The Wisdom of Jesus Christ

Secret Sayings   Jackson Snyder

This text was first discovered in its entirety in 1896, then was rediscovered as part of the Nag Hammadi library in 1945. The papyrus dates from the middle fourth century and the text perhaps from middle second. This test is certainly the 'deepest' of them all.

After Jesus rose from the dead, nineteen disciples (twelve men and seven women) went to Galilee to the mountain that is called "Divination and Joy." The Savior appeared there to them as great luminescent angel, indescribable. He said, "Peace to you. My peace I give you!" They were amazed and afraid. The Savior laughed, and asked them: What are you thinking? Are you perplexed? What do you want to know?" 

Philip ventured, "We want you to explain the underlying reality of the universe and the divine plan." The Savior replied, "All the dust called mankind from the beginning of the world until now has wondered about the Deity. Who is he? What is he like? But they have not found him! The wisest have speculated as to the mechanism that powers the universe and its movement, but they have not found the truth. These philosophers have said that it happens three different ways - they don't agree. Some say the world is self-directed. Others believe in providence. Still others say it is fate. None of these are even close to the truth, for they are the creation of man. But since I came from the Infinite Light (and I know the Light), I am here to tell you about the precise nature of truth. Whatever comes from itself is polluted, since it is self-made. Providence has no wisdom and fate doesn't discern! But it is your portion to know. Whoever is worthy of knowledge will receive it: whoever has been born of the First Who Was Sent is immortal in the midst of mortality."

Matthew said to him, "Lord, the truth is found only through you. So teach us the truth." The Savior answered, "He Who Is is awesome and indescribable. No principle, authority, manipulator or creature from the genesis of the universe until know has known the One from the First Light except Himself, and those to whom he reveals himself. I am the Great Savior, immortal and everlasting. Everyone who is born dies. But the eternal is not born, the unbegotten has no beginning. All who begin end! He is not named by a ruler, for those who are named were created by others. He is, in fact, unnamable. He is not human, nor does he look like a human being. He doesn't resemble creation.

"But he has a likeness of his own. It is not like that which you have seen and come to know; rather, it is a strange likeness that is more splendid than anything, including the wondrous sight of the universe itself. He looks side to side, every side, and sees himself from himself. Since he is infinite, the human mind can't comprehend him. Since he is imperishable, he is unlike anything else. His goodness never changes. He is faultless. He is blessed. He is immeasurable. He is untraceable. He is perfect. He is imperishably blessed. So he is called, 'Father of the Universe.'"

Philip said, "Lord, how then did he appear to the Perfect who have seen him?" The Perfect Savior answered Philip, "The Father's majesty and authority was present before he became visible, since he encompasses all things while nothing encompasses him. For he is total mind engaged in thought, consideration, reflection, rationality, and power. The worthy ones also have such powers, and are likewise sources of all. The infinite, unbegotten Father foreknew their whole race from the first one to the last."

Thomas said to him, "Lord Savior, why did the perfect come to be and why were they made visible?" The perfect Savior said, "I came here from the Infinite to make these things visible to you. Spirit-Who-Is was the progenitor, for he has the power to bring life and the nature of a creator. The great wealth hidden within him had need of self-revelation. Because of his natural mercy and love, he alone wished to generate life with which to share his goodness. In turn, this goodness was imparted to the Unwavering Generation, progenitor of body and fruit, glory and honor in immortality and infinite grace. Such imperishable treasure is revealed through those who came afterward, though they were not yet visible. Though generated by God, still a great difference exists between the imperishables."

Then the Savior cried out, "Whoever has ears to hear about the Infinite Ones, let him hear! I have addressed and am addressing those who are awake!" He continued by saying, "Everything that came from the perishable will perish, but everything that came from the imperishable doesn't perish, but becomes imperishable. Many went astray and died because they didn't know the difference!"

Mary said to him, "Lord, if many went astray and died, how will we know the difference?" The Perfect Savior answered, "Forsake the visible realm, make an end of visible things, then approach from the realm of the invisible, and the very Source of Thought will reveal to you how faith in the invisible can be found in the visible realm - those things that are the unbegotten Father's. Whoever has ears, let him hear!

