Acts of Philip

Acts of Philip

The First Deed

When Philip came out of Galilee, a widow was carrying her only son to burial. Philip asked her concerning her grief. She said, “I have spent much money in vain upon the gods—Ares, Apollo, Hermes, Artemis, Zeus, Athena, the sun, and the moon—and they have not heard me. I also consulted a diviner, but without profit.”

The apostle said, “Mother, nothing strange has happened to you, for in this way the deceiver misleads humankind. Restrain your grief, and I will raise your son in the name of Jesus.”

She said, “It seems better for me not to marry, and to eat only bread and water.” Philip said, “You have spoken rightly. Purity is especially dear to God.”

She said, “I believe in Jesus whom you proclaim.” Philip raised her son. The young man sat up and said, “From where came this light? How did an angel come and open the prison of judgment in which I was shut up? There I saw torments that a human tongue cannot describe.”

The widow, her son, and those with them were baptized. The young man followed the apostle.

The Second Deed

When Philip entered Athens, eight hundred philosophers gathered together. They said, “Let us hear what wisdom he has, for it is said that the wise men of Asia possess great wisdom.” They supposed that Philip was a philosopher, because he travelled in a cloak and an undergarment.

They said to him, “Tell us something new, for we desire to hear a new thing.” Philip answered, “Then cast off the old human being. The Lord said, ‘New wine is not put into old wineskins.’ I rejoice that you desire something new, for the teaching of my Lord is new.”

They asked, “Who is your Lord?” He said, “Jesus Christ.” They answered, “This name is new to us. Give us three days to examine the matter.”

They sent to Ananias, the high priest of the Jews at Jerusalem. When he read their letter, he tore his garments and said, “Has that deceiver come even to Athens?” The adversary entered him, and he took five hundred men and went to destroy Philip.

Ananias came in the garments of the high priest and accused Philip of sorcery. Philip said, “May the veil of unbelief be removed from you, that you may know which of us is the deceiver.”

Ananias charged Jesus with destroying the law, allowing all foods, and deceiving the people. He said that the disciples had stolen the body of Jesus and now wandered through the world misleading everyone.

Ananias rushed upon Philip to strike him, but his hand withered and he became blind. His five hundred companions also became blind. They cursed Ananias and begged Philip for mercy.

Philip prayed. Ananias said, “Do you think to turn us away from the traditions of our ancestors and from the God who gave manna in the wilderness?” Philip answered, “I will ask my God to reveal himself. Perhaps you will believe; but if not, a sign will befall you.”

The heavens opened, and Jesus appeared in glory. His face was brighter than the sun, and his garment whiter than snow. The idols of Athens fell, and the spirits within them fled, crying aloud. Yet Ananias would not believe.

Jesus ascended, and a great earthquake came. The people fled to Philip for mercy. A voice from heaven said, “Philip, once a son of thunder but now a son of meekness, whatever you ask of my Father shall be done for you.”

Philip restored the sight of Ananias. But Ananias said, “This is the magic of Jesus. You blinded me and restored me in a moment, but I will not believe.” The five hundred asked that their sight be restored so that they might kill him. Philip said, “Do not repay evil for evil.”

Philip called upon Jesus, and the earth opened beneath Ananias. It swallowed him first to the knees, then farther. Philip urged him to confess Jesus as Lord, but he mocked. The people wished to stone him, but Philip restrained them.

A leading man of the city came, saying that a spirit had suffocated his only son. Philip said to Ananias, “If I raise him, will you believe?” Ananias answered, “You will raise him by magic, but I will not believe.”

Philip commanded the earth to swallow Ananias, and he disappeared into the abyss. His high-priestly garment flew away, and no one knew where it went. Philip raised the young man and drove away the spirit.

The people believed, and the five hundred were baptized. Philip remained two years in Athens, founded an assembly, appointed a bishop and a presbyter, and departed toward Parthia.

The Third Deed

In Parthia Philip found Peter with disciples. He asked them to strengthen him, that he might proclaim the word as they did. They prayed for him.

