Acts of Peter

Acts of Peter 4:1

After a few days there was a great commotion in the midst of the congregation, for (some) said that they had seen strange things by the hand of a man named Simon, who was at Aricia. They also added that he claimed to be the great power of God, doing nothing without God. Is he then Christ? We however believe on him, whom Paul has preached to us. For through him we saw how the dead were raised and (some) were healed from various diseases. This (the great power) seeks conflicts; we know it, for (this far) not the least disturbance has risen among us. Perhaps he has already come to Rome. For yesterday he was asked with much acclamation (to do so), being told, “Thou art God in Italy, the saviour of the Romans; hasten to Rome as quickly as possible.” And he addressed the people and said with a thin voice, “On the following day about the seventh hour you shall see me fly over the gate of the city in the same dress in which I now speak to you. Wherefore, brethren, if it seemeth good to you, let us go and diligently await the end of the matter.” And they all went out and came to the gate. About the seventh hour, there suddenly appeared afar off a dust-cloud in the sky, looking like a smoke shining with a glare of fire. And when it reached the gate, it suddenly disappeared. Then it appeared standing in the midst of the people, and all gazed at it and knew that it was he, whom they had seen the day before. And the brethren were exceedingly discomposed, especially as Paul was not at Rome, nor Timothy and Barnabas, whom Paul had sent to Macedonia, nor anyone who could strengthen us in the faith, especially the neophytes. And as Simon’s authority grew more and more, and some of those among whom he labored, in their daily conversations, called Paul a sorcerer and a juggler, all of the great multitude which had been confirmed in the faith were led astray, excepting the presbyter Narcissus and two women in the hospice of the Bithynians, and four others, who could not leave the house; and day and night they prayed the Lord that Paul might either return as soon as possible or some one else (come) to visit his servants whom the devil by his wickedness had perverted.