THE INCREDIBLE HISTORY OF GOD’S TRUE CHURCH – (5) (Continued)
CHAPTER FIVE (continuing) – THE UTMOST BOUNDS OF THE WEST
THE commission given by Christ to Paul was to take the gospel to “the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). When Paul left Rome the first two parts of this task had already been completed, the people of Cadiz and the surrounding area were largely of Israelite and Phoenician stock who had settled in the region for commercial reasons over a period of centuries. They (the Israelite element) represented a small part of the “lost ten tribes” of Israel.
The Muratorian Fragment, which is part of a document dating back to the second century, mentions Paul’s work in Spain but gives few of the details.
A generation later, in about A.D. 200, Tertullian mentions that “the extremities of Spain, the various parts of Gaul, the regions of Britain which have never been penetrated by the Roman armies, have received the religion of Christ.”(10)
The M.S. continues the story of Paul’s travels: “And they departed out of Spain, and Paul and his company finding a ship in Amorica sailing into Britain, they went therein, and passing along the South coast they reached a port called Raphinus”.
Amorica is identified as follows: ” In Caesar’s time, the whole district lying along the north-western coast of Gaul, all afterwards narrowed down to
Brittany.” (11)
Several writers affirm that the gospel came into Britain by way of Brittany. Dr. Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History relates: “The independence of the ancient British churches from the see of Rome, and their observing the same rites with the Gallic churches, which were planted by Asiatics, and particularly in regard to the time of Easter, show that they received the Gospel from Gaul, and not from Rome.”
A number of early writers mention that churches were established in France, known anciently as Gaul, during apostolic times. Not only Paul but also Luke and Crescens are said to have had a part in this work.
“In the second century (A.D. 179) Iranaeus speaks of Christianity as propagated to the utmost bounds of the earth, by the Apostles, and their disciples; and particularly specifies the churches planted in Spain and the Celtic nations. By the Celts were meant the people of Germany, Gaul and Britain.” (12)
Trophimus is said to have preached and established a church at Aries; a cathedral was later built over the site of his tomb.
Epiphanius (A.D. 315-407) relates: “The ministry of the divine word having been entrusted to St. Luke, he exercised it by passing into Dalmatia, into Gaul, into Italy, into Macedonia, but principally into Gaul, so that St. Paul assures him in his epistles about some of his disciples – ‘Crescens,’ said he, ‘is in Gaul.’ In it must not be read in Galatia as some have falsely thought, but in Gaul.”
Several other authorities support this interpretation of II Timothy 4:10, including the Codex Sinaiticus, which translates Galatia as ‘Gallia.’
The exact location of the port of Raphinus, mentioned in the “Sonnini Manuscript” is uncertain. Some identify this as the Roman name of Sandwich in Kent. A port in this vicinity is known to have been used by the Romans during the first century A.D. An old house is said to have existed at Sandwich until Saxon times which was known as “The House of the Apostles.”
Roman roads linked this part of the coast with London. The text of the M.S. continues as follows: “Now when it was noised abroad that the apostle had landed on their coast, great multitudes of the inhabitants met him, and they treated Paul courteously, and he entered in at the east gate of their city, and lodged in the house of an Hebrew and one of his own nation”.
“And on the morrow he came and stood upon Mount Lud; and the people thronged at the gate, and assembled in the Broadway, and he preached Christ unto them, and many believed the word and the testimony of Jesus”.
“And at even the Holy Ghost fell upon Paul, and he prophesied, saying, Behold in the last days the God of Peace shall dwell in the cities, and the inhabitants thereof shall be numbered; and in the seventh numbering of the people, their eyes shall be opened, and the glory of their inheritance shine forth before them. And the nations shall come up to worship on the Mount that testifieth of the patience and long suffering of a servant of the Lord”
“And in the latter days new tidings of the Gospel shall issue forth out of Jerusalem, and the hearts of the people shall rejoice, and behold, fountains shall be opened, and there shall be no more plague”.
“In those days there shall be wars and rumours of wars; and a king shall rise up, and his sword shall be for the healing of the nations, and his peacemaking shall abide, and the glory of his kingdom a wonder among princes”.
