₦airaland Forum

Chapter 32 SUPPER IN THE LAWYER'S HOUSE

One skilled in the Law invited Jesus to supper, in order to tempt him. Jesus came thither with his disciples, and many scribes, to tempt him, waited for him in the house. Whereupon, the disciples sat down to table without washing their hands. The scribes called Jesus, saying: "Wherefore do not your disciples observe the traditions of our elders, in not washing their hands before they eat bread?" Jesus answered: "And I ask you, for what cause have you annulled the precept of God to observe your traditions? You say to the sons of poor fathers: "Offer and make vows to the Temple."

And they make vows of that little wherewith they ought to support their fathers. And when their fathers wish to take money, the sons cry out: "This money is consecrated to God"; whereby the fathers suffer. O false scribes, hypocrites, does God use this money? Assuredly not, for God eats not, as he says by his servant David the prophet: Shall I then eat the flesh of bulls and drink the blood of sheep? Render to me the sacrifice of praise, and offer to me your vows; for if I should be hungry I will not ask aught of you, seeing that all things are in my hands, and the abundance of paradise is with me. Hypocrites! you do this to fill your purse, and therefore you tithe rue and mint.

Oh miserable ones! for to others you show the most clear way, by which you will not go. 'You scribes and doctors lay upon the shoulders of others weights of unbearable weight, but you yourselves the while are not willing to move them with one of your fingers. Truly I say to you, that every evil has entered into the world under the pretext of the elders. Tell me, who made idolatry to enter into the world, if not the usage of the elders? For there was a king who exceedingly loved his father, whose name was Baal.

Whereupon, when the father was dead, his son for his own consolation, caused to be made an image like to his father, and set it up in the market-place of the city. And he made a decree that every one who approached that statue within a space of fifteen cubits should be safe, and no one any account should do him hurt. Hence the malefactors, by reason of the benefit they received therefrom, began to offer to the statue roses and flowers, and in a short time the offerings were changed into money and food, insomuch that they called it god, to honour it. Which thing from custom was transformed into a law, insomuch that the idol of Baal spread through all the world;

and how much does God lament this by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "Truly this people worships me in vain, for they have annulled my Law given to them by my servant Moses, and follow the traditions of their elders.

Truly I say to you, that to eat bread with unclean hands defiles not a man, because that which enters into the man defiles not the man, but that which comes out of the man defiles the man." Thereupon, said one of the scribes: "If I shall eat pork, or other unclean meats, will they not defile my conscience?" Jesus answered: "Disobedience will not enter into the man, but will come out of the man, from his heart; and therefore will he be defiled when he shall eat forbidden food."

Then said one of the doctors: "Master, you have spoken much against idolatry as though the people of Israel had idols, and so you have done us wrong." Jesus answered: "I know well that in Israel today there are not statues of wood; but there are statues of flesh." Then answered all the scribes in wrath: "And so we are idolaters?" Jesus answered: "Truly I say to you, the precept says not "You shall worship", but "You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul, and with all your heart, and with all your mind." Is this true?" said Jesus. "It is true" answered every one.

Chapter 31 The Tribute-Money

Then drew near to Jesus the priests, and said: "Master, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar?" Jesus turned round to Judas, and said: "Have you any money?" And taking a penny in his hand, Jesus turned himself to the priests, and said to them: "This penny has an image: tell me, whose image is it?" They answered: "Caesar"s". "Give therefore," said Jesus, "that which is Caesar's to Caesar, and that which is God's give it to God." Then they departed in confusion.

And behold there drew near a centurion, saying: "Lord, my son is sick; have mercy on my old age!" Jesus answered: "The Lord God of Israel have mercy on you!" The man was departing; and Jesus said: "Wait for me, for I will come to your house, to make prayer over your son." The centurion answered: "Lord, I am not worthy that you, a prophet of God, should come to my house, sufficient to me is the word that you have spoken for the healing of my son; for your God has made you lord over every sickness, even as his angel said to me in my sleep."

Then Jesus marvelled greatly, and turning to the crowd, he said: "Behold this stranger, for he has more faith than all that I have found in Israel." And turning to the centurion, he said: "Go in peace, because God, for the great faith that he has given you, has granted health to your son." The centurion went his way, and on the road he met his servants, who announced to him how his son was healed. The man answered: "At what hour did the fever leave him?" They said: "Yesterday, at the sixth hour, the heat departed from him."

