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ANDREW, ACTS OF

One of several apocryphal books (ca. mid-2nd century) of the acts of various individual apostles. It is first mentioned by Eusebius (HE 3.25.26), who regarded it as heretical. No complete manuscript survives, but it can be pieced together in large part and Gregory of Tours’ Liber de Miraculis (6th century) contains an extensive summary. Originally written in Greek, parts and fragments are extant in Greek, Latin, Coptic, and Armenian. No discernible sources or authentic historical traditions lie behind the text. It appears to be an entirely fictional creation for the inspiration, edification, and entertainment of its 2nd-century Christian audience. The book’s value lies in its reflection of the thinking of one strand of Christianity at that time.

The story tells of how, after the ascension of Jesus, the apostle Andrew, brother of Peter, embarks on missionary journeys throughout Asia Minor and Macedonia. He performs miracles, healings, and demon exorcisms and raises the dead. He encounters trouble in Patrae when he heals and subsequently converts Maximilla, wife of the proconsul Aegeates, and also converts the proconsul’s brother, Stratocles. Maximilla then chooses a life of celibacy, to the horror of her husband. Aegeates takes revenge by having Andrew crucified. Andrew preaches from the cross for three days, exhorting his audience to celibacy and disdain for the things of this world. Aegeates finally decides to release Andrew, but Andrew declines. He condemns Aegeates and then dies. Aegeates later commits suicide.

The Acts of Andrew displays remarkably little Christian theology, and Andrew says little about Christ. Although some scholars have seen affinities with Gnosticism, Neo-Platonism, or Stoicism, the work shows no consistent philosophical position.

Bibliography. J.-M. Prieur and W. Schneemelcher, “The Acts of Andrew,” in New Testament Apocrypha, ed. E. Hennecke-W. Schneemelcher, rev. ed. (Louisville, 1991), 2:101-151.

J. Christian Wilson

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ANDREW, ACTS OF

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)