CAIAPHAS, HIGH PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD, TO PONTIUS PILATE, GOVERNOR OF THE ROMAN PROVINCE:

 

 

Jesus of Nazareth is thus charged by the High Court of the Jews:

 

First, with teaching the doctrine that there are more gods than one, which is contrary to the teachings of the Jewish law. 

 

Second, he teaches that he is a God, which is contrary to the Jewish law, and he is visible and comprehensible; and  after being asked to desist by this court, he most positively affirms that he is the Son of God.

 

Third, he teaches and affirms that the Holy Spirit cannot come until he goes away, which is contrary to the teaching of the Jews;

 

Fourth, he teaches baptism as the seal of God, instead of circumcision, which was established by the decrees of God with Abraham as a seal of the Jews.

 

Fifth, he teaches that the Levitical ablution is of no service.

 

Sixth, he has abrogated the ordinance given by God to Moses of the pascal supper, wherein we should roast a lamb and eat it with unleavened bread; Jesus introduced a custom altogether different without any authority.  He has introduced common bread and wine, which are not only forbidden, but are well qualified to excite men's passions and make them forget God rather than to remember and trust Him.

 

Seventh, he has abrogated the priesthood, and set the temple at naught, which is the very life's blood of the Jewish faith. We know they are the pillars upon which the Jewish theocracy is built, and that we cannot live without them. Although Jesus of Nazareth has been abjured time and again to stop teaching these ways of death, he has as often declared  he would not; therefore it devolves on me as the proper and the only officer to pronounced sentence upon him.

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These charges are written by my scribe, and sent with the officers to Pilate for his consent. It seems that Pilate thirsted for his blood. Like all guilty tyrants, he was afraid of his own shadow, and wished to destroy everything that threatened his power.

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With these reasons for my actions, I submit the case which I am sure will be considered favorably by my Masters of Israel.