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St.
Paul In Britain
#CBTB514
Author: R. W. Morgan
That St. Paul planted Christianity in the British Isles over five
centuries before the arrival of St. Augustine is well-documented from
little known sources by the Rev. R. W. Morgan, in 1860. His research
determined that Christianity was first introduced into Britain by Joseph
of Arimathea around 36-39 A.D.; followed by the apostle Simon Zelotes;
then by Aristobulus, the first bishop of the Britons; then by St. Paul.
It's first converts were members of the royal family of Siluria...that
is, Gladys, the sister of Caradoc, Gladys ( Claudia ) and Eurgen his
daughters, Linus his son, converted in Britain before they were carried
into captivity to Rome; then Caradoc, Bran, and the rest of the family,
converted at Rome.
Two of the most rigid Roman Catholics of their period, Polydore Vergil
in the reign of Henry VII, and after him Cardinal Pole ( A.D. 1555 ),
affirmed in Parliament, that "Britain was the first of all
countries to receive the Christian faith." Genebrard stated "The
glory of Britain consists not only in this, that she was the first
country which in a national capacity publicly professed herself
Christian, but that she made this confession when the Roman empire
itself was Pagan and a cruel persecutor of Christianity."
Another example of this opinion, was well expressed by Sabellius when he
said "Christianity was privately confessed elsewhere, but the
first nation that proclaimed it as their religion, and called itself
Christian after the name of Christ, was Britain" . . . and
numerous other instances where the fact of the Christian faith being
first established in England, was known and acknowledged in an official
capacity, are mentioned by the author.
Morgan supplies historical facts that support the claim of the early
arrival in Britain, following the crucifixion of Christ, of Joseph of
Arimathea and his company, including Lazarus, Mary, Martha, Marcella,
and Maximin. They came at the invitation of certain high ranking Druids
from Marseilles into Britain around 38 - 39 A.D., building the first
church on the Isle of Avalon.
Of particular interest to the Christian reader is the connection between
St. Paul and the Royal Silurian family of Britain. Evidence abounds that
Paul was on good terms with the mother of Rufus Pudens, with Pudens
himself, with Claudia his wife, and Linus. The children of Claudia and
Pudens were instructed in the faith by none other than Paul. The eldest
was baptized Timotheus, after Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus, the apostle's
"beloved son in Christ." Paul lived, according to all
evidence, with the Claudian family, whenever he was in Rome, whether he
was in custody at large or free. The close relationship Paul enjoyed
with the Claudian family in Rome, provided him with a golden opportunity
to journey to Britain, and because of the strong influences of that
family in their native country, to receive a warm, and enthusiastic
reception on his arrival.
Because of its vast quantity of footnotes and documentation, this book
is a must as a reference tool for any library, as well as being an
entertaining account of the early expansion of the Christian faith.
Paperback
128 pages |
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