the Synoptic Tradition by James R. Edwards, 2009.)
The Gospel of the Holy Twelve (or, at least his revelations that were inserted into a harmonization of the canonical gospels), if legitimate, predates these. I would place it as either, the original Hebrew Story of Y’Shua or an Aramaic Translation positioned next to the Greek Translation in the diagram. If Rev. Ouseley’s revelations and efforts are legitimate (and that doesn’t necessitate that it be flawless, 1Cor. 13:8-13), then it would predate even The Gospel of the Hebrews which was quoted by early church theologians. And it would mean, that for some reason, it was condensed down to the canonical version. Below, I have assembled the possibilities.
I study the Old and New Testaments constantly and accept them as the core of our sacred Scriptures. (I also accept The Moses Scroll as the root of Deuteronomy.) They contain the word of God which is sufficient to lead us to everlasting life. Interpretation though, is for each one to do with the counsel of others. Councils of men are subject to error and have erred in the past (just ask Jeremiah!) but that does not mean that those who inherited such errors are not pious and good people, or that they do not have important contributions. The Most High uses all for his purposes.
Ancient testimonies claim or imply that there were other Scriptures that were lost or hidden from us. There were erroneous books that were embraced by some gnostic groups that are rightly rejected. Maybe though, The Gospel of the Holy Twelve re-inserts authentic details, stories, and teachings that were left out of the other gospels. Its’ own testimony says so and declares that 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? And, if it were true, then how does it harmonize, fine tune, or change what we already believe or know to be true? And that is what I have done with The Gospel of the Holy Twelve. 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, and challenging. It seems to fit well with the earliest Christianity established by Yeshua the Messiah of Natsareth—the Netsar & the Netsarim.
“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 synoptic gospels. 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 that were 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 & the eating of their flesh & blood, as it was permitted only because of the “hardness” of the peoples’ hearts—but from the beginning it was never permitted. Yeshua claims that the Scriptures in this regard were corrupted by the priests. He 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)—Hinted at in the NT but not explicit.
Thus we approach it saying, What are its claims and what are the implications if it is an authentic revelation? 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 Rev. 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! And even if that is correct, that does not mean it was put together flawlessly nor that other hands did not touch it up with their own edits after Ouseley’s death. I approach it critically.
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 Gospel of the Hebrews, Luke-Acts, Mark, Matthew, 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 so, how did it come about? These are complicated ideas for most people unfamiliar with that field of study & I’m simply theorizing. Scholars will not accept GHT since it has no traceable and verifiable provenance—which is understandable. Some will make claims because it demands a change in their habits and confirm themselves under a spiritual stupor. 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! That is really all one can do. —Was the GHT authorized by the 12 Apostles? Its own testimony says it was. Was it the original gospel written in Hebrew? Quotes preserved from The Hebrew Gospel agrees with GHT. The Jerusalem School posited a more elaborate scheme for sources for solving the “synoptic problem” (and there are others).
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. 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 – 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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. [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.
11Ye 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 [shalom] 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].”
| Introduction Page | 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 |
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.
Here Ends The Table of Contents
Go to Chapters 1-5
I recommend reading completely through section by section.
Individual Sections with Newer Commentary — the Newest Commentary, I have not released.
All 96 Chapters on One Page
(for searching entire document but commentary notes are older)
- The Catholic Apostolic Church, also known as the Irvingian Church or Irvingite Church, is a denomination in the Restorationist branch of Christianity that originated in Scotland around 1831. It spread to Germany and the United States and was organized in 1835 with a fourfold ministry of “apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors” and this is reflected in this Gospel. Here are some key points about the Catholic Apostolic Church:
Origins and Spread: The church was founded in Scotland around 1831 and later spread to Germany and the United States. It was organized in 1835 with a unique fourfold ministry structure.
Edward Irving: The church is sometimes referred to as Irvingism or the Irvingian movement after Edward Irving (1792–1834), a clergyman of the Church of Scotland credited with organizing the movement.
Fourfold Ministry: The Catholic Apostolic Church has a distinctive organizational structure with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors.
Restorationist Beliefs: The church teaches the restoration to the universal church of prophetic gifts by the direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
Schism and Emergence of Other Denominations: Due to internal schisms, other Irvingian Christian denominations emerged from the Catholic Apostolic Church. ↩︎ - “The first collected edition of essays (or ‘Lections’) by the author, a former clergyman, Rev. Gideon Jasper Richard Ouseley (1834–1906, son of Ralph Ouseley) was published in 1901. By the time of Ouseley’s death the title was out of print but the executor of his manuscript, Samuel Hopgood Hart (1865–1958) re-issued the text in 1924. There have been numerous editions published since the 1950s and the title remains in print and on the Internet.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gospel_of_the_Holy_Twelve ↩︎
- One Preface, in part, notes:
“Their ‘Gospel of the Holy Twelve’ was communicated to the Editors, in numerous fragments at different times, by Emmanuel Swedenborg, Anna Kingsford, Edward Maitland, and a priest of the former century, giving his name as Placidus, of the Franciscan Order, afterwards a Carmelite. By them it was translated from the original, and given to the Editors in the flesh,
to be supplemented in their proper places, where indicated, from the ‘Four Gospels’ (A.V.) revised where necessary by the same.