The man knew that when Jesus said: "The Lord God of Israel have mercy on you," his son received his health. *Whereupon the man believed in our God, and having entered into his house, he brake in pieces all his own gods, saying: "There is only the God of Israel, the true and living God." Therefore said he: "None shall eat of my bread that does not worship the God of Israel."

If you have these much forgery in Christianity, where is the truth then? Can a single Bible version stand the test of scrutiny? Can a single Bible be the original? Can it be traced to the time of Jesus? Isn't it interesting that the protestants are not ashamed about their assult of the catholic Bible, a Book that they shameless copy?

. Thanks again my dear brother for the bail. 4Him and co were just attacking me during the weekend. In fact, it got to a point I had to stop typing. How are you?

lucabrasi:
ol boy,all of you are just going round and round and round adding bits and pieces as you go along, think you ahould check the first 3 pages and you ll discover you r still arguing about the same thing, no matter what you say u can't change the christian to covert to your religion and no matter the christian's stance is,you great ones prolly believe 100% in your religion so whats the point of 7 pages of going round the same thing?to me i think you guys are just showing off,must say im learning a lot from both sides tho

Well, I was trying to put light into the matter. I wish this thread was only explaining the verses and question from people without much skeptism but it rather turned otherwise. How your end?

@poster
Are they that rich?

I think it may be worth it. From nairaland I made new friends that we chat and mail one another, and I got new enemies too. I refuse to mention names but they know themselves.

4Him
Is this Kevin James on indo(igbo) or what?

Honestly, there is nothing wrong for a prostitute marrying another prostitute because birds flock.
But it is very insane for a decent man marrying an ex-prostitute. There are still good girls around now.

morenike09:
*sigh* I like a man with brain, something almost all Nairaland male lack.

That's why I should assume you're a big-weeny!

Be ready to get 16mails/day from scammers.

Chapter 30 The Good Samaritan 

Jesus went to Jerusalem, near to the Senofegia, a feast of our nation . The scribes and Pharisees having perceived this, took counsel to catch him in his talk. Whereupon, there came to him a doctor, saying: "Master, what must I do to have eternal life?" Jesus answered: "How is it written in the Law?" The tempter answered, saying: "Love the Lord your God, and your neighbour. You shall love your God above all things, with all your heart and your mind, and your neighbour as yourself." Jesus answered: "You have answered well: therefore go and do you so, I say, and you shall have eternal life." He said to him: "And who is my neighbour?"

Jesus answered, lifting up his eyes: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to go to Jericho, a city rebuilt under a curse. This man on the road was seized by robbers, wounded and stripped; whereupon they departed, leaving him half dead. It chanced that a priest passed by that place, and he, seeing the wounded man, passed on without greeting him. In like manner passed a Levite, without saying a word. It chanced that there passed [also] a Samaritan, who, seeing the wounded man, was moved to compassion, and alighted from his horse, and took the wounded man and washed his wounds with wine, and anointed them with ointment, and binding up his wounds for him and comforting him, he set him upon his own horse.

Whereupon, having arrived in the evening at the inn, he gave him into the charge of the host. And when he had risen on the morrow, he said: "Take care of this man, and I will pay you all." And having presented four gold pieces to the sick man for the host, he said: "Be of good cheer, for I will speedily return and conduct you to my own home." "Tell me," said Jesus, "which of these was the neighbour?" The doctor answered: "He who showed mercy." Then Jesus said: "You have answered rightly; therefore go and do you likewise." The doctor departed in confusion

Chapter 29 God Revealed To Abraham

Then Philip said: "Great is the mercy of God upon whoever loves him. Tell us, O master, how Abraham came to [have] the knowledge of God." Jesus answered: "Having arrived near to the house of his father, Abraham feared to go into the house; so he removed [himself] some distance from the house and sat under a palm tree, where, being by himself, he said:"There must be a God who has life and power more than man, since he makes man, and man without God could not make man."

