Chapter 1

1It came to pass after our Lord rose from the dead, appeared to us, and was touched by Thomas, Matthew, and John, and we were persuaded that our Master had truly risen from the dead, that we fell on our faces and blessed the Father of the new world, God, who has saved us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Held in very great fear, we waited prostrate like infants who cannot speak. But Jesus our Lord placed his hand on each of us separately and lifted us up, saying, “Why has your heart fallen so, and why are you struck with great astonishment? Do you not know that he who sent me can do glorious things for the salvation of those who have believed in him from the heart? Do not stand astonished and staring, nor remain idle like statues, but as children of light ask my Father in heaven for the Spirit of counsel and might. He will fill you with the Holy Spirit and grant you to be with me forever.” We answered, “Lord, what is the Holy Spirit, and what is his power, whom you command us to ask for?” Our Lord said to us, “Truly I tell you that you shall not be children of the light except through the Holy Spirit.” We answered him, “Our Lord, give us this Spirit.” Immediately Jesus breathed on us. After we had received the Holy Spirit, he said to us, “Truly I tell you that you who have become disciples of the kingdom of heaven, who have believed in me with an undoubting heart and have remained with me, shall be with me. All those who through you know and do the will of my Father, keep my words, and know my sufferings shall be made holy, dwell in my Father’s habitations, and be delivered from the evil days that are about to come. I will be with them, showing them my ways in which they shall live.”