The Contendings of the Apostles, Part 2

The Contendings of the Apostles, Part 2

Translated by E. A. Wallis Budge

Ethiopic collection of the Middle Ages

The second part of the Ethiopic collection: the last two acts of Thomas in India, the acts of Peter, and the long Contending of Paul. These are late legends, partly from older acts, and are not Scripture.

The Acts of Saint Thomas in India: the Fifth Act

1 How a Devil seized and took possession of a woman, and tarried with her, and dwelt in her for five years. And the Apostle came into the city, and all the multitude followed after him; and he decided to go unto the kinsfolk of the young man who had been killed by the serpent, whom he had made to live, for they besought him earnestly to go unto them. Now when the Apostle had come into their house there was a certain woman there who was beautiful, and she cried out with a loud voice, and said, "O thou new Apostle of the new God, who hast come unto the country of India, through whose coming the salvation of our souls hath arrived, through whom, if they believe in Him, the bodies of such as are sick by reason of the sickness of the Enemy are made whole, thou art the means of life unto all those who turn to Him. Give thou me the command that I may 221a.

2 "draw nigh unto thee, and that I may declare [unto thee] everything which hath happened unto me; then shall I have hope through thee, and those who are standing by thee shall also have hope in the God Whom thou preachest. Behold, for five years not a little torment have I suffered through the Enemy, and I have during that time been like unto a woman who was in suffering and sorrow, although formerly I was at peace with everyone, and I had neither care nor any anxiety whatsoever. Now, one day, as I was coming out of the bath, there met me a certain man who appeared to be in a hurry, and he was [much] moved, and his voice was weak and feeble within him. And he said unto me, 'Stand still before me, for thou and I are one, and our love shall be one, and we will have intercourse one with the other after the manner of a man with a woman.' Then I answered and said unto him, I had nought to say unto him who was betrothed unto me, for I wished not to have intercourse with him; how then is it possible for thee to desire to have intercourse with me except as a harlot?' And having thus spoken I passed on my way.

3 Then unto her who was with me I said, 'Didst thou see this man who was not ashamed to speak openly with me [of fornication]?' And she said unto me, 'I saw an old man holding converse with thee.' Now when I had come into my habitation, and had eaten my supper, I fell to thinking very much about the young man whom I had seen, and whom she who was with me had seen also; and as I was thus engaged in thought I fell asleep. And in the night the man himself came and had intercourse with me, but when the day broke I fled from him; and as soon as the night fell he used to come and tarry with me. For these last five years he hath been in the habit of approaching me, and behold, he weareth me out, and refuseth to leave me. I know and am certain that devils, and unclean spirits, and Satans are subject unto thee, and that they tremble [before thee] and thy prayer. Pray thou, then, over me (or for me) and drive away from me him that tormenteth me, so that I may be set free from him, and may return unto my former condition, and may receive back the gracious treatment which my kinsfolk have removed from me."

4 And the Apostle said, "What evil is there that is wrought by the Enemy which cannot be put down? There is no opposition which cannot be overcome, and there is no evil which hath not [its] cure. Thou, O Evil One, hast many aspects, and according to thy desire thou appearest [in any one of them], and thy nature changeth with each; thou art without faith, and thou destroyest him whose works are good. Thy nature is bitter, and thy fruit is from Diabolos. Thou art shameless Error, and thy leadings astray burn like unto the venom of the serpent of the ground." Now when the Apostle had said these words, the devil came forth into his presence, but none saw him except the woman; and he said with a loud voice, all the people hearing him, "What have I to do with thee, O Apostle of the Highest? What have I to do with thee, O thou servant of Jesus Christ? What have I to do with thee, O thou associate of the Holy Son of God? Why dost thou wish to destroy us before our time? Why dost

5 Ff thou wish to take away the power which is ours? For we had hope [therein] and opportunity, just as thou hast opportunity, and we had dominion [thereby], and similarly in each one of us there is the [same] dominion. And what is the power wherewith thou hast come to gain the mastery over us? Now we have also in us this knowledge (or doctrine) of another through which thou shalt not gain the mastery over us. And why "dost thou covet for thyself, like an unrighteous man, that which belongeth unto another, and dost make thyself like unto the Son of God, Who hath guided us, and dost pretend, having come hither, that thou doest deeds by the strength which is thine own? Now we imagined that we could hold Him in our hand, like a man, but we understand [Him] not, for He hath turned us, and hath brought us back into His hand; and we knew Him not, for He came in the similitude of a man, and He hid Himself and abased Himself. And we saw Him, and imagined that He was a man who had put on flesh, but we knew not that it was He Who would give life unto man. And He gave us power over our adversaries, and we had dominion over them for many days, and we led them into error, being lords over them, and we made them to go round about. Now thou desirest, without opposition, to exceed the power which was given unto thee, and to cast us away."

