Difference between revisions of "Acts of Thomas" - New World Encyclopedia

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123 But at the dawn Charisius went unto Mygdonia [AND Syr. nurse, her], and found them praying and saying: O new God that by the stranger hast come hither unto us, hidden God of the dwellers in India (Syr. who art hidden from); God that hast shown thy glory by thine apostle Thomas, God whose report we have heard and believed on thee; God, unto whom we are come to be saved; God, who for love of man and for pity didst come down unto our littleness; God who didst seek us out when we knew him (thee) not; God that dwellest in the heights and from whom the depths are not hid: turn thou away from us the madness of Charisius. And Charisius hearing that said to Mygdonia: Rightly callest thou me evil and mad and foul I for if I had not borne with thy disobedience, and given thee liberty, thou wouldest not have called on God against me and made mention of my name before God. But believe me, Mygdonia that in that sorcerer there is no profit, and what he promiseth to perform he cannot: but I will perform before thy sight all that I promise, that thou mayest believe, and bear with my words and be to me as thou wast beforetime.
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The next morning at dawn Charisius finds Mygdonia and her nurse praying: "O new god that by the stranger hast come hither unto us... turn away from us the madness of Charisius." He is outraged, imploring her to remember their love as bride and groom.  
 +
she replies:
  
124 And he came near and besought her again, saying: If thou wilt be persuaded of me, I shall henceforth have no grief; remember that day when thou didst meet me first; tell the truth: was I more beautiful unto thee at that time, or Jesus at this? And Mygdonia said: That time required its own, and this time also; that was the time of the beginning, but this of the end; that was the time of temporal life, this of eternal; that of pleasure that passeth away, but this of pleasure that abideth for ever; that, of day and night, this of day without night. Thou sawest that marriage that was passing, and here, and single but this marriage continueth for ever; that was a partnership of corruption, but this of eternal life; those groomsmen (and maids) were men and women of time, but these abide unto the end. That marriage upon earth setteth up dropping dew of the love of men (Syr. That union was founded upon the earth where there is an unceasing press: this is founded upon the bridge of fire upon which is sprinkled grace: both corrupt); that bride-chamber is taken down again, but this remaineth always; that bed was strown with coverlets (that grow old), but this with love and faith. Thou art a bridegroom that passest away and art dissolved (changed), but Jesus is a true bridegroom, enduring for ever immortal, that dowry was of money and robes that grow old, but this is of living words which never pass away.
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<blockquote>That bridal chamber is taken down again, but this remaineth always; that bed was strown with coverlets, but this with love and faith. Thou art a bridegroom that passest away and art dissolved, but Jesus is a true bridegroom, enduring for ever immortal. That dowry was of money and robes that grow old, but this is of living words which never pass away.</blockquote>
  
125 And when Charisius heard these things he went unto the king and told him all: and the king commanded Judas to be brought, that he might judge him and destroy him. But Charisius said: Have patience a little, O king, and first persuade the man making him afraid, that he may persuade Mygdonia to be unto me as formerly. And Misdaeus sent and fetched the apostle of Christ, and all the prisoners were grieved because the apostle departed from them, for they yearned after him, saying: Even the comfort which we had have they taken away from us.
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Charisius goes to the king and demands Thomas' death. King Misdaeus sends for Thomas, who admits that he teaches his disciples to refrain from sex, even within marriage, but defends his doctrine as both good and holy.
 
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Misdaeus offers to let Thomas go free if he will persuade Mygdonia to return to her husband. Back at Charisius' house, Thomas tells Mygdonia to obey Charisius, but she reminds the apostle of his own teaching, declaring that he has said this only "because thou art in fear." Thomas then left the house to stay with Captain Siphorm where Thomas baptizes the household and holds communion with them.
126 And Misdaeus said unto Judas: Wherefore teachest thou this new doctrine, which both gods and men hate, and which hath nought of profit? And Judas said: What evil do I teach? And Misdaeus said: Thou teachest, saying that men [CANNOT chastely live they except well] with the God whom thou preachest. Judas saith: Thou sayest true, O king: thus do I teach. For tell me, art thou not wroth with thy soldiers if they wait on thee in filthy garments? if then thou, being a king of earth and returning unto earth, request thy subjects to be reverend in their doings, are ye wroth and said ye that I teach ill when I say that they who serve my king must be reverend and pure and free from all grief and care of children and unprofitable riches and vain trouble? For indeed thou wouldest have thy subjects follow thy conversation and thy manners, and thou punishest them if they despise thy commandments: how much more must they that believe on him serve my God with much reverence and cleanness and security, and be quit of all pleasures of the body, adultery and prodigality and theft and drunkenness and belly-service and foul deeds?
 
