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