“And it came to pass that certain of the Druids came unto Paul privately, and showed by their rites and ceremonies they were descended from the Jews which escaped from bondage in the land of Egypt, and the apostle believed these things, and he gave them the kiss of peace”.
“And Paul abode in his lodgings three months, confirming in the faith and preaching Christ continually”.
“And after these things Paul and his brethren departed from Raphinus, and sailed unto Antiurn in Gaul.”
The “Mount Lud” mentioned in the M.S. can probably be identified as the modern day Ludgate Hill, located in the City of London. A variety of objects dating to the first century have been unearthed in this area showing that it was a spot used by Romans and the local Britons during Paul’s day.
According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Lud-Gate was built by King Lud in 66 B.C. Several early writers confirm the existence of this ruler of pre-Roman Britain.
Holinshed states that “Lud began to reign in 72 B.C. He made a strong wall of lime and stone and fortified it with divers fair towers, and in the west part of the same wall he erected a strong gate which he commanded to be called after his name, ‘Ludgate,’ and so unto this day, it is called Ludgate.”(13)
Another spot where Paul, according to tradition, is said to have preached is the district of Gospel Oak, a part of Hampstead Heath.
A charter given by King Canute in 1030 would also seem to confirm the story of Paul’s visit. It reads: “I, Canut, king of the English, grant lands for the enlargement of the Monastery of the blessed Apostle Paul, teacher of the peoples, and situated in the City of London.”
Critics of the M.S. have seen as too good to be true the obvious reference to St. Paul’s Cathedral given in the prophecy, said to have been made by Paul, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
It should be said that the prophecy, if genuine, does not relate to the history of the Church of God, but to a place of national worship, the exact nature of which is not specified; the entire context is one of national history rather than church history.
It can hardly be denied that the former Mount Lud did become the site of a national place of worship. One only has to witness a state occasion such as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 to realize that the representatives of several nations do come to worship on this spot. This great cathedral does indeed bear Paul’s name and in a sense testifies of his visit and preaching.
The reference to Paul’s meeting with the Druids is probable enough. Although they suffered persecution at the hands of the Romans, it is likely that at this early stage in the Roman occupation they still had great influence with the people and by means of their very efficient system of communications were made aware of Paul’s arrival.
It was Paul’s policy to establish friendly relationships with civil and religious leaders, whenever this was possible, in order that the progress of the gospel would
not be hindered. Although he probably noted with interest the similarities between the Druidic and Jewish religions, he would certainly not have approved of or
condoned the many elements of paganism that had influenced the religion of the Druids by this period.
The mention of a visit to Britain by Paul lasting three months is a point of some interest as it seems to have been Paul’s policy on several occasions to visit an area
for this period of time (Acts 19:8, 20:3, 28:11).
It is also quite possible that he paid more than one visit to Britain. The six years which elapsed before his final arrest and death would allow adequate time for two or more visits.
An old history of the Isle of Wight speaks of Paul arriving “with several other Christians, some of whom had been in personal contact with our blessed Lord Himself. He landed at Bonefon in the Isle ofWight. The exact spot is now Sandown Bay, which was a mouth of the harbour of Brading. He passed to the mainland from Rhydd, the ferry or passage now called Ryde, to Aber Deo, the port of God, or Godsport – Gosport.”
“This is not so fantastic as it may seem, for nearby Paulsgrove, north of Portsmouth, is said to be named because St. Paul visited there.”(14)
The exact dates for these visits cannot be determined but, if they did take place, would almost certainly have been made between Paul’s release from Roman captivity in A.D. 61 (some authorities place this event a year later, in A.D. 62), and his arrest in A.D. 67.
Some early writers insist that his first visit must have taken place before the war between Boadicea and the Romans (A.D. 60-61). In the absence of any conclusive evidence, however, one can only admit that our knowledge of chronology relating to first century Britain is incomplete.
The final section of the “Sonnini Manuscript” concludes the story of Paul’s travels as follows: “And Paul preached in the Roman garrisons and among the people, exhorting all men to repent and confess their sins.”