6 And having said these words the devil wept, and said, "I must leave this my kind and beautiful wife with whom I have dwelt for [many] days, and in whom I have found my place of rest. Must I leave thee now, O my most beloved sister, my beloved one, in whose body I have been well pleased? I know not upon whom I am to call, or who will hear me and give me rest. But now I know what I will do. I will go into countries where I have never [before] been, and where his opportunity (i. e., the Apostle's) will not come, and I shall find another [woman to take] thy place." And lifting up his voice, he said, "Dwell thou in rest and peace, for thou hast received one who is greater than I. I will go and will seek out one who is like unto thee, and if I find one not I will return unto thee. For I know that since thou art near this man thou wilt take refuge with him; but when he hath passed away thou wilt be unto me even as thou wast aforetime when thou hadst not seen him, and hadst [not] chosen him. And now when the time hath come I shall appear openly, but I am afraid of Him Whom this man preacheth." And having said these words the demon went forth, and was no more seen; but fire and smoke appeared, and all those who were there marvelled. Now when the Apostle had seen him, he said unto them, "There is nothing whatever marvellous here in what the devil hath wrought except his nature, by which he hath been brought to nought, for his own fire hath swallowed him up, and the smoke of himself hath been scattered abroad."

7 And the Apostle answered and said, "O Thou hidden Mystery which hath been revealed unto us, Jesus, Who art not hidden, it is Thou Who hast created me [and Who hast revealed mysteries unto me] more than unto all my [other] companions; and Thou hast spoken unto me three words whereby my mind shall be revealed unto others, but I am unable to declare them. FF* 222b. 8 "Jesus, Thou Man, Who wast killed and buried, Jesus, our God and our Redeemer, Who gavest life to the dead, Who healedst the sick; there is no man whom Thou wilt not save in Thy mercy if he asketh Thee. Thou didst catch fish for supper and dinner, and Thou didst satisfy all [the multitude] by means of a very little bread. Jesus, Who didst rest Thyself after a journey like a man, Thou didst walk upon the waves of the sea like God; Thou Voice of the Most High Who dost shew Thyself in the hearts of the perfect; Thou absolute Saviour, and Right Hand of the Light, Who didst destroy by Thy power Satan, and didst blot out all his works, and every likeness of him; O Thou Only Birth, Who art above all the firstborn of many brethren, Thou God Who art from God, Thou exalted One Whom men have rejected and despised until this present; O Jesus Christ, Who didst not make Thy grace to be remote from us, therefore we cry out unto Thee, O Thou Who didst become the cause of life to all the race of men. For our sakes Thou didst endure condemnation, and didst suffer pain, and wast shut up in prison; and Thou didst set free all who were therein, and those who had been cast aside, and those who had gone astray, and Thou didst redeem from the path of error those who believed in Thee. I beseech Thee, O my Lord, on behalf of those who stand and believe in Thee, and Who await Thy grace, and Thy place of refuge, and who listen with their ears to Thy word which is spoken unto them by Thee. Let Thy peace come, and let Thy joy and Thy faith dwell upon them, and make new their works in the time which is past;

9 "and let them put away their old deeds, and clothe themselves in the new [man] which is preached unto them by me." 10 Then the Apostle laid his hand [upon them] and blessed them, saying, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you for ever and ever. Amen. And the woman made supplication, and said unto him, "O Apostle of the Most High, give me the seal so that this evil enemy may not come back upon me. And the Apostle placed her [before] him, and he laid his hand upon her, and he made the sign of the cross over her in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and very many other people were sealed with the sign of the cross with her. Then the Apostle commanded them to bring a table, and they placed a seat which [they] found there; and the Apostle spread upon it a linen cover and placed thereon the Bread of blessing, and standing up, he said, "O Jesus, Who hast caused me to appear that we may give thanks unto Thee, and may partake of Thy holy Body, and Thy precious Blood: because of Thy grace unto us we offer thanksgiving unto Thee, and we proclaim Thy Name to be holy; and now, come and receive us.