 
 
127 And Misdaeus hearing these things said: Lo, I let thee go: go then and persuade Mygdonia, the wife of Charisius, not to desire to depart from him. Judas saith unto him: Delay not if thou hast aught to do: for her, if she hath rightly received what she hath learned, neither iron nor fire nor aught else stronger than these will avail to hurt or to root out him that is held in her soul. Misdaeus saith unto Judas: Some poisons do dissolve other poisons, and a theriac cureth the bites of the viper; and thou if thou wilt canst give a solvent of those diseases, and make peace and concord betwixt this couple: for by so doing thou wilt spare thyself, for not yet art thou sated with life; and know thou that if thou do not persuade her, I will catch thee away out of this life which is desirable unto all men. And Judas said: This life hath been given as a loan, and this time is one that changeth, but that life whereof I teach is incorruptible; and beauty and youth that are seen shall in a little cease to be. The king saith to him: I have counselled thee for the best, but thou knowest thine own affairs.
 
 
 
128 And as the apostle went forth from before the king, Charisius came to him and entreated him and said: I beseech thee, O man: I have not sinned against thee or any other at any time, nor against the gods; wherefore hast thou stirred up this great calamity against me? and for what cause hast thou brought such disturbance upon mine house? and what profit hast thou of it? but if thou thinkest to gain somewhat, tell me the gain, what it is, and I will procure it for thee without labour. To what end dost thou make me mad, and cast thyself into destruction? for if thou persuade her not, I will both dispatch thee and finally take myself out of life. But if, as thou sayest, after our departing hence there is there life and death, and also condemnation and victory and a place of judgement, then will I also go in thither to be judged with thee: and if that God whom thou preachest is just and awardeth punishment justly, I know that I shall gain my cause against thee; for thou hast injured me, having suffered no wrong at my hands: for indeed even here I am able to avenge myself on thee and bring upon thee all that thou hast done unto me. Therefore be thou persuaded, and come home with me and persuade Mygdonia to be with me as she was at first, before she beheld thee. And Judas saith to him: Believe me, my child that if men loved God as much as they love one another, they would ask of him all things and receive them, and none would do them violence (there would be nothing which would not obey them, Syr.).
 
 
 
129 And as Thomas said this, they came unto the house of Charisius and found Mygdonia sitting and Narcia standing by her, and her hand supporting her cheek; and she was saying: Let the remainder of the days of my life, O mother, be cut off from me, and all the hours become as one hour, and let me depart out of life that I may go the sooner and behold that beautiful one, whose report I have heard, even that living one and giver of life unto them that believe on him, where is not day and night, nor light and darkness, nor good and evil, nor poor and rich, nor male and female, nor free and bond, nor proud that subjecteth the humble. And as she spake the apostle stood by her, and forthwith she rose up and did him reverence. Then Charisius said unto him: Seest thou how she feareth and honoureth thee and all that thou shalt bid her she will do willingly?
 
 
 
130 And as he so spake, Judas saith unto Mygdonia: My daughter Mygdonia, obey that which thy brother Charisius saith. And Mygdonia saith: If thou wast not able [TO name] the deed in word wilt thou compel me to endure the act? for I have heard of thee that this life is of no profit, and this relief is for a time, and these possessions are transitory. And again thou saidst that whoso renounceth this life shall receive the life eternal, and whoso hateth the light of day and night shall behold a light that is not overtaken, that whoso despiseth this money shall find other and eternal money. But now [THOU things these sayest] because thou art in fear. Who that hath done somewhat and is praised for the work changeth it? [WHO and a tower buildeth] straightway overthroweth it from the foundation? who diggeth a spring water in a thirsty land and straightway filleth it in? who findeth a treasure and useth it not? And Charisius heard lt. and said: I will not imitate you, neither will I hasten to destroy you; nor though I may so do, will I put bonds about thee (but thee I will bind, Syr.); and I will not suffer thee to speak with this sorcerer; and if thou obey me, well, but if not, I know what I must do.
 
