The Lost Scriptures.

The Acts of Thomas

10 And the apostle stood, and began to pray and to speak thus: My Lord and MY God, that travellest with thy servants, that guidest and correctest them that believe in thee, the refuge and rest of the oppressed, the hope of the poor and ransomer of captives, the physician of the souls that lie sick and saviour of all creation, that givest life unto the world and strengthenest souls; thou knowest things to come, and by our means accomplishest them: thou Lord art he that revealeth hidden mysteries and maketh manifest words that are secret: thou Lord art the planter of the good tree, and of thine hands are all good works engendered: thou Lord art he that art in all things and passest through all, and art set in all thy works and manifested in the working of them all. Jesus Christ, Son of compassion and perfect saviour, Christ, Son of the living God, the undaunted power that hast overthrown the enemy, and the voice that was heard of the rulers, and made all their powers to quake, the ambassador that wast sent from the height and camest down even unto hell, who didst open the doors and bring up thence them that for many ages were shut up in the treasury of darkness, and showedst them the way that leadeth up unto the height: l beseech thee, Lord Jesu, and offer unto thee supplication for these young persons, that thou wouldest do for them the things that shall help them and be expedient and profitable for them. And he laid his hands on them and said: The Lord shall be with you, and left them in that place and departed.

Although this version is known as the Acts of Thomas, the hero is oftentimes referred to as Judas. His complete name is Thomas Judas Didymus. Interestingly, both Thomas (Hebrew) and Didymus (Greek) mean “twin,” which is more of a title than a name. The Acts of Thomas, then, is really about Judas, who was one of the original Apostles. The Acts of Thomas are a series of stories that occurred during the ministry of Judas Thomas, or “Judas, who is also Thomas.” The story begins at the point where the Apostles had gathered to divide up the countries between them in order that “each may preach in the region that fell to him and to the place where the Lord sent him.” This, apparently, was done by casting lots. Judas Thomas got India.

Thomas was not thrilled with his “assignment”, and when it was recognized he had a lot of hesitation, the Lord appeared to him and promised to “be with” him, but he still refused to go. While Judas Thomas was still thinking things over, a merchant came to the city hoping to find a good carpenter. “The Lord” offered to “sell” Judas Thomas to him for twenty pieces of silver. After the sale was completed, the Lord took Judas Thomas to him. The merchant asked Judas Thomas if the Lord was his master, to which he replied in the affirmative. With that, the merchant explained that he had just bought him outright. Apparently, Judas Thomas remained silent, and they were soon aboard a ship sailing for India. 

Thomas will go on to convert a King, Gundaphar, as well as his wife. The story is told that Thomas has been given money to build an enormous palace for the king, but he instead gives the money to the poor. When the king returns from a long trip, and realizes that Thomas has built nothing, and has converted his wife to Christianity in his absence, the king orders that Thomas be executed. The king’s brother, who had died, is brought by angels to a palace in heaven that has been built by Thomas for the king – and the brother asks to be returned to the earth so he can buy the palace in heaven from his brother, a “palace for eternity”. The king converts to Christianity, and spares the life of Thomas.

Jesus promises us that he is preparing a place, a room a mansion for each one of his believers – so that when we die, he will come to take us to be with him forever. It may not be a kingdom for our own, but it will be a “Palace for Eternity”.

Pastor Dave

The Lost Scriptures.

The Acts of Andrew

 1 After the Ascension the apostles dispersed to preach in various countries. Andrew began in the province of Achaia, but Matthew went to the city of Mermidona. (The rest of 1 and the whole of 2 give a short abstract of the Acts of Andrew and Matthew which Gregory either found prefixed to his copy of the Acts of Andrew, or thought himself obliged to notice, because of the popularity of the story.)

2 Andrew left Mermidona and came back to his own allotted district. Walking with his disciples he met a blind man who said: ‘Andrew, apostle of Christ, I know you can restore my sight, but I do not wish for that: only bid those with you to give me enough money to clothe and feed myself decently.’ Andrew said: ‘This is the devil’s voice, who will not allow the man to recover his sight.’ He touched his eyes and healed him. Then, as be had but a vile rough garment, Andrew said: ‘Take the filthy garment off him and clothe him afresh.’ All were ready to strip themselves, and Andrew said: ‘Let him have what will suffice him.’ He returned home thankful.

3 Demetrius of Amasea had an Egyptian boy of whom he was very fond, who died of a fever. Demetrius hearing of Andrew’s miracles, came, fell at his feet, and besought help. Andrew pitied him, came to the house, held a very long discourse, turned to the bier, raised the boy, and restored him to his master. All believed and were baptized.

4 A Christian lad named Sostratus came to Andrew privately and told him: ‘My mother cherishes a guilty passion for me: I have repulsed her, and she has gone to the proconsul to throw the guilt on me. I would rather die than expose her.’ The officers came to fetch the boy, and Andrew prayed and went with him. The mother accused him. The proconsul bade him defend himself. He was silent, and so continued, until the proconsul retired to take counsel. The mother began to weep. Andrew said: ‘Unhappy woman, that dost not fear to cast thine own guilt on thy son.’ She said to the proconsul: ‘Ever since my son entertained his wicked wish he has been in constant company with this man.’ The proconsul was enraged, ordered the lad to be sewn into the leather bag of parricides and drowned in the river, and Andrew to be imprisoned till his punishment should be devised. Andrew prayed, there was an earthquake, the proconsul fell from his seat, every one was prostrated, and the mother withered up and died. The proconsul fell at Andrew’s feet praying for mercy. The earthquake and thunder ceased, and he healed those who had been hurt. The proconsul and his house were baptized.”

 There is no record of the original length of this book, and there are fewer scraps of parchment that exist for this document. What does exist is a sort of abstract of the whole, written in Latin by Gregory of Tours, which helps to the reconstruction of the story.

The section known as The Martyrdom exists separately, in many texts. Andrew is condemned by the proconsul Aegeates to be crucified. He is to hang so the dogs can rip him apart. His crime was converting Aegeates’ wife to Christianity so that she would no longer satisfy him sexually. On two occasions Andrew has a chance to escape, but Andrew insists on being killed. However, the people protest so much that Aegeates must reverse his sentence. But again, Andrew insists on his martyrdom.

This writing reveals the early Christian passion for death, which the Gnostics reviled, although they too viewed life on this earth was in error. However, they all thought life on earth was worthy to be “endured”. The overwhelming desire for fellowship with Christ, and G-d, allowed the martyrs to achieve a level of fearlessness – they seem to welcome the worst of human punishment. The more excruciating the torture, the greater the proof of their power and sacrifice. And although the people weep for the martyrs, the martyrs do not weep – they are fulfilled.

We do not glorify death – but we should not fear it as well. We do so much to put off death in this society – but what we do not do well is helping people to die with dignity. Death is not to be feared – nor glorified – but should be entered with hope for the dying, and hope for the living – that we will all meet again one day, thanks be to Jesus.

Pastor Dave