TedM wrote:yes, and it is highly questionable.
What do you expect from a blasphemous and heretical author? It is well known that the authors of the heretical gospels cobbled together bits and pieces of the canonical story and then added their own novel embellishments.
The early 'Act of Pilate'
Two Eusebian sources, Justin Martyr and Tertullian, make reference to the existence of some "Acts of Pilate" in the second and early third century. However we cannot be sure precisely what it was they were making reference to, especially in the case of Tertullian, who tries to assure us that Pontius Pilate became "christian". We do not have any documentary evidence that either Justin or Tertullian witnessed the same "Acts of Pilate" which has survived to the 21st century. The earliest "Acts of Pilate" appear as apologetic assertions. Eusebius makes no reference to these earlier references when he is discussing the sudden appearance of the "Pagan Acts of Pilate". We might consider that the "Early Christian Acts of Pilate" are wishful thinking.
In their book Apocryphal gospels Hans-Josef Klauck and Brian McNeil (2003) write:
- "This is most likely not evidence that Christian documents in the name of Pilate already existed; rather,
these texts have inspired the composition of the Acts of Pilate."
In their book The Apocryphal New Testament James Keith Elliott and Montague Rhodes James write (p.164):
- "It is unlikely that Justin was referring to the present work;
either he knew another treatise of this name or else merely
assumed such a document must have existed."
[/i]
Justin Martyr's Apology
Justin Martyr [c.150-155] remarks in his first Apology (35)
(to the emperors Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, and Lucius Verus.)
after he has mentioned the passion and crucifixion of Jesus:
'And that these things happened you can ascertain
from the Acts of Pontius Pilate.'
A similar statement occurs in chapter 48.
CHAPTER XXXV -- OTHER FULFILLED PROPHECIES.
- And after He was crucified they cast lots upon His vesture,
and they that crucified Him parted it among them. And that
things did happen, you can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate.
CHAPTER XLVIII -- CHRIST'S WORK AND DEATH FORE- TOLD.
- And that it was predicted that our Christ should heal all diseases
and raise the dead, hear what was said. There are these words:
"At His coming the lame shall leap as an hart,
and the tongue of the stammerer shall be clear speaking:
the blind shall see, and the lepers shall be cleansed;
and the dead shall rise, and walk about."
And that He did those things, you can learn
from the Acts of Pontius Pilate.
Tertullian's Apology
Tertullian refers twice to a report made by Pilate to Tiberius. According to him, Pontius Pilate informed
the Emperor of the unjust sentence of death which he had pronounced against an innocent and divine person;
the Emperor was so moved by his report of the miracles of Christ and his resurrection, that
he proposed
the reception of Christ among the gods of Rome. But the Senate refused (Apologeticum 5).
TERTULLIAN , APOLOGY.[TRANSLATED BY THE REV. S. THELWALL]
CHAPTER. V.
- Tiberius accordingly, in whose days the Christian name made its entry into the world,
having himself received intelligence from Palestine of events which had clearly shown
the truth of Christ's divinity, brought the matter before the senate,
with his own decision in favour of Christ. The senate, because it had not given
the approval itself, rejected his proposal. Caesar held to his opinion,
threatening wrath against all accusers of the Christians.
In another place Tertullian [200-205 CE] says that the 'whole story of Christ
was reported to Caesar at that time it was Tiberius by Pilate,
himself in his secret heart already a Christian' (Apol. 21, 24).
CHAP. XXI.
- Thereafter, having given them commission to preach the gospel through the world,
He was encompassed with a cloud and taken up to heaven, - a fact more certain
far than the assertions of your Proculi concerning Romulus.
All these things Pilate did to Christ; and now in fact a Christian in his own convictions,
he sent word of Him to the reigning Caesar, who was at the time Tiberius.
Yes, and the Caesars too would have believed on Christ, if either the Caesars
had not been necessary for the world, or if Christians could have been Caesars.
SUMMARY: "EARLY ACTS OF PILATE"
(1) How can anyone possibly believe these sources when they simultaneously claim Pilate and the Caesars were "secretly Christians in their heart"?
(2) Even granted that such a document existed in the official archives of Rome, the document itself was supposed to be some official document which the Roman government kept and maintained which attested to one out of tens of thousands of crucifixions. One out of tens of thousands. If it existed it probably just said the following were crucified today, and then listed a few dozen name. Perhaps the name of Jesus was on this document? I don't think such speculation is evidence.
(3) Finally the text referred to in the OP was not just some Roman government "Court Document". It is a long and well written story and must be totally different to the hypothetical "Early Acts of Pilate" referred to above.
.