Acts of Philip

First Thousand Years of Greek · First Thousand Years of Greek · 168 sections

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I. When he came out of Galilee and raised the dead man.
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1 When he was come out of Galilee, a widow was carrying out her only son to burial. Philip asked her about her grief: I have spent in vain much money on the gods, Ares, Apollo, Hermes, Artemis, Zeus, Athena, the Sun and Moon, and I think they are asleep as far as I am concerned. And I consulted a diviner to no purpose.
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2 The apostle said: Thou hast suffered nothing strange. mother, for thus doth the devil deceive men. Assuage thy grief and I will raise thy son in the name of Jesus.
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3 She said: It seems it were better for me not to marry, and to eat nothing but bread and water. Philip: You are right. Chastity is especially dear to God.
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4 She said: I believe in Jesus whom thou preachest. He raised her son, who sat up and said: Whence is this light? and how comes it that an angel came and opened the prison of judgement where I was shut up? where I saw such torments as the tongue of man cannot describe.
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5 So all were baptized. And the youth followed the apostle.
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II. When he went unto Greece of Athens (!)
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6 When he entered into the city of Athens which is called Hellas, 300 philosophers gathered and said: Let us go and see what his wisdom is, for they say of the wise men of Asia that their wisdom is great. For they supposed Philip to be a philosopher: he travelled only in a cloak and an undergarment. So they assembled and looked into their books, lest he should get the better of them.
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7 They said: If you have anything new to tell us, let us hear it, for we need nothing else but only to hear some new thing.
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8 Philip: Then you must cast away the old man. The Lord said: Ye cannot put new wine into old bottles. I am glad to hear that you desire something new, for my Lord’s teaching is new.
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9 The philosophers: Who is thy Lord? Philip: Jesus Christ.
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10 They: This is a new name to us. Give us three days to look into it.
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11 They consulted, and said: Perhaps it will be best to send for the high priest of the Jews to discuss it with him.
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12 So they wrote: The philosophers of Greece to Ananias the great high priest of the Jews at Jerusalem—and stated the case.
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13 On reading the letter Ananias rent his clothes and said: Is that deceiver in Athens also? And Mansēmat, Satan, entered into him. (This is another form of Mastema, the name of Satan in Jubilees and elsewhere.) And he consulted with the lawyers and Pharisees, and they said: Arm thyself and take 500 men and go and at all costs destroy Philip.
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14 So he came in the high-priestly garments with great pomp, and he and the philosophers went to Philip’s lodging, and he came out, and Ananias said: Thou sorcerer and wizard, I know thee, that thy master the deceiver at Jerusalem called thee son of thunder; did not Judaea suffice you, but must you come here to deceive? Philip said: May the veil of unbelief be taken from thee, and thou learn who is the deceiver, thou or I.
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15 Ananias’ address: how Jesus destroyed the law and allowed all meats—was crucified, the disciples stole his body, and did many wonders, and were cast out of Jerusalem, and now go all about the world deceiving every one, like this Philip. But I will take him to Jerusalem, for the king Archelaus seeketh him to kill him.
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16 The people were not moved. Philip said: I will appeal to my God.
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17 Ananias ran at him to smite him; his hand withered and he was blinded, and so were his 500 men: they cursed him, and prayed Philip for help.
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18 Philip’s prayer: O weak nature O bitter sea. Come, Jesu, the holy light—thou overlookest us not when we cry to thee.
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19 Ananias to Philip: Thinkest thou to turn us from the traditions of our fathers, and the God of the manna in the wilderness, and Moses, to follow the Nazarene, Jesus? Philip: 1 will ask my God to manifest himself to thee and to these—perchance thou wilt believe: but if not, a wonder shall befall thee. And he prayed God to send his Son.
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20 The heavens opened and Jesus appeared in glory, his face seven times brighter than the sun, and his raiment whiter than snow. All the idols of Athens fell, and the devils in them fled, crying out. Philip said: Hearest thou not the devils, and believest thou not him that is here? Ananias: I have no God save him that gave the manna in the wilderness.
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21 Jesus went up into heaven, and there was a great earthquake, and the people fled to the apostle, crying for mercy.