11 And let the grace of the Most High come, and let Thy holy mercy come, and let the human nature unto which Thou hast united Thyself [also] come, and let Thy doctrine which hath knowledge of hidden mysteries come, and let the mighty companion come, and let the mighty warrior come, and let the storehouse of life come, and let the grace of the elect come, and let the grace which is of old come, and let it reveal great and marvellous works, and let that which is hidden appear openly, and let grace and rest be given unto those who think with me, and moreover let it come and mingle itself with this thanksgiving which we make in Thy Name, and in Thy love, and let us be blessed unto Thee. And having said these words the Apostle made the sign of the cross over the bread, and he brake it and offered it unto the woman over whom he had made the sign of the cross, and said, "This shall be unto thee for the remission of sin and transgression, and it shall be unto thee for everlasting life. And after this he gave it unto all those who were with her, and they were sealed with the sign of the cross and were blessed.

The Acts of Saint Thomas in India: the Sixth Act

1 Now a woman was slain in a shop. 2 Now there was a certain young man who had committed a most unseemly act, and he was rebuked and he drew nigh and partook of the Blessing and gave thanks, and he was about to put the bread in his mouth when both his hands dried up, and he was unable to do so; and those who were standing there saw him, and they told the Apostle what had taken place. Then the Apostle called the young man and said unto him, "Tell 'me, O my son, and be not afraid. What didst thou do [before] thou camest here? For the grace of God hath rebuked thee. Now the grace of God is a healing unto many, and especially unto those who receive it in faith and love, but thee hath it caused to wither, because of the sin and transgression which thou hast committed. And when the young man [saw that] the grace of God had rebuked him, he drew nigh, and bowed down at the feet of the Apostle, and he made supplication unto him, saying, "I have committed an abominable deed, although I imagined that I would do a good one. Behold, there was a certain woman who lived outside the city, and who kept a shop, and she loved [me exceedingly].

3 And when I heard from thee how thou didst preach Christ the Living [God], I came and I received the sign of the cross from thee together with all [the other folk] And thou thyself didst say, 'If any man joineth himself unto foul impurity, and especially if he hath intercourse with any woman who hath a husband, he shall not have forgiveness of sins with God.' And by reason of these words, and because I loved her, I should have been wellpleased that she should live with me in purity of heart, even as thou hast taught me; but the woman wearied me greatly, and when she refused to leave [her evil ways] I took a sword and killed her, for I could not bear to see her [leading an evil life]. And when the Apostle had heard these words, he said, "O evil lust, which could not contain [itself], thou hast caused this man to commit a shameful deed of anger! How hast thou made him to commit in a shameless manner a deed of the serpent!"

4 And the Apostle commanded them to bring unto him water in a washing basin, and they brought some unto him. And the Apostle said, "O water which hath come unto us from the Water of life! O grace which hath been given and sent unto us from Grace! O rest which hath been sent unto us from Rest! O might of the redemption of Christ which vanquisheth all things, and which doeth all things! Yea, O Lord, by Thy command come and abide upon this water, so that the grace of the Holy Spirit may [rest] upon this water." Then the Apostle said unto the young man, "Go, and wash thine hands in this water;" and the young man washed, and was healed, and became as he was aforetime. Now before the young man had washed, the Apostle said unto him, "Believest thou that Jesus Christ is able to do all things?" And the young man said, "Let not this my punishment be too hard for me, because I have done this evil thing, for I committed the deed in faith imagining that I was doing a good act, and I did it because of my belief. I made supplication unto her, as I have already told thee, and she refused to keep herself in purity, and then I did this thing unto her."

5 And the Apostle said unto him, "Come now, and guide me unto the house of the woman to whom thou hast done this evil, and let us see her; so the young man went with the Apostle, and when they had arrived at the place they found the woman ready for burial. Now when the Apostle had seen her he was sorrowful, for she was fair to look upon and of graceful stature, and he commanded them to bring her out into the garden, and they brought her out and laid her upon a bed outside [the house], and they did even as he commanded them. Then the Apostle laid his hand upon her, and said, "O Jesus Christ, Who withdrawest not Thine hand, and Who makest not Thy face to be remote from those who call upon Thee; Jesus, Who appearest at all times, both whenever we desire [Thee], and whenever we call upon Thee, Thou hast given [unto us] this power that we may receive [it]. And not this only hast Thou commanded us, but Thou hast taught us to pray; and not only dost [Thou] teach man, but Thou makest Thyself to be visible, and man seeth [Thee]. From Thee iniquity is not hidden, and Thou hast shewn [Thy] works openly unto men. Thy works, as far as we are able to understand Thee, are immeasurable, O Thou Who hast given us this gracious gift, and Thou hast said unto us, 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;