 
 
131 And Judas went out of Charisius' house and departed unto the house of Siphor and lodged there with him. And Siphor said: I will prepare for Judas a hall (triclinium) wherein he may teach (Syr. Siphor said to Judas: Prepare thyself an apartment, &c.). And he did so; and Siphor said : I and my wife and daughter will dwell henceforth in holiness, and in chastity, and in one affection. I beseech thee that we may receive of thee the seal, and become worshippers of the true God and numbered among his sheep and lambs. And Judas said: I am afraid to speak that which I think: yet I know somewhat, and what I know it is not possible for me to utter.
 
 
 
132 And he began to say concerning baptism: This baptism is remission of sins (the Greek MSS. U and P have divergent texts, both obscure): this bringeth forth again light that is shed about us: this bringeth to new birth the new man (this is the restorer of understandings Syr.): this mingleth the spirit (with the body), raiseth up in threefoldwise a new man and [MAKETH him] partaker of the remission of sins. Glory be to thee, hidden one, that art communicated in baptism. Glory to thee the unseen power that is in baptism. Glory to thee, renewal, whereby are renewed they that are baptized and with affection take hold upon thee.
 
 
 
And having thus said, he poured oil over their heads and said: Glory be to thee the love of compassion (bowels). Glory to thee name of Christ. Glory to thee, power established in Christ. And he commanded a vessel to be brought, and baptized them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.
 
 
 
133 And when they were baptized and clad, he set bread on the table and blessed it, and said: Bread of life, the which who eat abide incorruptible: Bread that filleth the hungry souls with the blessing thereof: thou art he that vouchsafest to receive a gift, that thou mayest become unto us remission of sins, and that they who eat thee may become immortal: we invoke upon thee the name of the mother, of the unspeakable mystery of the hidden powers and authorities (? we name the name of the unspeakable mystery, that is hidden from all &c.): we invoke upon thee the name of [thy?] Jesus. And he said: Let the powers of blessing come, and be established in this bread, that all the souls which partake of it may be washed from their sins. And he brake and gave unto Siphor and his wife and daughter.
 
 
*11 - '''concerning the wife of Misdaeus'''
 
*11 - '''concerning the wife of Misdaeus'''
 
*12 - '''concerning Ouazanes (Iuzanes) the son of Misdaeus'''
 
*12 - '''concerning Ouazanes (Iuzanes) the son of Misdaeus'''

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The Acts of Thomas is arguably is one of the New Testament apocrypha describing the life of the Apostle Thomas, whom it portrays as Jesus' twin brother. It survived in several manuscripts in various language, despite its Gnostic depiction of Christ.

The work provides romantic narratives of Thomas' miraculous evangelistic adventures, especially in India, where he traveled after being sold as a slave by the resurrected Jesus. The book ends with Thomas' martyrdom, in which he dies as a result of being pierced with spears because he had earned the ire of the monarch Misdaeus, whose wives and other relatives Thomas converted to an ascetic form of Christianity. Its liturgical elements, narrative, and poetry provide important insights into early Christian traditions, escpecially in Syria, where it was widely circulated and possible written.

Embedded in the Acts of Thomas at different places according to differing manuscript traditions is a Syriac hymn, The Hymn of the Pearl, (or Hymn of the Soul), a poem that gained a great deal of popularity in mainstream Christian circles. The Hymn is probably older than the Acts into which it has been inserted, and is worth appreciating on its own.

Fragments of four other cycles of romances about the figure of the apostle Thomas survive, but this is the only complete one. It should not be confused with the Gospel of Thomas.

Text

References to the work by Epiphanius show that it was still in circulation in the fourth century. The complete versions that survive are Syriac and Greek, and there are many surviving fragments of the text. Some scholars detect from the Greek that its original was written in Syriac, which places author of the Acts of Thomas in Syria.

The surviving Syriac manuscripts, however, have been edited to purge them of the most unorthodox overtly Gnostic passages, so that the Greek versions reflect the earlier tradition. Some scholars argue that the Acts of Thomas were originally composed in Greek and soon translated rendered into Syriac.

Though no less an orthodox saint than Gregory of Tours made a version of the text, mainstream Christian tradition rejects the Acts of Thomas as pseudepigraphical, apocryphal, and heretical. The Roman Catholic Church did not officially confirmed the Acts as heresy, however, until the Council of Trent in the sixteenth century.