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22 Philip: There is no envy in us, and the grace of Christ shall restore your sight, but first let the high priest see. A voice from heaven: Philip, once son of thunder but now of meekness, whatsoever thou askest my Father he will do for thee. The people were afraid at the voice. In the name of Christ, Philip made Ananias see. He said: How great is the art magic of Jesus! this Philip in a moment (or for a little) hath blinded me and in a moment restored my sight! I cannot be convinced by witchcraft. The 500 asked Philip to give back their sight that they might slay the unbelieving Ananias.
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23 Philip: Render not evil for evil. To Ananias: There shall be a great sign shown in thee. Ananias: I know that thou art a sorcerer and disciple of Jesus; thou canst not bewitch me. Philip, to Jesus: Zabarthan, sabathabat, bramanouch, come quickly! The earth opened and swallowed Ananias to the knees. He cried: This is real magic, that the earth clave when Philip threatened it in Hebrew—and there are hooks below pulling at my legs to make me believe, but I will not, for I know his witchcraft from Jerusalem.
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24 Philip, to the earth: Take him to the middle. And he sank further and said: One foot is frozen and the other hot—but I will not believe. The people wanted to stone him, but Philip checked them: This is for your salvation; if he repent, I will bring him up, but if not, he shall be swallowed into the deep.
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25 He spread out his hand in the air over the 500, and their eyes were opened and they praised God. Philip, to Ananias: Confess now with a pure heart that Jesus is Lord, that thou mayest be saved like these. But he laughed at him.
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26 Seeing him obstinate, Philip said to the earth: Open and swallow him to the neck.
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27 And one of the first men of the city came and said: A devil has attacked my son, saying: As thou hast let a stranger come to the city, who destroys our idols, what can I do but kill thine only son? and he has suffocated him. Help me, for I also believe.
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28 Bring me thy son. And he ran, calling to his son, and bade the servants bring him: he was 23 years old. Philip seeing him, grieved, and said to Ananias: This is through your folly: if I raise him will you believe? Ananias: I know you will raise him by your magic, but I will not believe. Philip was wroth and said: Catathema (cursed thing), go down into the abyss in the sight of all. And he was swallowed up: but the high-priestly robe flew away from him, and therefore no man knows where it is from that day.
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Philip raised the lad and drove away the devil.
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29 The people cried out, believing in God, and the 500 were baptized. And Philip stayed two years at Athens, and founded a church and ordained a bishop and a presbyter, and departed to Parthia to preach.
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III. Done in Parthia by Philip.
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30 When Philip came to Parthia he found in a city the apostle Peter with disciples, and said: I pray you strengthen me, that I may go and preach like you.
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31 And they prayed for him.
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32 And John was there also, and said to Philip: Andrew is gone to Achaia and Thrace, and Thomas to India and the wicked flesh-eaters, and Matthew to the savage troglodytes. And do thou not be slack, for Jesus is with thee. And they let him depart.
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33 And he came to the sea in the borders of the Candaci and found a ship going to Azotus, and agreed with the sailors for four staters, and sailed. A great wind came, and they began to cast out the tackle and say farewell to each other and lament.
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34 Philip consoled them: Not even the ship shall be lost. He went up on the prow and said: Sea, sea, Jesus Christ by me his servant bids thee still thy wrath. There was calm, and the sailors thanked him and asked to become servants of Jesus.
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35 And he instructed them to forsake the cares of this life.
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36 And they believed, and Philip landed and baptized them all.
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IV. Of the daughter of Nicocleides, whom he healed at Azotus.
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37 There was great commotion in Azotus because of Philip’s miracles, and many came and were healed, and devils were cast out and cried out against him. And people said divers things of him, some that he was good, and others that he was a wizard, and separated husbands and wives and preached chastity.
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38 Evening came on and all dispersed. Philip sought a lodging, and went to the warehouses of one Nicocleides, a recorder (registrar), friend of the king, where many strangers lodged.
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39 He stood in a corner and prayed for blessing and healing on the house.
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40 Charitine, daughter of Nicocleides, heard him and wept all night. She had a sore disease in her eye. In the morning she went to her father and said: I can no longer bear the taunts of my companions about my eye. He said: What can I do? have I not called in Leucius the king’s physician and Elides the queen’s eunuch and Solgia her attendant. She: I know it; but there is a strange physician come here last night: call him.
