A so-called “lost gospel” cited in a new book is nothing new at all but rather a long-rejected text the early church deemed heretical. The book, The Girl Who Baptized Herself by author Meggan Watterson, is scheduled for a July 22 release and spotlights an early document, The Acts of Paul and Thecla, that recounts fantastical stories of a woman named Thecla who reportedly became a Christian after hearing Paul teach. She subsequently survived multiple attempts on her life -- first when a rainstorm extinguished the flames as she stood at the stake, and again when she was thrown into an arena with wild animals.

The publisher, Penguin Random House, has described The Acts of Paul and Thecla as a “lost Scripture” and “lost gospel” in promotional materials -- an idea that was reflected in a Publishers Weekly story that claimed it was “cut from the biblical canon.” Watterson said in an interview with Publishers Weekly that Tertullian, an early church father, “was affronted” that the text “implies that women have the spiritual authority to baptize and to teach.” Watterson is a feminist theologian who previously wrote Mary Magdalene Revealed.

The book’s subtitle is “How a Lost Scripture About a Saint Named Thecla Reveals the Power of Knowing Our Worth.”

In truth, The Acts of Paul and Thecla was rejected by the early church because, unlike the books of the New Testament, it was neither written by an apostle nor linked to one -- such as the Gospel written by Luke, a companion of Paul -- and because its teachings conflict with the message of Christ and the apostles.

The Acts of Paul and Thecla is part of a group of texts dubbed the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles that have existed for centuries. Other examples are the Acts of Peter and the Acts of Thomas -- also rejected by the early church.

“None of these accounts were accepted as valid by the early church, primarily because of their false content, not to mention their extremely late dates of composition,” the apologetics website GotQuestions says.

Two examples of this “false content” are Thecla’s “speaking to the dead and praying for the dead that they may obtain eternal life,” GotQuestions says. In addition, she baptizes herself -- a practice not found in the New Testament.

“A major problem with The Acts of Paul and Thecla is its focus on unbiblical views of sexuality,” GotQuestions says. “For example, the book puts these words in Paul’s mouth: ‘Blessed are they who have wives, as though they had them not; for they shall be made angels of God’ (1:16). And another ludicrous beatitude: ‘Blessed are the bodies and souls of virgins; for they are acceptable to God, and shall not lose the reward of their virginity, for the word of their Father shall prove effectual to their salvation in the day of his Son, and they shall enjoy rest forevermore’ (1:22). Such teachings conflict with the Bible’s principles concerning marriage and sex. Husbands and wives are not to leave each other or deprive one another of sex (1 Corinthians 7:5, 10–14). Celibacy and asceticism do not earn salvation. Paul condemned those who forbid others to marry (1 Timothy 4:3).”

GotQuestions concludes, “At best, the Apocryphal Acts provide perspective on legendary tales ascribed to the apostles. But since they are also filled with the words of false teachers, they should never be held in the same esteem as the actual, inspired Word of God.”

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