Lost scriptures: books that did not make it into the New Testament (38 page)

Amen.” . . .

wonderful things which he used to do.

And will you not believe me what I just

The brethren and all who were

23

told you about him?” And Simon said,

in Rome came together, and on

“You have the impudence to speak of

payment of a piece of gold each occupied

Jesus the Nazarene, the son of a carpena seat. Senators and prefects and officers ter, himself a carpenter, whose family is

also assembled. But when Peter came in

from Judaea. Listen Peter. The Romans

he stood in the center. All cried aloud,

have understanding, they are no fools.”

“Show us, Peter, who your God is or

And turning to the people he said, “Men

which majesty it is which gave you such

confidence. Be not disaffected to the Romans; they are lovers of the gods. We have had evidence from Simon, let us

5Isa 53:4.

146

NON-CANONICAL ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

of Rome, is a God born? Is he crucified?

he might not appear to be acting un

Whoever has a master is no God.” And

justly. And the prefect summoned one

when he spoke, many said, “You are

of his slaves and spoke to Simon, “Take

right, Simon.”

him and kill him.” To Peter he said,

“And you revive him.” And to the peo

And Peter said, “Cursed be

24

ple the prefect said, “It is for you to deyour words against Christ. You cide which of these is accepted before

spoke in these terms whereas the prophet

God, he who kills, or he who revives.”

says of him, ‘Who shall declare his gen-

And Simon whispered something into

eration?’6 And another prophet says,

the ear of the slave and made him

‘And we have seen him, and he had no

speechless, and he died. But when the

form not beauty.’7 And ‘In the last days

people began to murmur, one of the

a child shall be born of the Holy Spirit;

widows who had been cared for by

his mother knows not a man and no one

Marcellus cried out, “Peter, servant of

claims that he is his father.’ And again he

God, my son also is dead, the only one

says, ‘She has given birth and has not

I had.” The people made room for her,

given birth.’ And again, ‘Is it a very little

and they brought her to Peter. And she

thing for you to go to battle? Behold, in

fell down at his feet and said, “I had

the womb a virgin shall conceive.’8 And

only one son; by the labor of his hands

another prophet says in honor of the Fahe provided for me; he lifted me up, he ther, ‘We neither heard her voice, nor did

carried me. Now he is dead, who will

a midwife come.’9 Another prophet says,

give me a hand?” Peter said to her, “In

‘He came not out of the womb of a

the presence of these witnesses go and

woman but descended from a heavenly

bring your son, that they may be able to

place,’ and ‘A stone cut out without hands

see and believe that he was raised up by

and has broken all kingdoms,’10 and ‘The

the power of God; the other shall see it

stone which the builders rejected has beand perish.” And Peter said to the come the headstone of the corner,’11 and

young men, “We need young men such

he calls him ‘the tried, precious’ stone.12

as shall believe.” And at once thirty

And again, the prophet says of him, ‘I

young men offered themselves to carry

saw him come on a cloud like the Son of

the widow and to fetch her dead son.

man.’13 And what more shall I say? Men

When the widow had recovered, the

of Rome, if you knew the prophetical

young men lifted her up. But she cried

writings I would explain everything to

and said, “Behold my son, the servant

you. It was necessary that through them

of Christ has sent for you,” and she tore

it should be a mystery and the Kingdom

her hair and scratched her face. And the

of God be completed. But these things

young men who had come examined the

shall be revealed to you afterwards. Now

nose of the boy to see if he were really

I turn to you, Simon; do one of the signs

dead. When they perceived that he was

whereby you deceived them before and I

dead they comforted his mother and

shall frustrate it through my Lord Jesus

said, “If you really believe in the God

Christ.” Simon took courage and said, “If

the prefect permits.”

6

The prefect wished to show

25

Isa 53:8. 7Isa 53:2. 8Isa 7:14. 9Asc. of Isa 11:13.

10Dan 2:34. 11Ps 118:22; Mark 12:10. 12Isa 28:16.

his impartiality to both, so that

13Dan 7:13.

THE ACTS OF PETER

147

of Peter, we will lift him up and bring

enlighten, appear, revive the son of the

to Peter, that he may revive him and reaged widow, who is helpless without him.

store him to you.”

And I take the word of my Lord Christ

and say to you, ‘Young man, arise and

While the young men were say26

walk with your mother as long as you

ing this the prefect in the forum

can be of use to her. Afterward you shall

looked at Peter and said, “What do you

be called to a higher ministry and serve

say, Peter? Behold, the lad is dead; the

as deacon and bishop.’ ” And the dead

emperor liked him, and I spared him not.

man rose immediately, and the multitude

I had indeed many other young men; but

saw and were amazed, and the people

I trusted in you and in your Lord whom

cried, “You, God the Savior, you, God of

you proclaim, if indeed you are sure and

Peter, invisible God and Savior.” And

truthful: therefore I allowed him to die.”

