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 baptised 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.
Author/Publisher R.W. Morgan