John was also there and said, “Andrew has gone to Achaia and Thrace, Thomas to India and to the flesh-eaters, and Matthew to the savage cave-dwellers. Do not be negligent, for Jesus is with you.”

Philip came to the sea near the borders of the Candace and found a ship sailing to Azotus. A great wind arose, and the sailors began casting out the equipment and lamenting.

Philip said, “Not even the ship shall be lost.” Standing at the prow, he said, “Sea, sea, Jesus Christ, through me his servant, commands you to restrain your rage.” At once there was calm.

The sailors gave thanks and asked to become servants of Jesus. Philip instructed them to cast away the cares of this life. They believed, and when he landed he baptized them.

The Fourth Deed

At Azotus many came to Philip and were healed, and spirits were driven out. Some said that he was good; others called him a sorcerer who separated husbands from wives and proclaimed purity.

At evening Philip sought lodging and went to the warehouses of Nicocleides, a registrar and friend of the king. He stood in a corner and prayed for blessing and healing upon the house.

Charitine, the daughter of Nicocleides, heard him. She suffered from a grievous disease of the eye. She told her father that a strange physician had arrived and asked that he be summoned.

Nicocleides found Philip and asked whether he was the physician. Philip said, “Jesus is my physician.” He came to the house. Charitine fell at his feet and begged for healing.

Philip instructed her to rise, place her right hand upon her face, and say, “In the name of Jesus Christ, let my eye be healed.” It was healed immediately.

Charitine and her father believed and were baptized, together with many servants. Charitine put on the clothing of a man and followed Philip.

The Fifth Deed

Philip came to Nicatera, a city of Greece. The inhabitants were disturbed and said, “His teaching will prevail, and he separates husbands from wives. Let us drive him out before he begins to speak.”

There were also Jews who opposed him. But Ireus, a leading man among them, said, “Do not use force. Let us test his teaching.” Ireus was wealthy and just, and secretly desired to frustrate their counsel.

He greeted Philip. Philip perceived that there was no deceit in him and promised him salvation because he had defended him. Ireus marvelled that Philip knew what had happened.

Ireus invited him into his house. Philip said, “First cleanse it.” Ireus asked, “How?” Philip answered, “Do no wrong, and live in purity.”

The wife of Ireus resisted, saying that Philip separated husbands and wives. Ireus spoke gently and said, “Have patience, and you also will believe. He is a man of God, full of gentleness and grace.”

When Philip came near, the rulers and people sought to prevent him from entering. But Ireus received him. Philip entered the house, and those within were instructed. When he shone with a great light, they were afraid; but he returned to his ordinary appearance. They confessed faith and were baptized.

The Sixth Deed

The Jews and the nations were displeased because Ireus had believed. They sent men to summon him. When he appeared in modest clothing, they asked him concerning Philip.

The crowd came with clubs, crying, “Give us the deceiver.” They seized Philip and sought to bind and scourge him. Ireus intervened and pulled him away.

Aristarchus, a chief of the Jews, seized Philip by the beard. Philip said, “Your hand, your ears, and your right eye shall suffer because you have insulted God.” His eye became hollow, his ears were tormented, and his right hand hung useless.

The people begged Philip to heal him. Philip told Ireus to sign him with the cross in the name of Jesus. Ireus did so, and Aristarchus was healed.

Aristarchus then argued from the prophets. Philip answered from Isaiah, David, and the Twelve, speaking of the servant who was led like a sheep to slaughter, who gave his back to the scourgers, who stretched out his hands to a disobedient people, and whom God called his Son.

A bier was brought carrying the only son of a rich man. Ten slaves were to be burned with the corpse according to the law of that place. The people said, “If the God of the Christians raises him, we will believe and burn our idols.”

Philip required that the slaves be given their freedom. He then said to Aristarchus, “Come, raise him.” Aristarchus attempted it but failed.

Philip prayed, and breath entered the young man, Theophilus. Philip said, “Young man, in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arise.” He leapt from the bier.

All cried out, “One is the God of Philip.” The slaves were freed. Philip taught, baptized, destroyed idols, appointed ministers, and gave rules to the believers.