6 knock, and it shall be opened unto you.' We make supplication unto Thee, knowing our sin, and we beseech Thee neither for riches nor for possessions, nor for gold and silver, nor for any desirable thing whatsoever which returneth unto the earth. But we beseech and entreat Thee, for the sake of Thy holy Name, to raise up by Thy might and by Thy glory her who hath fallen down, that those who are here may believe. Then the Apostle said unto this young man, "Go, take hold of her and say unto her, I slew thee by an iron weapon with mine own hand, but Christ by mine own hand, through faith, shall raise thee up. And having drawn nigh unto her the young man said, "I have believed in Thee, O Jesus Christ; grant unto this woman the gift of life, and as for me, draw Thou nigh unto me, [and help] my faith. Then he drew the hand of the woman towards him, and she arose, and turned, and sat up, and all those who were there saw her.

7 And [when] she saw the Apostle standing in front of her, she left her couch, and rose up, and bowed down in homage at the feet of the Apostle, and she took hold of the hem of his garment, and said unto him, "I beseech thee, O my lord, [to tell me] where is the other being, who was with me and who would not let me remain in the place of abomination, but handed me over unto thy care [and said], Let this woman return unto her place, and let her dwell as she hath dwelt in the time which is past? Then the Apostle said unto her, "Tell me, whence hast thou come? And she answered and said unto him, "Dost thou, who wast with me, wish to hear unto what place I came? Then she began to speak unto the Apostle, and to say unto him, "A man who was altogether black, and whose apparel was altogether filthy, carried me away, and set me in a place wherein there was an abundance of pits, which reeked with a filthy smell. Then he brought me out from this place and set me in another wherein I saw before me a pit of blazing fire, and therein were wheels which went round, and to these wheels were bound souls which shrieked and cried out, but there was none to deliver them. And this black man said, 'These are the souls of thy people who, when their days have come to an end, are given over unto this punishment;

8 these [are the souls of those who] being men have made themselves to be as women.' And again I saw little children, the one being above the other, and [the black man] answered and said unto me, 'These are the children of the souls, and God hath placed them here to disgrace them.' Then again he set me in another pit, and I looked and saw an abyss filled with worms, and the souls which were there were writhing, and they were gnashing their teeth, and uttering cries. And the [black] man said unto me, 'These are the souls of the women who have left their husbands and have committed fornication with other men, and of the men who have left their wives and committed fornication with other women; and behold, they have entered into [their] punishment.' Then he shewed me another pit, and I looked and saw therein souls that were hanging, some by their tongues, and some by the hair of their heads, and some by their hands, and some by their feet, and some with their heads downwards; and the smoke of pitch was fuming below them. And the [black] man said unto me, 'The souls that are hanging by their tongues are the souls of those who are guilty of falsehood, and who spake lies without being ashamed. The souls that are hanging by their hair are the souls of those who were perverse, and who never had reverence either for man or woman.

9 The souls that are hanging by their hands are the souls of those who robbed and plundered the poor, who never gave to those who were in affliction, who stole the goods of others and who neither remembered nor thought of the law (or religion) of God. The souls that are hanging by their feet are the souls of those who followed after evil desire, and who never regarded those who were in misery, or those who died and had not been buried. Therefore each soul shall be rewarded according to its work.' Then he set me in another place of darkness wherefrom there proceeded a filthy smell, and multitudes of souls were looking forth from there that they might see the light; and those who were keeping guard over them were preventing them from looking. And the [black] man who was with me said unto me, 'Those are the punishments of those souls whom thou seest. When the punishment which is assigned to a certain company of souls, according to their works, is ended, others take their places;

10 now some of these souls, when their punishment is ended, are destroyed, but others are handed over to other punishments.' Then those who were keeping guard over the souls which were in darkness said unto this man who was guiding me, 'Give us this soul that we may set it with its companions until the time for it to be judged shall come.' And he said unto them, 'I will not give it up unto you, but unto Him that sent me, for He commanded me that I was [not] to leave it here, but that I was to take it out with me until an order should be made concerning it.' Then the [black] man took me, and set me in another place wherein were men walking round about, and he who was like unto thee took me, and gave me unto thee, saying, 'Take her, and keep her, for she belongeth unto the sheep who have gone astray in the times that are past.' And now, behold me, I am here before thee, and I beseech and entreat thee not let me go into this place unto the punishments which I have seen."