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41 He went to the warehouses and found Philip: Art thou the physician lately come? Philip: Jesus is my physician. I will come with thee. They found the daughter weeping.
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42 After reassuring words she fell at his feet: I sprinkle my chamber with pure water and lay my linen garments under thy feet; help me, for I know thou canst. To her father: Let us bring him in, and let him see my disease.
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43 Philip comforted and instructed them, and bade her rise and put her right hand on her face and say: In the name of Jesus Christ let my eye be healed. And it was.
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44 And both believed and were baptized, and a number of servants. And Charitine put on male attire and followed Philip.
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V. Done in the city Nicatera; and of Ireus.
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45 Philip had in mind to go to Nicatera, a city of Greece, and many disciples accompanied him, and he taught continually.
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46 And when he arrived there was great stir: What shall we do, for his teaching will prevail he separates husbands and wives. Let us cast him out before he begins to preach and our wives are deceived.
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47 There were Jews, too, who spoke against him; but a chief of them, Ireus, said: Do not use force; let us test his teaching.
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48 Ireus was wealthy. He was a just man and desired quietly to foil their counsel. He went to Philip and greeted him. And Philip saw there was no guile in him, and promised him salvation, for having stood up for him.
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49 Ireus was surprised at his knowing this. Philip exhorted him to faith and constancy.
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50 Ireus: Lodge at my house. Philip: First cleanse it. Ireus: How? Philip: Do no wrong, and leave thy wife. And he went home.
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51 His wife said: I hear you foiled the counsel of the Jews about a strange sorcerer. Ireus: Would that we might be worthy to have him lodge here. She: I will not have him here, for he separates husbands and wives. I will go home to my parents and take my dowry and servants; four years I have been your wife and never contradicted you.
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52 Ireus mildly: Have patience, and you also will believe. She: Rise, eat, drink and be merry, for you cannot deceive me. Ireus: How can I eat while the man of God is hungry? Put away this folly: he is a man of God, of mildness and grace.
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53 She: Is his God like those of this city, of gold, fixed in the temple? Ireus: No, but in heaven, almighty: the gods of this city are made by ungodly men. She: Bring him, that I may see the god in him.
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54 He went to meet Philip, who told him what had passed, and Ireus was amazed at his knowledge, but asked him not to publish the reproach of his wife.
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55 Philip’s companions urged him to accept the refuge provided: and Ireus was glad. Philip consented to come, and followed Ireus.
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56 The rulers and people saw it and determined not to allow it. Ireus arriving at his gate cried to the porter to open. Philip entered, saying: Peace be to this house. Ireus found that his wife was in her chamber and went and asked her to come, and put off her gay robes. But she was angry and said: No one of the house has ever seen my face, and shall I show it to a stranger?
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57 So he went out and set fine gilt chairs for Philip and the rest. But he said: Take them away. Ireus: Do not grieve me. Philip: I grieve no one, but I have no use for gold, which passes away, etc.
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58 Ireus: Can I be saved? for my former sins trouble me. Philip: Yes, Jesus is able to save you. And what of your wife who just now said to you: Depart from me, etc.? Ireus, surprised, went to his wife and said: Come and see a man who has told me what passed between you and me. She was scornful, and said: What is to become of our children if we have to give up all our worldly wealth?
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59 Artemēla his daughter was listening, and said: If my father and mother are to enter a new life, may I not share it? She was very beautiful. Her mother Nerkela told her to rise and put off her gold-woven dress. Ireus said to Nerkela: Let us go out and see Philip [it seems Nerkela was converted, but the text does not show this clearly].
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60 The women changed their attire for a sober one, and they all went out. And when they saw Philip, he shone with a great light, so that they were afraid.
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61 But he saw it, and returned to his former likeness: and Nerkela asked pardon of him and made him welcome.
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62, 63 And they professed belief and were instructed and baptized.
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VI. In Nicatera, a city of Greece.
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64 The Jews and heathens were displeased at Ireus’ conversion,
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65 and sent seven men to his house. A handmaid told him of them; he came out smiling and asked their errand. The whole city wishes to see you. He followed them.
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66 And the assembly were surprised at his modest garb. One Onesimus asked him to explain about the sorcerer Philip.
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67 Ireus: Why am I examined thus? do not trouble Philip.
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68 But they said: Away with him. And Ireus went home and met Philip, who said: Are you afraid? No, he said.