The Seventh Deed

Ireus and Nereus agreed to build an assembly house on the land of Nereus. Philip came to the building, addressed the people, appointed Ireus as bishop, prayed over him, and announced that he must depart.

They wept, but he comforted them. They accompanied him for twenty stadia with camels loaded with provisions. He accepted only five loaves. They saluted him three times, fell upon their faces, asked his blessing, and watched until he disappeared from sight.

The Eighth Deed

When the Saviour divided the regions among the apostles, the land of the Greeks fell to Philip. He was troubled and wept. Mariamne, his sister, went to Jesus and said, “Lord, do you not see that my brother is distressed?”

Jesus said, “I know. Go with him and encourage him, for he is wrathful and quick-tempered. If he goes alone, he will bring many judgments upon people. Bartholomew and John shall also suffer with him in the city of the serpent. Change your womanly appearance and go with Philip.”

They entered the wilderness. A great leopard ran from the wooded hill and cast itself at their feet, speaking with a human voice. It begged for the ability to speak plainly.

Philip said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, speak.” The leopard said that it had seized a kid, but the kid spoke like a child and urged it to put away its savage nature because the apostles of God were approaching. The leopard’s fierceness turned to gentleness, and it did not devour the kid.

Philip asked where the kid was. The leopard led them beneath an oak. Philip and Bartholomew prayed that Jesus would give both creatures life, breath, stability, and human understanding, so that they might forsake their beastly nature, follow the apostles, eat what they ate, and praise God.

The leopard and the kid stood upright, raised their forefeet, and said, “We glorify and bless you, who remembered us in this wilderness, changed our wild nature into gentleness, gave us the divine word, and placed in us a tongue and understanding to praise your name.”

They bowed before Philip, Bartholomew, and Mariamne, and all journeyed together praising God.

The Ninth Deed

After five days, following the midnight prayers, a great dark wind arose. From it came a smoky dragon, black upon the back, its belly like glowing brass, its body more than a hundred cubits long. Many serpents and their young followed it, and the wilderness shook.

Philip said, “Now is the time to remember the words of the Lord: Fear neither persecution, nor the serpents of that land, nor the dark dragon. Stand firm and its power will fail. Pray, and sprinkle the air from the cup, and the smoke will scatter.”

They prayed, “You who cast dew upon every furnace, bridle the darkness, place a bit in the dragon’s mouth, bring his anger to nothing, turn back the wickedness of the enemy, and plunge him into his own fire—come and be with us in this wilderness, for we go according to your will.”

They raised their hands and sprinkled the air in the form of the cross. A flash like lightning blinded the dragon and its brood. They withered, and the rays of the sun entered their holes and shattered their eggs. The apostles remained unharmed.

[The Tenth through Fourteenth Deeds are not preserved in the principal surviving Greek sequence.]

The Fifteenth Deed and the Martyrdom

In the days of Trajan, after the martyrdom of Simon son of Clopas, Philip preached through the cities of Lydia and Asia. He came to Ophioryme, the Snake-Street, called Hierapolis of Asia, and was received by Stachys, a believer.

With Philip were Bartholomew, one of the Seventy, Mariamne, and their disciples. They assembled in the house of Stachys. Philip spoke concerning the snares of the dragon, for the inhabitants worshipped the serpent and made images of it. Many believed.

Nicanora, wife of the proconsul, had been healed and believed. Mariamne addressed her in the language of their ancestors, saying, “Daughter of the Father, my lady, once given as a pledge to the serpent, Christ has come to you.”

Nicanora said that she had heard their proclamation and had been healed. They prayed for her. But her husband came, dragged her by the hair, and threatened to kill her because she urged him to live in purity.

The apostles were arrested, scourged, dragged into the temple, and imprisoned. The leopard and the kid were with them according to one ancient recension.

The priests demanded vengeance. The proconsul ordered the apostles stripped and searched for charms. Philip’s ankles and thighs were pierced, and he was hung head downward. Bartholomew was hung naked by the hair.

They smiled at one another, for the torment did not master them. When Mariamne was stripped, her body became like a vessel of glass filled with light and fire, and the people fled.

