Lost scriptures: books that did not make it into the New Testament (35 page)

whom Paul has preached to us. For

through him we saw the dead raised and

While they were grieving and fast5

some healed from various diseases. This

ing God was already preparing Pepower seeks conflicts, we know. For it is ter at Jerusalem for the future. After the

no small disturbance that has come upon

twelve years had passed, according to the

us. Perhaps he has already come to

direction of the Lord to Peter, Christ

Rome. For yesterday he was invited with

showed to him the following vision, saygreat acclamation to do so, being told, ing, “Peter, Simon, whom you expelled

‘You are God in Italy, you are the savior

from Judaea after having exposed him as

of the Romans; hasten to Rome as

a magician, has forestalled you at Rome.

quickly as possible.’ And Simon ad

And in short, all who believed in me he

dressed the people and said with a shrill

has perverted by the cunning and power

voice, ‘On the following day about the

of Satan, whose agent he proves to be.

seventh hour you shall see me fly over

But do not delay. Go tomorrow to Caethe gate of the city in the same form in sarea, and there you will find a ship ready

which I now speak to you.’ Wherefore,

to sail to Italy. And within a few days I

brethren, if you agree, let us go and dilwill show you my grace which is boundigently await the end of the matter.” And less.” Instructed by this vision, Peter did

they all went out and came to the gate.

not delay to mention it to the brethren

About the seventh hour there suddenly

and said, “I must go up to Rome to subappeared afar off a dust-cloud in the sky, due the enemy and opponent of the Lord

looking like smoke shining with a glare

and of our brethren.” And he went down

of fire. And when it reached the gate it

to Caesarea and at once boarded the ship,

suddenly disappeared. Then he appeared

which was ready to sail, without having

standing in the midst of the people. They

obtained for himself any provisions. But

all worshipped him and knew that it was

the steersman, named Theon, looked at

he whom they had seen the day before.

Peter and said, “What we have belongs

And the brethren were exceedingly disto you. For what grace is it for us in turbed, especially as Paul was not at

receiving a man like ourselves in difficult

Rome, nor Timothy and Barnabas, whom

circumstances, without sharing with him

Paul had sent to Macedonia, nor anyone

what we have? Let us have a safe jourwho could strengthen us (
sic
) in the faith, ney.” Peter thanked him for his offer. And

especially the neophytes. As Simon’s auhe fasted in the ship, being dejected, and thority grew more and more, some of

yet again comforted because God rethose among whom he worked in their garded him as a servant worthy of his

daily conversations called Paul a sorcerer

service. A few days later the captain got

and a deceiver and all of the great mulup at meal time and asked Peter to eat titude which had been confirmed in the

with him, saying to him, “Whoever you

faith were led astray, excepting the presare, I hardly know you. You are either a THE ACTS OF PETER

137

God or a man. But as far as I can see, I

spoken, and he was signed with your holy

think that you are a servant of God. As I

sign. Therefore also I give to him, in your

was steering my ship in the middle of the

name, your eucharist, that he may for

night I fell asleep. It seemed to me as if

ever be your servant, perfect and without

a human voice from heaven said to me,

blemish.” When they were eating and re

“Theon, Theon!” Twice it called me by

joicing in the Lord, suddenly a moderate

name and said to me, ‘Amongst all the

wind, not a violent one, arose at the prow

passengers treat Peter in the most honof the ship and lasted six days and six orable way. For, with his help, you and

nights till they came to Puteoli.

the rest will escape safe from an unexpected incident.’ ” Peter, however, think

Having landed at Puteoli, Theon

6

ing that God wished to show his provileft the ship and went to the inn dence to all those who were in the ship,

where he usually stayed, to make prepabegan at once to speak to Theon of the rations for the reception of Peter. The inngreat deeds of God, and how the Lord

keeper’s name was Ariston, a God-

had chosen him among the apostles and

fearing man, and to him he went for the

for what cause he was sailing to Italy.

sake of the Name. And when he had

Daily he spoke to him the word of God.

come to the inn and found Ariston, Theon

After they had become better acquainted

said to him, “God, who counted you wor

Peter found out that Theon was one with

thy to serve him, has also made known

him in the faith and a worthy servant.

to me his grace through his holy servant

When the ship was detained by the calm

Peter, who has just arrived with me from

of the Adriatic Sea, Theon remarked on

Judaea, being bidden by our Lord to go

the calm to Peter and said, “If you think

to Italy.” When Ariston heard this, he fell

me worthy to be baptized with the sign

upon Theon’s neck, embraced him and

of the Lord, you have the chance now.”

asked him to bring him to the ship and

All the others in the ship were in a

show Peter to him. For Ariston said,

drunken stupor. Peter let himself down

“Since Paul has gone to Spain there was

by a rope and baptized Theon in the name

not one of the brethren who could

of the Father and of the Son and of the

strengthen me. Besides, a certain Jew

Holy Spirit. He came up out of the water

named Simon has invaded the city. By

rejoicing with great joy. Peter also had

means of his magical sayings and his

become more cheerful because God had

wickedness he has completely perverted

deemed Theon worthy of his name. And

the entire fraternity, so that I have fled

it happened that in the same place where

from Rome hoping for the arrival of Pe

Theon was baptized, a young man, raditer. For Paul had spoken of him, and I ant in splendor, appeared and said to

saw many things in a vision. Now I bethem, “Peace be with you.” And both lieve in my Lord, that he will again es

