A Paralyzed Jew Healed in Baptism

That was one important improvement in the state of the church that came about while Atticus was in charge. Nor were those times without the witness of miracles and healings. A certain Jew, who was paralyzed, had been confined to his bed for many years. Every kind of medical skill had been tried, and the prayers of his fellow Jews as well, but nothing had helped. At last he turned to Christian baptism, trusting in it as the only true remedy. When Atticus the bishop learned what he wanted, he taught him the first principles of Christian truth, preached to him that he should hope in Christ, and gave orders that he be carried in his bed to the font. The paralyzed Jew received baptism with sincere faith, and as soon as he was lifted out of the baptismal font he found himself completely cured of his disease, and he went on in good health from then on. Christ granted that this miraculous power be shown even in our own times, and the report of it led many pagans to believe and be baptized. But the Jews, though they eagerly “seek after signs,” were not brought to embrace the faith even by the signs that actually took place. Such were the blessings Christ gave to men. [a]