Acts 29: The Sonnini Manuscript
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Vatican to announce St. Paul’s tomb found Archeologists discover St Paul´s tomb
Paul's
Tomb to be examined
Excerpt from The Lost Chapter of Acts, pp. 8,9: In every instance the word “nations” is translated from the Hebrew word, “Goy” given in Strong s Concordance (#1471) as foreign nations; hence a gentile . . . heathen, nation, people. Was Paul’s commission to go far hence unto the “Goyim?” It is the word he would most probably use to his fellow Judeans when arguing with them. It was the word used in the predictions to the patriarchs, as a description of their after-seed in the latter days. Where would he be likely to find those Old Testament “Goyim” in New Testament times? The Hebrew prophets foretold many things descriptive of them, both as regards to places of residence and racial characteristics. Seemingly, the Long Lost Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles known as the Sonnini Manuscript, gives us the answer. The Sonnini Manuscript contains the account of Paul’s journey to Spain and Britain. The document, purported to be the concluding portion of the “Acts of the Apostles” covers a portion of the period after Paul’s two year enforced residence in Rome, in his own hired house. It is written in the style of the Bible Acts and reads like a continuation. The Manuscript was found interleaved in a copy of Sonnini’s Travels in Turkey and Greece and was purchased at the sale of the library and effects of the late Right Honorable Sir John Newport, Bart, of Ireland. Sir John’s family arms were engraved on the cover of the book. It had been in his possession for over thirty years. With the book was a document from the Sultan of Turkey, granting to C. S. Sonnini permission 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, and presented to him by the Sultan Abdoul Achment. 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 undertaken by order of Louis XVI, and with the authority of the Ottoman Court by C. S. Sonnini, member of several scientific or literary societies. ‘Mores mulorum videt et ubes.’ - HOR., London; Printed for T. N. Londman and 0. Rees, Paternoster Row. 1801.” Points in favor of the authenticity of the manuscripts are: (1. It is being preserved in the Archives of Constantinople. (2. It has all the appearances of being of an ancient date. (3. It was written in Greek, and in the manner of the Acts. (4. The places and people mentioned are called by their ancient Roman names. (5. Its Scriptural brevity and conception of the Divine purpose and plan. (6. Its Gospel-like character is dignified and spiritual. (7. Its prophetic expressions are in a Biblical style. (8. Its ending in the word “amen.” (The Biblical Acts of the Apostles and the Book of James are the only two New Testament books not ending in ‘amen.’ This has led some Bible scholars to believe they are incomplete in their present form.)
Acts 28:25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, 26. saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: 27. For this peoples heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them. 28. Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear. 29. [And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.] 30. And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, 31. preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him. (ASV)
Acts 29:1 And Paul, full of the blessings of Christ, and abounding in the spirit, departed out of Rome, determining to go into Spain, for he had a long time proposed to journey thitherward, and was minded also to go from thence to Britain. 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[1], and called by the Romans Britain. 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. 4 And no man hindered Paul: for he testified boldly of Jesus before the tribunes and among the people; and he took with him certain of the brethren which abode with him at Rome, and they took shipping at Ostrium and having the winds fair, were brought safely into a haven of Spain. 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. 6 And Paul preached mightily in Spain, and great multitudes believed and were converted, for they perceived he was an apostle sent from God. 7 And they departed out of Spain, and Paul and his company finding a ship in Armorica sailing unto Britain, they were therein, and passing along the South Coast, they reached a port called Raphinus[2]. 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. 9 And on the morrow he came and stood upon Mount Lud[3] and the people thronged at the gate, and assembled in the Broadway, and he preached Christ unto them, and they believed the Word and testimony of Jesus. 10. And at even the Holy Ghost fell upon Paul, and he prophesied, saying, Behold, in the last days the God of Peace[4] 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. The nations shall come up to worship on the mount that testifieth of the patience and long suffering of a servant of the Lord. 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. 12 In those days there shall be wars and rumours of war; 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. 13 And it came to pass that certain of the Druids came unto Paul privately, and showed by their rites and ceremonies that they were descended from the Judahites which escaped from bondage in the land of Egypt, and the Apostle believed these things, and he gave them the kiss of peace. 14 And Paul abode in his lodgings three months confirming in the faith and preaching Christ continually. 15 And after these things, Paul and his brethren departed from Raphinius and sailed unto Atium in Gaul.[5] 16 And Paul preached in the Roman garrison and among the people, exhorting all men to repent and confess their sins. 17 And there came to him certain of the Belgae[6] 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, howbeit that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; and they departed pondering among themselves the things which they had heard. 18 And after much preaching and toil, Paul and his fellow labourers passed into Helvetia[7], and came to Mount Pontius Pilate, where he who condemned the Lord Jesus dashed himself down headlong, and so miserably perished. 19 And immediately a torrent gushed out of the mountain and washed his body, broken in pieces, into a lake.[8] 20 And Paul stretched forth his hands upon the water, and prayed unto the Lord saying, O Lord God, give a sign unto all nations that here Pontius Pilate which condemned thine only-begotten Son, plunged down headlong into the pit. 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. 22 And a voice came out of Heaven saying, Even Pilate hath escaped the wrath to come for he washed his hands before the multitude at the blood shedding of the Lord Jesus. 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 strengthened in the spirit. 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.[9] 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. 26 And they went forth and came unto Illtricum, intending to go by Macedonia into Asia, and grace was found in all the churches, and they prospered and had peace. Amen.