Thereupon, looking round upon the stars, the moon, and the sun, he thought that they had been God. But after considering their variableness with their movements, hesaid: "It must be [necessarily] that God does not move and that clouds do not hide him [as they hide the planets]; otherwise men would be reduced to nothing." Remaining thus in suspense, he heard himself called by name, "Abraham!" And so, turning round and not seeing any one on any side, he said: "I am sure I heard myself called by name, 'Abraham. " Then, two other times in a similar manner, he heard himself called by name, "Abraham!"

He answered: "What calls me?" Then he heard [the voice] say: "I am the angel of God, Gabriel." Abraham was filled with fear; but the angel comforted him, saying: "Do not fear, Abraham, for you are friend of God When you broke in pieces the gods of men, you were chosen [by] the God of the angels and prophets such that you are written in the Book of Life." Then said Abraham: "What should I do [so as] to serve the God of the angels and holy prophets?" The angel answered: "Go to that fount and wash yourself, for God wishes to speak with you."

Abraham answered: "How should I wash myself?" Then the angel appeared to him as a beautiful youth, and washed himself in the fount, saying: "Do the same as this, O Abraham." When Abraham had washed himself, the angel said: "Go up that mountain, for God wilshes to speak to you there." Abraham ascended the mountain as the angel [had instructed him], and having sat down upon his knees he said to himself: "When will the God of the angels speak to me?" He heard himself called with a gentle voice: "Abraham!" Abraham answered him: "Who calls me?" The voice answered: "I am your God, O Abraham."

Abraham, filled with fear, bent his face to earth, saying: "How shall your servant who is dust and ashes hearken to you!" Then said God: "Fear not, but rise up, for I have chosen you as my servant, and I will bless you and make you increase into a great people. Therefore go forth from the house of your father and of your kindred, and come to dwell in the land which I will give to you and to your seed."

Abraham answered: "I will do everything, Lord; but guard me [so] that no other god may harm me." Then God spoke, saying: "I am God alone, and there is none other god but me. I strike down, and make whole; I slay, and give life; I lead down to hell, and I bring out thereof, and no-one is able to deliver himself out of my hands." Then God gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so our father Abraham knew God." And having said this, Jesus lifted up his hands, saying: "To you be honour and glory, O God. So be it!"

How is this thread so long? People realise that the Gospel of Barnabas is a known forgery, right? Right?

Do you have a copy of the book that you call forgery. You may not even have heard of it and you come here glantly saying its false.

Sky Blue:
LOL. I can imagine this being a course also. Darn, i got 2.1 in Adedibuism this year, even after all my hard work on the "practical" exam, i guess i have to take Adedibu 101 again. LOL.

**smiles**
This shouldn't be a course because anyone taking it including the lecturer(not me sha) may place his life at a high risk because of Adedibu's PDP sons in the university.

Woe to those you made this lawful!

@hey poster.Why open two threads of the same?

4 Him:
olabowale don't let us bother with most of your drivel . . . just ask yourself . . .

too much noise about the children of Israel, Moses, Jesus Christ e.t.c. WHAT BECAME OF THE "CHILD OF PROMISE" ISHMAEL? WHERE ARE HIS OWN PROPHETS?

4Him
Your questions usually amaze me because you don't understand a jack about All'ah or even the scriptures. Do you except God to talk of any other people prophets in the Ko'ran when He sent all of them for the same message at different times? Why does Jesus refer to David and Moses in the Bible?

WHERE ARE HIS OWN PROPHETS?

The arabs had no warner before Mu'hammed and this noble prophet is the seal and head of the Imams(among all the prophets).Do the Jews truely have prophets professing their religion? Or was Abraham a Jew?
Please mention the name of a prophet in your bible that claim he was Jewish in faith or Christian. If you're telling the truth. The point is all this men you say were Jews never practised the Jewish customs, they never called anyone a begotten son of God, neither do they say anything contrary to Isl'am. Why? They were all Mus'lims-they worshipped one God and sort no intercession from any except God Himself.

God said: We sent you (O Mu'hammed) as a warner and giver of glad tidings.
Another says: We never sent a Messenger to this folk(Arabs), So warn them against a painful punishment, lest they should say:"We had no warner or bringer of glad tidings". And now that We sent them a Messenger most of them turn away!

imhotep:
@Frizy
You have an interesting collection of 'Tales by moonlight'.

**no comments**

~Lady~:
All'ah didn't create me. He and his daughters have nothing to do with me.