John arrived and said, “The mystery of the One who hung between heaven and earth be with you.” He warned the people against the serpent.

Philip, overcome by anger, called upon God to open the deep. The place opened and swallowed many thousands, except the apostles, Stachys and his household, Nicanora, fifty others, and a hundred virgins. From below came cries for mercy, and a voice said, “I will have mercy upon you in my cross of light.”

Jesus appeared and rebuked Philip. Because Philip had been unforgiving and wrathful, he was told that he would die in glory and be carried by angels toward paradise, but would remain outside for forty days before Michael admitted him.

Jesus drew a cross in the air reaching into the abyss. It was filled with light and became like a ladder. Those who had been swallowed came up, except the proconsul and the serpent.

Philip, still hanging, confessed his offence. When some sought to release him, he refused and said, “Do not grieve because I hang in this manner, for I bear the form of the first human, who came upon the earth head downward and was made alive again by the tree of the cross. The whole world is turned the wrong way, and every soul within it.”

He commanded that Bartholomew be released. He instructed them to build an assembly house where he died, to care for the leopard and the kid until their deaths, and afterward to bury them by the entrance.

He said, “Do not bury me in linen like the Lord, but in papyrus. Pray for me forty days. Where my blood falls, a vine shall grow, and you shall use its wine for the cup and partake of it on the third day.”

Philip prayed, “Do not let the dark air cover me. Bring me through the waters of fire and every abyss. Clothe me with your glorious robe and your seal of light, until I have passed all the rulers of the world and the evil dragon that opposes us.”

Then Philip died. They buried him as he had commanded, and a heavenly voice declared that he had received the crown.

After three days a vine sprang up. They made the offering daily for forty days, built the assembly house, and appointed Stachys as bishop. The whole city believed.

At the end of forty days, the Saviour appeared in the likeness of Philip and told Bartholomew and Mariamne that Philip had entered paradise. Bartholomew went toward Lycaonia, Mariamne toward the Jordan, and Stachys and the brothers remained in that place.

A Separately Preserved Syriac Deed

[This deed survives separately in Syriac and cannot be placed with certainty within the Greek sequence.]

At Jerusalem Philip saw Jesus in a vision. Jesus commanded him to go to Carthage, a city in the region of Azotus, drive out the ruler of the adversary, and proclaim the kingdom.

Philip said, “I do not know Latin or Greek, and the people there do not know Aramaic.” Jesus answered, “Did I not create Adam and give him speech? Go, and I will be with you.”

Philip went by Samaria and Caesarea to the harbour. A ship had waited twenty days for a wind. Philip prayed to the angel of peace who has charge of favourable winds, and a wind arose that carried the ship swiftly toward Carthage.

A Jew named Ananias secretly blasphemed Jesus. An angel bound him by the great toes and hung him head downward from the top of the sail. Philip said that he would not be released until he confessed.

Ananias confessed his blasphemy and then confessed faith. Philip prayed for him, and the angel brought him down. The people aboard were filled with fear.

When they reached Carthage, Philip entered the city and signed himself with the cross. He saw a black ruler upon a throne, with two serpents around him, eyes like coals, and flame coming from his mouth. Troops of dark spirits stood around him.

At the sign of the cross the ruler fell backward. Philip commanded him to depart. The ruler lamented that the proclamation of Jesus had spread into the four quarters of the world. He took his throne and his troops and fled toward Babel.

The people heard the ruler’s cries though they could not see him. Philip called them to forsake idols and turn to God.

Ananias later confessed Jesus in the synagogue. The Jews struck him and killed him, burying him there. Philip prayed, and the earth opened a passage beneath the sea. A dolphin bore the body until Philip commanded it to return.

Philip brought the Jews before the governor. When they denied knowledge of Ananias, Philip commanded a sick ox to go to the synagogue and call him. The ox went, and Ananias rose and returned with it.

Ananias testified that the Jews had killed him because he confessed Jesus. The ox offered to gore them, but Philip said, “Harm no one. Return to your master, and the Lord will heal you.”

The governor judged that the murderers deserved death. Philip answered, “I did not come to kill, but to give life.” Many from the nations and many Jews believed.