11 Then the Apostle said unto those who were [standing] by him, "Hear ye what this woman saith? But there are other punishments which are much more evil than "these, and if ye do not turn unto the Lord Whom I preach unto you, and forsake the evil works, which ye have done through ignorance in the times which are past, at your end ye shall receive such punishments. But believe in our Lord Jesus Christ that He may remit to you the sins which ye have committed, and may cleanse you from all your sins, and from all your evil mind, and may be with you continually. And having heard these things put off from you the old apparel, and array yourselves in the new raiment, [and put away] your former works and lusts, and let those who have stolen steal no more, but let them love labour, and gain possessions for themselves. And as for those who have committed fornication, let them do so no more, lest, having given themselves unto the lust [the enjoyment of which] is for a short time, they [find] in the end [the pain] which is for ever. Now for a man to go with a man as with a woman is the worst sin of all before God. And flee falsehood, and oppression, and plunder, and strong drink, and [blood] guiltiness, and reward ye not with evil him that doeth evil unto you, for all these things against which I preach unto you are alien unto God. But dwell in faith, and believe in a meek spirit, and in holiness, and in hope, and walk ye in [the path] wherein God rejoiceth, and be ye followers of Him; and ye shall receive the gift of grace which many shall receive at this present."

12 Then all the people believed and gave themselves unto God, and they marvelled at the exalted works and at His holy service. And they collected much money to give to the widows, for the Apostle was in the habit on certain days in each month of giving unto them with his own hands whatsoever they had need of, both as regards apparel and raiment, [and food]. And he never failed to preach and declare that it had been written that Jesus Christ should come and be crucified, and be raised up on the third day. And he shewed them again and again, and made it clear unto them from the Prophets, beginning [with the first of them and going on] until Christ Himself appeared, that when He came whatsoever had been said [by them] concerning Him had been fulfilled. Now the report of the Apostle came into all countries and cities, and from all those wherein there were sick and diseased folk, and people possessed of devils, and lunatics, and infirm, and those who were grievously afflicted they came unto him. And those who were [lying] on beds were carried unto him by those who could walk upon their legs, and they took them and laid them by the road whereby the Apostle would pass, and he, by the might of God, healed them all. Those who were sick were healed, and those who were helpless rose up, and they all said with [one] voice, "Glory [be] to Jesus Christ, Thou Who hast given healing unto us all alike by the hands of Thy servant Thomas! We praise Thee and we entreat Thee to allow us to enter Thy pasture, and to be among the number of thy sheep; and now, receive us, and bear not in mind against us the sins which we did in times of old in our ignorance."

13 And the Apostle said, "Glory be unto Thee, O One, Who wast begotten of the Father. Glory be unto Thee, Thou Firstborn, Who givest life unto many. Glory be unto Thee, Thou Who rebukest and receivest those A. fel. 171b. 14 "who turn unto Thee. Thou art He Who never slumbereth, and Thou raisest up those who slumber, and givest life unto the dead. O our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, the Saviour, and Helper, and Refuge, and Rest, of all those who labour [to do] Thy will, Thou givest healing unto those who walk in Thy Name, and who bear the burden and heat of the day. We give thanks unto Thee for Thy gracious gift which hath been given unto us, and for Thy help which hath been with us, and for Thy grace which hath come forth from thee upon us, O Lord, for Thou hast loved us, and hast shewn Thyself true unto us. And look upon us, O Lord, for on Thee we have set our mind, and for Thy sake we have become alien unto our desires. And look upon us, O Lord, for for Thy sake we have left our possessions so that we may find Thee, the great Treasure. And look upon us, O Lord, for for Thy sake we have forsaken our kinsfolk that we may mingle with Thy kinsfolk. And look upon us, O Lord, for for Thy sake we have forsaken our fathers and our mothers, that we might see Thy Father, and might obtain from Him the food of blessing. And look upon us, O Lord, for for Thy sake we have left our wives and our offspring, that we might enter into the companionship with Thee which indeed abideth and never perisheth. And let us find the fair offspring which shall be given unto us by Thee, and let us not be separated from this state of purity, and let us be pure, and may we all unite with Him for ever and ever! Amen."

Here Endeth the Sixth Act of Saint Thomas.

15 Let the prayer and blessing of the Apostles be poured out upon the writer of this book, and upon him that causeeth it to be read, and upon him that translated it, and upon her who gave it, Thine handmaiden Walatta Madhan, for ever and for ever! Amen.