Surely He did but you deny Him. God said: O mankind, worship your Lord Who created you and those before you that ye may ward off evil. (Baqarah)
Another says: And to All'ah belong whatsoever in the heaven and the earth, He knows what ascendeth and descendeth, not an atom weight or less than that but it is in a clear record.

God created me, get it. I worship him. Christ is God.

God said: They surely disbelieve who say: Jesus son of Mary is God. The Messiah was no one than a Messenger, Messengers like those who passed away before him. They both (Jesus&mary) used to eat earthly food and his mother a saintly woman. See how We show them Our signs, but see how they turn away!

Another says: If We were to destory Jesus and his mother, can anyone save them from Our grip?

May the Holy Spirit bring you to know the truth. May he reveal himself to you, and may you recognise him and have the capacity to understand the truth.

The understanding you folk have is not the belief God wants you to have for Him, the earlier you repent and turn to Him the better.

You want me to become a Musslim? Sorry dear, I won't follow a religion that contradicts itself.
Answer my questions above.

I will be happy if you become a Mu'slim, I can even decide to marry you or your daughers.lol . But Islam never contradicts,except you don't understand the religion.

Who was the covenant with? and Did Christ say he will die?

The Ko'ran clearly points that the covenant between Abraham and God was Ishmeal. They are lots of evidences from the Ko'ran. And the Gospel of barnabas points out Christ saying that the rabbis changed the context. As cliamed by God Himself in the Ko'ran.

Christ said they will try and kill him, God said he will protect him and the plots of the evil-doers will not be successful.(Both in the Ko'ran and this beautiful Gospel.

lol Frizzy, Imhotep is not dodging, he is mocking you.

Go and do more research on Iraneus. Make sure you go to authentic Catholic sites, we do well in keeping our history. Yoou will then know the truth about Iraneus' writings

I will join Imhotep and ask you to remind me to tell the fairy tales to my children also.

We mock even as you mock. But at the end, you will know who speaks truth from falsehood. Stop worshipping Jesus but turn your face to Who created you- All'ah.

Bermuda triangle is not hell fire. But it is believed by many that a great multitude of jinns(Satans) live in there. Some even say it is satan's home.

Chapter 28 Abraham Destroyeth The Idols 

When every one had departed from the temple, the priests closed the temple and went away. Then Abraham took the axe and cut off the feet of all the idols, except the great god Baal. At its feet he placed the axe, amid the ruins which the statues made, for they, through being old and composed of pieces, fell in pieces. Thereupon, Abraham, going forth from the temple, seen by certain men, who suspected him of having gone to thieve something from the temple. So they laid hold on him, and having arrived at the temple, when they saw their gods so broken in pieces, they cried out with lamentation: "Come quickly, O men, and let us slay him who has slain our gods!" There ran together there about ten thousand men, with the priests, and questioned Abraham of the reason why he had destroyed their gods.

Abraham answered: "You are foolish! Shall then a man slay God? It is the great God that has slain them. See you not that axe which he has near his feet? Certain it is that he desires no fellows." Then arrived there the father of Abraham, who, mindful of the many discourses of Abraham against their gods, and recognizing the axe wherewith Abraham had broken in pieces the idols, cried out: "It has been this traitor of a son of mine, who has slain our gods! for this axe is mine." And he recounted to them all that had passed between him and his son. Accordingly the men collected a great quantity of wood, and having bound Abraham's hands and feet put him upon the wood, and put fire underneath.

'Lo! God, through his angel, commanded the fire that it should not burn Abraham his servant. The fire blazed up with great fury, and burned about two thousand men of those who had condemned Abraham to death. Abraham truly found himself free, being carried by the angel of God near to the house of his father, without seeing who carried him; and thus Abraham escaped death."

Chapter 27 In this chapter is clearly seen how improper is laughter in men: also the prudence of Abraham.
The disciples laughed over the madness of the old man, and stood amazed at the prudence of Abraham. But Jesus reproved them, saying: "You have forgotten the words of the prophet, who says: Present laughter is a herald of weeping to come, and further, You shall not go where is laughter, but sit where they weep, because this life passes in miseries." Then Jesus said, "In the time of Moses, know you not that for laughing and mocking at others God turned into hideous beasts many men of Egypt? Beware that in anywise you laugh not at any one, for you shall surely weep [for it]."

