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 Messiahian 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 Messiah and rendering a service to our fellows. In all probability not one percent of Messiahian 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; however it should be recognized that the book of Acts ends abruptly and without the traditional “Amen” that concludes many of the other writings of Paul, John, Peter, Jude and Luke.
Verse 1. And Paul, full of the blessing of Messiah, 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 Master 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 Yahushua 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 a 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 Torah and Messiah unto them, and they believed the word and the testimony of Yahushua.
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 YHVH.
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 Messiah 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 Yahushua; and Paul opened his heart unto them, and told them all things that had befallen him, how be it that Messiah Yahushua 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 Master Yahushua 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 YHVH, saying, 0 YHVH 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 tree.
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 blood shedding of the Master Yahushua.
Verse 23. When, therefore, Paul and those that were with him saw the earthquake, and heard the voice of the messenger, they glorified God, and were mightily strengthened 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.