Content

The text is broken by headings:

1 - Thomas goes to India

The apostles gather in Jerusalem, where each of them is assigned as an evangelist to a different regions of the world. Thomas is assigned to India, but refuses to go, pleading weakness of health, and also that, as a Jew, he cannot live among Gentiles. Despite a vision from Jesus that night, encouraging him to make the journey, but Thomas still refuses, saying: "Whither thou wouldest send me, send me, but elsewhere, for unto the Indians I will not go." Jesus then sells Thomas, who, like Jesus, is a carpenter, as a slave to merchant named Abbanes, the agent of King Gundaphorus of India. Sailing to the royal city of Andrapolis, Thomas attends the wedding feast of the king's daughter with his master. He declines food and drink, and refuses to gaze at a lovely flute-girl who dances for him. For his rudeness, he is struck by a royal cup-bearer. Thomas responds by bursting into a hymn of praise to the dancer and God, in which he prophesies in Hebrew: "I shall now see the hand that hath smitten me dragged by dogs." The cup-bearer is soon killed by a lion at the local well, after which he is eaten by dogs. The flute-girl immediately breaks her flute and becomes Thomas' disciple.

The king hears of the miracle and asks Thomas to pray for his daughter, who is an only child, and her marriage. At the bridal chamber, Thomas prays to Jesus as "the ambassador that wast sent from the height... 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." He blesses the couple, asking that God will show them what "will expedient and profitable" for them. However, when the groom enters the chamber, he sees a vision of Jesus, "bearing the likeness of Thomas" and speaking with the bride. Jesus declares "if ye abstain from this foul intercourse, ye become holy temples," and argues against procreation, since "children become useless, oppressed of devils... for they will be caught either in adultery or murder or theft or fornication, and by all these will ye be afflicted." The couple immediate convert, committing themselves to "abstain from foul desire." In the morning, the tells her parents: "I am yoked unto a true husband," and her groom gives thanks to Thomas/Jesus "who hast removed me far from corruption." The king is understandably upset and commands that Thomas, "the sorcerer," be apprehended.

2 - King Gundaphorus and his brother

Thomas meets King Gundaphorus, who learns of his carpentry skills and commands him to build a new royal palace, leaving him with a substantial sum of money to complete the task. Thomas, however, gives the money away to the poor and the sick as an example of God's love for them. The king imprisons both Thomas and his master, declaring that they will be punished with death. The king's brother, Gad, then takes sick and dies, leaving the king his house and all his possessions. The angels carry him to heaven and show him a gorgeous house, which they explain was built there for the king by Thomas. Gad asks for permission to return to earth, where he attempts to buy the king's heavenly palace from him. The king releases Thomas from prison and both he and his brother humble themselves before him and ask forgiveness that they may be made worthy to dwell in the heavenly palace. Gundaphorus and Gad become Thomas' disciples, devoting themselves to the care of the poor. Thomas seals their commitment with a sacrament of holy oil, reciting a liturgical psalm, invoking the orthodox Trinity, but apparently referring to the Holy Spirit as "Compassion Mother, communion of the male, she that revealeth the hidden mysteries, Mother of the seven houses."

Thomas continues his preaching, teaching all to "abstain from fornication and covetousness and the service of the belly."

3 - Thomas and the Great Serpent

Thomas encounters the dead body of a handsome youth. A huge black dragon emerges from a nearby hole and declares that he has killed the youth out of jealousy over the youth's sexual intercourse with a beautfiul young woman with whom the dragon was in love. The dragon knows that Thomas is Christ's twin brother and identifies himself as "the son to him that sitteth on a throne over all the earth" and also as he who "spake with Eve the things which my father bade me speak unto her." He also takes credit for inspiring Cain to kill Abel, and casting down the fallen angels and binding them in lust toward human women, in order children might be born who would do the dragon's will. He also takes credit for hardening Pharaoh's heart, causing the Israelites to sin in the wilderness, and moving Judas Iscariot deliver up the Christ.

Unafraid, Thomas commands the beast to suck out the venom by which he has slain the youth. The young man revives, and the dragon swells up, bursts, and dies. The youth proclaims that he is now free of the lust that caused him to sin with the young woman. He then accompanies Thomas toward the city, and a great multitude of believers join the true faith.