The disciples answered: "We laughed over the madness of the old man." Then Jesus said: "Truly I say to you, every like loves his like, and therein finds pleasure. Therefore, if you were not mad you would not laugh at madness. They answered: "My God have mercy on us. Jesus said: "So be it."

Then said Philip: "O master, how came it to pass that Abraham's father wished to burn his son?" Jesus answered: "One day, Abraham having come to the age of twelve years, his father said to him: "Tomorrow is the festival of all the gods; therefore we shall go to the great temple and bear a present to my god, great Baal. And you shall choose for yourself a god, for you are of age to have a god."

Abraham answered with guile: "Willingly, O my father." And so betimes in the morning they went before every one else to the temple. But Abraham bare beneath his tunic an axe hidden. Whereupon, having entered into the temple, as the crowd increased Abraham hid himself behind an idol in a dark part of the temple. His father, when he departed, believed that Abraham had gone home before him, wherefore he did not stay to seek him.

imhotep:
Remind me to tell these fairy tales to my children and grandchildren. Please.

Is that the point. I thought you were all saying its forgery and was a 14th century book. Now that there is a prove,see how they dodge in style.

imhotep:
My people.

The canon [list of books] of the bible was approved in the year 393 AD.
You guys are about 1,600 years late.

Better luck next time - in trying to smuggle in a fraudulent 'gospel'.

To Those who need to Know

How The Gospel of Barnabas Survived.

    The Gospel of Barnabas was accepted as a Canonical Gospel in the Churches of Alexandria till 325 C.E. Iranaeus (130-200) wrote in support of pure monotheism and opposed Paul for injecting into Christianity doctrines of the pagan Roman religion and Platonic philosophy.  He had quoted extensively from the Gospel of Barnabas in support of his views. This shows that the Gospel of Barnabas was in circulation in the first and second centuries of Christianity. 

    In 325 C.E., the Nicene Council was held, where it was ordered that all original Gospels in Hebrew script should be destroyed. An Edict was issued that any one in possession of these Gospels will be put to death.

     In 383 C.E., the Pope secured a copy of the Gospel of Barnabas and kept it in his private library.

    In the fourth year of Emperor Zeno (478 C.E. ), the remains of Barnabas were discovered and there was found on his breast a copy of the Gospel of Barnabas written by his own hand. (Acia Sanctorum Boland Junii Tom II, Pages 422 and 450. Antwerp 1698) . The famous Vulgate Bible appears to be based on this Gospel.


    Pope Sixtus (1585-90) had a friend, Fra Marino. He found the Gospel of Barnabas in the private library of the Pope. Fra  Marino was interested because he had read the writings of Iranaeus where Barnabas had been profusely quoted. The Italian manuscript passed through different hands till it reached "a person of great name and authority" in Amsterdam, "who during his life time was often heard to put a high value to this piece". After his death it came in the possession of J. E. Cramer, a Councillor of the King of Prussia. In 1713 Cramer presented this manuscript to the famous connoisseur of books, Prince Eugene of Savoy. In 1738 along with the library of the Prince it found its way into Hofbibliothek in Vienna. There it now rests.

     Toland, in his "Miscellaneous Works" (published posthumously in 1747), in Vol. I, page 380, mentions that the Gospel of Barnabas was still extant. In Chapter XV he refers to the Glasian Decree of 496 C.E. where "Evangelium Barnabe" is included in the list of forbidden books. Prior to that it had been forbidden by Pope Innocent in 465 C.E. and by the Decree of the Western Churches in 382 C.E.

    Barnabas is also mentioned in the Stichometry of Nicephorus Serial No. 3, Epistle of Barnabas . . . Lines 1, 300.
Then again in the list of Sixty Books
Serial No. 17. Travels and teaching of the Apostles.
Serial No. 18. Epistle of Barnabas.
Serial No. 24. Gospel According to Barnabas.
A Greek version of the Gospel of Barnabas is also found in a solitary fragment. The rest is burnt.

Ndipe:
http://www.answering-the great religion.org/Barnabas/saleeb.html

What else, than that God forsaken site. It shouldn't be answeringislam.com but answersforthepagans.com!

huxley:
How many people are killed yearly in Mecca as they go to serve their god?