“And there came to him certain of the Belgae to enquire of him of the new doctrine, and of the man Jesus; and Paul opened his heart unto them, and told them all things that had befallen him, how be it that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; and they departed, pondering among themselves upon the things which they had heard.”
“And after much preaching and toil Paul and his fellow labourers passed into Helvetia, and came unto Mount Pontius Pilate, where he who condemned the Lord Jesus dashed himself down headlong, and so miserably perished.”
“And immediately a torrent gushed out of the mountain and washed his body broken to pieces into a lake.”
“And Paul stretched forth his hands upon the water and prayed unto the Lord, saying, O Lord God, give a sign unto all nations that here Pontius Pilate, which condemned thine only-begotten Son, plunged down headlong into the pit.
“And while Paul was yet speaking, behold there came a great earthquake, and the face of the waters was changed, and the form of the Lake like unto the Son of Man hanging in an agony upon the cross.”
“And a voice came out of heaven saying, Even Pilate hath escaped the wrath to come, for he washed his hands before the multitude at the blood shedding of the Lord Jesus.”
“When, therefore, Paul and those that were with him saw the earthquake, and heard the voice of the angel, they glorified God, and were mightily strengthened in the Spirit.”
“And they journeyed and came to Mount Julius, where stood two pillars, one on the right hand and one on the left hand, erected by Caesar Augustus.”
“And Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, stood up between the two pillars, saying, Men and brethren, these stones which ye see this day shall testify of my joumey hence; and verily I say, they shall remain until the outpouring of the spirit upon all nations, neither shall the way be hindered throughout all generations.”
“And they went forth and came unto Illyricum, intending to go by Macedonia into Asia, and grace was found in all the churches; and they prospered and had peace. Amen.”(15)
Eusebius confirms the suicide of Pilate, although he does not record where this event took place.
“It is also worthy of notice that tradition relates that that same Pilate, he of the Saviour’s time, in the days of Caius … fell into such great calamity that he was forced to become his own slayer and to punish himself with his own hand. These who record the Olympiads of the Greeks with the annals of events relate this.”(16)
There is one tradition, perhaps the one to which Eusebius referred, which tells that Pilate, falling out of political favour during the reign of Caligula (Caius) went to Helvetia (Switzerland) where he spent his remaining days in great sorrow on Mount Pilatus (called Mount Pontius Pilate in the M.S.). He is said to have taken his own life by plunging into the dismal lake at the base of the mountain – Lake Lucerne.
Some of the Waldenses, a church of the Middle Ages which probably can be identified as the Thyatira era of the Church of God (Revelation 2: 18), traced their origin to the Apostle Paul’s preaching in the Alps.
Eusebius also confirms Paul’s journey through Illyricum. “Why should we speak of Paul, spreading the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem to Illyricum, and finally suffering martyrdom at Rome, under Nero?”(17)
As Paul was a citizen of Tarsus and spent most of his life in the eastern Mediterranean, one is tempted to speculate that the material relating to his visit to Britain could perhaps be categorized as nothing more than legend and mere wishful thinking. Was Paul even aware of the existence of Britain?
The Apostle was an educated man, having read widely, even taking in the writings of foreign poets. He knew as much, if not more, of world affairs as the average educated man of his day.
The bulk of Paul’s ministry took place during the reigns of the Roman emperors Claudius and Nero (A.D. 41-68). During this period, one of the major concerns of the empire was the invasion and conquest of Britain.
This war, which dragged on for decades (Wales was not subdued until about A.D. 79, some thirty-six years after the initial invasion), absorbed some of Rome’s
finest legions and most competent military leaders.
Tacitus relates that “When Britain, with the rest of the Roman world, fell to the lot of Vespasian, the ablest officers were sent to reduce the island; powerful armies were set in rnotion …. “(18)
So important was the campaign in Britain to the Romans that Claudius named a son Britannicus in recognition of his victories. News of the progress of the war spread throughout the empire; Josephus relates that during the battle which led to the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 the Romans, in an effort to discourage the Jews, boasted of their victories in Britain.
