Acts of Thomas

The Acts of Thomas (Latin neuter plural Acta Thomae, German also Acts of Thomas ) are among the apocryphal Acts of the Apostles. They were written in Syriac in the first half of the 3rd century and are therefore pseudepigraphical. Its author was possibly close to Gnosticism, was in any case Enkratit. Get a Syrian revision, which greatly suppresses the Gnostic element and a less purified Greek translation. Furthermore, there are Latin, Armenian and Ethiopian edits.

The files begin, as well as the canonical Acts of the Apostles, with the assembly of the apostles in Jerusalem. The Apostle Thomas, who here Judas Thomas, is partly just called Judas, refuses to go to the Indians, then sold him the risen Christ as slaves to a wholesale merchant. He then traveled by ship to North West India. On the way he commits proselytism and miracles until he suffered a martyr's death in north-west India.

Interspersed are found in the files of numerous sermons and hymns. The wedding song and the song beads as evidence of Gnostic doctrine of salvation are known. Also interesting is a sermon that holds Jesus in the person of Thomas a fresh dared, royal wedding couple on the harmfulness of children Bekommens.

The Acts of Thomas have played a significant role both in Manichaeism, as well as Syrian Christian Church, as the book preserved in the Nag Hammadi writings of Thomas athletes is attributed to the Apostle Thomas. In Manichaeism, he eventually becomes Didymus (Arabic at- Taum ), for revealing angel who guides Mani to faith.

Unclear is the relationship to describe a trip to India Manis containing partially similar motives, and the ratio of Edessa Thomas tradition to the Manichean acting in Edessa Thomas the Apostle. The Acts of Thomas were sentenced both Manichaeans as well as in church Christians in reputation, but were from the Decretum Gelasianum ( early 6th century ).