I don't get your point. Are you saying those you go for Haji and killed because of their weakness in their strength for stability at the execrise are the same to that verse? Come on, that is not a natural disaster, if there are many people rushing in a confide space anyone could stamp which could result to death.

Have you ever heard of a cyclone in Mecca after the prophet established Isl'am? Your analogy is very baseless.

Here you find racists at work.

coolier:
Who is adedibu? anybody know him?

Name in Full- Adedibu Lamidi

A ruthless politician in Ibadan. Feared by many, and opposed by the godly. This man maybe in his 80s but he proclaimed openly that he will never quit politics even till his grave. Adedibu aka Baba Omolete is known for violence, corruption and tyranny over the Governors he puts to power; especially through rigging. Adedibu can be outspoken by many as simply "above the law".

During the Obasanjo administration, Adedibu was involved in a plot to outstrip the then Governor of Oyo State- Ladoja. He successful handed power to his deputy who betrayed the former Governor because of power and money. Throughout the violence, the president either pretended to be unaware or was supportive of the scheme Adedibu plotted. The claim then was that the former Governor failed in his duties (which is very unclear till date) and the legistators about 17 out of 30 voted him out.

Adedibu may not be properly educated but his fierce and arrogant manner that includes but may not be limited to this is the use of thugs called Area boys to terriorize the public. In Molete, during the last election, the machines used by INEC a electoral body in Nigeria, were placed in his compound. Anyone that had the right to vote in his constituency had to accept the PDP candiate- Alao Akala(who is now the Governor) or he faces the beating of his life. However, if you vote for PDP- N200 is guaranteed . Adedibu is also reported to be fetish.

Although he may have survived his illness, it is believed that he assumes he lives forever. Any man who supports this man either by donating his/her "taxes" to him or simply in a conversation should know that God is watching and God never likes corruptors!

No matter how well baba cooked up those stories no one is ready to believe. The truth of the matter is spending $16 billion is no joke. There are so many countries all over with 24hrs electricity. Why should Nigeria the Giant of the whole Africa be different?
This report only shows that OBJ was not able to meet up to the expectation and the continous claims that NEPA had a low power output in 1999 maybe true. But NEPA has gone worse! The people keep complaining of little or no electricity. Why is this so?Because our leaders don't aim to fix the problem. All they do is giving statistics on how much they have done with very little to show for it.

Nigeria is just like the Animal farm, people complain when there is heat but just in weeks they forget and adjust to the harshness.
I pray the youths wake Nigeria up from this mystery!

Chapter 26 How one ought to love God. And in this chapter is contained the wonderful contention of Abraham with his father.

Then Jesus said: "There was a man on a journey who, as he was walking, discovered a treasure in a field that was to be sold for five pieces of money. Straightway the man, when he knew this, sold his cloak to buy that field. Is that credible?" The disciples answered: "He who would not believe this is mad."

Thereupon Jesus said: "You will be mad if you do not give your senses to God to buy your soul in which resides the treasure of love; for love is an incomparable treasure. For he that loves God has God for his own; and whoever has God has everything." Peter answered: "O master, how can one love God with true love? Tell us."

Jesus replied: "Truly I say to you that he who shall not hate his father and his mother, and his own life, and children and wife for love of God, such is not worthy to be loved of God." Peter answered: "O master, it is written in the Law of God in the Book of Moses: Honour your father, that you may live long upon the earth. And further he says: Cursed be the son that obeys not his father and his mother" God commanded that such a disobedient son should be stoned by the wrath of the people before the gate of the city. [Why] do you bid us to hate father and mother?"

Jesus replied: "Every word of mine is true, because it is not mine, but God's, who has sent me to the House of Israel. Therefore I say to you that all that which you possess God has bestowed it upon you: and so, what is more precious, the gift or the giver? When your father and your mother with every other thing is a stumbling block to you in the service of God, abandon them as enemies. Did not God say to Abraham: Go forth from the house of your father and of your kindred, and come to dwell in the land which I will give to you and to your seed? Why did God say this, except that the father of Abraham was an image-maker, who made and worshipped false gods? [For this reason] there was enmity between them, such that the father wished to burn his son." Peter answered: "Your words are true. I pray you tell us how Abraham mocked his father."

