' Early Christian Mysticism '...

Early Christian mysticism includes the time of Jesus and the first few centuries CE. Many of the mystical experiences described from that time come directly from the New Testament; often, they were presented as proof of the miraculous powers of Jesus and his disciples. --------------------------------------------------- Several books of the New Testament include passages that can be described as mystical—and several of the most prominent figures in the New Testament are clearly mystics. Many of the early saints and martyrs are described in terms of Christian mysticism because they talked of visions and direct commands from angels and from God himself. ---------------------------------------------------- Two of the best known and most influential of these figures are John the Evangelist (also called John the Apostle and St. John the Divine) and Saint Paul. John the Evangelist was one of Jesus' twelve apostles (disciples); Saint Paul was a historical figure whose miraculous cure and conversion is described in the Book of Acts. ........................... from Learn Religions