Editing New Testament apocrypha (section)

== Close candidates for canonization ==
While many of the books listed here were considered heretical (especially those belonging to the gnostic tradition—as this sect was considered heretical by [[Proto-orthodox Christianity]] of the early centuries), others were not considered particularly heretical in content, but in fact were well accepted as significant spiritual works. Those marked with a lozenge (♦) are also included in the collection known as the [[Apostolic Fathers]].

While some of the following works appear in complete Bibles from the fourth century, such as 1 Clement and The Shepherd of Hermas, showing their general popularity, they were not included when the canon was formally decided at the end of that century.
*[[Epistle of Barnabas]] ♦
*[[First Epistle of Clement]] ♦
*[[Second Epistle of Clement]] ♦
*[[Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans]] ♦
*[[Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians]] ♦
*[[Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians]] ♦
*[[Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians]] ♦
*[[Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans]] ♦
*[[Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians]] ♦
*[[Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp]] ♦
*[[Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians]] ♦
*[[Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus]] ♦
*[[Martyrdom of Polycarp]] ♦
*[[The Shepherd of Hermas|Shepherd of Hermas]] ♦
*[[Didache]] ♦
*[[Apocalypse of Peter]]
*[[Third Epistle to the Corinthians]]{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}