Ammonius of Alexandria

“He, however, shook off the creature into the fire.” The faithful are superior to any scheme, either if it is planned by people or beasts, and they are similar to gods, as Scripture says: “I say, ‘You are gods; nevertheless, you shall die,’ because of infidelity, ‘like mortals.’ ” So the barbarians, seeing that [Paul] did not die but escaped from certain death, considered him to be a god, as they used to consider anyone that performed miracles to be a god. And in this manner they named their ancient gods, either because of the excellence of their strength, which they saw to be superior to theirs, as in the case of Hercules, son of Semele, or because of their magical arts, which raised the admiration of the spectators, as in the case of Simon in Samaria.

Dysentery is a difficult disease to cure. He, who received healing from Paul, led many to faith. Therefore miracles are mostly performed among and for unbelievers.

The Jews call the faith in Christ a heresy, because “everywhere it is spoken against.” You see, the Jews themselves testify that Christ is preached everywhere, even though not all receive this preaching, as the text says, but some of the Jews or the Gentiles speak against it, while the heretics, in a different way, do not conform to the true faith. In fact, it was necessary that there be heresies, so that the elected might appear, and all might fulfill what had been predicted by the prophet Simeon about Christ: “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed.”