The “Acts of Paul” is not preserved in its entirety, but only in large fragments that are difficult to piece together. The complete book is usually thought to have included the Acts of Thecla and the pseudonymous letter of 3 Corin thians (see below). Together, the various fragments narrate legendary epi sodes from Paul’s life, including the account, not excerpted here, of a talking lion whom Paul converts and baptizes, who then, at a later time, spares Paul when loosed upon him in the arena.
The following extract was no doubt the conclusion of the book, for it describes Paul’s martyrdom. Put on trial before the evil emperor, Nero, Paul announces that even if executed, he will reappear as proof that he can never really die but will live forever. When Paul is then beheaded, we are told that milk (a symbol of life?), rather than blood, squirts from his wound, and that after his death, Paul fulfills his word by appearing to Nero and pro nouncing the emperor’s own imminent doom.
Most scholars identify the Acts of Paul with a book known to the church father Tertullian, who, around 200 ce, claimed that it had been forged by a presbyter of Asia Minor who, after being caught, indicated that he had done it “out of love for Paul.”1
Luke, who had come from Gaul,
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and Titus, who had come from Dal-and a great many from the house of the emperor came to him and there was much matia, expected Paul at Rome. When Paul joy.
saw them he rejoiced and rented a barn A certain Patroclus, a cupbearer of the outside Rome where he and the brethren emperor, who had come too late to the taught the word of truth. He became fa- barn and could not get near to Paul on mous and many souls were added to the account of the throng of the people, sat Lord, so that it was noised about in Rome on a high window, and listened as he
1See the discussion in Ehrman, Lost Christianities, 31–32.
Translation by J. K. Elliott, Apocryphal New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1993) 385–88; used with permission.
taught the word of God. But Satan, being wicked, became jealous of the love of the brethren and Patroclus fell down from the window and died; speedily it was re ported to Nero. Paul, however, having learned it by Spirit said, “Brethren, the evil one has obtained a way to tempt you; go forth and you will find a boy who has fallen down and is dying. Lift him up and bring him here.” This they did. When the people saw him they were frightened. Paul said to them, “Now, brethren, show your faith. Come, let us mourn to our Lord Jesus Christ, that the boy might live and we remain unharmed.” When all be gan to lament, the boy took breath and, having put him on an animal, they sent him away alive with all those who were of the emperor’s house.
And Nero, having heard of Patro
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clus’ death, became very sad, and as he came out from his bath he ordered another to be appointed for the wine. But his servants said, “Emperor, Patro clus is alive and stands at the side board.” When the emperor heard that Patroclus was alive he was frightened and would not come in. But when he came in and saw Patroclus he cried out, “Patroclus, are you alive?” He an swered, “I am alive, Caesar.” But he said, “Who is he who made you alive?” And the boy, uplifted by the confidence of faith, said, “Christ Jesus, the king of the ages.” The emperor asked in dismay, “Is he to be king of the ages and de stroy all kingdoms?” Patroclus said to him, “Yes, he destroys all kingdoms un der heaven, and he alone shall remain in all eternity, and there will be no king dom which escapes him.” And he struck his face and cried out, “Patroclus, are you also fighting for that king?” He an swered, “Yes, my lord and Caesar, for he has raised me from the dead.”And Barsabas Justus the flat-footed
and Urion the Cappadocian and Festus of Galatia, the chief men of Nero, said, “And we, too, fight for him, the king of the ages.” After having tortured those men whom he used to love he imprisoned them and ordered that the soldiers of the great king be sought, and he issued an edict that all Christians and soldiers of Christ that were found should be executed.