"Actually, the Lord of the Universe is more aptly called 'Forefather' than 'Father;' for the Father is progenitor in principle of those who are to be created, but since he is beginningless, he is more precisely called 'Forefather.' Seeing himself as though he were looking into an internal mirror, he appears to himself as Divine Self-Father, the defender of those under assault, and the First Existent Unbegotten Father. He is of the same age as the Forefather, who is the Light before him, but not of the same in ability.

"Later appeared the innumerable multitude of aggressive, self-existent beings, all begotten at the same time and endued with the same powers, living in the heavenly realms. They are called 'The Generation over Whom There Is No Kingdom,' and you are their descendants. These are also called 'Children of the Unbegotten Father, God, Savior, and Son of God,' whose likeness is within you. Now he is the Unknowable, full of immortal glory and indescribable joy. Those who belong to him now rest in him and share this joy, glory, and jubilation of his. Up until this time such a thing has not been heard of or known even among the heavenly host and their worlds."

Matthew said to him, "Lord, Savior, how did mankind come to be?" The perfect Savior said, "Know now that the Infinite One who lived before the universe was formed is the self-nurtured, self-made Father. He is full of striking luminescence as to be indescribable. In the beginning, it was decided that his likeness would be a great power. Immediately, Light assumed the appearance of the Immortal Androgynous Man (who is the Savior); through him mankind has the opportunity to attain salvation. These ones will be attended to until the end of time by the Interpreter, who was sent forth so that they might awake from their forgetfulness and escape the poverty brought about by thieves.

"His consort is the Great Sophia, whom he destined as the agent in creation, through whom the Immortal Man appeared, representing the First, divinity, and kingdom, as revealed by the Father. He thus created a great angel as well for his own glory, who is Ogdoad.

"He had great authority and power to rule over an impoverished creation. He created gods, angels, archangels, innumerable myriads, as a heavenly community surrounding him and the Spirit of Wisdom, thus originating divinities and kingdoms. This is why Ogdoad is called 'God of gods' and 'King of kings.'

"The first man had his unique mind and thought, being able to reflect on the past, consider the future, rationalize problems, and live in this kind of power. All his attributes were perfect and everlasting, and he was imperishable. In his imperishableness, he equaled the Father, but in respect to power, his was different as is the difference between a father and his son.

"After this, all else that was revealed was generated from the power of the first man. And from created ones came fashioned ones. From fashioned ones came formed ones, which were named. So is explained the difference between the unbegotten ones from the beginning to the end."

Bartholomew was next to question: "In the Gospel, one is designated 'man' and also 'Son of Man.' To which of these is the Son of God related?" The Holy one replied, "You need to know that the First Man Adam is called 'Progenitor, Self-perfected Mind.' The First Man reflected with the 'Great Sophia' and revealed the First-Begotten Son, having the characteristics both of the maleness of the Father and the femaleness of Sophia. The male name of this son is 'First Begetter Son of God'; his female name is 'First Begettress Sophia, Mother of the Universe,' also known as 'Love.' He is thus called 'Christ.' Since he holds his Father's authority, he created a numberless multitude of angels from Spirit and Light to be his retinue."

His disciples said to him, "Lord, reveal the one called 'Man' to us, that we might know the precise magnitude of his glory." The perfect Savior said, "Whoever has ears to hear, hear! First Begetter Father Adam came from the shining Light (thus is called 'Eye of Light') as were holy angels, being indescribable, shadowless, and continually rejoicing in their ability to reason, a gift received from their Father. The whole dominion of the 'Son of Man - Son of God' is full with indescribable and shadowless joy, with continual jubilation over such imperishable glory, which has never been revealed to any until this time. I came from the Self-Begotten and First Infinite Light in order to reveal everything to you."

