Lots of the Apostles

What it is

The Lots of the Apostles is a category of Christian divination texts. These works functioned as oracles for seeking divine guidance. They are rooted in the biblical account found in Acts of the Apostles 1:26. In this passage, the apostles cast lots to choose a new member to replace Judas Iscariot. Practitioners would consult these written lists to find an answer to their questions. The method involved selecting a specific entry from the book. This practice was distinct from formal liturgy. It belonged to the realm of popular religious custom rather than official doctrine.

Where it comes from

The earliest mention appears in the Gelasian Decree. This document dates to the sixth century. It originated in southern Gaul or northern Italy. The decree lists a Liber qui appellatur Sortes apostolorum among New Testament apocrypha. Another version circulated in Syriac during late antiquity. By around 700, Jacob of Edessa forbade monks from using these lots. He issued similar rules regarding Addai the Priest. The exact identity of these early texts remains uncertain. Scholars debate whether they match later known works like the Sortes Sanctorum.

How it is done

Users consulted a written list containing potential answers. The process likely involved opening the book to a random page. The selected entry provided guidance for the question asked. A Syriac manuscript contains thirty-four such answers. A Greek text titled Lots of the Holy Apostles holds eighty-seven responses. These manuscripts date from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries. It did not involve complex rituals or physical tools beyond the book.

Tools and materials

The primary tool was the text itself. These were books containing numbered or listed answers. One preserved Syriac manuscript is held in London at the British Library. It is catalogued as MS Or. 4434. The Greek versions survive in three separate manuscripts. The content consisted solely of written responses. No other physical objects are mentioned in connection with the practice.

What it is for

The texts were used to foresee outcomes or gain clarity. People sought answers to personal or communal questions. The practice mimicked the apostolic selection of Matthias. It offered a way to access spiritual insight without direct prayer. Church leaders viewed this as an unauthorized form of divination. They feared it bypassed proper ecclesiastical authority. The intent was to find direction through a sacred precedent.

Who does it

Monks were specifically targeted by church prohibitions. Jacob of Edessa addressed his warnings to monastic communities. The practice likely extended to laypeople seeking guidance. Scholars study these texts today to understand historical beliefs. The original practitioners were ordinary believers looking for signs. Their training was minimal, relying on the text's authority.

Peoples and places

The tradition appears in both Syriac and Latin contexts. It is associated with early Christian communities in Syria. Italian and Gallic sources also reference the practice. The Gelasian Decree reflects concerns in western Europe. Syriac canons show parallel worries in the east. The practice crossed linguistic and cultural boundaries within Christianity.

What people believe

The worldview assumes God provides answers through the apostles. Casting lots was seen as a legitimate way to reveal will. However, church authorities believed this power belonged only to the original apostles. Later use was considered illegitimate imitation. The texts were treated as sacred but dangerous if misused. The belief system balanced reverence for scripture with fear of improper ritual.

When it is done

No specific festivals or calendar days are tied to the practice. It was available for use whenever guidance was needed. The timing depended entirely on the user's needs. There were no seasonal restrictions mentioned in the surviving records.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Historians identify the texts as part of Christian apocrypha. The Gelasian Decree classifies them among forbidden writings. Researchers note the uncertainty surrounding their exact identity. The Syriac and Greek manuscripts provide concrete examples. Scholars compare these to the Sortes Sanctorum. The condemnation by Jacob of Edessa highlights theological tensions.

Compare and confuse

The Lots of the Apostles is related to the Sortes Sanctorum. Both are Christian lot-casting texts. The Greek version is called Lots of the Holy Apostles. These variations show how the practice evolved across regions. Other forms of cleromancy exist in different traditions.

Law and persecution

The Gelasian Decree formally condemned the text. It was placed among New Testament apocrypha. This designation carried legal and religious weight. Monks were bound by canons to avoid the practice. The prohibitions reflected official church policy against unauthorized divination.

Questions people ask about Lots of the Apostles

Good reading and sources

• Lots of the Apostles on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data