FOREWORD: I present this as of interest only, and do not make
any claim to it being the end chapter of the book of Acts -
Keith Hunt.
Translated by
C.S.SONNINI
FROM AN ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT FOUND IN THE ARCHIVES OF
CONSTANTINOPLE PRESENTED TO HIM BY THE SULTAN ABDOUL ACHMET
with notes and comments by the Late T.G.COLE
In bringing to the notice of the Christian public the document
known by the name of the "Long Lost Chapter of the Acts of the
Apostles," we feel that we are fulfilling a duty to Christ and
rendering a service to our fellows. In all probability not one
per cent of Christian believers, not to speak of the general
public, have ever heard of the "Sonnini Manuscript": yet how many
earnest believers would be delighted to have corroborative
evidence of the visit of the Great Apostle to the Gentiles to
these Islands. The document referred to purports to be the
concluding portion of the "Acts of the Apostles," and gives an
account of Paul's journeyings after his two years enforced
residence in Rome in his own hired house. It is written in the
style of the Acts and reads like a continuation of it.
It was found interleaved in a copy of "Sonnini's Travels in
Turkey and Greece," and purchased at the sale of the library and
effects of the late Right Honorable Sir John Newport, Bart., in
Ireland, whose family arms were engraved on the cover of the
book, and in whose possession it had been for more than thirty
years, with a copy of the firman of the Sultan of Turkey,
granting to C.S. to travel in all parts of the Ottoman dominions.
The document was translated by C.S.Sonnini from an original Greek
manuscript found in the Archives at Constantinople presented to
him by the Sultan Abdoul Achmet.
The following is the contents of the title page of Sonnini's
work, in which the English translation of the document was found:
"Travels in Turkey and Greece undertaker by order of Louis XVI,
and with the authority of the Ottoman Court, by Sonnini, member
of several scientific or literary societies of the Society of
Agriculture of Paris, and of the Observers of Men - mores
multorum videt et ubes.' --- HOR., London: Printed for T.N.
Longman and O. Rees, Paternoster Row, 1801."
The following is the English translation of the Manuscript, the
authenticity of which cannot be vouched for.
Verse 1. And Paul, full of the blessing of Christ, and
abounding in the Spirit, departed out of rome, determining to go
into Spain, for he had a long time purposed to journey
thitherward, and was minded also to go from thence to Britain.
Verse 2. for he had heard in Phoenicia that certain of the
children of Israel, about the time of the Assyrian captivity,
had escaped by sea to "the Isles afar off" as spoken by the
Prophet, and called by the Romans, Britain.
Verse 3. And the Lord commanded the gospel to be preached far
hence to the Gentiles, and to the lost sheep of the House of
Israel. *(Acts 22:21, 11:15).
Verse 4. And no man hindered Paul; for he testified boldly of
Jesus before the tribunes and among the people; and be took with
him certain of the brethren which abode with him at Rome, and
they took shipping at Ostium, and having the winds fair, were
brought safely into an haven of Spain.
Verse 5. And much people were gathered together from the towns
and villages, and the hill country; for they had heard of the
conversion of the Apostles, and the many miracles which he had
wrought.
Verse 6. And Paul preached mightily in Spain, and great
multitudes believed and were converted, for they perceived he was
an apostle sent from God.
Verse 7. And they departed out of Spain, and Paul and his company
finding a ship in Armorica sailing unto Britain, they went
therein, and passing along the South coast they reached a port
called Raphinus.
Verse 8. Now when it was voiced abroad that the Apostle had
landed on their coast, great multitudes of the inhabitants met
him, and they treated Paul courteously and he entered in at the
east gate of their city, and lodged in the house of an Hebrew and
one of his own nation.
Verse 9. And on the morrow he came and stood upon Mount Lud;**
(Ludgate Hill and Broadway where St.Paul's Cathedral is built in
London) and the people thronged at the gate, and assembled in the
Broadway, and he preached Christ unto them, and they believed the
word and the testimony of Jesus.