Again said the disciples, "Tell us clearly how they came from the invisible and immortal realms to the world that is full of death and dying?" The perfect Savior replied, "All who come into this world come as a drop from the Light and are guarded by the Light. But I came from the heavenly realm by the direct will of the Great Light, escaping the bondage of the atmosphere, and have awakened each drop sent from Sophia that each might bear much fruit through me, be perfected through me, and joined to the Father through me; that the sons of Sophia might be justified in regards to their imperfection, and might obtain their rightful honor and glory and access to their Father, and know the true words of Light. And you were sent out by the Son, receiving Light to escape the evil designs of the powers of the air, to tread upon their malicious intents, overcoming temptation to carnal immorality and licentiousness."

Then Thomas said to him, "Lord, Savior how many high dimensions (aeons) surpass the heavens?" The Perfect Savior said, "I bless you because you have asked about the great high heavenly realms - indeed, your roots are in infinity. As I said before, the Self-Begetter created twelve high heavenly dimensions for his twelve angels. All these were perfect and good."

Thomas continued, "How many high dimensions of immortals are there, starting from infinity?" The Perfect Savior said, "Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear! The primary dimensional realm: Son of Man, First Begetter, Savior, who has appeared. The secondary: Man, Adam - Eye of Light. Greater still is the dimensional realm of the Eternal Infinite Deity, the Self-Begotten Dimension of Dimensions, embracing both the realm of the Son of Man and Man, to include all the  immortals I described earlier appearing from the realm of Sophia.

"Next, Immortal Man reveals high heavenly dimensions, powers, and kingdoms, giving authority as he sees fit and allowing them to 'exercise their desires until the last things are above chaos.' They conferred with each other to reveal every magnificence, even from the spiritual dimension of glorious and numberless lights. These were once called by number and name: The first realm was 'Unity and Rest,' the third, 'Assembly' (because a great multitude appeared and revealed itself). Because these multitudes gather in unity in a particular realm, we have called it 'The Eight Assembly.' It is composed partly of those with male spiritual characteristics, the rest having female characteristics. The male contingency is called the 'Assembly,' the female, 'Life,' that it might be demonstrated that all high heavenly dimensions came to life from the female.

"Names were then given. Some were called 'gods'; gods of gods revealed gods by wisdom; lords of lords from their thoughts revealed lords; lords from their power revealed archangels; archangels revealed angels by their words, from angels other semblances with structure and form appeared, as well as other high heavenly dimensions, worlds, and a panoply of names.

"All these immortals have authority from Immortal Man, who is also called 'Silence,' for her majesty was perfected without need for speech. With this authority, the imperishables each created a kingdom in the Eight Assembly, erecting thrones, temples, and other firmaments reflecting their own majesty and for their own glory. This was by the will of Sophia, the 'Mother of the Universe.'"

Then the Holy Apostles said, "Lord, Savior, relate to us concerning the ones living in the high heavenly dimensions, since this knowledge is pertinent to our discussion." The Perfect Savior said, "I will reveal anything you ask about. These beings made numberless myriads of angels for their own company and glory. They made virgin spirits, known as the Indescribable, Unchanging Heavenly Lights. These were made perfect in an instant by force of will, and, by nature, are immune to sickness and weakness. So have been completed the high heavenly dimensions to the glory of Immortal Man and Wisdom-Sophia, the which are heavenly, chaotic patterns for all other firmaments and establishments beneath. All nature, beginning with this revelation of the chaotic, are within the sphere of the shadowless Light, indescribable, with unutterable jubilation. All such spirits delight in their stability of glory and their continual repose. Subsequent generations of such beings have not even the capability of describing such glory, joy, and rest. I am telling you all this in order to make you aware that you might shine in Light even more than these!"

Mary said, "Holy Master, where did your disciples originate and where are they going?" The Perfect Savior said, "You should know that the Great Sophia, Mother of the universe and consort of creation, desired to bring these into existence alone. But their lives came to be only by the intervening will of the Father of the Universe, so that his unimaginable goodness might be revealed. Through the creation of the mortal, a spiritual barrier came into being, dividing the mortal and their kind from the immortal and those that came after, followed by every historical circumstance and consequence that we are aware of, such as the revelation of the innate weakness of the first mortal woman, and her consequent contention with Error.