Who can doubt that if the Jews in Jerusalem were aware of events in Britain, Paul, who spent at least two years in Rome, would have been even more aware of
these things? The Romans gave great publicity to their military campaigns, especially those in Britain.
It is probable that Paul had personal contact with at least one British Christian during his visit to Rome.
Plautius, the commander of the Roman forces in Britain, married the sister of Caractacus, the famous warrior king of the Britons, at the time of the first peace treaty about AD. 45. Some two years later, his military service in Britain completed, he returned to Rome with his wife.
Tacitus records that an unusual thing happened following their arrival at Rome: “Pomponia Graecina, a woman of illustrious birth, and the wife of Plautius, who, on his return from Britain, entered the city with the pomp of an ovation, was accused of embracing the rites of a foreign superstition. The matter was referred to the jurisdiction of her husband. Plautius, in conformity to ancient usage, called together a number of her relations, and in her presence, sat in judgment on the conduct of his wife. He pronounced her innocent.”(19)
There is general agreement among scholars that the “foreign superstition” mentioned by Tacitus is a direct reference to Christianity. Suetonius, another Roman writer of the period, mentions the Christians as holding a “novel and mischievous superstition.”
The charges could well have been brought by a political enemy of Plautius, in order to damage his political career.
”As Judaism was a religion recognized by Roman law, and as Christianity was not yet distinguished from Judaism Pomponia was entitled to an acquittal on the
purely religious grounds. But rumours were already abroad which accused the Christians of flagitious and impure orgies in secret, and the participation in these was the matter referred to the domestic tribunal. The domestic court was charged with the cognizance of this very class of crimes, more especially of the violation of the marriage vow.”(20)
The charge of taking part in orgies was commonly leveled at the Christians in Roman times; although true Christians were well aware of God’s law relating to sexual sins, many references can be found to prove that Simon Magus and his followers did indeed indulge in such activities; as these people, although not true Christians, called themselves “Christians” it is easy to see how such rumours began.
E.Guest in his Origines Celticae adds another important point relating to Pomponia: “For all are agreed that by the ‘foreign superstition’ was meant Christianity … Moreover, as Pomponia had been charged with the crime of Christianity, and acquitted only by her husband’s verdict, she would naturally live in the strictest seclusion, if it were merely to save her husband from dishonour, and we can thus explain the fact that she is never mentioned in St. Paul’s epistles.”(21)
Pomponia could well have been a member of Paul’s congregation during his visit to Rome. As one of the very few Christians of noble or royal birth, she could well have been one of those that Paul was thinking of when he wrote that “not many noble are called” (I Corinthians 1:26).
It is possible that Pomponia gave Paul some encouragement to preach in Britain. She had been, prior to her marriage, a princess in Siluria (South Wales), her former name being Gladys. Theodoret wrote that Paul preached, not only to the Britons, but also to the Cymry or Welsh.
“And St. Paul might have some particular encouragement at Rome to come hither from Pomponia Graecina, wife of A. Plautius, the Roman lieutenant under Claudius in Britain; for that she was a Christian, appears very probable from the account Tacitus gives of her. “(22)
In 1867 the noted archaeologist, De Rossi, discovered amazing proof of the existence of Pomponia. He uncovered in the catacomb of Callistus at Rome a sepulchral inscription to “Pomponius Graecinus” who was probably a male relative of Pomponia.
J.B. Lightfoot gives more details of the discovery: “The earliest portion of the catacombs of Callistus, the so-called crypt of Lucina, shows by the character and
construction that it must have been built in the first century of the Christian Church. In this crypt a sepulchral inscription has been found belonging to the close of the second or beginning of the third century, unquestioningly bearing the name Pomponius Graecinus …”
“It is clear therefore that this burial place was constructed by some Christian lady of rank, probably before the close of the first century, for her fellow reiigionists
within a generation or two a descendant or near kinsman of Pomponia Graecina was buried.”(23) .
She is thought to have died in about A.D. 83.
[To be continued]
