It has been all over the news. The Epistle to the Laodiceans, by Paul the apostle, has been found. Just like the Gospel of Judas, this text had been found decades before it was made public. Here I will be giving you my rendering into English from a Spanish version an archaeologist gave me. The manuscript was found in about 1968 in Tarragona, in the Franco era. It was kept away from scientists and the general public—it sounds conspiranoic, granted—not to offend the Spanish Catholic Church and unleash a crisis of faith.
I’m told that the original Greek, and the first version in Spanish, will soon be released to the public. My readers here are benefitting from my having connections in the archaeological community in Tarragona.
Two things can be confirmed by this letter. First, that the Epistle to the Colossians was in tandem with this, the Epistle to the Laodiceans. And second, that Paul the apostle did journey to Spain, which ends once and for all the speculations about his trip here, announced in his letter to the Romans.
Many other fascinating things can be gleaned from the text. Now it seems confirmed that John, the author of Revelation, was referring to Paul in chapter 2. This is an early dispute over authority in the church, an aspotle-off of sorts.
Also, is Paul the apostle condemning … bullfighting? Open to interpretation!
And one only can speculate about the reference to a land of palmtrees in modern Andalucia, that the apostle mentions. Cand the holy see be moved from Rome to Andalucia? Or was it already?
The manuscript is fragmentary. Peter and James are mentioned, but what is said about them is not clear. As isn’t what Paul says about Mary Magdalene and Jesus.
This may be the most outstanding archaeological discovery, or unvealing, of our young 21st century. I can’t imagine how this will not change Christianity for ever. Without further ado, next is my translation of the text.
Saul of Tarsus, Paul in Christ, apostle by the grace of Christ Jesus, to the church of God in Laodicea. Divine authority has been invested directly unto me by Christ Jesus. My teaching is not of human origin. Alongside Barnabas I am spreading the message of salvation of our Lord Jesus, declared God after his death, who died on the cross to save our souls. For it is written: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed”.
Grace and peace to all the holy people in Laodicea from God our Father and our Lord, […] His first begotten son.
Laodiceans […] lest that happen to […] Peter and James, namely rock and father, and the brother of the Lord […] which is […] crucial in the gospel […]
[Seventeen lines missing]
After so many years teaching in Ephesus and setting up a church there, the message will arrive there from Patmos stating that I am a false apostle. Brethren, I always thank God for you, and the Lord knows that I am not a liar. Christ Jesus did not speak of new revelations after He commanded me to spread His gospel to the nations. Rather, truly I say unto you that whoever from Patmos claims to have a message from Christ Jesus for the churches in Ephesus and […] and Laodicea, he is the antichrist. Did not our heavenly Father tell the prophet: “The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds”.
Send Nymphas, servant of Christ Jesus, to find the fine lady from Asia, unjustly called Jezabel, who never worshiped Baal […] nor […] bed, and tell her that her children are safe from any threat, here in the church I am setting up in Spain.
In the name of our Lord, dear brethren in Laodicea, you should know that your lukewarm condition is your path to salvation and eternal […]. Anything different said by false prophets is the work of Satan. The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, Who has chosen His church, rebuke you! After all, if two lie down together they keep lukewarm, but how can one be warm alone?
[About two pages missing]
[…] without which salvation is not possible.
I saw many false prophets in the city of Rome. Their church follows them gladly instead of Christ Jesus’ true apostles […] rabbis and prophets. Our brothers and sisters in Rome do not agree with one another and there are many divisions among them. In my mission to the nations, entrusted by Christ himself, who died for our sins, I quickly made the decision to travel to Spain and build the church here. The young church in Tarraconensis is eagerly learning the teachings of Christ Jesus. The nations have the gift […] capable […] of understanding how the one true God from the distant Jerusalem had a catholic message for all the world. Our heavenly Father can bring about salvation to the Jews as well as to the Greeks, the barbarians, and the nations. I intend to extend the mission further south to the lands of Betica, about which our tent merchants speak wonders as the location for a see […] palmtrees to replace Rome, where false prophets teach.
[Two or three pages missing]
[…] but Satan alone.
Laodiceans: followers of the way here in Tarraconensis, who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and are His holy people, will also visit you. Satan has taught Spaniards a cruel way to slaughter bulls in public festivities [five lines missing] swords, which is worse than offering animal meat as a sacrifice to pagan gods. Laodiceans will educate the Spanish about the right way to treat bulls, according to Scripture, for God is always confirming our testimony about His son among you. It is written: “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel” and “For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity”. The prophets taught: “He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man”.
Spaniards accept baptism. Barnabas has baptized many tens of thousands in Tarraconensis alone. Brothers and sisters of the Law demand signs but are also being baptized in the name of our Lord Christ Jesus. The Spirit searches all things, mainly their souls. Their being baptized is the work of the Spirit, not a human feat. A marvellous foundation is being laid by the Spirit, whom the Father sends, […] Son, for the temple is their body. Scripture teaches: “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me”. They all in Christ are the temple, which brings salvation, and no one can destroy.
Word has come unto us that Herod, who beheaded John the Baptist, is being taken care of by the tribe of the Convenae, north of Tarraconensis. Members of the new temple of God, the body of Christ, must find comfort in the fact that his wicked agenda could not prevent God from spreading baptisms in Palestine, Asia, the Land of the Convenae, and Spain. Only the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus brings eternal life, and only His being baptized made His ministry possible.
[One page missing]
[…] were it not for Mary Magdalene and Christ Jesus.
When this epistle has been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Colossians, and make sure you also read the epistle from Colossae. Faith alone will save you. Amen.
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