Read Lost scriptures: books that did not make it into the New Testament Online
Authors: [edited by] Bart D. Ehrman
Tags: #Biblical Reference, #Bible Study Guides, #Bibles, #Other Translations, #Apocryphal books (New Testament), #New Testament, #Christianity, #Religion, #Biblical Commentary, #Biblical Studies, #General, #History
patient. I do not say that Simon should
man is raised, will you cast Peter out of
be burned if the boy is restored; it is only
the city?” And the whole multitude said,
when I tell you to do it, that you will.”
“We shall not only cast him out but also
And the people cried, “Even if you
THE ACTS OF PETER
149
should not wish it, Peter, we shall do it.”
this he was still more strengthened in the
Peter said to them, “If you continue, the
spirit by the help of the Lord and said to
boy shall not rise. We have learned not
the people, “Romans, thus the dead are
to recompense evil for evil, but we have
awakened, thus they speak, thus they
learned to love our enemies and to pray
walk when they are raised; they live for
for those who persecute us. For should
so long as it pleases God. But now I turn
even he repent, it is better. For God will
to you who came to see the spectacle. If
not remember the evil. Let him, therefore,
you repent now from your sins and from
come to the light of Christ. But if he
all your human-made gods and from all
cannot, let him inherit the portion of his
uncleanness and lust, you shall receive
father, the devil. But do not let your hands
the communion of Christ in faith so that
be contaminated.” Having thus spoken to
you may obtain life for eternity.”
the people he came to the boy, and before
raising him he said to his mother, “These
From that hour on they wor29
young men, whom you set free in honor
shipped him like a god, and the
of your son, can as free men obey their
sick, whom they had at home, they
living master. For I know that the souls
brought to his feet to be cured by him.
of some among them will be wounded
And when the prefect perceived that such
when they see your risen son and serve
a great multitude adhered to Peter he
again as slaves. But let them all be free
asked him to depart. And Peter bade the
and receive their subsistence as before—
people come into the house of Marcellus.
for your son shall rise again—and let
And the mother of the lad asked Peter to
them be with him.” And Peter looked at
come to her house. But Peter had arher for some time awaiting the answer.
ranged to go to Marcellus on Sunday to
And the mother of the boy said, “How
see the widows, as Marcellus had promcan I do otherwise? Therefore I declare ised, so that he might minister to them
before the prefect that they should poswith his own hand. And the lad who had sess all that which I had to spend on the
been raised said, “I shall not leave Peter.”
corpse of my son.” Peter said to her, “Let
And his mother returned joyfully and
the rest be divided among the widows.”
cheerfully to her house. And on the day
And Peter rejoiced in his soul and said in
after the Sabbath she came into the house
the spirit, “O Lord, who are merciful,
of Marcellus and brought two thousand
Jesus Christ, manifest yourself to your
pieces of gold and said to Peter, “Divide
servant Peter who calls upon you, as you
these among the virgins of Christ who
always show mercy and goodness. In the
minister to him.” But the lad who had
presence of all these who have been set
been raised, perceiving that he had not
free, that they may be able to serve, let
yet given anything to anyone, ran to his
Nicostratus now arise.” And Peter
house, opened a chest, and brought four
touched the side of the lad and said,
thousand pieces of gold, and said to Peter,
“Arise.” And the lad arose, took up his
“See, I also, who have been raised, offer
garment and sat and untied his chin,
the double gift and present myself from
asked for other garments, came down
now on as a living sacrifice to God.”
from the bier, and said to Peter, “I beg
you, man, let us go to our Lord Christ,
30
whom I heard speak to you; he said to
And on Sunday Peter spoke to
the brethren and encouraged
you, pointing at me, ‘Bring him here, for
them in the faith of Christ. And many
he belongs to me.’ ” When Peter heard
senators and knights and wealthy women
150
NON-CANONICAL ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
and matrons were present, and they were
disciples who were steadfast laughed him
strengthened in the faith. There was also
to scorn. In the dining halls he made
present a very rich woman, named
some spirits appear which had the sem
Chryse, because all her vessels were of
blance of life, but in reality did not exist.
gold—since her birth she had never used
And what more shall I say? Having spoa vessel of silver or of glass, but only of ken a great deal about magic14 he seemgold. She said to Peter, “Peter, servant of ingly cured the lame and blind for a time,
God, in a dream the one whom you call
and many dead persons, too, he made
God came and said to me, ‘Chryse, bring
alive and made them move about, as well
ten thousand pieces of gold to my servant
as Stratonicus.15 In all this Peter followed
Peter; you owe them to him.’ So I have
him and refuted him before those who
brought them, fearing that some evil may
saw it. And as he was always out of favor,
come from him whom I saw and who has
and was ridiculed by the Romans and
gone to heaven.” And having said this
lost their confidence since he promised
she laid down the money and went away.
to do something which he could not do,
And Peter seeing this praised God that
it came about that he said to them, “Rothe poor could now be provided for.