Peter and Theon immediately went up

tablish his ministry, that all deception be

and entered the cabin; and Peter took

extinguished from his servants. For our

bread and gave thanks to the Lord, who

Lord Jesus Christ is faithful, and he can

had deemed him worthy of his holy serrenew our thoughts.” When Theon heard vice, and because a young man had apthis from the weeping Ariston, his conpeared to them saying, “Peace be with fidence was restored, and he was even

you.” Peter said, “Most excellent and the

more strengthened in his faith, knowing

only Holy One, for you appeared to us,

that he believed in the living God. When

O God Jesus Christ. In your name I have

they came to the ship, Peter saw them

138

NON-CANONICAL ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

and, filled with the Spirit, he smiled, so

I fear you might hurt yourself with the

that Ariston fell upon his face to the feet

shaking.” But Peter answered and said to

of Peter and said, “Brother and Lord, who

them, “But what would have happened if

makes known the sacred mysteries and

about my neck and that of the enemy of

teaches the right way, which is in the

the Lord a millstone were hanged (as my

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, through you

Lord said to us, if any one should offend

he has shown us his coming. All whom

one of the brethren2), and we be drowned

Paul entrusted to us we have lost through

in the depths of the sea? Not only would

the power of Satan. But now I trust in the

it be a millstone, but what is worse, I the

Lord, who sent his messenger and told

opponent of this persecutor of his seryou to hasten to us, that he has deemed vants would die far away from those who

us worthy to see his great and wonderful

have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

deeds done by your hands. I therefore

In no way could Theon persuade him to

beg you, come quickly to the city. For I

remain a day longer. Whereupon Theon

left the brethren who had stumbled,

gave everything that was in the ship to

whom I saw fall into the snares of the

be sold at a fair price, and followed Peter

devil, and fled here saying to them,

to Rome, and accompanied Ariston to the

‘Brethren, stand firm in the faith; for it is

house of the presbyter Narcissus.

to be that within the next two months the

mercy of our Lord will bring you his

servant.’ I saw a vision of Paul speaking

Soon it became known among the

7

to me and saying, ‘Ariston, flee from the

scattered brethren of the city that

city.’ Having heard this, I believed with

Peter had come to Rome on account of

out wavering, departed from the city in

Simon, to prove that he was a seducer

the Lord, and though the flesh which I

and persecutor of the good. And the

bear is weak, yet I came here, stood daily

whole multitude came together to see the

by the shore, and asked the sailors, ‘Has

apostle of the Lord, confirming the con

Peter come with you?’ And now that the

gregation in Christ. When they gathered

grace of the Lord abounds, I beseech you

on the first day of the week to meet Peter

to go up to Rome without delay, lest the

he began to speak with a loud voice, “You

teaching of the wicked man increases still

people who are here, hoping in Christ,

more.” When Ariston had spoken amidst

you who suffered a brief temptation,

tears Peter gave him his hand and lifted

learn why God sent his Son into the

him up from the ground, and said with

world, or why he begot him by the virgin

tears and sighs, “He who tempts the

Mary, if it were not to dispense some

world by his angels forestalled us; but he

mercy or means of salvation. For he

who has the power to deliver his servants

meant to annul every offence and every

from all temptation will destroy his deignorance and every activity of the devil, ceits and put them under the feet of those

his instigations and powers, by means of

who believe in Christ, whom we preach.”

which he once had the upper hand, before

And when they entered by the gate Theon

our God shone forth in the world. Since

entreated Peter and said, “During the

with their many and manifold weaklong sea voyage you never refreshed nesses they fell to death by their ignoyourself on the ship, and now will you rance, Almighty God had compassion

go from the ship on such a rough road?

No, stay, refresh yourself and then go.

From here to Rome the road is rocky, and

2Matt 18:6.

THE ACTS OF PETER

139

and sent his Son into the world, and I

the Jews reviled, this crucified Nazarene,

was with him. And I walked on the water

who died and rose again on the third

and survive as a witness; I confess I was

day.”

there when he was at work in the world

performing signs and wonders. Dearest

8

brethren, I denied our Lord Jesus Christ,

The brethren repented and asked

Peter to overcome Simon’s claim

not once, but thrice; for those who enthat he was the power of God. Simon was snared me were wicked gods, just as the

staying at the house of the senator Marprophet of the Lord said. But the Lord cellus whom he had won over by his

did not lay it to my charge; he turned to

magic. “Believe us, brother Peter,” they

me and had mercy on the weakness of

said, “none among humans was so wise

my flesh, so that I wept bitterly; and I

as this Marcellus. All the widows who

mourned for my little faith, having been

hoped in Christ took their refuge in him;

deceived by the devil, and disobeyed the

all the orphans were fed by him. Will you

word of my Lord. And now I tell you,

know more, brother? All the poor called