"A Gospel Truth"

A Long Lost Gospel PROVES The Shroud Of Turin To Be Genuine

Here is a most important find as further proof that the Shroud of Turin IS the actual burial cloth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please read this text from a long lost Gospel, which places the "linen cloth" in the hands of Jesus, Himself!

Gospel according to the Hebrews. From St.Jerome (341-420 AD) "De Viris Illustribus 2", The Gospel called according to the Hebrews which was recently transcribed by me into Greek and Latin, which Origen frequently uses, records after the resurrection of the Savior: And when the Lord had given the linen cloth to the servant of the priest, he went to James and appeared to him. For James had sworn that he would not eat bread from that hour in which he had drunk the cup of the Lord until he should see him risen from among them that sleep. And shortly thereafter the Lord said: Bring a table and bread! And immediately it is added: he took the bread, blessed it and brake it and gave it to James the Just and said to him: My brother, eat your bread, for the Son of man is risen from among them that sleep.

The Gospel of the Hebrews Extract Taken From Gospel Parallels, Ed. Burton H. Throckmorton Jr. ISBN 0-8407-5150-8 and The Other Bible, Ed. Willis Barnstone, ISBN 0-06-250030-904143784.

I cannot begin to describe my elation upon seeing this text for the first time The words "the linen cloth" leaped out at me. I immediately contacted my dear Shroud friends and long-time researchers, the Reverend Albert "Kim" Dreisbach, and Barrie Schwortz (official Shroud photographer). After a phone call from Barrie, and a detailed email from Fr. Kim, I was assured that I had, indeed, found a very significant text, and that it has been known of for some time. It is with their blessings that I include this on my website ... to share with all who care to read the Gospel Truth. As a novice in Sindonology (study of the Shroud of Turin), I humbly express my sincere thanks to both Fr. Kim, and Barrie for their expertise and insights stemming from their many years of dedicated research on the Shroud. Their encouragement has been treasured and invaluable.

I think it was no accident that I happened upon this probable earliest of gospels, believed to have been the source from which the Gospel of Matthew was written ... in the original Hebrew. With only a few small fragments remaining, the only actual text of this scripture in the Gospel according to the Hebrews or Nazaraeans ("observers") in existence today are from the writings of St. Jerome, who quoted from it in his De Viris Illustribus ... concerning James, the brother of the Lord. The general concensus is that this gospel was written in the middle of the first century when the traditions of Jesus were first being compiled. Obviously, it had not been translated from Hebrew into Greek or Latin until St. Jerome accomplished this in about 392 AD. These facts make this ancient and earliest of gospel texts "a pearl of great price" to Bible and Shroud scholars alike. It is also a treasure for Christians, historians ... and especially for those seeking truth, proofs, and enrichment of faith.

In the gospel text, the phrase "servant of the priest" did not seem to make much sense to scholars, until further study found a more accurate translation. It is now believed that, since the Hebrew consonants for servant or slave are "ebed"... and "cohen" for priest, they are closely related to the Hebrew "kepha" for Peter and "yochanan" for John. This would be in total agreement with what Paul tells us in that, after the Resurrection, Jesus was first "seen of Cephas" (Peter). It also agrees with John's Gospel account of Peter and John having found the linen clothes lying in the empty tomb.

This lost gospel also gives us other equally precious information. It tells us that the Lord's brother, James, had been in attendance at the Last Supper. The synoptic gospels make it quite clear, however, that Jesus' brothers had not been among His followers and believers. Yet, in this gospel, James, obviously grieved, had a sudden change of heart ... and belief, after the Resurrection of our Lord. So much so, in fact, that he went on to become the head of the Church in Jerusalem ... and to die in martyrdom ... preaching that Jesus was, indeed, the Christ. Jesus' appearance to him after the Resurrection was the obvious catalyst that caused his conversion. Like Jesus, James had long hair, as probably did John the Baptist, of whom several of Jesus' disciples were original followers. Therefore, it is feasible that more than a few, if not most, of the disciples of Jesus had long hair ... which has been disputed by some. The ancient writer, Hegesippus, who lived close to the Apostolic age (approximately 180 AD), in his fifth book of "Commentaries on the Acts of the Church", wrote this description of James: "He drank no wine or other intoxicating liquor, nor did he eat flesh; no razor came upon his head..." It was also written of James the Just that he was so revered by the people that the death of this brother of Jesus was the spark that ignited the Jewish revolt in 66 AD.

The very mention of "the linen cloth" in this early gospel ... and after the Resurrection ... validates that the linen cloth was not only recognized, but was of great significance to our Lord in connection with the Resurrection. Based upon ancient Jewish tradition, the touching of any grave clothes was considered defiling. However, the fact that Jesus, Himself, handed the cloth to Peter suggests something extremely important and purposeful about the cloth. When John saw the linen clothes lying in the empty tomb, he "saw and believed". Thus, in my opinion, began the earliest moments of Christianity ... along with the appearances of Jesus following His death and Resurrection. The fact that the linen cloth is not further mentioned in our present gospels certainly indicates that anything pertaining to the cloth was removed early on for the purpose of protection and preservation. The omission in itself places an incredible importance on the burial cloth. In addition, the "Sudarium Christi"...or Oviedo cloth...the "napkin that was about his head" presumably when taken down from the cross, is also accounted for and housed in Oviedo, Spain, since the 6th century. There were, more than likely, other smaller cloths, bandages or "othonia" such as strips of linen that were tied around the head to keep the jaw closed...and, due to rigor mortis, to hold the arms and feet together. The blank vertical areas on both sides of the facial image certainly do suggest something tied around the head. Therefore, again, the Shroud is in complete accordance with ancient Jewish burial customs...and scripture.