mans, you now think that Peter has over
Some of those present said to him, “Peter,
come me as if he were mightier than I,
is it not wrong to have accepted this
and you now pay more attention to him.
money from her? All Rome knows of her
You are mistaken. For tomorrow I shall
fornication, and it is reported that she is
leave you godless and impious ones and
not satisfied with one husband; she uses
take refuge with God above, whose
even her own slaves. Therefore have
power I am, though enfeebled. If, therenothing to do with the Chryse’s table, but fore, you have fallen, behold I stand. I
let everything be sent back to her that
ascend to the father, and shall say to him,
came from her.” When Peter heard this
‘Me, your son who stands, they desired
he laughed and said to the brethren, “As
to bring low; however, I had no deal with
to her conduct, I know nothing of it; since
them, but returned to myself.’ ”
I have received this money I received it
not without reason; she brought it to me
And on the following day a
as a debtor to Christ and gives it to the
32 still larger multitude gathered
servants of Christ. For he himself has
on the
via
sacra
to see him fly. And Peprovided for them.”
ter also went to the place to see the
spectacle and to refute him. For when
31 And they also brought the sick he came to Rome he astonished the to him on the Sabbath and
people by his flying. But Peter, who reasked him to treat them. And many parbuked him, was not yet at Rome, which alytics and podagrous were healed, and
he so misled and deceived that some
those who had two- and four-day fevers
were driven out of their senses. And
and other diseases, and believed in the
standing on an elevated place, upon seename of Jesus Christ, and very many ing Peter he began to speak. “Peter,
were added every day to the grace of the
now, as I am about to ascend in the
Lord. When some days had passed Simon
the magician promised the people that he
could persuade Peter not to believe in the
14
true God but in a fallacious one. As he
Greek unclear. Possibly the phrase should be: “Although he had often been refuted for his magic art.”
performed many tricks those among the
15Latin reads “Nicostratus.”
THE ACTS OF PETER
151
presence of all the onlookers, I say to
Now Peter remained in Rome
33
you, if your God is almighty, (he whom
and rejoiced with the brethren
the Jews killed, and they stoned you
in the Lord, returning thanks day and
who were chosen by him), let him show
night for the multitude who were daily
that faith in him is of God; let it be
added to the holy name by the grace of
manifested by this event, whether it is
the Lord. And the four concubines of the
worthy of God. For I ascend and will
prefect Agrippa also came to Peter, Agshow myself to this people what kind of rippina, Nicaria, Euphemia, and Doris.
being I am.” And, behold, he was lifted
And they heard preaching concerning
up and they saw him ascending over
chastity and all the words of the Lord,
Rome and over its temples and hills.
and repented and agreed among them
And the believers looked at Peter. And
selves to abstain from cohabitation with
beholding the incredible spectacle Peter
Agrippa, but were molested by him.
cried to the Lord Jesus Christ, “If you
When Agrippa became perplexed and
allow him to do what he has underdistressed—for he loved them very taken, all who believed in you shall be
much—he had them secretly observed
overthrown, and the signs and wonders,
where they went, and he found out that
which you have shown to them through
they went to Peter. When they came back
me, will not be believed. Make haste, O
he said to them, “That Christian has
Lord, show your mercy and let him fall
taught you not to consort with me. I tell
down and become crippled but not die;
you that I will destroy you and burn him
let him be disabled and break his leg in
alive.” But they were ready to endure
three places.” And he fell down and
anything by the hand of Agrippa but
broke his leg in three places. And they
would no longer allow themselves to satcast stones upon him, and each went to isfy his lust; they had become strong in
his home having faith in Peter. And one
the power of Jesus.
of Simon’s friends, Gemellus by name,
from whom Simon had received much
And a very beautiful women
34
money and who had a Greek wife,
named Xanthippe, the wife of
quickly ran along the street, and seeing
Albinus, a friend of the emperor, also
him with his leg broken said, “Simon, if
came to Peter with the other ladies and
God’s power is broken, shall not that
kept away from Albinus. Being in love
God, whose power you are, be darkwith Xanthippe, he became enraged and ened?” And Gemellus ran and followed
wondered why she no longer slept with
Peter and said to him, “I also wish to be
him, and raging like a beast he intended
one of those who believe in Christ.”
to kill Peter, for he perceived that he was
And Peter said, “How could I object,
the cause of her leaving his bed. And
my brother? Come and stay with us.”
many other women delighted in the
And Simon, being in misery, found
preaching concerning chastity and sepasome helpers who carried him by night rated from their husbands, and men too
on a stretcher from Rome to Aricia.
ceased to sleep with their wives, because
There he remained and stayed with a
they wished to serve God in chastity and
man named Castor who on account of
purity. And there was a great commotion
sorcery had been driven from Rome to
in Rome, and Albinus told Agrippa what
Terracina.
Following
an
operation
had happened to him and said, “Either
Simon, the messenger of the devil,
you avenge me of Peter, who has alienended his life.
ated my wife from me, or I shall do it
152
NON-CANONICAL ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
myself.” And Agrippa said, “I suffered