Vatican to announce St. Paul’s tomb foundSarcophagus could contain remains of apostle February 18, 2005 1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
Vatican archeologists are preparing to announce they have positively identified the tomb of St. Paul the apostle. Basilica in Rome where Vatican says it found remains of St. Paul. Giorgio Filippi, a specialist with the Vatican Museums, said a sarcophagus that might still contain the apostle’s remains was identified in the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, reported Catholic World News. The independent Catholic news service said the sarcophagus was discovered during excavations in 2002 and 2003 around the basilica in south Rome. Vatican experts soon will make a public announcement of their discovery, Catholic World News said. “The tomb that we discovered is the one that the popes and the Emperor Theodosius [A.D. 379- 395] saved and presented to the whole world as being the tomb of the apostle,” Filippi said. The excavation was conducted after the administrator of St. Paul’s basilica, Archbishop Francesco Gioia, received inquiries about the location of St. Paul’s tomb from thousands of pilgrims visiting during the Jubilee Year of 2000. An initial survey of the basilica enabled archeologists to reconstruct the 4th century building’s original shape. The Vatican team found the sarcophagus during a second excavation under the basilica’s main altar. Under the altar, a marble plaque is visible, dating to the 4th century, bearing the inscription “Apostle Paul, martyr.” Surprisingly, said Filippi, “nobody ever thought to look behind that plaque,” where the Vatican team found the sarcophagus. Filippi said the tomb should not be opened merely to satisfy curiosity as to whether Paul’s remains still are there. He has no doubt, however, Paul was buried on the site, “because this basilica was the object of pilgrimages by emperors; people from all around the world came to venerate him, having faith that he was present in this basilica.” Filippi said church officials must now decide whether to order further excavation to make the sarcophagus more visible. The Bible does not state how Paul died. Many scholars believe he was beheaded in Rome in about the A.D. mid-60s during the reign of Roman Emperor Nero.
Archeologists discover St Paul’s tomb Catholic NewsVatican archeologists believe that they have identified the tomb in Rome’s St Paul Outside the Walls basilica, following the discovery of a stone coffin during excavations carried out over the past three years. Catholic World News reports that a sarcophagus - or stone coffin - which may contain the remains of St Paul has been identified in the basilica, according to Giorgio Filippi, a archeology specialist with the Vatican Museums. “The tomb that we discovered is the one that the popes and the Emperor Theodosius (379- 395) saved and presented to the whole world as being the tomb of the apostle,” Filippi reports. The discovery was made by a team composed exclusively of experts from the Vatican Museum. They had undertaken their exploration in response to a request from the administrator of St. Paul’s basilica, Archbishop Francesco Gioia. During the Jubilee Year 2000, the archbishop noticed that thousands of pilgrims were inquiring about the location of St. Paul’s tomb. The excavation effort was guided by 19th-century plans for the basilica, which was largely rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1823. An initial survey enabled archeologists to reconstruct the shape of the original basilica, built early in the 4th century. A second excavation, under the main altar of the basilica, brought the Vatican team to the sarcophagus, which was located on what would have been ground level for the original 4th-century building. The Vatican archeologist said that Church officials would now have to decide whether to undertake further explorations around the tomb, to make the sarcophagus more visible. In St. Peter’s Basilica, excavations that were begun in June 1939 finally uncovered the tomb of the first Pope in 1941. But it 35 more years before the Church officially attested to the authenticity of those remains, in a statement released by Pope Paul VI in June 1976. A similar span of years could elapse before the Church confirms that the tomb discovered in St. Paul’s Basilica is truly that of the apostle.
NOTES: [1] 2 Esdras 14:40: these are the ten tribes which were led away from their own land into captivity in the days of King Hoshea, whom Shalmaneser the king of the Assyrians led captive; he took them across the river, and they were taken into another land. 41: But they formed this plan for themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the nations and go to a more distant region, where mankind had never lived, 42: that there at least they might keep their statutes which they had not kept in their own land. 43: And they went in by the narrow passages of the Euphrates river. 44: For at that time the Most High performed signs for them, and stopped the channels of the river until they had passed over. 45: Through that region there was a long way to go, a journey of a year and a half; and that country is called Arzareth. 46: “Then they dwelt there until the last times; and now, when they are about to come again, 47: the Most High will stop the channels of the river again, so that they may be able to pass over. Therefore you saw the multitude gathered together in peace. [2] Raphinus: This is the Roman name for Sandwich, in Kent. In Saxon times there was, still standing in Sandwich, an old house called the “House of the Apostles” and tradition has it that Paul was one of the Apostles. [3] Mount Lud: Ludgate Hill and Broadway where St. Paul’s cathedral stands in London, England. [4] See note 9 for “God of Peace.” [5] Gaul is part of modern-day France. [6] Belgae was south, central coastal England. [7] Helvetia is Switzerland. [8] Lake Lucerne in Switzerland? [9] Mausoleum Augustus in Rome, of which the Livius Archive says: “If you draw a line from the center of the mausoleum to the obelisk of the Horologium Augusti (upper edge), and a second line from the obelisk to Augustus’s Altar of Peace (Ara Pacis; the small square building in the upper left corner), you get a right-angled triangle. If there is any deeper significance, is not known.” Note that upon this Julian burial ground stood the Altar of Peace.
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