For a very long time, I have prayed and asked our Heavenly Father to lead us to the truths, based on solid, authenticated historical facts ... in an effort to lead the mis-led away from the confusion and deceptions of our time. In case you haven't noticed, though I'm sure you have, there has been a disturbing trend by some so-called "biblical scholars", such as the "Jesus Seminar", to demean and discredit the Divinity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ ... even denying His very existence in history! You see it in the media and in bookstores, as well as on the internet. It has even been speculated that the body of Jesus was devoured by dogs and by birds of prey while on the cross! That offends my soul! And, I might add, it doesn't do much good for the souls who made that statement. Woe unto them! Now, with this gospel treasure, there may be a real "wailing and a gnashing of teeth" ! So be it! It would be a difficult, if not impossible task for Bible "scholars" and Shroud "de-bunkers" alike to attempt to disprove this earliest of gospels... though I'm sure some will try. Do not be deceived...for the Bible is an absolutely reliable and historical Source for Truth. I think the words of the Apostle Paul answer them quite clearly: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2nd Cor. 4:3-4).

For years, Shroud "de-bunkers" would have had us believe that the image was a painting...which it is not...or that the Man on the Shroud was, absurdly, that of Leonardo da Vinci, or, worse yet, a last Grand Master of the Knights Templar! In fact, the Shroud had been traced back centuries before the very existence of both...in ancient (6th century) Byzantine icons and paintings...as well as in ancient documents. The writers of those books didn't tell you that! And now, the Shroud has finally been traced back to its beginning...the first century AD.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." - (Matthew 7:7). The Holy Spirit, following the deaths of my mother and my sister in 1999, led me directly to the Shroud of Turin. That, in turn, led me to an in-depth study of the Holy Bible. There is no greater Truth than the Word of God...and I highly suggest that everyone read it daily for the understanding that God wants us to have. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:29). Suddenly, truths were opening up to me ... and my life was changed ... and my grief was gone. How wonderous He is! Thus began my journey.

I now understand why the Shroud of Turin was made such an important passion in my life ... and the journey it caused me to embark upon. Even greater, is the destination it has brought me to ... this ancient and lost gospel proving the beginnings of the Holy Shroud...as well as the historical Resurrection of our Lord. Though the Shroud is not to be worshipped in itself, it is important that it be recognized as a significant part of the Resurrection. ..and as a validation of Jesus' life, His suffering and death for us...and that it finally be appreciated as such. It is time that we all stop saying to the crucified Man on the Shroud, "Prove yourself"!...because THAT He has! Are we, like Peter, with the Lord's Face before us, that Jesus would say to us: "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

Many consider the Shroud of Turin to be the Fifth Gospel, and I must agree...as it is a visual record of the instant the Lord's Light caused His body to change "in the twinkling of an eye" into His spiritual body. "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46). Is it any wonder that He also departed this world...in light? And is it also any wonder that modern day scientists, with all their technology, cannot explain how the image was created on the Shroud...except for possible radiation light? Could this be why the ancients described it as "not made with hands"? Could it be that the ways of God cannot be comprehended by man? This linen burial cloth...called the Shroud of Turin...is the Gospel of Jesus...left for us...in a most personal and profound way. At any rate, the writer of this Hebrew gospel in the first century...probably the Apostle Matthew, certainly did not mention the "linen cloth" for the sole purpose of solving a puzzle two thousand years hence... concerning a cloth called the Shroud of Turin! Yet, he has done just that. On second thought, perhaps it was Divinely intended that the missing piece to the puzzle be given to us in this generation.

Perhaps we prefer not to be reminded of the brutal battering the body of our Lord endured...or of the precious blood He shed for us that day 2000 years ago. But, it appears that Jesus wanted us to see the evidence of His love for us. Here it is...left by Him, as a reminder of the most supernatural and miraculous event in history...a record baring witness to every detail...and more...from His scourging and crowning with thorns...to His Crucifixion and Resurrection. As we weep for His suffering, let us also rejoice in His victory...the victory over death that He won for us...and our redemption from sin.

Profoundly, this beautiful and sacred linen cloth that enshrouded the body of our Lord, Jesus Christ, has brought me to a new height of understanding ... and a new beginning in my own life ... without fear and without grief. For what the Holy Spirit was telling me in such a personal way is the very answer I was seeking concerning my mother and sister. Through the death and Resurrection of our Savior, we, too, have resurrection and eternal life. I believe this was Jesus' gift to us in this generation...His "appearance" to us."But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living". - (Matthew 22:31-32). And lastly, I join Martha at the death of her brother Lazarus to whom Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" -( John 11:25-26). I say with Martha, "Yea, Lord: I believe" ...

For all skeptics and doubters, I believe it can now be safely and honestly said that the Shroud of Turin IS the actual linen cloth that wrapped the crucified body of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It IS the actual burial Shroud through which His body passed at the instant of His Resurrection. It was the only earthly, yet quiet witness to that most Holy event. But, now it is speaking ... and telling us volumes about our Lord's Passion. It is with certainty we can be assured that by gazing at the majestic Face on the Shroud of Turin we are, indeed, looking into ... the Face of God. Let not Jesus say to us now, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father"... - (John 14:9).

"For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2nd Cor. 4:6).

And so, my journey to...and with Jesus...continues. May His love, truth, and peace be with you always. Amen.

Carole Bevan-Irby