And among the many Paul also was
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brought in fetters. Those who were imprisoned with him looked at him, so that the emperor observed that he was the leader of the soldiers. And he said to him, “Man of the great king, now my prisoner, what induced you to come secretly into the Roman empire and to enlist soldiers in my territory?” But Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, said in the presence of all, “Caesar, we enlist soldiers not only in your territory but in all lands of the earth. For thus we are commanded to exclude none who wishes to fight for my king. If it seems good to you, serve him, for nei ther riches nor the splendors of this life will save you; but if you become his subject and beseech him you shall be saved. For in one day he will destroy the world.”Having heard this Nero commanded all the prisoners to be burned with fire, but Paul to be beheaded according to the law of the Romans. But Paul was not silent and communicated the word to Longus the prefect and Cestus the cen turion. And Nero, being instigated by the evil one, raged in Rome and had many Christians executed without trial, so that the Romans stood before the palace and cried, “It is enough, Caesar; these people are ours. You destroy the strength of the Romans.” Being thus convinced, he de sisted and commanded that no Christian was to be touched till his case had been investigated.
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THE ACTS OF PAUL
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After the issuing of the edict Paul was brought before him, and he insisted that he should be executed. And Paul said, “Caesar, I live not merely for a short time for my king; and if you have me executed I shall do the following: I will rise again and appear to you, for I shall not be dead but alive to my king, Christ Jesus, who shall come to judge the earth.”And Longus and Cestus said to Paul, “Whence have you this king that you believe in him without changing your mind even at point of death?” And Paul answered and said, “You men, who are now ignorant and in error, change your mind and be saved from the fire which comes over the whole earth. For we fight not, as, you suppose, for a king who is from the earth but for one who is from heaven: he is the living God who comes as judge because of the lawless deeds which take place in this world. And blessed is he who will believe in him and live in eternity when he shall come with fire to purge the earth.” And they be sought him and said, “We entreat you, help us, and we will release you.” But he answered, “I am not a deserter from Christ but a faithful soldier of the living God. If I knew that I should die I would still have done it, Longus and Cestus, but since I live to God and love myself I go to the Lord that I may come again with him in the glory of his Father.” And they said to him, “How can we live after you have been beheaded?”
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And while they were speaking Nero sent a certain Parthenius and Pheretas to see whether Paul had al ready been beheaded. And they found him still alive. He summoned them be side him and said, “Believe in the living God who will raise me, as well as all those who believe in him, from the dead.” But they said, “We will now goto Nero but when you have died and have been raised up we will believe in your God.”
But when Longus and Cestus contin ued to ask about salvation he said to them, “In the early dawn come quickly to my grave and you will find two men at prayer, Titus and Luke; they will give you the seal in the Lord.”
And turning toward the east, Paul lifted up his hands to heaven and prayed at length; and after having conversed in He brew with the fathers during prayer he bent his neck, without speaking any more. When the executioner cut off his head milk splashed on the tunic of the soldier. And the soldier and all who stood near by were astonished at this sight and glorified God who had thus honored Paul. And they went away and reported everything to Caesar.
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When he heard of it he was amazed and did not know what to say. While many philosophers and the centu rion were assembled with the emperor, Paul came about the ninth hour, and in the presence of all he said, “Caesar, be hold, here is Paul, the soldier of God; I am not dead but live in my God. But upon you, unhappy one, many evils and great punishment will come because you have unjustly shed the blood of the righ teous not many days ago.” And having spoken this Paul departed from him. When Nero had heard, he commanded that the prisoners be released, Patroclus as well as Barsabas with his friends.7
And, as Paul had told them, Lon gus and Cestus, the centurion, came in fear very early to the grave of Paul. And when they drew near they found two men in prayer and Paul with them, and they became frightened when they saw the unexpected miracle, butTitus and Luke, being afraid at the sight us as Paul promised us. We have just seen of Longus and Cestus, turned to run him in prayer beside you.” Upon hearing away. this Titus and Luke gave them joyfully But they followed and said to them, the seal in the Lord, glorifying God “We follow you not in order to kill and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ you, blessed men of God, as you imagine, to whom be glory for ever and ever. but in order to live, that you may do to Amen.