71..PAUL IN BRITAIN
There's a company called Artisan Sales, which published a book by RW Morgan, an abridged copy of his book, printed in 1864, called ST. PAUL IN BRITAIN..a fascinating book.
In it, he makes his case for Paul having visited Britain.
To start with, he believed that Paul was not the first Christian missionary to visit the island, and he makes the claim that the Brits were the first pagans in Europe to be converted to Christianity. The date that this occurred, varies anywhere from 33-150 AD.
The crucified body of Jesus was claimed by Joseph of Arimathea and he was buried in Joseph's grave (it'll be available for occupancy again in three days).
Tradition has it that Joseph was His uncle and a wealthy trade merchant.
Soon after the burial, tradition has Joseph leaving Jerusalem and going to Britain, landing in Cornwall County, and eventually settling in Avalon, now Glastonbury, where he established the first "Christian" church. He was succeeded by Simon the Zelot, followed by Aristobulus, and then Paul..
Incidentally, I visited the magical, mystical Glastonbury and saw the tree, that allegedly grew out of the staff that Joseph planted.
The Silurian royal family were said to be among the first that were baptized (Siluria was what is now a portion of Wales).
During the reign of Claudius, the Silurians were defeated and the royal family was sent to Rome, where they established residence.
Claudia, a member of the family, married Pudens, a Roman Senator. Among their children was Timothy. Their minister was Hermas.. His surname was "Pastor", which was the name of their church.
It was during his third journey and second visit to Corinth, around 58 AD, that Paul wrote his letter to the Romans.
In his greetings, he mentioned, among others, Hermas, and the family of Aristobulus, Rufus, surname of Pudens, and his mother and mine (something long wondered at). These listed were all attached in some way to the royal family of Britain.
His saslutations were delivered in such a manner as to indicate that he knew them well, and YET this was 3 years before his visit, for the first time, to Rome.
This indicates to me, and many early historians, that he had to have known them beforehand, which could only have occurred during an earlier visit to Britain..bobnpaul