While the canonical Acts of the Apostles follows Peter and Paul, early Christians hungered for stories about the other apostles' adventures. The five major Apocryphal Acts—John, Peter, Paul, Andrew, and Thomas—emerged in the 2nd-3rd centuries, likely attributed to 'Leucius Charinus' and later collected by Manichaeans. These romantic novellas blend miracle-working, confrontations with magicians, dramatic martyrdoms, and radical asceticism. The Acts of Peter features a miracle contest with Simon Magus and Peter's crucifixion upside-down, originating the 'Quo vadis?' tradition. The Acts of Paul includes the popular Acts of Paul and Thecla, where a young woman renounces marriage to follow Paul's ascetic gospel. The Acts of John presents mystical Christology and a cosmic hymn-dance. The Acts of Thomas recounts Thomas as Jesus' 'twin brother' evangelizing India, embedding the beloved Hymn of the Pearl. The Acts of Andrew depicts extreme encratism leading to martyrdom at Patras. Though condemned as heretical for docetic tendencies and anti-marriage extremism, these Acts profoundly influenced Christian art, hagiography, and popular piety, preserving voices of ascetic Christianity that mainstream orthodoxy suppressed.
Miracle Contest with Simon Magus
Peter's Roman ministry—miracle contest with Simon Magus ending in Simon's death, origin of 'Quo vadis?' vision, Peter crucified upside-down at his own request
Acts of Peter — Full Summary & Context →Including Paul and Thecla
Paul's missionary journeys, includes beloved Acts of Paul and Thecla where young Thecla renounces marriage for ascetic Christianity, baptizes herself, survives martyrdom attempts
Acts of Paul — Full Summary & Context →Mystical Christology
John's ministry in Asia Minor with mystical Christology, polymorphous Christ appearing differently to disciples, cosmic Hymn of Jesus, docetic crucifixion scene
Acts of John — Full Summary & Context →Encratite Martyrdom
Andrew's ministry in Achaia preaching extreme asceticism, converts proconsul's wife Maximilla who refuses marital relations, martyred on X-shaped cross tradition at Patras
Acts of Andrew — Full Summary & Context →Mission to India with Hymn of the Pearl
Thomas ('twin brother' of Jesus) sold as slave, evangelizes India preaching sexual renunciation, embeds mystical Hymn of the Pearl, martyred by King Mazdai
Acts of Thomas — Full Summary & Context →All editions below are included with your KU subscription at no extra cost.
Modern English Translation with 70+ Gustave Doré Engravings
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1 Enoc, 2 Enoc, 3 Enoc, Libro de los Gigantes
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The conflict With Satan, includes the Apocalypse of Moses
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Everything You Want to Know About Forbidden Christian Texts in Plain English
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Childhood Stories, Trial Records, Resurrection Visions, and Secret Sayings
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Ten Afterlife Visions from the Lost Books of the Bible
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Tales of Fallen Angels, Cosmic Wars, and Apocalypses
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