In the Scriptures used by the Jews during the period of Jesus, certain writings coming after the Old Testament prophets were termed the Ecclesiastical Books, or the Apocrypha. These books contain a history of the Jews following the close of the prophecy of Malachi and the coming of Jesus. They cover a period of 400 years and provide a link between the Old and New Testaments but they have never been received by the whole Church as carrying equal authority with the Old Testament. Selections from the Apocryphal books are read annually in the Anglican Church. The Roman and Eastern Churches also use them as part of their readings.
The Anglican Church regards the Apocryphal books works to be “read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet does not apply them to establish any doctrine.” Every Catholic Christian should have the Apocrypha as part of their personal Bible. King James Version with Apocrypha combined with the 1928 Book of Common Prayer is for sale in the church office.
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