Acts 29
The Sonnini manuscript
By Dr. Ken Johnson
And Paul, full of the blessings of Christ, and abounding in spirit, departed from Rome, determining to go to Spain, for he had
proposed to go there for a long time, and also from there to Britain. For he had heard in Phoenicia that some of the children of
Israel, about the time of the Assyerian captivity, had escaped by sea to "the Isles afar off" as spoken by the prophet1, and
called by the Romans, Britain.
And the LORD commanded the gospel to be preached to all the nations of the gentiles, and to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel. And no man hindered Paul; for he testified boldly of Jesus before the tribunes and among the people. He took with him
certain brethren which were with him at Rome, and they boarded a ship at Ostrium and having the winds fair were brought
safely to a heaven of Spain.
And many people were gathered together from the towns and villages, and the hill country; for they had heard of the conversion
of the apostle, and his many miracles. And Paul preached mightily in Spain and great multitudes were converted, for they
perceived that he was an apostle sent by God.
And when leaving Spain, and Paul and his company found a ship in Armorica, which was sailing to Britain, they sailed along the
south coast until they reached a port called Raphinus. Now when it was known 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
stayed in the house of a Hebrew, one of his own nation. The next day he came to mount Lud2 and the people thronged the
gate, and assembled in the Broadway, and he preached Christ to them, and they believed the word and the testimony of Jesus.
At the even the Holy Spirit 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. 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 testifies of the
patience and long suffering of the servant of the Lord. And in the latter days new things of the gospel shall issue forth out of
Jerusalem, and the hearts of the people shall rejoice, and behold the fountains shall be opened, and their shall be no more
plague. In those days there shall be wars and rumors of war; and a king shall raise up, and his sword, shall be for the healing of
the nations, and his peace making shall abide, and the glory of his kingdom a wonder among the princes.
And it shall come to pass that certain of the Druids came to 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 gave
them the kiss of peace. And Paul abode in his lodgings three months confirming in the faith and preaching Christ continually.
After these things Paul and his brethren departed from Raphinus and sailed to Atium in Gaul. Paul preached to the Roman
garrison and among the people, exhorting all men to repent and confess their sins.
And certain of the Belgae came to inquire of him and of the new doctrine, and of the man Jesus. Paul opened his heart unto
them and told them all things that had befallen him, and how Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; and they
departed pondering among themselves upon the things which they had heard.
And after much preaching and toil, Paul and his fellow laborers passed into Helvetia, and came to Mount Pontius Pilate, where
he who condemned the Lord Jesus dashed himself down headlong, and so miserably perished. And immediately a torrent
gushed out of the mountain and washed his body, broken in pieces, into a lake.
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 your only‑begotten Son, plunged down headlong into the pit.
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 agony upon the cross. And there came a voice out of heaven saying even Pilate
has escaped the wrath to come, for he washed his hands before the multitude at the blood‑shedding of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When, therefore, Paul and those who were with him saw the earthquake, and heard the voice of the angel, they glorified God,
and were mightily strengthened in the spirit.
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. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stood up between the two pillars, saying, "Men and brethren these stones
which you see this day shall testify of my journey here. Truly I say, they shall remain until the out pouring of the spirit upon all
nations, neither shall the way be hindered throughout all generations."
Then they traveled to Illtricum, intending to go by Macedonia into Asia, and grace was found in all the churches, and they
prospered in peas. Amen.
1. Isaiah 2. London, England
7/98