"As I said before, from the High Heavenly Realm came a drop from Light and Spirit, descending into the lower regions, the Chaos, so that forms of living beings might be molded from it by the heat of the breath of the Great Light. (This is a judgment on the Arch-Begetter, known as 'Yaldabaoth.') Into these forms were breathed as it were a living soul, withered and sleeping in ignorance. Then names were received by all those who were in the world of chaos through the Immortal One when the breath was blown on him.

"By the consent of Mother Sophia-Wisdom, Immortal Man pieced together clothing of sorts, thus passing judgment on thieves. But since he was like a soul, he was not able to accommodate the power himself until the number of formed beings were completed, the time of which was to be determined by the great angel. 

"Now I have completed my teaching on the Immortal Man and have loosed the bonds of the thieves from him. I have broken the gates of the pitiless ones in their presence. I have humiliated their maliciousness, and they have been shamed, rising from their ignorance. I came to this place that they might be joined with that same Spirit and Breath, that through the Breath, from two might come one, just as from the beginning, that you might yield much fruit and go up to Him Who Is From The Beginning, in the indescribable joy, glory, honor and grace of the Father of the Universe.

"Whoever knows the Father in pure knowledge will go to the Father and rest in the Unbegotten Father. But whoever does not know him in the correct sense will depart to the defective god and to the rest of the Eighth Assembly. Whoever knows the Son of Man in knowledge and love, let that one bring me his sign that he might depart to the mansions with those of the Eighth Assembly.

"Behold, I have revealed the name of the Perfect One to you, and the perfect will of the Mother of the Holy Angels, so that the multitude might be completed and appear in the sky, so that all these might take of the goodness and untraceable wealth (that is, repose) of the Great Invisible Spirit, and live in the place of liberty. I came from the First Who Was Sent to show you Who Was From The Beginning, in spite of the arrogance of the Arch-Begetter and his angels, since they boast that they are gods.

"I came to remove even their blindness, that I might share the knowledge of God who is above all things. Therefore, I bid you to walk on their graves, humiliate their evil intentions, and break their yokes, replacing them with my yoke. I have given you authority over all things as Sons of Light, so that you might walk upon their power with your feet."

These things the Blessed Savior said before he disappeared from them. All the disciples were then in great and indescribable joy in the Spirit from that day forward. And the disciples began to preach the Divine Gospel, the eternal, immortal spirit. Amen. 

The Odes of Shalomé (The Odes of Solomon)

Shalomé of the Cross was the daughter of Mary and sister of Yahshua of Nazareth. She is mentioned several times in the New Testament Scriptures as a witness to the crucifixion. The Egyptian Scriptures portray her as a person much more important than a mere onlooker. In them, she is a fervent disciple who harbors and nurtures her brother as she learns the Way of the True Worshipper. To this same Shalomé tradition has attributed forty-one songs composed in the Aramaic language of the holy family. Her spiritual insight has much in common with that of the Beloved Disciple and the Teacher of Righteousness. Yet Shalomé has more to offer than a religious comparison of darkness and light. Her songs comprise a young woman’s unique and often mystical vision of the ‘divine feminine,’ love both mundane and ethereal, and hope that reaches far beyond the boundaries of earth and sky.

The Authentic Peter: The Preaching of Simeon Kefa from the Journal of T. Flavius Clemens (Clement)

THE AUTHENTIC PETER: Ever wonder why Simon Peter only got a couple short letters in our Scriptures? Wouldn’t someone have recorded Peter’s AUTHENTIC acts and preaching? Of course his preaching was recorded! By Clement, an affluent Gentile convert, at the command of James the Just. So why would the Church Fathers bury the preaching of their first pope since Clement was their second pope? Because Peter's teachings are HEBRAIC. This volume is one-of-a-kind, containing teachings on many subjects, including deliverance, healing, true worship, and lost doctrines. We dispensed with churchy language in restored the original Hebraic names and titles of people, places and concepts - and a full GLOSSARY.