Philoxenus of Mabbug

In his own words on Acts

• Acts 1:13

  Now although they lived beforehand the life of freedom, as a pledge, yet they did not receive this freedom in themselves until they had first of all laboured in the life of abstinence, for it is written concerning them that immediately our Redeemer was taken up they returned to that upper chamber in which they were abiding, and that they lived there with much fasting, and in close confinement, and with sincere prayers, and bitter weeping, and that afterwards they were held to be worthy to receive the Paraclete. And if from the ascension of Christ into heaven, unto the descent of the Spirit the days of their abstinence were few, we must learn that they also tarried in this service of fasting and abstinence after they had received the Spirit, and in every place is it written concerning them that they fasted and prayed.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence

• Acts 2:46

  Concerning those early disciples who became apostles after the Ascension of our Lord into heaven it is thus written, "They all dwelt together, and they were of one mind and of one soul, and they were breaking bread in one house, and were receiving food in rejoicing, and they were praising God in the innocency of their heart, and no man said of the possessions which he had, They are mine, for they had everything in common." Now it is manifest that such innocency as this is born of simplicity, and that their praise ascended unto God from the purity of their heart; and that they took their food together with rejoicing, the man who brought much not considering that he should eat more than the other who cast nothing into the common fund, arose from innocency of character.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 4 -- On Faith: First Discourse on Simplicity

• Acts 4:13

  The chief priests of the Jews marvelled at the Apostles, because being simple and unlettered men they were making answers like wise men to questions concerning the life which is to come, and they became advocates of Christ through their simplicity. For Christ took foolish advocates to speak for Him, that through them He might the more proclaim the triumph of His wisdom, and that it might be known unto all men that it was not they who were speaking but He Who spoke in them; "They perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men; and they remembered that they had gone hither and thither with Jesus", and they marvelled at them. So then that simplicity should keep the commandments was also a marvellous thing, and that ignorant men should do what wise men could not was a thing to be wondered at. For if the priests had been acquainted with the Apostles before the time when they became wise men, and they had not spoken wisely, they would not have been greatly astonished at them, for they would have heard from them that which befitted their instruction; but they marvelled especially at them because they heard from them what they expected not, and they answered them with speech which was above the measure of all wise men, and through their simplicity Jesus triumphed, and His wisdom was proclaimed before all men.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 5 -- Second Discourse on Simplicity

• Acts 4:32

  Concerning those early disciples who became apostles after the Ascension of our Lord into heaven it is thus written, "They all dwelt together, and they were of one mind and of one soul, and they were breaking bread in one house, and were receiving food in rejoicing, and they were praising God in the innocency of their heart, and no man said of the possessions which he had, They are mine, for they had everything in common." Now it is manifest that such innocency as this is born of simplicity, and that their praise ascended unto God from the purity of their heart; and that they took their food together with rejoicing, the man who brought much not considering that he should eat more than the other who cast nothing into the common fund, arose from innocency of character.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 4 -- On Faith: First Discourse on Simplicity

• Acts 6:4

  And again the Apostles said when they wished to choose seven deacons, "We will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word."

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence

• Acts 9:9

  And again it is written concerning Paul, that before he was baptized, and received the Holy Spirit, he neither ate nor drank for three days, nor rose up from his place, because he was lying upon his face praying, and thus he received the Holy Ghost. And he was occupied in fasting and prayer during the whole of the remaining period of his life after his election, even as he himself testifieth everywhere concerning his fasting, and his prayer, and his many tribulations which he bore for the sake of the Gospel.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence

• Acts 10:9

  And concerning Simon, moreover, it is written that "he went up to the roof to pray at the time of the ninth hour, and he was an hungered, and wished to eat," and he told them to make ready for him. And by this example the Book teacheth thee that, in addition to constant instruction, and prayers at every hour, he prayed continually also at the stated seasons which are those of the common service, and that together with prayer was his fasting continual. That he was hungry and wished to eat at the ninth hour sheweth that his hunger arose from Divine dispensation and not from habit, and that he had not a rule for eating at that season, and it is evident from what he saith that when he went up to the roof to pray hunger suddenly fell upon him, and that he left his prayers and told them to prepare food for him. And if it had been the season when he was accustomed to eat, those who received him would have made ready for him according to their wont, but from the fact that he commanded them to prepare for him, it is evident that he became hungry through Divine dispensation, that by the passion of his hunger he might receive the teaching of the things which were spoken unto him, his fasting being continual.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence

• Acts 12:5

  And again when Simon was bound in prison, it is written that the whole church prayed. And in every place is it written concerning the Apostles that they fasted and prayed, for they also tarried in this service of fasting and abstinence after they had received the Spirit.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence

• Acts 13:2

  And in every place is it written concerning them that they fasted and prayed. "And while they were fasting and praying, the Holy Spirit said to them, Separate ye unto Me Paul and Barnabas for the work whereunto I have called them."

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence

• Acts 13:22

  And that also which was said by the Lord unto Samuel, "I have found a man according to My heart," testified unto the purity of David's heart, and it is well known that simplicity is born of purity of heart.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 4 -- On Faith: First Discourse on Simplicity

• Acts 14:22

  Let us not spare the destruction of our body, that our inner man may be renewed day by day. Let us not think anxiously about the pains and sicknesses which will befall us, but let us think that if things be not thus the wounds of the soul cannot be healed; let us be filled with joy in running our course, because it is known that we hasten after hope. Let us labour like sons of grace for the Father of truth, that we may be worthy of that inheritance which is filled with blessings, and is promised unto sons, and let us always remember the word of the Apostle, "By tribulation it is meet that we should enter the kingdom of God."

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 11 -- On Abstinence

• Acts 14:22

  And the glutton is not pleased to hear the other things which have been written by Paul upon fortitude and asceticism, either when he recounteth his numerous fastings, or when he crieth out to his disciples, saying, "Ye are dead unto the world," or when he writeth, "It is good for a man not to eat flesh, and not to drink wine," or his exhortation, "Through many tribulations it is meet for a man to enter into the kingdom of God," or his saying, "God shall bring both the belly and the food to nought;" and the reading of these and such like passages the glutton considereth unnecessary, and he is not pleased even to hear them.

  13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 10 -- On Gluttony