The Acts of Peter There is a wealth of early Petrine literature, and I will paraphrase excerpts from several. The Acts of Peter here transcribed have been condemned by several church Fathers, accepted by one as inspired and was canonized in the Muratori Canon as The Passion of Peter. The resurrected Lord said to his disciples, Go to the city called Habitation. Stay there and endure with patience those who have believed in my name because of the hardships I have endured. They should be taught the things I have imparted to you. I will provide for your needs if you are obedient in this work. Give the poor what they need from what you have until I give them something better - those things that you received from me for nothing. Peter answered the Lord, Lord you have instructed us to give up the world and all that is therein. We have done so for your sake. But we are concerned about what we will eat, for we have sustenance only from day to day, and no more than for a single day. How will we be able to provide for these poor when we can barely provide for ourselves? The Lord answered, Peter, understand me. Dont you yet know that my name, which you teach, is greater than all riches, and the Wisdom of the Deity is better than gold, silver, and precious stones? He gave the disciples a small bag of medicine and told them, Heal all who live in the city that believe in my name. Peter doubted the words of the Lord, but was afraid to speak up again. He motioned to John and said to him, You speak to him about it this time. So John said, Lord, we are afraid to say much to your face. We have not been taught to be doctors, but this is what you have asked us to be. How then will we heal bodies, as you bid us to? The Lord answered them, You are correct in what you have said, John. I know that the worlds doctors are able to heal those that belong to this world. However, the doctors of souls heal hearts. It is less difficult to heal bodies than hearts! Knowing this, heal the bodies first with true healing power, not medicines. Then, the ones who you have cured will have enough faith in your method that their hearts might be likewise healed! But I caution you to stay out of the houses of the rich of the city who have not even taken notice of what I have accomplished; do not eat with them or befriend them. You may think that you will influence them, but they will influence you! Many disciples have given undue respect to the rich, because they desire the riches of the world above heavenly wealth, and thus sin. These so-called disciples then influence others to sin. You have the discernment to judge these ones, but I exhort you to judge with honesty, so that your ministry may become well-known. In this way my name will be glorified. The disciples answered, Yes, these are the right things to do.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 07:45:07 +0000
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