Acts of Peter

Acts of Peter 22:1

And he exhorted (the brethren) altogether that they might understand the Lord with all their strength, and with Marcellus and the other brethren he began to minister to the virgins of the Lord, and to rest till morning. Marcellus said to them, “Ye holy, undefiled virgins of the Lord, hearken: You know where you (may) abide. For that which is mine, is it not yours? Depart not, but refresh yourselves, for on the Sabbath which will commence to-morrow, Simon will contend with Peter, the holy one of the Lord. As the Lord has always been with him, may the Lord Christ be on his side, as for his apostle, for Peter has refused to eat anything, but fasted continually to be enabled to overcome the bad enemy and persecutor of the truth of the Lord. For my servants have come and reported how they saw platforms erected in the forum and heard the multitude say, To-morrow at the break of the day two Jews must contend here concerning the discourses of God. Therefore let us watch till to-morrow morning and beseechingly ask our Lord Jesus Christ to hear our prayers in behalf of Peter.” And Marcellus slept for a little while, and awaking said to Peter: “O Peter, apostle of Christ, let us boldly carry out our resolution. In my sleep I saw thee sitting in an elevated place, and before (thee) a great multitude, and a very ugly woman, according to her appearance an Ethiopian, no Egyptian, but very black, clad in filthy rags, but with an iron chain about the neck and a chain on her hands and feet; she danced. When thou didst see her, thou didst say to me with a loud voice, Marcellus, this is the whole power of Simon and of his god, which dances; behead her. And I said to thee, Brother Peter, I am a senator of a noble race, and I have never contaminated my hands, not even a sparrow have I ever killed. Upon hearing this, thou didst cry the louder, Come, our true sword, Jesus Christ, and cut off not only the head of the demon, but break also all his members in the presence of all these, whom I have tested in thy service. And at once a man like thee, O Peter (came) with a sword in his hand and knocked her down. And I looked at both of you, at thee and at him who knocked down that demon, and you were both alike to my astonishment. After I awoke I communicated to thee these signs of Christ.” Upon hearing this, Peter was the more encouraged, because Marcellus had seen these things, for the Lord everywhere takes care of his own. Rejoicing and strengthened by these words, he rose to go to the forum.