Verse 10. And at even the Holy Ghost fell upon Paul, and he
prophesied, saying, BEHOLD IN THE LAST DAYS THE GOD OF PEACE
SHALL DWELL IN THE CITIES, AND THE INHABITANTS THEREOF SHALL BE
NUMBERED: AND IN THE SEVENTH NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE, THEIR EYES
SHALL BE OPENED, AND THE GLORY OF THEIR INHERITANCE SHINE FORTH
BEFORE THEM. AND NATIONS SHALL COME UP TO WORSHIP ON THE MOUNT
THAT TESTIFIETH OF THE PATIENCE AND LONG SUFFERING OF A SERVANT
OF THE LORD.
Verse 11. And in the latter days new tidings of the Gospel shall
issue forth out of Jerusalem, and the hearts of the people shall
rejoice, and behold, fountains shall be opened, and there shall
be no more plague.
Verse 12. In those days there shall be wars and rumours of wars;
and a king shall rise up, and his sword shall be for the healing
of the nations, and his peacemaking shall abide, and the glory of
his kingdom a wonder among princes.
Verse 13. And it came to pass that certain of the Druids came
unto Paul privately, and showed by their rites and ceremonies
they were descended from the Jews which escaped from bondage in
the land of Egypt, and the apostle believed these things, and he
gave them the kiss of peace.
Verse 14. And Paul abode in his lodgings three months confirming
in the faith and preaching Christ continually.
Verse 15. And after these things Paul and his brethren departed
from Raphinus, and sailed unto Atium in Gaul.
Verse 16. And Paul preached in the Roman garrisons and among the
people, exhorting all men to repent and confess their sins.
Verse 17. And there came to him certain of the
Belgae to enquire of him of the new doctrine, and of the man
Jesus; and Paul opened his heart unto them, and told them
all things that had befallen him, how be it that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners; and they departed
pondering among themselves upon the things which they had
heard.
Verse 18. And after much preaching and toil Paul
and his fellow labourers passed into Helvetia, and came to
Mount Pontius Pilate, where he who condemned the Lord Jesus
dashed himself down headlong, and so miserably perished.
Verse 19. And immediately a torrent gushed out of
the mountain and washed his body, broken in pieces, into a
lake.
Verse 20. And Paul stretched forth his hands upon
the water, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 0 Lord God,
give a sign unto all nations that here Pontius Pilate, which
condemned thine only-begotten Son, plunged down headlong in
to the pit.
Verse 21. And while Paul was yet speaking, behold there came a
great earthquake, and the face of the waters
was changed, and the form of the lake like unto the Son of
Man hanging in an agony upon the Cross.
Verse 22. And a voice came out of heaven saying, Even Pilate hath
escaped the wrath to come,***(second death, Rev.21:8) for he
washed is his hands before the multitude at the bloodshedding of
the Lord Jesus.
Verse 23. When, therefore, Paul and those that
were with him saw the earthquake, and heard the voice of
the angel, they glorified God, and were mightily strengthen
in the spirit.
Verse 24. And they journeyed and came to Mount Julius where stood
two pillars, one on the right hand and one on the left hand,
erected by Caesar Augustus.
Verse 25. And Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, stood up between
the two pillars, saying, Men and brethren, these stones which ye
see this day shall testify of my journey hence; and verily I say,
they shall remain until the outpouring of the spirit upon all
nations, neither shall the way be hindered throughout all
generations.
Verse 26. And they went forth and came unto Illyricum, intending
to go by Macedonia into Asia, and grace was found in all the
churches; and they prospered and had peace. Amen.
NOTES AND COMMENTS
.....
POINTS IN FAVOUR OF THE GENUINENESS OF THE MANUSCRIPT
(a) It has all the appearance of being of ancient date.
(b) It is written in Greek, and in the style of the Acts.
(c) The places and peoples mentioned are called by their ancient
Roman names.
(d) Its tone is dignified and spiritual.
(e) Its Scriptural brevity.
(f) The remarkable character of its prophetic expressions.
(g) Its being preserved in the Archives of Constantinople.
(h) Its pure gospel character and generous conception of the
Divine purpose and plan.
..............
Entered on Keith Hunt's Website, September 2003