“To this explanation, the Editors cannot add, nor from it take away. By the Divine Spirit was the Gospel communicated to the four above mentioned, and by them translated, and given to the writers; not in séance rooms (where too often resort the idle, the frivolous and the curious, attracting spirits similar to themselves, rather than the good), but ‘in dreams and visions of the night,’ and by direct guidance, has God instructed them by chosen instruments; and now they give it to the world, that some may be wiser unto Salvation, while those who reject it, remain in their blindness, until they will to see.” copied from www.thenazareneway.com/ght_table_of_contents.htm ↩︎ - So, this would not be fraud on Rev. Ouseley’s part. Suppose that I received the same revelations and then created my own version based exclusively upon the Gospel of Luke into which I inserted the revelations and admitted that this is what I had done, it would not be fraud. You might claim that I had been deceived but that would not be fraud.
Separately, in later years after its’ publication and his death, Edmond Bordeaux Szekely claimed that he was given access to the Vatican Library where he translated another very similar recension of it along with other Essene writings. This, it was said, had been confiscated when it was presented by someone who brought it from the East. I studied it as well. It seems to me that he retranslated and edited The Gospel of the Holy Twelve (GHT). He (and Nicolas Notovitch who wrote “The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ”), most likely used Rev. Ouseley’s GHT to create their own works. Szekely called his retranslation, The Essene Humane Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also, wrote, “The Essene Gospel of Peace”. Was this fraud on his part? Here is a good discussion of it from Keith Akers: https://compassionatespirit.com/wpblog/2014/02/18/pious-fraud-vegetarian-style/ and in contrast to his analysis of GHT: https://compassionatespirit.com/wpblog/2014/02/12/dreams-and-visions-of-the-night/ ↩︎
Further Information: 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 were originally constructed, before they themselves suffered from the editorial pen of the Roman “correctors”. It resembles a harmony of the 4-Gospels; However, it includes additional information that supports an ideology that was removed by “orthodoxy” long ago; And, whose truth strikes a pleasing chord within the heart of those sensing something missing in the scriptures and desiring the original. That is its true test!
There is a preface in one of its publications that says, it “was communicated . . . in numerous fragments at different times, by Emmanuel Swedenborg, Anna Kingsford, Edward Maitland, and a priest of the former century, giving his name as Placidus, of the Franciscan Order—afterwards, a Carmelite. By them it was translated from the original, and given to the Editors in the flesh, to be supplemented in their proper places, where indicated, from the “Four Gospels” (A.V.) revised where necessary by the same. To this explanation, the Editors cannot add, nor from it take away. By the Divine Spirit was the Gospel communicated to the four above mentioned, and by them translated, and given to the writers; not in séance rooms (where too often resort the idle, the frivolous and the curious, attracting spirits similar to themselves, rather than the good), but “in dreams and visions of the night,” and by direct guidance, has God instructed them by chosen instruments; and now they give it to the world, that some may be wiser unto Salvation, while those who reject it, remain in their blindness, till they will to see.” (“Explanatory Preface” From an early 20th century edition published in London.) [Note: The editors were working with the canonical Gospels that were corrupted long ago; Thus, this must be taken into account as new texts are discovered and fresh insights are gained.] It was claimed by some that the Apostle John wrote it and sent it with a disciple to India-Tibet for safekeeping. It was translated and brought back West in the 1700’s or 1800’s, but confiscated by the RCC. E. Francis Udny believes it was translated by the hand of Francis Bacon: others by the Franciscan-Carmelite Monk named, Placidus, one of the four who delivered it to Rev. Ousley. Whatever the case may be in that regard, it was received by Rev. Ouseley through revelations, dreams, visions and direct guidance. So, what if? under Apostolic authority in ≈ the 50-60’s AD, a copy of this original was sent with disciples to the East and preserved? Centuries later, did, Bacon or Placidus, or surviving Essenes, or, Nestorians bring it back to the West from the East, as some think was done with Sefer Josippon? These assertions are presently beyond examination; then again, the same vagueness exists for the canonical Bible. However, one can research into original Judaism and Christianity (studying the redaction of the Tanakh and the Gospels, Vegetarianism, Reincarnation) and arrive at the same conclusions, aside from reading this Gospel account. Indeed, reading this will help you see what you will find in such research in a familiar format. It takes for granted, that the canonical old and new testaments are documents that long ago were reconstructed and edited from previous originals, even as modern scholarship with various scenarios now accepts. Its beauty is found by those who thirst for righteousness and read it. I tentatively give it primary status in the NT—the presupposition upon which the rest of the canonical New Testament was written.
Paqid, Yo’el Ben Avraham, MA
There is similar book by Edward Bordeaux Szekely, called, The Essene Humane Gospel. It appears to be an edited version of The Gospel of the Perfect Life and may (speaking charitably) originate from a later branch of Nazarean Essenes. Along with other writings that Szekely translated, he claimed that he was given access to them by a priest in the Vatican library. His writings do not necessarily reflect the original Essenes nor our interpretations.