Jesus replied: "Abraham was seven years old when he began to seek God. So one day he said to his father: 'Father, what made man?' The foolish father answered: 'Man [made man]; for I made you, and my father made me.' Abraham answered: 'Father, it is not so; for I have heard an old man weeping and saying: 'O my God, why have you not given me children?'' His father replied: 'It is true, my son, that God helps man to make man, but he does not put his hands to [the task]; it is only necessary that man come to pray to his God and to give him lambs and sheep, and his God will help him.' Abraham answered: 'How many gods are there, father?' The old man replied: 'They are infinite in number, my son.'

Then Abraham said: 'O father, what shall I do if I serve one god and another [god] wishes me evil because I do not serve him? In any case discord will come between them, and so war will arise among the gods. And if, perhaps, the god that wills me evil shall slay my own god, what shall I do? It is certain that he will slay me also. The old man, laughing, answered: "O son, have no fear, for no god makes war upon another god; no, in the great temple there are a thousand gods with the great god Baal; and I am now near seventy years old, and yet never have I seen that one god has smitten another god. And assuredly all men do not serve one god, but one man one, and another."

Abraham answered: "So, then, they have peace among themselves?" His father said: "They have." Then said Abraham: "O father, what be the gods like?" The old man answered: "Fool, every day I make a god, which I sell to others to buy bread, and you know not what the gods are like!" And then at that moment he was making an idol. "This," said he, "is of palm wood, that one is of olive, that little one is of ivory: see how fine it is! Does it not seem as though it were alive? Assuredly, it lacks but breath!"

Abraham answered: "And so, father, the gods are without breath? Then how do they give breath? And being without life, how give they life? It is certain, father, that these are not God." The old man was wroth at these words, saying: "If you were of age to understand, I would break your head with this axe: But hold your peace, because you have not understanding!" Abraham answered: "Father, if the gods help to make man, how can it be that man should make the gods? And if the gods are made of wood, it is a great sin to burn wood. But tell me, father, how is it that, when you have made so many gods, the gods have not helped you to make so many other children that you should become the most powerful man in the world?"

The father was beside himself, hearing his son speak so; the son went on: "Father, was the world for some time without men?" Yes," answered the old man, "and why?" "Because," said Abraham, "I should like to know who made the first God." "Now go out of my house!" said the old man, "and leave me to make this god quickly, and speak no words to me; for, when you are hungry you desire bread and not words." Abraham said: "A fine god, truly, that you cut him as you will, and he defends not himself!" Then the old man was angry, and said: "All the world says that it is a god, and you, mad fellow, say that it is not. By my gods, if you were a man I could kill you!" And having said this, he gave blows and kicks to Abraham, and chased him from the house."

Yet you find many priests driving the best cars and even owning a private jet! Is this what Christ preached? How will they accept the scripture when most of them believe in falsehood and vanity.

Chapter 25 How one ought to despise the flesh, and how one ought to live in the world.

Then said he who writeth: 'O master, true are thy words and therefore have we forsaken all to follow thee. Tell us, then how we ought to hate our flesh: for to kill oneself is not lawful, and living we needs must give it its livelihood.'

Jesus answered: 'Keep thy flesh like a horse, and thou shalt live securely. For unto a horse food is given by measure, and labour without measure, and the bridle is put on him that he may walk at thy will, he is tied up that he may not annoy any one, he is kept in a poor place, and beaten when he is not obedient: so do thou, then, O Barnabas, and thou shalt live always with God.

'And be not offended at my words, for David the prophet did the same thing, as he confesseth , saying: "I am as an horse before thee: and am always by thee."

'Now tell me, whether is poorer he who is content with little, or he who desireth much? Verily I say unto you, that if the world had but a sound mind no one would amass anything for himself, but all would be in common. But in this is known its madness, that the more it amasseth the more it desireth, And much as it amasseth, for the fleshly repose of others doth it amass the same. Therefore let one single robe suffice for you, cast away your purse, carry no wallet, no sandals on your feet; and do not think, saying: "What shall happen to us ?" but have thought to do the will of God, and he will provide for your need, insomuch that nothing shall be lacking unto you.

'Verily I say unto you. that the amassing much in this life giveth sure witness of not having anything to receive in the other. For he that hath Jerusalem for his native country buildeth not houses in Samaria, for that there is enmity between there cities. Understand ye?'

'Yea, answered the disciples.