4 - Thomas and the talking colt

A young donkey then approach Thomas and miraculously speaks, addressing Thomas as "Thou Twin of Christ." The colt then invites Thomas to mount him and ride into the city. Thomas asks the colt about his origins, and he answer that he descends from the very ass who spoke to the prophet Balaam, and also from the donkey on whom Jesus rode when he entered Jerusalem. Thomas, feeling humbled, declines the colt's offer, but the donkey insists, and Thomas finally consents to mount him. The huge throne of onlookers follows Thomas into the city. Thomas dismounts him and dismisses him at the city gate, whereupon the poor colt promptly falls down dead. The crowd implores Thomas to raise the colt from the dead, but he refuses, not because he is unable, but because the colt had already fulfilled his miraculous purpose by speaking and testifying to the work of God. The people then bury the colt by the side of the road at Thomas' command.

5 - Thomas and the Devil's consort

Thomas and his throng enter the, where he is approached by very beautiful woman, who explains that she has been tormented by the Devil for five years. The trouble for her began when a young man had "foul intercourse" with her in her dream, which he has continued to until the present time. Thomas is outraged at this and command the Devil to come forth and face him. To one but Thomas and the can see the fiend, but all her him as he shouts: "What have we to do with thee, thou apostle of the Most High!... Wherefore wilt thou take away our power?" Weeping the Devil says to the woman: "I leave thee, my fairest consort... I forsake thee, my sure sister, my beloved in whom I was well pleased. What I shall do I know not." He then vanishes, leaving behind only fire and smoke that were seen by the astonished crowd. Thomas then blesses the crowd and seals both the woman and many others in the name of the Trinty. Those who are sealed then partake of the Eucharist with Thomas, who once again speaks of the Holy Spirit as that

"she that knoweth the mysteries of him that is chosen, she that hath part in all the combats of the noble champion... she that manifesteth the hidden things and maketh the unspeakable things plain, the holy dove that beareth the twin young; Come, the hidden Mother...Come and communicate with us in this [[Eucharist which we celebrate in thy name and in the love."

6 - The misguided youth the woman he murdered

A young man who has just taken the Eucharist is smitten with withered hands. He confesses that he had been in love with a young woman, but after haring Thomas' teaching and being sealed he wanted to refrain from have sex, with her, asking her to join him in a spiritual marriage instead. She refuses, and he murders her with a sword, not being able to bear the thought of her having sex with another man. Thomas decries the "insane union" of unrestrained lust and commands the youth to bathe in holy water. They then go to the inn where the victim's body lies. Thomas prays, and the young man takes his former lover by the hand, whereupon she comes back to life. She testifies that she has been in Hell, which she describes in considerable detail. Many people become believers as a result of the miracle and the woman's horrifying testimony.

7 - Thomas and the Captain

A wealthy captain of King Misdaeus asks Thomas to his wife and daughter, who are being tormented by devils that throw them down and strip them naked, even in public. The two woman are so beset by these incubi that they have not been able to either cook or eat properly for three years. Greatly grieved for the man, Thomas secures his commitment to Jesus and then agrees to help, converting many more believers through his prayers.

8 - Thomas and the wild asses

Thomas travels with the captain in his chariot, but the animals pulling the vehicle soon tire. At Thomas' suggestion, the captain goes to a nearby herd of wild asses and commands four of them in Thomas' name to come. Thomas then commands the asses to yoke themselves in the place of the wearied other animals. When the chariot arrives at the captain's home city the people are astonished to see wild assess harnessed and behaving so well.

Thomas then commands one of the wild assess to command the devils to come forth wife. The ass promptly obeys and the women approach Thomas in a zombie-like state. When Thomas confronts them, they both fall down as if dead, but the devil speaks. Thomas recognizes him as the same demon whom he had driven out of the women in the earlier city. The devil pleads that he is only acting under orders and doing what comes naturally to him, but Thomas commands him to leave and never possess a human being again. Surprisingly, the wild ass now gives a lengthy sermon encouraging Thomas to act and declaring the Gospel which Thomas normally preaches.