they spoke with one another and won

And Peter said, “God is neither tempted

dered at the power of a man who with

nor weighed in the balance. But he is to

his word called upon his Lord, and they

be worshipped with the whole heart by

accepted what had taken place for their

those whom he loves and he will hear

sanctification.

those who are worthy. Since, however,

my God and Lord Jesus Christ is now

28

tempted among you, he is doing many

When the news had spread

through the entire city, the

signs and miracles through me to turn

mother of a senator came, and making

you from your sins. In your power, revive

her way through the multitude she

now through my voice, O Lord, in the

threw herself at Peter’s feet and said, “I

presence of all, him whom Simon killed

heard many people say that you are a

by his touch.” And Peter said to the masminister of the merciful God and that ter of the lad, “Come, take hold of him

you impart his mercy to all who desire

by the right hand and you shall have him

this light. Bestow, therefore, also to my

alive and walking with you.” And the

son this light, since I have learned that

prefect Agrippa ran and came to the lad,

you are not ungenerous towards any

took his hand, and restored him to life.

one; do not turn way from a lady, who

And when the multitude saw this they

entreats you.” Peter said to her, “Do you

cried, “There is only one God, the God

believe in my God through whom your

of Peter.”

son shall rise?” And the mother, weeping, said with a loud voice, “I believe, Meanwhile the widow’s son

27

Peter, I believe.” The whole multitude

was brought in on a bier by the

cried out, “Give the mother her son.”

young men. The people made room, and

And Peter said, “Let him be brought

they brought him to Peter. Peter, however,

here into the presence of all.” And Pelifted up his eyes towards heaven, ter, turning to the people, said, “Men of

stretched forth his hands, and said, “Holy

Rome, I, too, am one of you! I have hu

Father of your Son Jesus Christ who has

man flesh and I am a sinner, but I have

given us power to ask and to obtain

obtained mercy. Do not imagine that

through you and to despise everything

what I do, I do in my own power; I do

that is in this world and follow you only,

it in the power of my Lord Jesus Christ

who are seen by few and wish to be

who is the judge of the living and the

known by many; shine round, O Lord,

dead. I believe in him, I have been sent

148

NON-CANONICAL ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

by him, and I dare to call upon him to

burn him at once.” Simon came to the

raise the dead. Go, therefore, woman,

head of the dead man, bowed three times,

and have your son brought here and

and he showed the people how the dead

have him raised.” And the woman made

man had lifted up his head and moved it,

her way through the multitude, ran into

and opened his eyes and lightly bowed

the street with great joy, and believed

to Simon. And immediately they began

with her heart; coming to the house she

to gather wood to burn Peter. But Peter,

made her slaves carry him and came

having received the power of Christ,

back to the forum. And she told the

lifted up his voice and said to those who

young men to cover their heads and go

were shouting against him, “Now I see,

before the bier and carry everything that

Romans, that I must not call you foolish

she intended to spend on the body of

and silly so long as your eyes and your

her son in front of the bier, so that Peears and your senses are blinded. So long ter, seeing this, might have pity on the

as your mind is darkened you do not

body and on her. With them all as

perceive that you are bewitched, since

mourners she came to the assembly, folyou seemingly believe that a dead man lowed by a multitude of senators and larose who has not risen. I would have been dies who came to see God’s wonderful

content, Romans, to keep silent and to

deeds. And Nicostratus (the man who

die in silence and to leave you among the

had died) was very noble and respected

illusions of this world. But the punishin the senate. They brought him and ment of the unquenchable fire is before

placed him before Peter. And Peter asked

my eyes. If you agree, let the dead man

them to be silent and said with a very

speak, let him rise; if he is alive, let him

loud voice, “Romans, let a righteous

untie the band from his chin, let him call

judgment now take place between me and

his mother and say to you, ‘Bawlers, why

Simon, and judge which of us believes in

are you crying?’ Let him beckon to you

the living God, he or I. Let him revive

with his hand. If, therefore, you wish to

the body which is before us, and believe

see that he is dead and you are spellin him as an angel of God. If he is not bound, let this man step back from the

able I will call upon my God. I will rebier, this one who persuaded you to withstore the son alive to his mother and then draw from Christ, and you shall see the

you shall believe that he is a sorcerer and

dead man as you saw him when you

deceiver, this man who enjoys your hosbrought him in.” And the prefect Agrippa pitality.” When they heard this, it seemed

could no longer restrain himself but rose

right to them what Peter had said. They

and with his own hand pushed Simon

encouraged Simon saying, “Show youraway. And the dead man looked as he self publicly what you can do; either you

had before. And the people were enraged

convince us or you shall be convicted.

and, converted from the magical spell of

Why do you stand still? Commence.”

Simon, began to cry, “Hear, O Caesar,

When Simon perceived that they all

should the dead not rise let Simon be

pushed him, he stood in silence. When

burned instead of Peter, because he has

the people had become quiet and were

really deceived us.” But Peter stretched

looking at him, Simon cried out and said,

forth his hand and said, “Romans, be

“Romans, when you see that the dead