This is the testament of Alpheus,
also known as Jacob, son of Eleazar ben Shimon the Jew, of the City
of Alexandria.
The heavens were opened unto me, and the Power of the Spirit came upon
me and I beheld a vision. And in that vision, I saw a man: from the
waist down he was made of fire, and from there up he seemed to be all
glowing bronze, dazzling with an amber-coloured brightness. He reached
out a hand to me, and I was taken up into the Spirit. I was lifted up,
and carried away: transported in an instant to the City of Jerusalem;
and there, the Spirit set me down in a private garden. And the garden
was fertile. The air hung heavy with the fragrance of a myriad of sweet
smelling blossoms. Never have I seen such a garden, stocked with every
kind of fruitbearing plant, and with shady trees; and a well of cool
clear water, to quench the greatest thirst.
Succulent figs and pomegranates grew in abundance
on the bows, and the vines were
heavy laden with sweet, well-ripened grapes.
And somewhere in this garden, although I could not seem to see it, I
knew there was a Tomb: a Temple of the Mysteries.
And as I looked upon the wonders of this garden, I beheld two figures:
a man and a woman; and I knew at once that the man was Jesus, and his
companion, Miriam of Magdala.
Now, as they walked, they walked in silence, and coming to the centre
of the garden, they stopped, and here it was that Miriam knelt before
her Lord and kissed His feet, and then His hands; and rising, gently
brushed His lips with hers. Taking precious ointments, she massaged
and soothed His brow; then holding up a flask, she annointed her Lord
with Holy Oil. And a luminescence formed about Him, and the Power of
His Presence grew strong.
Then the Son of Man and His companion spoke these words, each in their
turn, and the words reached deep into my soul.