Thomas responds by praising Jesus, the "heavenly word of the Father: thou art the hidden light of the understanding, who shows of the way of truth, the driver away of darkness, and blotter-out of error." The then prays: "Let these souls be healed and rise up and become such as they were before they were smitten of the devils." The women are immediately healed. He then leads the wild asses outside the city and dismisses then back to the natural life and a happy ending.

9 - Thomas and the wife of Charisius

Mygdonia, the wife of the prime minister Charisius, comes to learn of Thomas and his "new god." Because of her arrogant attitude in pressing through the crowd to see him, however, Thomas blesses the servants who carried her palanquin, rather than the great lady herself. He teaches the crowd to abstain first of all from adultery, which he characterizes as "the beginning of all evils." After listening to Thomas' long moral sermon, Mygdonia jumps from her chair and prostrates herself before Thomas. He urges her to rise and instructs her to take off her jewelry and other fine ornaments, and also to refrain from "polluted intercourse with thine husband." e.

Her husband Charisius later discover Mygdonia in a depressed state, refusing both to dine or to sleep with him, pleading illness. The next day Charisius leaves home early to salute the king, while Mygdonia goes to attend Thomas. Trouble brews between the couple when Charisius learns of his wife's seeming infatuation with the stranger, whom she calls a physician, but he suspects is a sorcerer. That night she again refuses either to dine or sleep with her husband. "Thou hast no more any room by me," she informs him, "for my Lord Jesus is greater than thou, who is with me and resteth in me." The distraught Charisius cannot hide his anguish from King Misdaeus. who sends immediate for his captain, Siphor, to deal with the troublemaker. Siphor, however, is the very man whose wife and daughter Thomas recently so dramatically exorcised. Siphor testified to the king concerning Thomas' good works. An attempt to arrest Thomas fails because the multitudes that listen to him. Finally, Charisius himself confronts him brings him before the king. Whe Thomas refuses to answer the king's questions, he is sentenced to death. In prison, Thomas is not anxious at all. Instead, he sings the remarkable Hymn of the Soul, a Gnostic psalm of remembrance of the value of the spirit and the worthlessness of all material things, including the body.

Charisius, thinking his troubles are over, find Mygdonia in deep grief over Thomas' fate. Even his own tears do not move her, however, as she only sits silently looking at the ground during his impassioned entreaties. She insists again that her love is only for Jesus.

10 - The baptism of Mygdonia

Taking ten denarii to bribe Thomas' jailers, Mygdonia is miraculously met by an apparition of Thomas on her way. She is at first frightens, but after Thomas comforts and teaches her, she requests to be "sealed." Taking Thomas to her home, she receives the necessary elements for the ceremony from her nurse, Narcia. Thomas sanctifies her with holy oil, and she then comes to him clad only in a linen cloth to be baptized in a fountain of water. After dressing, she shares the Eucharist with him, and a voice from heaven declares "Yea, Amen!" Narcia, hearing the voice is also converted and receives baptism. Thomas then returns to prison.


The next morning at dawn Charisius finds Mygdonia and her nurse praying: "O new god that by the stranger hast come hither unto us... turn away from us the madness of Charisius." He is outraged, imploring her to remember their love as bride and groom. she replies:

That bridal chamber is taken down again, but this remaineth always; that bed was strown with coverlets, but this with love and faith. Thou art a bridegroom that passest away and art dissolved, but Jesus is a true bridegroom, enduring for ever immortal. That dowry was of money and robes that grow old, but this is of living words which never pass away.

Charisius goes to the king and demands Thomas' death. King Misdaeus sends for Thomas, who admits that he teaches his disciples to refrain from sex, even within marriage, but defends his doctrine as both good and holy. Misdaeus offers to let Thomas go free if he will persuade Mygdonia to return to her husband. Back at Charisius' house, Thomas tells Mygdonia to obey Charisius, but she reminds the apostle of his own teaching, declaring that he has said this only "because thou art in fear." Thomas then left the house to stay with Captain Siphorm where Thomas baptizes the household and holds communion with them.

  • 11 - concerning the wife of Misdaeus
  • 12 - concerning Ouazanes (Iuzanes) the son of Misdaeus
  • 13 - wherein Iuzanes receiveth baptism with the rest
  • The Martyrdom of Thomas

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Klijn, A.F.J. (2003). The Acts of Thomas: Introduction, Text, and Commentary. Brill Academic Publishers. ISBN 978-9004129375. 

See also

  • Leucius Charinus

External links

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