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69 The people now came with staves, crying out: Give us the deceiver.
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70 Philip came forth and they took him to the assembly to scourge him, and said: Bind him hand and foot.
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71 Ireus ran up the steps and cried: You shall not. But they would not hear, and Ireus pulled Philip away from them.
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72 Philip said: If I choose, I can blind you. Aristarchus, son of Plegenes, a chief of the Jews, said: Do not be in a hurry to blind us: I know you can; but let us discuss, I am powerful, and if I let the people, they will stone you.
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73 And he caught Philip by the beard; he was rather angry, because of the people, and said: Your hand and your ears and your right eye shall suffer for threatening me and insulting God.
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74 His eye became hollow as if absent, his ears pained him, his right hand dangled useless. He cried out for mercy.
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75 They all said: Heal our chief.
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76 Philip told Ireus to go sign him with the cross and heal him in Jesus’ name, which was done, and he asked pardon and indulgence and leave to discuss the matter. And the people said: We will judge of it.
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77 Philip smiled and bade him speak first. He said: Do you receive the prophets or no? Philip: Because of your unbelief there is need of the prophets. Aristarchus: It is written: Who shall declare thy might, O God? and, No man can know thy glory; and, Thy glory hath filled the earth; and, The Lord is judge of quick and dead; and, God is a consuming fire and shall burn up his enemies on every side; and, One God hath made all these things. How then say you that Mary bore Jesus? . But you will say that he is the power and wisdom of God who was with him when he made the world. I do not deny that the first Scripture says: Let us make man.
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78 Philip smiled and said: Hearken all: Isaiah said, Behold my servant (child) whom I have chosen. And of the cross: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. And again: I gave my back to the scourger. And another: I spread out my hands to a disobedient people. And: I was found of them that sought me not . And David saith: Thou art my son. And of his resurrection and Judas: Lord, why are they increased that trouble me. And again David: I foresaw the Lord alway before me. But David is dead. Take also of the twelve prophets: Say unto the daughter of Sion. And: Out of Egypt have I called my son.
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79 Aristarchus said: This Jesus is called Christ. Isaiah: Thus saith the Lord unto Christ my lord. The Jews said: You are arguing for Christ. The people and rulers acclaimed Philip and said he should be received.
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80 A bier was brought with a dead man, only son of a rich man: and with it ten slaves who were to be burnt with the corpse. The people said: Here is a great contest for the Christians. If theirs be God he will raise him and we will believe, and burn our idols.
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81 Philip said to the parents: What will you do if I raise him? What you will. The slaves made signs to him to remember them. There was this evil law of burning slaves, and sometimes even men’s wives.
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82 Philip said: Give me these slaves. Yes, and any more that you will. He said to Aristarchus: Come, O Jew, raise him. And he touched his face and spat much on him and pulled his hand: in vain, and retired in confusion.
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83 Nereus the father said: Raise my son and I will fight the Jews. Philip: If you will not promise not to hurt them, I will not raise him. N. As you will.
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84 Philip went to the bier and prayed, and breath entered into the lad Theophilus, and he opened his eyes and looked on Philip. A second time Philip said: Young man, in the name of Jesus Christ who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arise. And he leapt from the bier. All cried: One is the God of Philip and the slaves were made free. All believed.
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86 Philip taught, baptized, destroyed idols, ordained, gave canons and rules.
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VII. Of Nerkela (and) Ireus at Nicatera.
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87 Nerkela and Artemela were blessed by Philip.
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88 Ireus and Nereus consulted about building a church, and agreed to build it on Nereus’ land.
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89 Only the Jews were discontented, and decided to withdraw.
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90 Philip came to the new building and addressed the people,
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91 and made Ireus bishop and prayed over him, and announced that he was going away.
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92 All wept, but he consoled them.
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93 They loaded camels with provisions and accompanied him 20 stadia. He dismissed them and would only take five loaves. They all saluted him thrice, and fell on their faces and prayed for his blessing, and watched him out of sight, and returned to the city.
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VIII. Wherein the kid and the leopard in the wilderness believed.

First Thousand Years of Greek. CTS URN tlg2948.tlg001.1st1K-eng1. Via the Perseus Digital Library / Open Greek and Latin TEI corpora. Licence: Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source.